World Wide Wole and The Orange Line Blues: Sunday, December 31st!

Ring out the false, ring in the true. Alfred Lord Tennyson
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/newyears

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. In Memoriam, Alfred Lord Tennyson, (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892)

Ring out the false, ring in the true. Alfred Lord Tennyson
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/newyears

Hi Glasgow! Greetings from Tinsel Town! Thanks for the wonderful card. Lady Dar and Ayn are about to head out to a local butcher shop for some of the fixings for tonight's dinner. Alejandro will not be able to join us as he is doing a shift at the Westchester Hall, near LAX. although he doesn't graduate, officially, until this coming Thursday. I'm going to ride the Orange Line bike path with a friend I met riding there last year. Absolutely terrific that you are entertaining a two week bike trip. i'll send more information in another message. Until then, Healthy New Year to you and Catherine from all of us here in Tinsel Town! Sláinte, Patrizzio!

David Kessler Hope you had a safe trip down! GLAD Patrick James Dunn got on the right freeway!!! That was a close call....Patrick James Dunn I know ALL the freeways like the back of my hand, as well as every taco joint in Tinsel Town!

Judy B Pratt Happy you arrived safely😊happy new year Corinne,Patrick and family. May you be blessed with good health and new adventures Patrick James Dunn Hi Judy Blue! Thank you for the lovely wishes! We had a very pleasant trip down the 101 yesterday. Stopped off in Paso Robles as Lady Dar wanted a bite to eat. In fact, she just wanted to wander the shops off the town square! Fondestos from her, just back from shopping, with Ayn, for fixings for tonight's dinner, Greek feast! Healthy New Year to you, my favourite bridge partner of all time! Cheers! Sara Jane McGillivray Happy New Year, Pat and Corinne!!

Louise Sartorio Happy New Year..see u in 2018! Patrick James Dunn Hi Sun City Folk! Healthy New Year to you both. We have to have an early meal, at 6:00 pm, as Pierre is in charge of security for some "in" club downtown, for tonight's festivities, and needs to be there well in advance. The other, Bright Young Things, Samantha and Alex, will go on to other, more lively settings than staying with their grandparents and mom. In fact we don't mind at all as we are planning to watch more movies, (Dunkirk, Phantom Thread), and drink copious amounts of wine, drowning our sorrows at being abandoned! Looking forward to seeing you in early February. Cheers!

Hi Freeway Lead Car Man! Trust your pushy visitors, Christine and Jim, arrived to clean sheets! Thank you for the lovely evening, fabulous food and congenial atmosphere, not to mention the scrumptious bagged lunch and loaf which will feed thousands! Stopped off in Paso Robles, (Unable to visit Caparone as San Marcos Road exit was closed due to freeway construction. Hope to drop in on way back.), and once at Ayn's, around 3:30 pm, we unloaded the car. Until next our path cross, Healthy New Year to you both and to the Fort Bragg interlopers who forced us out! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Adrian and Miranda with Ruth at their rental spot in Long Beach, over Christmas. Ruth at a fund-raiser in San Antonio. We had a long chat yesterday. She was already back in Texas and we missed her by a day or two.

Happy New Year Patricio!! Hi Santiago! Thanks for the wishes. All the very best to you and Ellen and the lads! We left Penticton on Thursday to spend first night in Portland, second in Williams, California, just off i-5. Then into Sonoma next morning to collect wine from good friends, Pat and David Coffaro, after which Berkeley for the night with more close friends, Nancy and David. Until next our path cross, Healthy New Year to you, Ben, and Ellen, from all of us here in Tinsel Town. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Great talking to you today. Wish I had stayed a couple days longer. Adrian, Miranda and I had a great week at a gorgeous Laguna Beach house. Attaching a couple pictures from the stay. Plus a glam pic for a fundraiser. Copied Adrian here too so you'll have his email. I have also texted him. I hope y'all can 
connect! Hello Fellow, (Almost in Marps' case!), Retirees!! Trust you are both well! Thank you for the lovely Christmas card and newsy note. Healthy New Year to you both form one and all in Tinsel Town! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Ruth at a fund-raiser in San Antonio! We may well see her if we decide we have enough time to make trek that far east.

After Lady Dar and Ayn did some shopping at the Armenian butcher's shop nearbye, Ms Tinsel Town prepared a scrumptious brunch of scrambled eggs and bacon. Well fueled for my coming ride with Wole, I cleaned and oiled my bike chain then suited up. Left the apartmento at 12:35 pm on a simply glorious, sunny morning, [18.9º C or 66º F], with little wind, [6 kph out of the S], and bright blue sky, a far, far cry from the snow drifts and icy temperatures of Penticton! I had arranged to meet Wole on the corner of Corbin and the Orange Bus Line bike path at 2:00 pm so I knew that I would have enough time before that to do a couple of circuits of Lake Balboa Park. I always enjoy riding there as the bike path is smooth and wide and it is fun to see all the families enjoying picnics and such. On the second, half circuit I took a short dipsy-doodle to take a look a the model airplane flying grounds on the SE corner of the park. Quite a few craft buzzing around, one doing rolls and spins above the large open area there, while one, on a tether, was roaring around in circles in a separate area, obviously intended for flying such models.

Then, back through the park to cross under Balboa on one of the underpasses to return to the OBL bike path to make my way towards Corbin. I was there at around 1:30 pm so I decided to explore some of the surrounding residential street thereabouts. Did just that and shortly after 2:00 pm I made my way back to the bike path and saw Wole waiting for me at the appointed spot. We greeted one another delightedly as we'd not seen each other since last Christmas when we were down, [Unfortunately, had not been able to connect in July when we were here to attend Alejandro's wedding.], and then continued to ride, revisiting how we'd met a year ago. 

