Quiet Day With a Book Club Book Blues: Thursday, November 30th!

Although the connections are not always obvious, personal change is inseparable from social and political change. -Harriet Lerner, psychologist (b. 30 Nov 1944)




Hi Grey Cup Goil! Unfortunately, you have become too, too famous for your own good and all the other bridge players are far too intimidated to play this evening. I'm doubly disappointed as not only have I not played for a bit but also was looking forward to a blow-by-blow of Ottawa weekend. Will have to wait until later, I suppose. Lady Dar and Chloë are off to see Jerry Seinfeld this evening while Patrizziello has to stay home and do chores! See you at Book Club on Monday, if not before. Stop pinching yourselves! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patrick, Thank you for trying to herd the cats to play Bridge🐱See you Monday evening👍 Pam Good Evening, Cat Whisperer! You caught the feline by the tail with your description of the Bridge Rodeo! In fact, I think Duke and Etta are easier to corral than our far-flung, life on the open range, two footed bridge friends! At any rate, I'll keep my lariat at the ready for next week. Git Along and Cheers, Patrizzio! 👍😀 Dear Book Club Chefs! Just a quick note to go over the menu for this coming Monday. Luigi is providing the main course, Lady Dar a rice dish, Pam dessert but my memory fails me after that, so others please remind everyone, host in particular. Should we plan to arrive between 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm, on Gammon Road? Michelle Dunn will be joining the group and has a very, very delicate, not to say, fragile personality so please be gentle with her, all you hard-hearted, thick-skinned wimmins! PS: I expect to sit at a White Males Only Table, by the way! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Hello Patrick:So good to hear from you. It’s been a pretty busy week for me. Was in Kelowna twice……….driving a friend to the hospital. All good now.Just got back from concert at our beautiful Frank Venables Theatre. I am bringing a salad and some white wine. And will be coming to your place to catch a ride. Let me know what time I should be there ok. Cheereo from Hildegard Von Bingen……..😊😊 Hi Theatre Going Gal!Lovely to hear from you and that you had a grand time at concert. Lady Dar and Chloë are now back from SOEC where they saw Jerry Seinfeld. Said it was a wonderful, wonderful show!

Thanks for speedy reply and reminding me that you are bringing a salad and white wine. At this point, I think if you plan to arrive around 5:30 pm that should be fine. I'm going to ask Michelle Dunn to be here then so that we can all go together. If Luigi would like us there earlier I'll certainly be in touch about new rendezvous time. Looking forward to seeing you. Cheers, Patrizzio!😊

Hello Patrick Does Chloe have a gmail account? Please send it to gmail as a large file will not be a problem. I really need your video clip by Wednesday of next week. Thanks heaps and heaps. They have hired a new head for the Education Library--Peggy Lunn who is currently at Thompson Rivers University. She will start in March. Then they will hire for my position. Cheers for now Jo-Anne Please try to send by email. Is it an mp3 file?? Cheers Jo-Anne Hi Patrick
If Chloe or Corinne have a gmail account try sending it to my gmail account.
Thanks heaps and heaps. Jo-Anne.

Hi Marps! I think I've figured things out! Had to hack into Lady Dar's account! Let me know if this goes through! I eventually loaded file, on memory stick I was going to send in card, onto Lady Dar's desktop and then using her account, sent you file. I eventually figured out what my gmail password was as I've not used it for aeons. From now on I will be able to send large files that way so thanks for forcing me to hone my computer skills! Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello Patrick Thanks heaps and heaps it came through just fine!!! Cheers Jo-Anne

Hi again, Miss Marpole! Glad it worked! Should I send Chris' card to The "Curric Lab" or to your house? I'm off to watch an episode of Outlander to catch up with Lady Dar and Chloë! Do you follow it?  Quite enjoy seeing Claire and Jamie and all the "scrapes" they find themselves in. One of the most interesting "time travel" series, either in book or screen form that I've encountered. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Patrick Thanks again--your video is perfect. Please send the card to the Education Library--Chris' last day is Dec. 13. I actually will be away when he leaves as i have some unused vacation. Have heard about Outlander but don't have the cable station required to watch it. Enjoy. Again many thanks Jo-Anne

Hi Unending Vacation Woman! I'll send card to Education Library, thanks. Just talked to Chloë, from Kelowna. It was her staff Christmas Party today so company pays for a hotel so people don't have to drive afterwards. She said it was a very pleasant all day affair, starting with a breakfast, a few short speeches and business presentations and then lunch, silly games and exchange of gifts from Secret Santas. She enjoyed meeting some of the people from both the Kelowna and Sicamous offices she'd not met since she started. 

