Winter Market Blues: Saturday, November 18th!

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true. -Nathaniel Hawthorne, writer (1804-1864)

I'm was up earlier this morning than I would otherwise have been but Duke "insisted" on worrying us until I decided I might as well give in and feed him and Miss Etta. We decided, before going to bed last night, that we would "experiment" with leaving the cat door, to the patio from the garage, "un-barricaded". El Diablo has been able to open the cat door itself for many moons now and has also been able to figure out how to pull down many of the additional barricades, of late, put up as extra security. 

As it turned out, both felines remained inside for most of the night, as far as we know. Etta, for sure, as she kept Lady Dar warm until I got out of bed. Not sure if Duke took any midnight forays, but much as we thought, if he did he came back inside, at some point. At the moment, he's playing, on the armchair in the living room, with one of Chloë's small hairbands, one of his favourite toys, of late. What an endlessly entertaining creature! Another unexpected early morning sight was the eastern sky with its clouds showing a gorgeous pink tint, my reward other than Lady Dar's, still abed! Hello Kitsilano Folk! Trust all goes well in Lotus Land. I must apologize for not sending along these snaps earlier but Lady Dar has been barking out orders ever since I returned from my three day freedom furlough. As a consequence, I've not had a minute to address my own priorities. At any rate, I did want to thank you all for the lovely evening and more than comfortable stay. Dinner was extra delish, Chef Ragin', although cards favoured Lower Mainlanders, if I recall correctly.

Must away as we plan to go to the Winter Market this morning, held at the Shatford Centre but a few blocks from us. Much smaller market than during the summer but still a great gathering of vendors. Will take a jar of Lady Dar's pickled beets to trade for one of same made by Dave of Starvation Flats. His farm is just west of Keremeos and we've come to know him and some of his family over the course of many Summer Farmers Markets. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our Open House! Fondestos from Lady Dar, just up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Survivors of Ragin's' mushroom/satay chicken; Elaine's apple pie extraordinaire!
 

[Hi Olga Polga and Craoigola! Gather you are living the good life in Hawaii! Missing you both for bridge but know you are enjoying yourselves immensely. We had a grand time this morning, first at the Winter Market, in the Shatford Centre, (With Shayla and Dave from Starvation Flats, in Keremeos. We took them a jar of Lady Dar's pickled beets to try against their own!), and then at the Craft Fair held on the SS Sicamous. Bumped into Mary Tinka, on her way out. Al was at the Landmark Cinema watching a live opera, The Exterminating Angel, broadcast from the Met, self-torture as far as she was concerned!], and Hanneke Button inside. I was really taken with Ron Laplante's carved fish. Really a chilly day as you can see from snow! Seagulls looked frozen into surface of the lake! Fondestos from Lady Dar! Cheers, Patrizzio!] 

Hello again, Bayswater B&B! Here are some more snaps of the fabulous evening with Colleen and James, and Samuel, is that correct? Not enough Tequila, obviously!!! Chloë said she enjoyed her brief visit with Theodorakis. Come and be her tutor, Ted. You taught Ayn and look how well she turned out! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Wednesday's fab feast! Christmas cactus.

Hello René! Trust you are well. A day or so ago I heard from friends in Summerland, (Actually in Australia until the end of the month!), about the next Philosophers'' Café meeting on Jane Austen. I'm looking forward to the event and to catching up a bit, particularly since we were not able to attend your book launch. How did that go? All theist for now. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Randy! Trust all goes well, wherever you are! Haven't heard from you in ages. Had hoped that message I sent, earlier this Spring, when we bumped into René Goldman at a UBC Alumni gathering in OK Falls, but half an hour south of us, would engender a reply, but no repsonse. At any rate, I'm off to see him next week at event in Summerland, where he lives.

Chloë moved to Penticton at the end of September and is working for a property management company. She is living with us until her town-house is built, sometime April/May. We will stay here for Christmas to celebrate it with her and then drive to Tinsel Town to bring in the New Year with Ayn and Los Horridos.(Alejandro and Samantha were married this past July and we all, [Clara and cousins from Winnipeg. Dusty died three days after his 93 rd birthday in May.], attended. Marvelous affair.) Alex is to graduate from the LAFD on January 6th and we will attend the ceremony. Next day we will fly to Costa Rica for a month. Once back we plan to head east to spend time with friends in Palm Desert and Phoenix. Wondering if you will be around as we are thinking of coming all the way to Texas. At any rate, let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Alternatively, you could fly to Penticton for our Open House on Saturday, December 9th! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Paul Cobbin and Kimberley, his amore, with Lady Dar at a Penticton Art Gallery fund-raiser in early September. He is our Family Doctor and the funny thing is that this was the first time Lady Dar has met him, even though she has been going to his clinic for past two years. She has seen other doctors there as Paul was first away for a torn rotator cuff and this time, just recovering for a hip replacement. Funnily enough, at this same event, last year I had had my left hip replaced two weeks earlier! Chloë with Richard Cannings, our MP, before a Grandmothers For Africa, (one of Lady Dar's volunteer organizations), fund-raising dinner, a month or so ago; Patrizzio with Jessica, lovely, lovely, lovely woman responsible for wonderful meal.

