Post-Bash Floor-Skating Clean-Up Blues: Sunday, December 10th!

Nature does nothing uselessly. -Aristotle (384-322 BCE)

Sharing photos of Costa Rica!! so much fun!!.. no wonder once is not enough!! from scenery to adventures to jungle to people to wildc life birds crocodiles caymans iguanas snakes & spiders monkeys raccoons deer Can't catch it all on camera.. plus the food has been great The group we travelled with has been like a mini family .. .. youngest 19 to 4 in their late 20's .. some 30's 40's 50's &60's.. total 18 with guide Beaches &. HotSprings Volcanoes & rainforests .. rivers & waterfalls.. highlight in a way ..Anne & I ziplined the longest line & highest??@ 480metres for a couple.. in Latin America!!!Crazy Mima!!..going to another volcano to see crater tomorrow Home Wednesday night!!..Oh & the Catamaran Cruise !! Plus the butterfly & hummingbird gardens!!!👍💚❤️to You all Did so much in 8 days!!!

Dear friends and family, Hello to you all . . .

Happy Holidays.  After two years of sending regular cards via the US post office, I'm turning this year to an email format for those of you whose addresses are in our files.  Since the attached letter only chronicles our travels, here is some more personal news.

In general, everyone in our family is in good health and good spirits. Mike still plays squash as often as possible and jogs when there is not squash game.  Hybridizing daffodils and azaleas occupy much of his time in the good weather, and seed collection and horticultural research keep him busy when the weather is foul.  He is currently exploring the mysteries of Mycorrhiza, "a fungus that grows in association with the roots of a plant in a symbiotic or mildly pathogenic relationship."  The burning question is:  "Why do occidentale (the native western pacific azalea) prosper here but not on the east coast?  Could it be linked to a different species of Mycorrhiza?"  If any of you know the answer, I'm sure Mike would love to hear about it.

I, on the other hand, am content just to enjoy their fragrance without delving too much into the "why and how" of it all.  I am the pruning and weeding specialist in the family, and I still love to ride around on my lawn tractor named John (or Deere John, if you prefer).  Grandkids, Paul and Amanda, like to ride John too.

Katie and her family, like most people of that generation, are very busy all the time.  Katie works hard and long, but manages to be a very attentive mom.  She and Michael share the demands of their kids' crazy schedules:  Paul with soccer, indoor soccer (Futsal) and basketball, and Amanda with synchro swimming practice 3 times a week plus Saturday meets.  Both kids enjoy their activities and seem to be relatively good at them.  I don't know how, but they do get their homework and chores done, and at 10 and 13, are kind-hearted and well-adjusted kids.  Okay, I admit that's from a grandmother's point of view. 

A recent addition to the VanZanten household is Leo the cat, who is learning to get along with (or at least co-exist with) Milton the dog.  Michael VZ, now in his 2nd year with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue likes his work, although it is a mystery how he keeps his ever-changing weekly schedule straight.  All in all, they seem to be prospering and still find time for skiing, camping and family outings at the coast or up on the mountain.

Elizabeth is rallying to the challenges of her new field of study "coding." At least I think that's what they call programming now.  She's about half way through a certification program at Portland Community College and hopefully will enjoy her new occupation designing web pages and such when she finishes.  She lives downtown in Portland with her cats and enjoys her friends and activities.  She still plays the piano regularly, and we go to the opera together.  She is a very good Auntie.

I flit from one project to another depending on my mood and the weather.  I have been trying to get my family history in order.  When we were in Bonn a few months ago, my cousin and I went through stacks of old photos and, with the help of my father's remaining living cousins (now 80), were able to identify some of the mystery members of the Strubbe family.  I'm determined next year to complete a book with documentary and photos of my mother's ancestors (the Henne and MacLennon families) and another book with my father's ancestors (the Strubbe and Schulte families).  But, I can only keep at it for so long before I start to go crazy and put the whole project on hold for a couple of weeks.  Then I take off and "play" with my sister Beverly or another friend, or I treat myself to a facial or a massage.  I spend lots of time planning our trips, and I enjoy helping with the local Grange native plant sale (fundraising) each Spring.