Unfortunately, she had some devastating news, at her own office, before she drove to Kelowna. A young woman, Jen, in her 40's, she worked with at Aunt Leah's was diagnosed with terminal cancer two months ago and she died this morning. Poor Chloë was weeping all day. Her gift was a lovely selection of bath salts and other unguents so she was planning to go for a long soak in her jacuzzi-tub with a bottle of wine. Anyway, take care of yourselves, Dunbarites. All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello! Thanks for the update on your riding adventures they sound wonderful but I prefer my stationary bike it is so safe. John dropped me off at the hairstylists today as it was a blustery day and I did not want to drive. We are snuggling up with the hounds downstairs, fireplace on and listening once again to Anderson Cooper’s latest.

Tomorrow we are going with four other friends to the Yacht Club for dinner to view the Sea of Lights. The harbor will be ablaze with festive Christmas lighting. We are going with Ludmilla (Ukrainian born in Kiev) & John Weaver (born in UK. and Andrew Weavers parents) and Natalee (a fifties prof. in counselling) and Michele (a retired doc. recovering from a stroke). We have shared dinners with them for years. This time dining out. Well a busy week is coming up so will talk soon. Girlfriend luncheons, memorial for a friends wife, dinners out, etc. Love to your pack. Jean

Hi Stationary Bike Woman! I'll soon be joining you as I plan to set up my Elite Volare Mag Speed Alu Roller Turbo Indoor Trainer, almost brand new, given to me by a friend last Fall! I will set it up in our Rumpus Room so that I can watch Netflix while exercising! Can hardly wait for next snowfall to drive me indoors! Your social calendar sounds most enjoyable. I'm sure Sea of Lights will be wonderful. My pack left a couple of hours ago so I'm going to figure out my monthly expenses, ready for financial reckoning with Lady Dar tomorrow!

Cheers, Patrizzio! Oh! You will love your bike and yes Outlander my God I could watch it over and over it is awesome, what a love story, I was so taken by it. xx

Hi Time Travel Love Story Girl! I must say I, as well, thoroughly enjoy the passion of their relationship! Lady Dar and Chloë are now back from SOEC. Said Jerry put on a wonderful, wonderful, show! Lady Dar is already asleep as she has her volunteer shift at PGH tomorrow and then May Jong in the afternoon. From a quick perusal of tomorrow's forecast looks like i might be able to squeeze in a ride between showers! Time for bed and first few chapters of The Late Show! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Dallas! Trust you are well. Sorry I've not been in touch sooner but it has been a very, very busy Fall and now Christmas is almost here! Lady Dar has already started to prepare for Christmas, putting up decorations and doing a bit of baking. For my part, I was charged with preparing the invitation for our Open House, on December 9th! Will attach three first class, return air tickets, so hope you, Miranda and Adrian can make bash!!! Will you be in LA for Christmas? IN early February we intend to drive to Palm Desert, Sun City, Sedona, visiting/staying with friends there, and then Dallas, if you will be around! Let me know what you are up to, both with regard to Christmas as well as Dallas. Hope things work out so that we can arrange to connect, either in LA or Dallas, Ruth, Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Pics: Wheelbarrow full, but of firewood. Friends, who winter in Sedona, have more than they can use so want me take as much as possible as they want to reduce fuel load around their house which is quite a way, into hills above Penticton, amidst forest. View from the deck of their house, out across Okanagan Lake to Summerland. 