I had thought that we'd ride to the end of the OBL and then turn around but Wole had other plans for me. He suggested that instead of returning the way we had come we make a large loop instead. More than fine with me as I am always keen to explore new riding territory and expand my familiarity with the seemingly endless possibilities that present themselves in The Valley. I have cycled past the formal end of the OBL quite a few times, most recently with Wole last year, so I knew where we were headed as we crossed Lassen. At this point one needs to negotiate a set of railroad tracks in order to connect with the bike path that leads up into the hills near Porter Ranch, and I was keenly aware of the potential catastrophe that would ensue if one's tire should slip into any of the open grooves of the crossing. At this time I was following Wole, a touch behind him and to his right, in the main so that I could stay clear of the tracks and all of a sudden he crashed to the ground, a victim of a split second of inattention. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt although I'm sure he took a nasty fall and I knew he would probably be very sore and bruised on the morrow. 

In the crash, his chain came off so I suggested he turn his bike upside down, the better to put the chain back on the front sprocket. He did this and then assured me he was ready to keep going so we turned onto Browns Creek bike path and made our way to the top of the route which terminates at Rinaldi Street. There we headed west on Rinaldi to cross DeSoto and continued on the designated bike path. Rinaldi runs parallel, more or less to the Ronald Reagan Freeway and I had never ridden this route before. Delighted to have more options when in the area so Wole took the lead and I followed, happy as a clam. We rode east as far as Raseda Blvd and then began to descend out of the Granada Hills, dipsy-doodling our way in a series of lateral steps along major arterial thoroughfares and quieter residential streets.

Once we hit Parthenia we were on the edge of Panorama City and we followed this street, the busiest section of the ride and without a dedicated bike lane, Dear Reader! Still, my Fearless Leader rode comfortably ahead, with much authority and we ran the gauntlet of this apparently "tough" part of greater LA without incident, other than being very nastily cursed upon by a couple of yahoos in a souped up car, incensed that we had the temerity to ride in the curb lane, slowing their mindless, dangerous weaving in and out of traffic by but a millionth of nanosecond! In my mind, I would have dearly loved to lob a grenade through their open window at the next stop light where we caught up to them but didn't want to break my New Year's resolution to refrain from such road rage!

Onward to Saticoy and then a few more side street steps to take us onto woodman and we were racing for Ayn's place to pull up outside the front door of the building at 4:30 pm. I convinced Wole to come inside for a quick hello and goodbye as I knew Lady Dar and Ayn would enjoy seeing him again. Time for a couple of snaps and a brief visit and then I walked him back to the elevator to thank him for fabulous ride and his wonderful company. We made tentative plans for another ride the next day and then we said goodbye, wishing each other a Healthy New Year. Simply terrific ride, first one since December 12th, my last bike outing in Penticton before snow put an end to any rides I was hoping I'd be able to make before we left for LA. What a wonderful ride! What a wonderful, wonderful riding companion and friend. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2407442056#.Wkpot5QeX3w.email

Thanks for the update! Colin Happy Holidays! Thanks so much for your email. I have retired from my position at UBC as of December 31, 2017. Please contact Wendy Traas for reference and instruction requests and Nick Rizzo regarding course reserves. All other queries should be directed to Sandra Wilkins, Acting Head, Education Library. You can also contact our circulation desk as our staff will be happy to help you. My email address will continue. Please know that it has been a distinct pleasure to work with you. Have a happy new year! Jo-Anne Naslund Hi Hope you enjoy last day of December!! Thought you may appreciate this photo.

It was -32 here this morning ,too cold for the kids to try skiing yesterday
We have had a whole week of bitterly cold weather ,Pam didn’t come out
Again because of it . We had dinner here last nite ,I made ribs & Barb & Mar brought the rest Tonite we are having wings ,shrimp ,meatballs etc here so I don’t have to Go out Our Greek dinner at Marlo’s on 27 was great but Carly had to work & Greg Never made it because their water froze up while they were out here He had it back on by the time Pam got home ,so they were lucky,lots of
Frozen pipes in the city ,especially if people were away George took the Escape into Steinbach to get winter tires put on ( Thursday)we had command start instead of tires put in ,it is a blessing In this weather
 
Thanks again for the new dishes & the instant pot from all of you ,dishes
Have been used but I haven’t taken the pot out of the box yet Also thanks for the cards to buy more books ,what would I do without you all being so generous
Now I must go & start the fire .Pat send me a picture of Rach wearing her new coin .Emmett had his on Last nite ,of course Cody & Dustin Had theirs on at Marlo’s Would the boys wear one Ayn ,even if it’s Canadian ,if so it would be
Next Xmas ,if George can find enough of the coins Happy New Year everyone!!!!! Mum ,Grams ,Clara 

Only minus 21 here this AM but very windy. The only good thing, is we have had no more snow with the cold temperatures. The sun is trying to come out. New Years eve will be cold - we go out before midnight and have the count down at Crouzat's by the bonfire.

Followed by Fireworks. Corinne and Pat when do you go to LA? Patti Hi everyone
We arrived yesterday to Ayn’s Will have a Greek dinner here early so Pierre can join us before work. Alex has a shift which is 24 hrs.and has already started for New Year’s Eve. Samantha may join us for dinner. Will go out to Rick and Rae’s for a visit on New Year’s Day for swim etc. Alex’s grad is on the 4 th. Melvin and Ryan are flying in for it. It is in the morning and we will go out for sushi lunch afterwards. We leave on Jan 7th at 12:05 am for Costa Rica, Return on February 4. Happy New year to all, Love Corinne Where is Alex stationed? Is it close to where they live? Right now he is filling in where needed but will be at fire station near the airport called Westchester. I think it is about 45 min drive from his place.
 