So, life is pretty good, and the aches and pains associated with being in our 70's are not too distracting.  Come on now, who doesn't have a touch of arthritis?  We both are looking forward to the activities of the season . .  tree trimming, a concert or two, a fashion show, good food and friends and of course celebrating with our children and grand-kids. We hope our greeting also finds you in good health and high spirits, and we wish the best for you and yours in the New Year Marilyn Hello Fingare and Digitale! Trust you are both well. Enjoyed your Christmas missive immensely! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. Very, very busy time of year as I'm sure I need not tell you. Lady Dar is already starting to pack her bags! She picked up the items you requested yesterday. See you on the 27th. Happy Christmas to one and all! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Corinne Patrick and Chloe Your party was fabulous. I enjoyed myself Thanks again!! Judy Hi Judy Blue! Thank you so much for your lovely birthday gift and for gracing us with your charming presence! We were both delighted to hear you enjoyed yourself as here at Burns, we all thought it was loads of fun indeed! Thanks again, Darling! See you soon. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Corrine and Patrick, you are gracious host. Rita and I had a wonderful time and spoke to many fine friends; some we knew, and others, new! I look forward to getting together again. And Patrizzio, I will make good on having a fresh batch of grappa. Corrine, you might better enjoy a sample of the Port, into which the last bit of grappa went! Have a fine time in both LA and Costa Rica. Bill LavenHi Lovely Rita and Hootch Honcho! Thank you so much for your wonderful gifts, (We certainly enjoyed the red on Sunday evening with a lamb roast but I have promised Chloë, [She was not home for dinner as she was in Kelowna for most of the day.], that I won't open cider until she is around!), and for your best wishes on our coming travel. Thanks again for your generous gifts and gracious company. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrizzio! Thank you for your email. You seem to be very busy all the time. Congratulations to your new recreational property. Are you going to use it for yourself or rent it for the tourists as a kind of business too?

Winter has come here if I like it or not. I still have it hard to realize that it is already not fall with beautiful colorful leaves falling from the trees. On the other hand, it is very romantic to sit in warm of my home and watch snowflakes peacefully falling on the country. Last weeks are running so fast for me. Listening to the radio with every fifth song that is Christmas song will really wake me up. (smile)

I have a news that there are another two people interested in the trip in Poland (now five people together). Attached I am sending you my bank details. There is everything that your bank may need to do a payment. I would like to ask you to pay a deposit 150 EUR (aprox. 225 CAD) for each trip. The rest can be paid one month before the trips start. Have a nice day! Katarina

Hi Katarina! Great news, indeed, about trip to Poland! With respect to payment, I'm happy to pay for both trips, in full, instead of having to send along another payment later. Let me know if this is fine with you and I will transfer funds, as of today's rate.

Thank you for good wishes on Spirit Ridge. It is a so-called "fractional condo" so we have two weeks access every six weeks. We can choose to book these times for our own use or leave unit in rental pool, if not. In this sense, it is a small investment but we decided upon it as we do not have to worry about maintenance, booking, etc., although one pays for these services through strata fees, of course. However, we expect that although return will be modest the place will basically pay for itself and give us a recreational property that should appreciate over the time we plan to own it, given how the Okanagan is becoming a world-wide travel destination. Miss Etta, Pillow Girl, often curls up near the fire! Just like you, Katarina, it would seem! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Murielle! Trust you are well. Thank you for sending along the lovely pictures of Costa Rica. Lady Dar is already starting to pack her bags. Until next our paths cross, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year, Murielle! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Friends, We know that it is a busy time of year with Christmas in the air, but we would like to invite you to an open house to celebrate Marian's 65th birthday, Tuesday, December 19th, at 10806 Happy Valley Road, any time after 5:00 PM. Feel free to drop by for as little or as long as you wish for an evening of fine food, fine drink and fine company. No gifts please. Cheers, Tim

Hi pat, Happy Birthday, sorry I missed you in late aug, you are right no excuses, I was camping with my sister in law and all her grommets, wouldn’t want to drop that on you,next time for sure. I have a couple of new favs from the bench the cab-franc from la frenz,anything from little engine and for bench value anything from bench 1775(especially their tempernillo) any way hugs and kisses from the coast…Steve…

Hi Slammin' Steve! Trust you are well. Thank you for the birthday wishes! Sorry we weren't able to connect on your last visit. Next year for sure! Although, I must say, you have very expensive tastes in wine! Little Engine indeed!! You have obviously found another customer who is paying for your offering to go to Harvard!!! Until next our paths cross, Fine Wine Man, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year, to you and family! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: From our Open House on December 9th!