Hello WWW, aka Wild and Wonderful Wole! Trust you are well. In the first instance, I have to apologize for not being in touch, this past July. No excuses but plenty of reasons. Life was so hectic with wedding and after we moved to house in Oxnard getting together was well nigh impossible. Again, sorry I has taken me so long to pen this message. We will be in LA for New Year's. If you will be around the following week, perhaps we can get together for a ride, or more.  Anyway, let me know what you are up to. It would be great to be able to see you again. Fondestos from Lady Dar, in absentia, already asleep  Take care of yourself, Wole. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Grizzly Peak Gord! You probably understand the reference but just in case you don't, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Grizzly Peak is a summit in the Berkeley Hills above Berkeley, California. The peak is located on the border between Alameda and Contra Costa counties, within the boundaries of Tilden Regional Park, and directly behind the University of California, Berkeley campus.The peak was named for the California grizzly bear which inhabited the local area until the late 1800s. 

Reason I mention this is that we will be staying with friends who live on Vincente, in the Berkeley Hills, on our coming trip to LA. In the good old days, early '80's and '90's, when I was still jogging, I'd "run" from their place to the top of Grizzly Peak or at least as far as the roads thereabouts would take me. I've always found the state flag to be most attractive although I bemoan the despoiled habitat and vanished grizzlies. 

Three years ago, now, I took a trip, with two other friends, as far south as SF and on the return leg we stopped in South Tahoe to cycle on some of the trails bordering the lake shore, at times. It was in late October, 2014, and after my friends decided they'd had enough, I continued on, exploring some of the high end developments with water front. To my surprise and alarm, in one cul de sac, I came across two brown/golden bears, (I leave it to the expert to decide!), and turned around, rather quickly, after I managed to capture a shot or two! 

More recently, when riding along the Adams River, near Little Shuswap, this past July, [Corinne is now a Marriage Officiant and performed the wedding for the daughter of very close friends who live in Squamish. They have black bears in their yard all the time!], I came across what I considered to be a rather large black/brown bear, (I'm ashamed to say I don't really know the difference!), ahead of me, on the road by about 150 metres. [No camera so no evidence!] I rang my bell, hoping the creature would run away. Instead it looked at me with what I took to be a sizing-up stare. I was just about to turn around and go back from whence I came but the bear lumbered off the road and disappeared into the surrounding forest. I stood up in the saddle and pedalled like fury, let me tell you!

I know the you are probably laughing your head off but for amateurs like me, these wonderful creatures are no laughing matter. Well, there you have two of my bear stories and the rest can wait until we meet and you can out-yarn me, I'm sure! Anyway, simply wonderful to chat this morning, Gord, and find out a bit about each other. Thanks for calling. I guess I have a slight advantage, given your fairly "public" profile but it was lovely to hear a bit about your family. Given where we both live I do hope we'll be able to cross paths in the not too, too distant future. We probably won't be heading to Winnipeg, until the late summer, if then, this year. Lady Dar, short for "Darjeeling", her nickname since we travelled in India in 2015, sends her very best wishes. Take care of yourself, Gord and keep in touch. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Tahoe bears!

Garmin Edge Touring Touch Screen Blues: Wednesday, November 29th!

If I can do no more, let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won. -Louisa May Alcott, writer and reformist (29 Nov 1832-1888)

Today I plan to dehydrate more of the Gala apples I picked three or so weeks ago. Once I've prepared the apples for the drying racks, I'm heading out for a ride. Some blue sky but wind will be an issue as it is blowing out of the S at 34 kph, gusting to 44 kph! Must away as I also have to attend to the few remaining chores left on Lady Dar's list, pinned to my forehead before she left! Chatted with her last night and she had a great time at book club and visiting with friends I'm to collect her at 6:00 pm, this evening, from bus station, laden with a red carpet and a bouquet of roses!