Woke up to our water frozen again. Greg put the heat gun and small heater to work and we had water in about 30 minutes. Good thing we are in the city.
Donna and Jeff and Sandy are going to be here for New Years so I made a bunch of appetizers yesterday and a Rosanna Rosanna Danna banana cake. Hope everyone has a nice New Years and this weather warms up soon. Love to all. Pam Xoxoxo Where is it freezing Where the pipes come into the house...So I assume that is in the basement So freeze/ frost is so deep it is effecting those pipes that normally should be ok, due to how deep they are? Yikes As Mom stated we are doing multiple dishes for New Year. No down hill skiing as just too cold for comfortable outdoor activities. Happy New Year to everyone!

101 Paso Robles Brioche Blues: Saturday, December 30th!

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. -Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author (1743-1826)

Hi Ruth! Lovely to chat and catch-up a bit. Thought that I'd send this message along so that you can forward it to Adrian so that he will have all of our email addresses, in case they come in handy. Lady Dar and Ayn are just back from walking Winston so I must away to open a bottle of Coffaro, Petite Sirah, 15.6%. We stopped at the winery, yesterday, before heading into Berkeley. Pat and David are such generous, generous people. Not only did they give us two bottles of their Sparkling Pinot Noir for New Year's Eve, they insisted that two of their employees wash our car, (It was quite dirty from all the snow and slush in Oregon, etc.,), after they washed Dave's Tesla! Anyway, Ayn was more than delighted as she was afraid that our car would contaminate hers as we have to park in one of her spots! Fondestos from The Tinsel Town Gals! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Pics: Susie, and Pat Coffaro making cookies! Lady Dar with David Coffaro; David's freshly baked bread and then with Nancy; David saying goodbye this morning; What Berardi & Son has become, off the square in Paso Robles; Lady Dar waiting for our brunch, simply fabulous avocado, bacon, spinach and egg brioche, for me, but gluten-free bread for Lady Dar! Unloading wine at Ayn's. She had a larger tree but took it down to make room for her messy parents!

West Dry Creek and Coffaro Sauvignon Blanc Blues: Friday, December 29th!

Here is my first principle of foreign policy: good government at home. -William Ewart Gladstone, British prime minister (29 Dec 1809-1898)

On the sixth day of Christmas, the three learned ladies of Franklings Rd. — Kathleen Gray with Helen McLean and Sarah Brooke.

Hi TNT! Thanks for the gorgeous card and warm wishes! Just about to leave Williams for Napa/Sonoma where we will stop at Coffaro Winery to collect hootch. Then into Berkeley for the night with close friends. Nancy and David, for the night. Tinsel Town on Saturday. Truly sorry we will miss you both while at Sun Peaks, etc. Stay until end of February and then we will be able to connect! Fondestos to one and all as well as for a Healthy New Year to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Don Patrizzio! Many happy returns of the season to you, Corinne and Chloe! I hope that Penticton isn't too blustery this year... We not long got back from a few days on the Gold Coast with Gemma's family over Christmas, and are now sitting around home/in the garden doing absolutely nothing! The sun is shining and the Sauvignon Blanc is chilling... It is very nice to be on vacation and not have to go anywhere or do anything for the next week. Can't wait to retire ;)
Hope you are all having a very wonderful and relaxing festive season!
Sneaky Pete and the Brains! 

Thanks for the news and the pics. I had 5 days with Jan in Calgary. Cold!!!
So cold you have to chop a hole in the air just to breathe. I am heading home today and Jan is heading to the mtns to ski. Love to all. Hi Sub-Zero Zircon! I

think Lady Dar was with you in spirit, in Calgary, as she had the heater in our room turned to air-conditioning so we needed to chop a hole in the shower head to get the water to run! Just about to leave Williams for Napa/Sonoma so must away. Cheers, Patrizzio, wearing shorts! Pics: Christmas dinner! Cat toys!

Young Patrick and the whole Dunn clan... Happy New Year's!!! I was relieved, elated and soothed to see me surgeon today. I have stage one cancer, which can be operated on. I have to have one more cat scan to make sure that there is no cancer in my head... something that they somehow missed??? and the I have a small day surgery on Jan 29 t0 look at the lymph nodes and then the big one on Feb 13th. . I have seen everybody now, and although there is a risk, they are hoping to bypass chemo (my biggest fear) and I should be up and home before Feb 20.

I haven't been sending much good news lately, so I thought that this might make up for some of the bad stuff... I hope the vacation is going well. You are lucky to be missing all of this freezing weather nation wide. Several cities have cancelled New Years celebrations... I doubt if you will have to dump out any scotch and go into hibernation... Have a wonderful time... Bill Hi Wild Bill! Must apologize for taking almost three weeks to reply to your last missive! Couldn't be more pleased with your diagnosis, inasmuch as the cancer is manageable with surgery, etc. Know that all three of us, Lady Dar, Chloë and I are in your corner and pulling for you with all our hearts! Thanks for the New Year's wishes and all the best to you as well, dear friend. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Take care of yourself, Wild Bill! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Chris, Doug, we just finished dinner here at 116 with Pat & Corinne. They are heading south to L.A., then to Costa Rica. They will likely pass through the southwest on their way back to Canada; so it's possible they could visit you in Santa Fe. Projected date is mid-February. So, I hope that you can work out any details and hope that it's possible for you guys to see each other. I know that Pat & Corinne would be most interested in seeing your new home.
 