With Ted and Elaine Keating, and Ragin' Bull, at Keatings place in Vancouver, about ten days ago. Branko is a squash friend and has been up to Penticton numerous times, helping build shelves and such. I stayed with T/E for a couple of nights. (We were playing bridge that evening.), as I had an annual check-up with my dermatologist. Ragin' Bull is planning on driving up for our Open House! Lady Dar with Stephano at a Penticton Art Gallery fund-raiser evening I returned from Vancouver. Friends, from left, Rosemary, Deb and Bryan Hardman, and Andre. R/A were visiting us from London/Lyon. Andre picked apples for Bryan's Dad when he was in high school. (Paul Cobbin was a classmate!) Orchards are now vineyards for their winery, Deep Roots. Los Horridos with Rosie-the-Riveter and Chloë; Samantha and Alejandro just after ceremony; Ayn with Sam's Mother, Vernon, giving their speeches.

Hello Sedona! Just back from seeing Murder on the Orient Express with Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. Enjoyed it immensely. Now, rubbing my hands together burning some Spiller Road wood while Lady Dar is concocting a stir fry with bok chop from today's Winter Market. Also took in the Craft Fair at the SS Sicamous. I'd never been on board before, I'm ashamed to say, so I was quite taken with the vessel and its history. Really found the model railroad of the KVR delightful, and the inner workings of the ship wonderful. Had some really interesting chats with a number of the vendors, one chap who carves very attractive fish and another chap who remasters shellac 78 rpm's from the '20's and '30's, now in the public domain, turning them into CDs. I bought one of Guy Lombardo. Sipping an 8th Generation Chardonnay so life is more than rather wonderful. Cheers! 

Looks like Kelsey and Andre have decided our plans! There wedding celebrations are June 9-11. Do not want to be in Europe April/May or July/August. So the England/Europe trip now is likely off. We would do a camping/hiking trip in Rockies as wedding at Mt Robson group campground. Anyway bye for now hugs Gill! Hello Force of Circumstance Folk! Yes, I know what having one's plans decided for one is all about. Missed last year's GranFondo as a result of Alejandro's wedding. Not that I would have had it any other way but it changed what might otherwise have happened. Sorry, of course, that we won't have the opportunity to ride together in Poland or elsewhere, in Europe, but perhaps another time. 

Had a bit more of an update from Katarina regarding bike trip in Poland. So far just Carol, Ted and I so we have to wait to see how numbers develop. Need to know before end of November as Ted needs to book his holidays by then. With respect to train trip from Brno to Krakow, (Should that be necessary, for me at least), Katerina will be taking the train so I'm hoping I can tag along with her.

Hi Patrizzzzioooo (& Lady Corindar), Thank you for all your proza, which, I dare say, is always unequalled! We have not had any outside contact for a while, including phone, came home from a Wilson's Prom NP camping trip yesterday evening and now have connection again. Just been reading (almost all) your adventures and planned trip to Europe. Selling Etta & Duke to a high end restaurant, how dare you !?, you seem more in love with them than any other moving creature on this globe. We are having a great time. In the Barossa Valley with our friends Jim & Karin, now with Reinout & Nel, who are Our old University friends from Utrecht. We have been through a lot with them those days. Tomorrow off to the Great Ocean Road and Grampians NP, then the trip from Melbourne to Sydney. Thanks for Open House invite! Talk & See Soon 😎😍🐄���� Aarturo and Josinta 
 

Hello from Kangeroo Island and beyond from the kangeroo whisperers,we just returned to Melbourne from our camping trip to Wilsons Prom NP. and received your invitation for your open house on Dec.9th., and gladly accept.
Preparing today for The Great Ocean Road adventure, and soaking up more of the city.Love to both Jos and Aart.

Hello Great Ocean Road Travelers/Kangaroo Whisperers! Terrific to learn that you are having a splendid time, especially with university friends! We first drove the GOR, (Unfortunately, we never visited the National Park in the Grampians.), in 1991 with Rosie-the-Riveter, Dusty and Chloë and then stayed in a campground, near the beach, in Warrnambool, for a little less than a week, before joining our friends, just north of Melbourne, near Castlemaine, about an hour south of Bendigo, for Christmas. You can share some of your trip, pre-Christmas, at our Open House. The wheel comes full circle! Continue to travel safely. Warm regards to any wombats you see! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!