Early morning flight:A view from the air. Yes, lots of animals, but hard to see on the pictures. Cheers. Mike Hello Hot Air Balloon Enthusiasts! From all the stunning shots, to date, you will crash and burn when you finally land back in reality! Travel safely. Take care of each other. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Sorry Patrick for my tardy reply. Played bridge at senior centre yesterday, and again tomorrow afternoon. Think I must pass for anther day this week. Thank you for your invitation to your Christmas gathering. Are spouses included or only the bridge players? See you soon. Cheers. Barb Hi Barbarella! Sorry you cannot join us but seems as if you are playing quite a bit. Yes, of course, your spouse is more than welcome. All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio! Don’t know if I will bring him, but just wanted to know!!! Thanks Patrick.  Please do as both Lady Dar and I would love to meet him! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Patrick, I am sorry I am not able to play on Thursday nite . I am going for dinner at casa ouzeria. Hopefully we can connect soon. Judy Hi Judy Blue! Sorry you cannot play but your evening sounds lovely. Lady Dar, Chloë and her friend, Katie, from Vernon, will go out for sushi at Isshin, tomorrow evening, before heading to the SOEV to take in Jerry Seinfeld. Will you be there, selling tickets and then taking up the free seats? Cheers for now, Patrizzio! Pics: Abandoned felines! Love those photos😊 Hi Casa Ouzeria Lady! Glad you enjoyed the kittens! Hope you enjoy your dinner at Cas Ouzeria? Be curious to know what you think as I've never been. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, You are certainly adding to Penticton's wonder. You can tell that life is busy, but good. It's so nice that you are able to reap some lovely Okanagon treats.It's funny that you mention "The Sellout" because I've been meaning to read it. Also, I have a book suggestion if you haven't already read it set in Cyprus called "The Nightingale Won't Let You Sleep." Have a great day! Ruth

Hi again, Little White! Talk about synchronicity! How fascinating that Varosha, a real place within the Greek-Cypriot city of Famagusta, is the central setting, as I understand it, for The Nightingale Won't Let You Sleep. Although, to my knowledge, I never visited when we lived there, or on any return trips to Cyprus, it also figures in The Sellout, if you can believe it! Without giving too much away, the protagonist mentions it as a possible "Sister City" for his native Dickens, California. As well, through wine-tasting and visiting Ayn in Tinsel Town we are quite familiar with many of the locales described in The Sellout. I'm really enjoying it and am certainly looking forward to reading Heighton's book. Thanks for the suggestion!

Enjoyed a wonderful ride this afternoon, although I must admit, it was pretty chilly. Had on a warm pair of winter riding gloves but my fingers were still stiff with the cold when I was back. First thing I did was put on a fire, in the main, to have the place toasty for Lady Dar's return. Still trying to figure out how to set up my new odometre. The ride was recorded, 55.1 km over 2:47:34 expending 1,724 calories, but I cannot find AVG display or how to download ride data. Never a dull moment! Must away to shower and change before phone rings for taxi service! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Wow, sometimes the Redheads are in the same wavelength. I look forward to reading the Sellout and seeing how it plays out. It's funny, your bike rides sound similar to my walks with the dogs. We go out no matter what the weather, lately that means wind, heavy rain and fog. Little Arya, the wispy one, likes to protest a bit before giving in. However, Biggage, The Royal Sansa, loves to go out no matter what the weather brings us. Hello All Weather Gal! Jerry Seinfeld is at the South Okanagan Events Centre tomorrow evening. I gather The Grumpoid will be even grumpier when he hears about this as I remember you were both fans of the TV show. Cheers, Patrizzio!

One of those moments again :-)Cheers Mike 

Hi Tinsel Town! More safari sex!

Hello Jake! You needs must worry about ending up on the list of celebrities charged with harassment and more! Hi again! I will have to check out the book you’re reading The Sellout…Sounds like you’re quite the chef de village!!
My freezer has paper bags full of veggie waste to put into the special food scraps container for our bldg.. (Other than old TV dinners and bags of peas..)
So, no culinary delights around here!!! Good for you!! Thanks for the pictures of the kitties and the birdies… If those birds only knew there was a cat stalking them…I am on a quest to buy a Canadian black and red cup for my friend in Hemet..her husband has a cracked cup and needs a replacement. Cheers! Blondie

Hi again Blondie! Your mention of TV dinners reminds me of when we lived on Spruce Street and my Dad owned the IGA store. Mom used to save the aluminum trays and would make her own version so that whenever my parents were away I wouldn't starve! In fact she made quite tasty frozen meals that way so I was never upset about having to eat them, although I usually had two per meal! Just finished The Sellout and will now start on Michael Connelly's latest, The Late Show, featuring a new character, a female detective, so looking forward o discovering her personality and backstory. Both Lady Dar and Chloë have finished dit and enjoyed it immensely. 