We are on to the scotch now, after a lamb dinner with some wine, I lost count of the number of bottles OH WELL. Hope all is well for you and Claudia & Glen. I won't try to write too much, given current circumstances. Please pass the bottle? Jim Carlson & Christine arrive tomorrow for 2 nights with us; They are up at Ft. Bragg, a memorial event for Christine's mom Betty, who passed away last summer Happy New Year! David

Colleen Teahan Waldron Happy New Year's California dreamers hope you have a fantastic time in LA and then off to Costa Rica...what a superb way to start 2018! Buenas tardes Amigos! Trust everyone is well. How is the snow? Fondestos from Lady Dar, Cheers, Marilyn and Big Molly, Patrizzio!

Clover at Sunshine Valley!

Thanks so much for the Christmas Wishes!! I hope you're not too cold up there in Penticton. Wishing you all the best in 2018!! Give our love to everyone up there! -Alastair and Kirsten. Hi Super K and Flash! Trust you and the young ladies are well. Thanks for your good wishes. Chloë, is in fact, freezing to death in Penticton, cat/house sitting! We enjoyed a wonderful driving trip, [Left Etta and Duke and Chloë, day after Boxing Day.], to Tinsel Town, stopping at Coffaro and staying with David and Nancy. Until next our paths cross, Vancouverites, all the best. Take care of each other. Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Hi! Pattrizio & Corinne: Many thanks for the lovely Xmas card ................. loved matching up the squares to form the card. How cool is that!! Great having both of you at our Xmas Open House this year ............... sure was filled with lots of fun & laughter. I'm glad that we were able to make it to your Xmas Open House this year too. It is so nice meeting & chatting with new people. Thanks for your lovely array of homemade goods ............... we will enjoy them. Have a FABULOUS TIME touring & exploring Costa Rica ........... definitely one of my favourite countries to visit. Continue on celebrating your BIG 70th, Mr Papparazzi!! I'll be busy planning a dinner party to celebrate hubby's BIG 75th in mid Feb. too. Then we are off for a week in Panama with Paul's daughter & her family to celebrate his milestone bday. Safe & Fun Travels!! See U in the spring. Cheers!! Mary Lee & Motor Paublo xo 

Hi EverReady Bunny & Motor Man Pablo! Trust you are both well. Thanks for your good wishes. You'll be in this part of the world not long from now. Chloë, is in fact, freezing to death in Penticton, or so she claims in her messages! Poor, poor baby! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. She is pleased your eyes seem to be recovering well. Cheers, Patrizzio! thanks for the memory exercise - always a good thing! Happy New Year!!! Merry Christmas; took me a week to solve the puzzle but with computer aids we did it; now it takes only 1/2 a day each time I try; see you in the New Year

Hello Puzzle People! Trust you are both well. Glad it only took the computer wizard a week to figure out puzzle! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. She is pleased it took you longer than her to figure out card! We are still aiming for the 7th or 8th of February to be knocking on your door, very, very hungry and extremely flat broke, if this still works for The Sun City Social Support System for Freeloading Canucks. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks for the news and the pics. I had 5 days with Jan in Calgary. Cold!!! So cold you have to chop a hole in the air just to breathe. I am heading home today and Jan is heading to the mtns to ski. Love to all. Hello United Church Activists! Trust you are both well. Unlike Zircon, I assume, Chloë, is in fact, freezing to death in Penticton, or so she claims in her messages! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. All the best, dear, dear friends. Take care of yourselves. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Don Patrizzio! Many happy returns of the season to you, Corinne and Chloe! I hope that Penticton isn't too blustery this year... We not long got back from a few days on the Gold Coast with Gemma's family over Christmas, and are now sitting around home/in the garden doing absolutely nothing! The sun is shining and the Sauvignon Blanc is chilling... It is very nice to be on vacation and not have to go anywhere or do anything for the next week. Can't wait to retire ;)
Hope you are all having a very wonderful and relaxing festive season! Sneaky Pete and the Brains! Hello Sneaky Pete and The Brains. Trust you are both well. Unlike you lollygaggers, sipping Sauvignon Blanc, Lady Dar is napping at the moment. [Guess all of the 2016 Carmen Sauvignon Blanc, 1.5%, will be for me!] Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

I-5 to The Stage Stop Inn Blues: Thursday, December 28th!

I will not play at tug o' war. / I'd rather play at hug o' war, / Where everyone hugs instead of tugs. -Shel Silverstein, writer (1930-1999)

Patrick James Dunn Healthy New Year to Famiglia Sutherland from Williams, California! Just back from dinner with a 2014 Coffaro Petit Verdot as corkage at Granzella's, now working on another Coffaro, 2015 Zinfandel. Will stop by winery tomorrow, to collect more hoothc and then into Berkeley to stay with Nancita and Cactus, before making for Tinsel Town! Cheers! Healthy New Year to Famiglia Sunshine Valley Fondestos to our favourite dual cabin owners! This morning in Portland with Marilyn, [The real one!], and Mike. Cheers! 

Hi Guys, Hope you had a safe and more comfortable drive today (as opposed to yesterday). I checked our airline info. for Hawaii. We leave crack of dawn on Feb 27. You are welcome to stay here Feb 24, but I would like to be free to get my ducks in a row and everything taken care of without house guests the nights of the 25th and 26th. We will be back on March 8th if you'd like to stop in Oregon after we get home. I hope that works for you. Enjoy your trip. As Patrick says, Fondestos Marilyn Hi Marilyn Just arrived in Williams. Lots of traffic but roads good. Thanks for the heads up re dates. Will let you know what’s up in later in Feb. Thanks so much for your wonderful meals. Hugs Corinne Hello Digitale and Fingare! Let me echo Lady Dar's thanks for your fabulous, fabulous hospitality and genuine friendship. Just back from dinner, with a 2014 Coffaro Petit Verdot as corkage, at Granzella's, now working on another Coffaro, 2015 Zinfandel, in our motel room, The Stage Stop Inn, luxury, sheer luxury! Take care of each other until we see you next. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Arrivederci Burns Street! High Life on Skyline! Motel Blues!

