Tuesday 10 October 2017

Rinnai Condensing On Demand Water Heater Blues:.Tuesday, October 10th!

A profound unmitigated loneliness is the only truth of life. -R.K. Narayan, novelist (10 Oct 1906-2001) 


Up at 7:30 am when Lady Dar informed me that the lads, from G. Little Electric Ltd., were here to install the new, gas-fired, on-demand hot water system. Poor Etta and Duke, once they had chomped a quick breakfast of crunchies and pumpkin, high-tailed it out of the house, driven away by the drilling and hammering going on in the garage and crawl space! Imagined we wouldn't see much of either until the work is completed. 

[As it turned out I had to descend into crawl space to retrieve Duke. His curiosity got the better of him and he dashed through open hatch in the office closet when nobody was around. When worker retuned, I guess he felt trapped so wedged himself into a narrow space between some cross-bracing. According to one of the lads, he stayed there while they worked and was still there for an hour or so after they left. Once back form my ride, he still hadn't appeared so I took a flashlight to look into all the corners to find him crying pitifully, still on his platform. Took a couple of gentle tugs to untangle him from a few cables he'd twisted himself between, all the while digging his claws into joists.

Once I'd freed him I kept a close hold on his quivering body, (I could feel his little heart racing in his chest.), worried he'd dash off again. Think he was so upset that he was pretty easy to carry to the space below hatch, although he still seemed spooked when I put him on the office floor. Lady Dar came to collect and comfort him and give him fresh water as he was pretty thirsty once he reached the surface! All's well that end's well!]

By the time I'd digitated and answered numerous questions from the efficient workmen, it was close to 3:00 pm. I hadn't been riding since Saturday so it was a delight to be back in the saddle again. It was pretty breezy when I started out the wind out of the S at 23 kph, gusting to 33 kph. Under these circumstances, decided I'd stick fairly close to home so headed for PTC and then along Lakeshore to Riverside. Okanagan's surface was quite calm but it took a bit of work to make my way to Riverside Mall but once there the return to do a Baker's Dozen worth of loops off Power allowed me push my AVG to 21.1. kph, sheltered as the circuit was from the powerful gusts. 

After this I did three or four loops off Burnaby/Westminster so that I had close to 34 km on the clock by the time I was back at PTC. Another run back to the RM and then retraced the route  to PTC. Since the wind was still blowing out of the S at 17 kph I decided I'd rather wend my way home via Winnipeg as the grade on this street isn't as challenging as is the climb up Ellis. Dipsy-doodled my way to Power and with a quick loop there returned along Lakeshore to Winnipeg and then home. Had hoped to keep the AVG at 21 kph but simply wasn't able to hold it there with all the twists and turns into the wind for the last third of the ride. Nevertheless, still a bracing outing to help with all the fabulous turkey I'd consumed over the last few days. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2083731699#.Wd2Bu0PYLsA.email

Dearest Casa Vicentians! We are reminded, and terribly so, of 1991, looking at the coverage of the raging wildfires in and around LA and closer to your home, in Sonoma/Napa. [I just had a quick chat with David Coffaro. The fires are about ten miles from them and most of their employees had to be evacuated from their homes, although, Catalina, is back at home now.] Our thoughts are with everyone there and in affected areas, of course.
 
Post-Thanksgiving weekend, we have this week to recover, more or less, although a local contractor is installing a hot-water-on-demand unit, as I scribe, so that necessitated moving more stuff! This Sunday we are heading back into Vancouver to volunteer at the Vancouver Writers Festival, October 17-22nd. Want to have a few days to visit with friends. Schedule is pretty busy and all our shifts are during the evening while most days we spend going to readings, etc. Lady Dar has her Book Club on Monday, October 23rd so we will stay until Tuesday. Have been thinking about a whirlwind trip to Vancouver Island, (as we've not seen Jean and John Anderson, in Victoria, for years!), for rest of that week but will have to wait and see how we feel, closer to the time. If it's Tuesday, it must be Berkeley!!!! [We will probably stay here for Christmas, to spend it with Chloë, and then drive to LA for New Year's. Alejandro is to graduate from LAFD training course so we'd like to attend that, as you can well imagine. Then on to who know where!!!] All this being said, we'd love to visit with you, en route to LA, so let us know if you will be around and which dates might work and we'll plan accordingly. Until then, take care of yourselves. Fondestos from Lady Dar, working on her Grandmothers For Africa Caroling for a Cause fundraiser. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 