Went for my first ride, today, with my spiffy new odometre even if I couldn't figure out how to obtain the display I wanted, when riding! Still, once back home I eventually managed to figure out how to sync new device to my computer and was able to download data. The ride was recorded, [In two parts as I inadvertently stopped recording stream as I was trying to change display!], 55.1 km over 2:47:34, expending 1,724 calories at an AVG of 20.6 kph. Really, really happy as I have missed having distance and AVG speed on display but also due to fact that with crazy winds, of late, this is one of the first times I've pushed the AVG over 20 kph, my basic goal! Buona Fortuna with your hunt for Red October! Cheers, Patrizzio! Map and Stats for rides: Part A first, then Part B! 

<https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2357536587#.Wh-p_eIpxrg.email>

<https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2357536613#.Wh-qXTG7nwU.email>

Part C:  Test inside house to see if I had been able to sync device!

<https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2357536621#.Wh-rMdTZ4io.email>

Hi Patrick I wanted to let you know that Chris Ball is retiring from the UBC Education Library. We are holding a retirement gathering for him Date and time: Tuesday, December 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. Location: Dodson Room, IKBLC. I know it may not be possible for you to attend. I wondered if you could send a short video with good wishes for his retirement. Just do a selfie phone thing and email it to me. I wanted to put together a bit of a video collage for him. Let me know if you would consider this. I know you haven't known Chris well or worked with him but you know he was awarded the ALPS award and that you have always stopped and talked with him when you have visited. Thanks heaps Jo-anne

Hi Video Gal! Is Chris retiring before you? What will happen to the Education Library once you are both enjoying early retirement? At any rate, I've put together a clip and have put it on a chip which I will send along with a card, {UBC or home?}, for Chris. [Not sure of technical reasons, (Assume file was too large to send via email.), but I was unable to attach it. Chloë allowed me to use her state-of-the-art iPhone and was unable to send the "selfie" I first recorded. Ended up using Photo Booth on my MacBook Air. If you have any suggestions for overcoming these seeming restrictions, let me know and I'll head back into the studio for another take! Not a big deal but chip belongs to Ragin' Bull so I'd like to return it to him, at some point. I can collect it when next our paths cross.]

As you mentioned, I never worked with him so my contribution is just a silly rambling, a bit of an ad lib on his passion for biking woven into my reminiscences of time at the Curriculum Lab and now here in Penticton. I trust it will suffice and not offend anyone as it is offered in the spirit of congratulatory fun. Perhaps my delivery was influenced by the fact that Lady Dar and Chloë are off to see Jerry Seinfeld tonight at the South Okanagan Events Centre tomorrow night. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Feline Whisper! Duke & Ella are adorable fine fury friends indeed. We walked the kids on the beach today as the tide came in with a roar lapping the banks, blustery winter winds chilled us to the bone. They are in their element, sniffing, digging, running, playing, exuberant with the pleasure they feel. I walked and thought of how we all take swallowing for granted as our tongue propels the bolice down the esophagus safely into our stomach never thinking that things can grow wrong. The speech pathologist says stick out your tongue and bite it whilst trying to swallow in order to build the muscle. Oh dear, probably all part of getting older and probably something to do with the pneumonia I suffered this year & all that neurological stress. Maybe I’ll get super thin now, whoopee! And then like a flash fade away into the ether.
 
We had met an interesting couple and if you do visit this part of the world I will have them over for dinner with you. Jane a retired British prof. in plant science has a similar personality to Corinne. Now Chris I would say could be your brother. Hugely extroverted, talkative, emotional and rides I think a Harley. He was once a psychiatric nurse changed his profession and became quite a unique carpenter. Now his most state of the art square house just down the street, he designed and built the window frames painted red, the walls green and purple along with every piece of furniture in their home he also built that could be in an art gallery. They are having us over for dinner with them next week and then they will be here for our open house.