Hi Linda and Zircon! Trust you are both well! Lovely to see you on Christmas Day, Linda. Healthy New Year to you both, Cheers, Patrizzio!

HI Patrick: Many thanks for the email and great pictures. Yes the only grizzly bear(s) left in California is the one on the state flag! I hope Canada can do better, which I guess has been most of my career. Your schedule sounds full as always and it was good that you included a picture of you relaxing with a book and a cat…..if I hadn’t seen this I would have assumed that you never relaxed. Your life sounds very busy and like the old rocker from Winnipeg (Neil Young) said…” It’s better to burn out than rust”. 

I will certainly try to get down your way sometime in 2018 and it would be great to visit and catch up on life etc. I will make sure I call first as you may be in some other place on the globe. I have been doing some international bear work in both Norway and Sweden and I have been asked to go Mongolia (Gobi Desert) this spring where there are only 23 Gobi bears left on the planet. However the spring is my busy capture season here and it is a juggling act to get everything done each year.

After leaving Winnipeg in 1980 I got a job working on polar bears in the arctic (and many other species) and I spent 15 years moving around the NWT and seeing parts of our country that are truly amazing. It was a good time but a job for a young single person. I moved down to Alberta (the tropics) in 1993 and have lived in Hinton since that time. First I worked for a forest company which I hated and then found a job back working on grizzly bears and have managed to stick with this and I hope I can hang on until I retire in 2020.
 

My mom is still in Winnipeg but doing poorly at age 93 she has poor hearing, no mobility, poor eyesight and is in a care home. Overall she is lonely and is done with life which I can see. I don’t want to end up in that situation so I, like you, will try to keep active and busy and live life to the fullest each day. I have attached a few photos for you and best wishes to you and Corrine for 2018 and safe travels. Best personal regards Gord Hi Goils! This from a "young" friend I used to play handball with in Winnipeg in the early '70's! Good choice of a card Patrick. We wish you safe travels and warm weather which is not in abundance anywhere in BC! We are at -12 with lots of wind - burrrrrr. Happy New Year to you and Corinne wherever you are on the night of the 31st.
Dawn and Gerry

Hi Pat, Corinne, just a quick email to say happy holidays and hope you both are doing well and are enjoying the season. I am always thankful for have met you both and for the influence you have had on my life, which is infinitely worth more than all of Pat's whiskey I've had over the years. You're amazing and generous people and I see you both as people I can turn to when I don't know which turn to make in life (despite Pat's claims that he does not give "advice")
Take care, hope to see you soon and have a great new year's!! Love, VL

Hi Victor, thanks for the lovely message. We are on our way to LA. Driving down to see Ayn and the boys for New Years and then flying to Costa Rica for a month. Will be home sometime in late February. We had a quiet Christmas with Chloe and one other guest. Chloe has moved to Penticton and has a job as a strata manager. She is looking after the house and cats while we travel.
What are you up to?? Hugs Corinne Hello Swedish Twins! Trust you are both well. Unlike Victorious, but probably Patrizzio, The Younger and More Handsome, I assume, Chloë, is in fact, freezing to death in Penticton, or so she claims in her messages! (How are you and Jo doing, Patrizzio The Younger? Have you set up dinners with him when I visit in June?) Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Until next our paths cross, all the best, dear, dear friends. Take care of yourselves. Cheers, Patrizzio The Older and Wiser and Non-Dispenser of Advice!

Hello Patrick and Corrin: Thank you so much for the lovely card. We've got quite a bit of snow here now. Hope you are enjoying some warmer weather down south. All the Very Best for 2018. Cheers and Hugs from Von Bingen Hi Von Bingen! Trust you are as well as can be expected, given the fact that you live in The Arctic! Thanks for the good wishes. Really having a fabulous time. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Von Bingen Take care of yourself and we'll look forward to seeing you when back! Cheers, Patrizzio! We wish you the best for next year as well. Terry and Mary Thank you for your Christmas ecard !! I was away for 5 days in Palm Springs so missed seeing it until today! All the Best to you and your family Patrizzio! Hello DMCI People! We'll be in Palm Desert day after we return to Tinsel Town, Joan. Thanks for best wishes.Fondestos from her, to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio

Let It Snow, Let It Snow All the Way to Portland Blues: Wednesday, December 27th!

Duke was a wonderful alarm clock, waking us up at 6:50 am! Fair bit of snow last night so I woke myself up sweeping the front walk, Duke supervising!

 

 Do take a stroll along the many paths in the Japanese Garden and when you cross the Red Japanese Bridge in Japanese mythology you are crossing from one life into the next which is Happiness.

Hi Deanna, I am Pat and Corinne's daughter they asked me to send this information along to you, if you have any questions they are CC'd here.Thank you, Chloe Dunn

[This speakers to me on so many levels!!!!❤️ Me too...people tell me to lower my expectations and I say "how about upping your game instead!"
Right!!!]

Hello Patrick & Corinne,Thanks for your messages and pics. Certainly sounds like you keep busy, both at home and in travels. Somehow Christmas arrived this year faster than I was prepared for as it seems not that long since the last one though perhaps it is due to being retired that the days, weeks and months fly by so quickly. For us it has been and continues to be a wonderful stage of our lives and hopefully will continue to be the case for many more years to come.

Basically we are both in good health aside from still having balance issues as a result of the virus I had last December. It has improved but is still not back to normal as I often stagger/lurch appearing as if I might have had “one too many”. Certainly not a life threatening situation but somewhat life challenging and changing as it is only recently that I started driving again, but only in limited traffic areas and not at all at night.