Pics: Chloë, in middle, this past Saturday morning with Nicolina and Beckster, sisters-in-law! They, and all the rest of the Sutherlands and grandchildren, were spending Thanksgiving with Flamin' and Sarge at Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos, and drove up to return Chloë, [She spent the night there after bash at Orofino!], as well as make a visit to 8th Generation in Summerland. Lady Dar with Emma, Kayla and Linda Ervin, retired United Church minister we first knew in Vancouver, now living in Penticton. Luca; Emma and Amanda, our neighbour; Katie with Kayla, Amanda's daughter; Lady Dar lights the fire pit after scrumptious dinner! Bhudda candle Chloë has had for fifteen years. First lighting! Blanket kids! Arrivederci Vernonites! 


Dearest Victorians! Trust you are both well. Must certainly apologize for not being in touch, ages ago, to reply to your last missive/inquiry. No excuses but plenty of reasons, as I am fond of saying! [In a slight aside, looking at the coverage of the raging wildfires in and around LA and further north, in Sonoma/Napa, we are reminded of those two trips we first took to California. On the second trip, I believe, there were fires around Calistoga.

This Sunday we are heading back into Vancouver to volunteer at the Vancouver Writers Festival, October 17-22nd. Lady Dar has her Book Club on Monday, October 23rd so we will stay until Tuesday. Have been thinking about a whirlwind trip to Vancouver Island to see you both, if the invitation to visit is open! If so, we would probably ferry over on Tuesday, stay for a night or two, and then possibly head to Sydney Island, Galiano, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Courtenay, depending on schedules of friends in each community. If it's Tuesday, it must be Swartz Bay!!!! Fondestos from Lady Dar and Cheers, Patrizzio! 


Dear Patrick, I am exhausted just reading about your busy life but it was good to hear that you might be dropping in. I had asked Lady Dar about a visit to the island and she said it was not in the cards. I was going to invite a couple over for dinner with you guys and went ahead and booked them in a few weeks as I assumed you were not coming. Now I will wait until I get confirmation that you are coming. The fella Chris I swear could be your brother and I know you would hit it off. Will not give details until I hear from you that you are coming. Johns nephew is here for Thanksgiving and will be leaving tomorrow. Anyways let me know as soon as you can if you are indeed coming and I will re book dinner with friends. Love Jean

Hi Patrick, Going over your letter, it reads you might be here on the Tues. for a few nights after your visit to Vanc. and that would be great! so let us know. Love Jean and John Dearest Exhausto Woman! So sorry to tire you out and even sorrier to inform you that I overstepped the bounds of my social convenor's mandate! I had completely forgotten that Lady Dar is involved with a Grandmothers for Africa fund-raising dinner on Friday, October 27th so we will not be able to visit, following the VWF. She needs to be back in Penticton a few days before actual event as she is on organizing committee. I do apologize but am pleased that you have wisely waited for confirmation before making any related arrangements. Look forward to meeting these freinds at some other time, of course.There is a possibility that early in November we will be back in Vancouver and if that trip transpires we hope to make it to Victoria and environs. Will certainly be in touch if that is to be the case and see what might work for you in this event. Fondestos from Lady Dar, still abed, to you and John. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Lady Dar at PAG fund-raiser with friends, Jacinta and Pamela.

Dearest Salish Sea and Vancouver Island Folk Trust everyone is well.   [In a slight aside, looking at the coverage of the raging wildfires in and around LA and further north, in Sonoma/Napa, we are reminded of the trips we've taken with some of you, to California.]Have been thinking about a whirlwind trip to Vancouver Island to see as many of you as possible, if the invitation to visit is open! If so, we would probably ferry over on Tuesday, October 24th, to stay for a night or two, with Jean and John Anderson, in Victoria, and then possibly head to Sydney Island, Galiano, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Courtenay, depending on schedules of friends in each community. Please let us know if you will be around and which dates might work and we'll plan accordingly. Until then, take care of yourselves. Cheers, Patrizzio!   

Hi Pat, Corinne & Chloe-Thank you for the beautiful Thanksgiving card! I as at Yda's and Arni's for turkey dinner and we thought about you too. I'm sorry we haven't seen you in so long, and miss you all very much! Love & Kisses, Laura Thank You Pat Dunn. Calling him yes, but..He is not in the phonebook to my knowledge..What about a ###??? Blessing, DBJS Thanks for the greeting, Pat and Corinne. All the best to you and yours also. We have so much to be grateful for! Also, have a wonderful winter. Come on by Guayabitos if you're so incllned, always happy to see you. XO

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