I chuckled with your felines nesting with you, my Benson who is emotionally intuitive demands his snuggles every day. In the morning as he lays on the bed he moans and groans as I nuzzle his neck then he sits up puts his paws on my shoulder and begins the ritual of kissing and hugging as I again nuzzle his neck. He can read all human behavior as he loves watching TV. Now the girl Tess is different, don’t kiss me right now I am tired, I will let you know when you can kiss me. No, don’t touch me I’m still resting. Girls, they are so fragile and complex but so adorable. A quiet day. Love, Jean Hi! I forgot to attach this to my last letter that John sent. It is embarrassingly funny. Enjoy! xx

Don't do this in restaurant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo5Sh5vD1pg&app=desktop

Hello Breath of Fresh Air! Sorry to report that Lady Dar was probably doing what you cautioned against, at her yoga class this morning! Talk about Ring of Fire! I know exactly what you meant when you said you both were chilled to the bone, on your wonderful sounding walk. For my part, enjoyed an exhilarating ride today although I must admit, it was pretty, pretty chilly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Rainy Day Hunker Down by the Fireplace Book Club Book Blues: Tuesday, November 28th!

Normal is the average of deviance. -Rita Mae Brown, writer (b. 28 Nov 1944)

Ciao Patrizzio, Grazie mille for your letter. I'm glad you're obviously doing very well. As you say, long time no see, and, as you will appreciate, to far to go to be able to accept your generous invitation. Isn't it about time that you paid a visit to the beautiful Comox Valley? (Preferably when I'm there!)

[This way the action took place. :-)]

I have been back in Stockholm since 3 October now. Trying to spend time as best I can, waiting for Jane to appear on 4 January. After a few days here, we leave for Tenerife on the 9th, coming back on the 23rd. Jane will return to the Valley on the 31st, and I will probably join her at about the same time. I actually had some idea about gate crashing you by the beginning of February (as I gather, it might not work out), because Jane is now barring me from participation in her annual skiing holiday at Silver Star. Says it's because I don't do alpine skiing (true), but I think it's because she considers my spiritual level to be far too low for the Catholic worshippers that form the major part of the group.
 

[Africa trip is being phenomenal so far, more details to come as the internet is very sporadic. Mike] Hi Big Game Hunter! What an incredible series of shots! No such wild animals here on Burns Street. Just California Quail! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Quail and Watcher Duke!]
 
My time in Stockholm is primarily filled with socializing, playing tennis, and studying Italian (evening course). Good to see family and friends, of course. Most of all Anna, who seems to be getting on fine in every respect. The only reservation there is that she is too good at her work as the municipal archivist in Södertälje, and as a consequense she is gradually being given too much work. I had the most wonderful vegan risotto (chanterelles!) at her place day before yesterday. And yesterday was a big day for her, as she passed her driver's test and finally got her license, after practising with my sister from the beginning of the year. Enough for now. Hope to see you soon, Marcello

 

 Hello again, Marcello! Lovely to hear from you and know life goes well in Stockholm. Congratulations to Anna on her performance as an archivist as well as on obtaining her driver's license. Sorry to learn, however, that you won't make our Xmas Bash. Disappointed, as well, about not being able to connect in February either. We'd love to visit the Comox Valley and now, with Chloë here, that possibility certainly presents itself, more easily, as far as feline care is concerned. A must visit for this summer. We already have advance tickets for the Folk Fest so perhaps we'll try for a before or after junket to VI. 
 

When we were in Kelowna, last Friday, we stopped at MEC where I bought a Garmin Edge Touring and sent off the Edge 200 for a repair estimate. Its batteries finally gave out. When back home Chloë castigated me for not looking on-line and/or seeking out Black Friday Sales. In fact she found that SportChek had the same model for $70 less, free shipping. She ordered it and it arrived today and is charging as I scribe! Hope I will be able to work out how to use it as I think you need an advanced engineering degree, given it has so many functions. If it helps me pedal up steeps hills, I'll be more than satisfied!