We took a few trips in the past year, in February to Punta Cana where we will go again this coming March/April. In June a trip to Edmonton to attend Charlie & Barb’s daughter’s wedding as well as spend time visiting with Mom (now 96) and Ken and his family. Lynsey, Gerry and their 2 daughters (5 & 2) also flew in for the wedding so was great to have so many of us together at one time.

Having enjoyed a coach tour in Ireland last year, we decided to do the same type of trip this past September in Scotland, touring Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness then up to the north of the country through the Highlands and Islands. We’ve been fortunate when traveling to have really good guides, extremely knowledgeable about the history of the country as well as being very personable which goes a long way in making a trip enjoyable.

We were in New Jersey for the first half of December assisting with the care of our two granddaughters as the new au pair doesn’t start until after the holiday season. We celebrated early Christmas celebration while there and again here at home on the 25th with Scott and family. Happy New Year - best wishes for the coming year. Roma & Leonard Thanks Patrick...always enjoy your cards. LynetteSo sweet Patrick. Hope your Christmas was filled with love and happiness!!!

HI Patrick: Many thanks for the email and great pictures. Yes the only grizzly bear(s) left in California is the one on the state flag! I hope Canada can do better, which I guess has been most of my career. Your schedule sounds full as always and it was good that you included a picture of you relaxing with a book and a cat…..if I hadn’t seen this I would have assumed that you never relaxed. Your life sounds very busy and like the old rocker from Winnipeg (Neil Young) said…” It’s better to burn out than rust”.

I will certainly try to get down your way sometime in 2018 and it would be great to visit and catch up on life etc. I will make sure I call first as you may be in some other place on the globe. I have been doing some international bear work in both Norway and Sweden and I have been asked to go Mongolia (Gobi Desert) this spring where there are only 23 Gobi bears left on the planet. However the spring is my busy capture season here and it is a juggling act to get everything done each year.

After leaving Winnipeg in 1980 I got a job working on polar bears in the arctic (and many other species) and I spent 15 years moving around the NWT and seeing parts of our country that are truly amazing. It was a good time but a job for a young single person. I moved down to Alberta (the tropics) in 1993 and have lived in Hinton since that time. First I worked for a forest company which I hated and then found a job back working on grizzly bears and have managed to stick with this and I hope I can hang on until I retire in 2020.

My mom is still in Winnipeg but doing poorly at age 93 she has poor hearing, no mobility, poor eyesight and is in a care home. Overall she is lonely and is done with life which I can see. I don’t want to end up in that situation so I, like you, will try to keep active and busy and live life to the fullest each day. I have attached a few photos for you and best wishes to you and Corrine for 2018 and safe travels. Best personal regards Gord

New Year's Day Open House 2-5:30


Hello Everyone, Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. In our constant Quest for another magical & most elegant New Year’s Day you have been chosen and added to our Wish List of friends to share the first day of 2018 on Monday January 1st at our home from 2 P.M. -5:30 P.M. It will be a most elegant affair.

I will try to greet all of you when you arrive. Friends from Seattle Kathleen & Barry (we are godparents to their son) will guide you throughout the house to where husband John will be serving his famous Hot Cranberry Rum Toddy to sooth your souls with the help from university colleagues Todd and Victor. In the kitchen the Filipino gals, Cynthia her daughter Codie & her sisters will be baking up an endless array of phyllo pastries. As you move through the house the dining room table will have a cornucopia of gourmet appetizers created by many of you. (See Menu below). Our neighbor Rick, a professional firefighter, fisherman & chef extraordinaire will be serving up his freshly caught smoked salmon. Towards the end of the visit you must stay for the most decadent of chocolate cake that will be served before you go on your merry way. There is plenty of seating and standing throughout the top floor and if you want to move downstairs to the den there is a fireplace & lots of seating there too. The door downstairs leads to the magical & mystical Japanese Garden do venture out along the paths.

In your quest to meet many interesting people the guest list is diverse: There are teachers, students & nurses. A senior health economist. Conservation & forest biologists. A couple that are both medical doctors. There are boaters, sailors, and yachtsman lovers of the sea. A British naval officer. She is a classical ballet dancer, instructor & harp musician. He is a Dutch 90 yr. old gardener with 250 Bonsai. Many authors. Professors in educational research. Specialist in distant education. Financial advisors & accountants. She is a human resources assistant. A South African lawyer. A free-lance journalist. An international pilot. Realtors & administrators. A Canadian coast guard. An organizer for the activities & rendezvous cruises for the Victoria Yacht Club.

Consultants in: education, business, data base, health care, family therapy & gardening. A librarian. An American systems engineer in aviation. Artists, photographers, gardeners & landscapers. A medical doctor from France. Little Ella is ten and learning French. Two lifelong friends, she a 95 yr. old prof. in mathematics who mentored a female British prof. now specializing in mathematical biology. There are grandmothers & great grandmothers. A South African business couple who sailed their yacht to Victoria. A Jewish Prof. who teaches about the paranormal. A Greek PhD student studying dementia & a masters in counseling. A German international horse trainer.

A day trader & an entrepreneur importer of “Kastamonitsa” virgin olive oil from their family owned business in Greece. Ukrainian professors in educational psychology & counselling. And of course many animal lovers. Entrepreneurs who own a bakery, coffee shop & nursery specializing in Japanese Maples. A British & South African geologist who wrote “It’s a Mindfield”. A Chinese Brush & Ink instructor & artist. Owns an international brewing co. A Dutch volunteer firefighter owns an appliance business with his British wife. A 92 yr. old biologist. A British executive administrator & quilter. A British midwife now a lawyer.. A professor who teaches Spanish.