[Lions and other cats! Hello The Sisterhood! From one of our hiking/bridge friends!]

Before Lady Dar took bus to Vancouver on Sunday, she and Chloë already made four large tins of snowballs, in the freezer, until needed for Open House. In order to find space for the snowballs, we reorganized both freezer in garage and one in kitchen fridge and took out a couple of bags of chicken bones so I have them on the boil for a pot of soup I will make. Also discovered a number of small bags of various herbs from summer so will use a couple for seasoning. Tomorrow I plan to dehydrate more of the Gala apples I picked three or so weeks ago. Chloë met Bill Sliva through her work and he owns about twenty acres of apple and cherry orchards, along with grape vines, between Upper and Middle Bench.

 

Bill also owns a considerable amount of other real estate, here in Penticton, Summerland and Osoyoos so I think he is rollin' in dough. Terrifically interesting character, nonetheless. He invited the staff at her work to come and pick as many apples as they wanted. Unfortunately for them, an important meeting prevented the outing but Chloë called me and I went along. 

Took two wine boxes full into Vancouver on my last trip and Elaine Keating made five pies over the course of my stay with her and Ted! Have also dehydrated most of the peppers from our three plants. Hot! Hot! Hot! Will give my soup some kick, I'm sure! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Earlier, as I was scribing, about twenty of them were on the street, just off our boulevard, pecking for seeds, or something, on the grass and road! Such delightful creatures, zipping under a number of parked vehicles, across from us, whenever a car approached.

Hello Worst Correspondent in the Entire World, if not the Known Universe! Below, a copy of message I sent to Lorraine. Do you know her?

Hello Lorraine! My name is Patrick Dunn and I graduated from DMCI in 1965. I moved to Vancouver, to go to UBC's Library School, in 1974 and worked there until 2004. In 2015, my wife, Corinne Durston, (also a librarian, but at VPL), and I moved to Penticton, where we continue to enjoy retirement. Funnily enough, another DMCI classmate, Erika Kinn, has a wonderful property, in Summerland, just a few minutes away, although she still lives in Winnipeg. We discovered this fact at out 50th Home Class reunion, at Rae & Jerry's in 2015. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!Pics: Visit to Daniel. Looking at the last picture, I'm the one with orange Crocs and Erika is to the left. Fondestos to you and Amy and your guilty conscience! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Patrick, Thanks so much for the pictures and info for our article. It seems your visit was quite recent. As a member of the Alumni board and teacher at the school, I've quite enjoyed reading the responses from the Alums over the years. Also if you don't receive the Alumni newsletter but want to, let me know and I can add your email to our mailing address. We have one coming out next week. Thanks, Lorraine Hi again, Lorraine! In fact, we usually visit once a year and were there this past May as Corinne's Mother still lives at Falcon Lake. We have other relatives and friends in the city as well. I do believe I'm already on the Alumni Newsletter mailing list but if you could make sure I'd appreciate it. Thanks and Cheers, Patrick! Also, we might post the article on the Alumni website. Are you okay with that? Thanks! Lorraine Post away, Lorraine, post away! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thank you!

Lorraine

It's going to be a Wash n Fold service next to the Coin Laundry Sorry Poppa, we'll find you a new guy Xoxo Hello Cachorro-less Tinsel Town!! Sorry to learn that my favourite barbershop is gone! Perhaps there is another location, not too, too far away! Thanks for snap of new laundry facility. How I dream of Cachorros! Love and Cheers, Boy Without an LA Barber! Duke's 9th collar looks great on him! Dear Poppa Thank you for sharing your safari sex pics Love Ayn Dear Hallmark Prude! I'm sorry, I forgot to preface message with a Netflix disclaimer! Duke is missing Lady Dar's lap as she likes to read in front of the fire. Etta spits on Lady Dar! Love and Cheers, Pornographer Patrizzio! 

Hi Patrick, I just tried to call but there was no answer, I had an email from the Naramata location that your subscription was White not Mixed (for the second time). My apologies- there must have been a communication error between the two locations. I have switched your account to the Mixed Selection (see below) and made the appropriate changes. I hope you enjoy your November edition! Cheers, Brittany. Hi Brittany! Thanks for making the change. When you called, I think I was outside splitting up some kindling. Looking forward to one of the reds this evening BUT a large glass! Cheers, Patrizzio! You’re welcome, enjoy!

Oh, my gosh I cannot imagine you spending any quiet time. Well done considering you are an extravert who continually immerses himself in others. Great book to read with your book club - “Quiet” The power of Introverts in a world that can’t stop talking by Susan Cain. Superbly researched, deeply insightful and a fascinating read. Quiet time, John is out at the boat all day doing what he loves doing and I am at home immersed in my forest with the kids enjoying the profound beauty there is in just listening to the stillness. Hope you do your laps on your stationary bike. Another wonderful way to read your IPhone catching up on the world news which I will do later. xxx

Hello again, Dog Whisperer! Aside from reading reading The Sellout, [I believe I heard Susan Cain interviewed, by Anna Maria Tremonte, on The Current, earlier this summer. Sounded fascinating, as you suggest.], I put on a crock pot of soup. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Siblings investigating their stash of soccer balls. Chloë took about twenty out from under TV cabinet! Miss Etta making sure I didn't stop reading The Sellout! Hi Patrick, Your 2018 schedule looks quite exciting. I must say, you do your retirement well. Congrats go out to Alex for his achievement. I am so sorry to say that Rick's Work Christmas party is the same night so we'll not be able to make it to your wonderful gathering. We have to hope that we can squish a visit in with both of you during the New Year, between or after all of your travels. Ruth 

Hi Little White! Lovely to hear from you although most disappointed that you won't be able to attend our Bash! You need to work on the Grumpoid next year so that there are no conflicts in busy social calendars! At any rate, now, with Chloë here and feline care not a worry, a number of visits, this summer should be possible. We already have advance tickets for the Folk Fest so perhaps we'll try for a before or after junket to Squamish for bridge camp! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Etta curled up on chair in Rumpus Room. Duke missing Lady Dar as he likes to sleep on her lap when she reads in front of the fire! Siblings investigating their stash of soccer balls. Chloë took about twenty out from under TV cabinet! Miss Etta making sure I didn't stop reading The Sellout!

Patrizzio, The shop did not call back today, they had said they were expecting another Ranger with a clutch problem. I will probably hear mañana as I wait in trepidation. Hmmm … I will have to make friends with Duke - we can enjoy nightcaps together. Perhaps mid-night caps as well! ANYWAY, I will put the side rails back on the supertruck, and if you have a load (or two) ready, we could pick up the Thursday afternoon, or if I am delayed, Friday a.m.
 

Friday/Sunday could be potential cycling days, or firewood excursions, depending on weather. Also, I have some spare inner tubes that don’t fit my tires, so would you please let me know a) the size of the tires on your bikes [26 x ??] and b) the type of valve [shrader or presta]. I would love to take a spare tube if we go riding, and in any case I can leave them with you, alond with a lesson in tube replacement(!). Swapping a tube is a *lot* faster than waiting for a ride! Did you ever get around to buying fat tires for your “trail” bike? For my 2 cents, 26 x 1.5 is more than adequate for hard pack trails (that’s what mine are). Looking forward to quail-on-a-spit! Branko

Hello again, El Trepidore! Sorry to learn that your vehicle isn't receiving the attention it deserves! However, when it does, I trust work will not break the bank! Thanks for offering to provide high-end muleage! I will make a trip or two, to stockpile wood so loading can proceed whenever you arrive or over course of your stay.

I also appreciate your offer of spare inner tubes and free lesson in replacement therapy! I didn't get around to changing tires and will probably not do so until next Spring, if then, given your 2 cents worth of advice! However, I will enlist your expertise to help me replace standard pedals with clip ons so if you have a bike wrench for such work, perhaps you could bring it along, together with refinished cabinet! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Duke is too, too depressed to be on the lookout for Quail as he is missing Lady Dar terribly. However, I'll take parts of apples I cannot use and bait a trap for them!