An organizational facilitator & flute musician. Professors in public administration & director of strategic research. A couple that are both lawyers. A Ukrainian superintendent of schools. A Ukrainian executive marketing manager, an artist, sculptor, designer & landscaper. An Icelandic naval lieutenant & professor in educational measurement. A teen who studied philosophy, divinity & the classics in Scotland. A speech pathologist. Teen studying computer science. A 92 yr. old surveyor who runs his own business and wrote “Gold Rush Steamboats Francis Rattenbury’s Yukon Venture”. A British professor specializing in plant science. .

An architectural cabinetry designer who built his own home and furniture. They are a British couple a medical doctor & nurse who sing in the philharmonic choir with them their son & his wife Yumiko visiting from Japan. A Greek professor who teaches the history of education. A Ukrainian girl who escaped the Stalin regime to teach French in Canada. A British retired dean of Science. Special Guest: Climate scientist & politician Andrew Weaver head of the Green Party.

Your MISSION Should You Accept: With toddy in hand stroll through our rooms & introduce yourself to as many exciting & interesting guests as possible. Share your stories. Should you succeed in your mission you will experience “Much Joy & Happiness”. See you all on Monday, January 1st 2018 Love, Jean & John(Please note: To keep the foyer free of obstacles when you arrive please place your boots in the bedrooms. Your shoes do not have to be taken off.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Menu “Hot Cranberry Rum Toddies” To Sooth Your Soul Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese on Rye Bread Cheeses Salt Spring Cheeses with Cheese Whisps----------- Phyllo Wrapped around Brie Cheese with Cranberry Chutney served on Sesame Crisps------------ Phyllo Caramelized Onion & Gorgonzola Cheese Tarts Puff Pastry Cheese Straws Baked with Rosemary & Sea Salt----------Feta Cheese, Mint & Olives creatively placed on Cocktail sticks---------- Puff Pastry Feta, Pine Nuts & Pesto Palmieres Devilled Eggs

Vegetables Sweet Potato, Yam and Ham Mini Scones with Honey Mustard Mayo----------Guacamole with Tortilla Chips---------- Greek Humus with Pita -------Assortment of Fresh Vegetables with Pesto Mayo for Dipping Phyllo Spinach Spanakopita with Greek Tzatziki------------Vegetable Baked, Crunchy Thins---------Artichoke nibblers

Meat Thai Curried Turkey Balls with Sweet Tomato Sauce------------- Puff Pastry Curried Pork Sausage Sliders with Apricot Chutney--------------Mexican Chili Beef Pate on Taco Shells Barbecued Pork Tenderloin Seafood Tempera Battered Prawns with Plum Sauce--------------------Japanese – Homemade Sushi

Sweets And for all you Chocolate Lovers Scrumptious Chocolate Symphony!------“A dark chocolate Layered Cake, with White & Dark Chocolate Mousse that sits on a Chocolate Cheesecake Base”. Oh So Good!



Thank you for your Christmas ecard !! 
I was away for 5 days in Palm Springs so missed seeing it until today! 
All the Best to you and your family Patrizzio!We wish you the best for next year as well. Terry and MaryHello Patrick and Corrin: 
Thank you so much for the lovely card. We've got quite a bit of snow here now. 
Hope you are enjoying some warmer weather down south. 
All the Very Best for 2018. 
Cheers and Hugs from Von BingenMerry Christmas; took me a week to solve the puzzle but with computer aids we did it; now it takes only 1/2 a day each time I try; see you in the New Year

Tore Down a la Burns Street Douglas Fir Boxing Day Blues: Tuesday, December 26th!

The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs, and explosions, and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy; and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own for the children, and the children yet unborn. -Rod Serling, writer of the science fiction TV series The Twilight Zone (25 Dec 1924-1975)  

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE CREW ON BURNS STREET! WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN 2018 - GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPY TRAILS ! I'll call soon - apologies for the long silence. Best wishes from Erika , Amy, Caramel, Shadow, MamaCat, Marius, Baby and Pikko. 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 Hi Amy, Erika and Feline Cohorts All! Just a quick note as we may well miss talking to you. We are driving to Tinsel Town tomorrow and from there will fly to Costa Rica for a month on January 7th. Won't be back in Penticton until the end of February. Then, on April 16th, I fly to Paris. Will be in Europe until July 10th. Am doing two, two week bikes trips, first in Moravia, May 16th to June 26th and then two days later, another guided bike trip out of Kraków, May 28th to June 10th. Before and after I plan to visit various friends in Berne, Aarhus, Oslo and London so will be busy. Lady Dar and her MarriageMobile won't join me as a busy time for weddings. Hope we'll connect in mid-July. 

Enjoyed a wonderful pre-Christmas, short hike/picnic, on the KVR outside Summerland, towards Faulder, with my hiking group, lead-up to a White Christmas! Wow, indeed! On Friday and Saturday before Christmas, Chloë and I made both borscht and perogies for Christmas Eve dinner! Beets were a piece of cake but challenge was perogie dough! 

Must away as we are under strict orders from our more than pushy Chloë that tree has to be taken down and most decorations put away before we are allowed to pack!  This being the case, all of us here at Burns Street wish you and Amy, and your six cats, a Healthy New Year! Fondestos from Lady Dar, re-heating turkey and dressing for brunch, Chloë, at the gym and Etta & Duke helping to take ornaments off the tree! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Burns Street Elf responsible for putting lumps of coal in naughty correspondents' stockings so watch your future response time, Erika! Hunky Bill's perogy factory! Miss Etta deigns not to wear a cap! Duke 'kangarooing" his new catnip stuffed fish! Both Etta and Duke "un-wrapped" their gift toys without any problem! Linda Ervin at dinner last night.

Hello, Just about to fly to Amsterdam, then to Florida with friends for 1 week. Great trip so,far, near perfect weather for Amsterdam, the Rhine cruise, And Paris. Safe travels, and Happy New Year. We’ll look forward to seeing you in 2018! Cheers, Gregg & Francesca Hello Amsterdam! Just a quick note to say hello as much to do before we drive to Tinsel Town tomorrow. Not sure if you have any contact information for Ted but if so, could you pass it along. Thanks.
All of us here at Burns Street wish you both a Healthy New Year! Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Burns Street Elf responsible for putting lumps of coal in naughty wine tipplers' stockings so watch your future selections, Kids! 

If you guys give me a call when you start up skyline, I'll open the garage. We have some ice, but it's not too bad. Safe travels. Marilyn Hello Digitale! Trust you enjoyed the days over Christmas! I expect that we should be making our way up Skyline between 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, all going well with road conditions, etc. Will call so that you can open the garage door and roll out the red carpet!

We are in pretty good shape here. Lady Dar is already mostly packed and I am just about to start. Have been thinking about what to take over last week or so, so not really worried about that end of things. In the past, I've often started around 11:00 pm, or even later, usually after an evening of carousing so this trip I'm already light years ahead, and sober! Will treat myself to a hot rum toddy once I've packed. Need to use up a bit of lemonade in fridge so that is the best use I can think of!

Happy Holidays to you two, We had a quiet time over Christmas. Patrick and Chloe made borscht and perorgies for Christmas eve and we had our friends Lynn and Peter over. Christmas day we had one guest for dinner and did the tradition turkey etc. Patrick and I are driving down to LA leaving on the 27th to spend New Year's with Ayn and the boys and to attend Alex's grad from the LA fire dept. training. He had his first shift on Christmas Eve. We are flying out of LA to Costa Rica on Jan. 7 returning on Feb. 4 and then will visit friends in Arizona and Texas and arrive home in late Feb. My mom is thinking of coming out here in March or if she doesn't come I will fly back there for a few weeks.
Patrick leaves for Europe and two planned bike tours in Mid-April returning in Mid- July. Chloe and I will hopefully be moving her to her new townhouse during that time. I'm staying home to hopefully have a busy wedding season. We will also be using our place at Spirit Ridge this year. Hope to get Ayn and the boys up here for a visit as well. Paris sounds like a wonderful place to be at Christmas. Enjoy Florida. And here's to a visit in 2018! Hugs Corinne

Were under strict orders from more than pushy Chloë to take down tree and put away all the decorations this morning. Lady Dar did the bulk of this but once we had it outside I lopped off the branches and then cut up the trunk for next year's firewood! Best tree we've ever had, I think, both in terms of lovely shape but also in terms of its needle retention. Had very few needles drop as I'm usually sweeping up scads. Fondestos from Lady Dar, talking to Ayn in Tinsel Town as I scribe while Chloë is reading Michael Connelly's latest, Two Kinds of Truth, a stocking stuffer, in her bedroom, with Miss Etta, purring at her feet. Sounds like the board-game, Clue! Looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Burns Street Elf responsible for putting lumps of coal in naughty Portlandians stockings! 

My dear lucky north-of-the-border friends, I hope that you are preparing your mounts for the journey south. I selfishly hope that you are yourselves hoping to join us for dinner on the night of the 29th before you tear southward. We are eagerly anticipating your arrival, mandibles a-chatter. In humans, that translates into big smiles. David Hello Mandible Munchers! Trust you enjoyed the days over Christmas! I expect that we should be making our way up Ashby, between 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, all going well with road conditions, traffic, etc., on the 29th, our tummies growling in anticipation for the arachnid fare extraordinaire awaiting! Will call from the deep end of Hearst so that you can roll down the red carpet. Looking forward to seeing you both on Friday. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Burns Street Elf responsible for putting lumps of coal in naughty Vicentians stockings!

Looks like everyone can roll down to Berkeley after those feasts! Will see you on the 29th with appropriate webbing!Corinne, Patrick and Chloe, Thanks again for the nice Christmas Eve. We enjoyed it all: the pre-church borscht, the warm family church service, the peroxide with all the go-withs, the wine and whisky and best of all your company. Have a great time in California and Costa Rica. We’ll see you in the Desert. Cheers Peter and Lynne

Hello Naramatia South! Trust you are both well. Pretty sure we will be knocking on your door on Friday, January 5th for a couple of night, leaving on Sunday morning, January 7th so you will have time to vacuum and do laundry, ready for your paying customers, if this is fine with the Reservation Desk! Just let us know if this doesn't work and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers to you both! Patrizzio!
Merry Christmas Patrick and Corrine! Hope your holiday is going well. Best of travels to you both in the new year. XOX Lou Thanks so so much for the wonderful card!! Happy Boxing Day to you, Corinne, Chloe, Auyun and family and to your wonderful cats!! Lots of love Jo-Anne and Colin

Merry Christmas Pat and much love to you and the family. I think you are at Ayn's and will continue south on your tour. Have safe travels and look forward to hearing about the trip. Take care. Xo Thanks, Patrick. That was fun! Happy holidays and have a great trip. XO

Thank you Patrick.....I trust you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. We stayed home this year and had Shirley's brother Jack and his family over for Christmas dinner. A quiet event with some cards and of course some spirits to pass the evening. Weather is a bit cold....I have not been hiking since the winter picnic as I have been busy at Apex assisting with training of new patrol candidates on the mountain toboggan and other procedures. I enjoy passing along my years of experience to the younger folks. So all the best in 2018 for you and your family and hope to see you out snowshoeing or hiking early next year! Cheers,,,,,Kilian