Lady Dar Wings and Sings the Guyabitos Blues: Monday, December 31st!

“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." (Little Gidding)” ― T.S. Eliot 

Hi Glasgow, (via Edinburgh)! Thanks for wonderful card and wishes. I'm driving Lady Dar to Kamloops later this afternoon for her flight to Mexico. Might attend a party with Flamin', in town to see grandchildren, and her gang but probably just sip Single Malt in front of the fire with Duke and Etta to keep me company. The following are for you as an ob/gyn and from me as an Iro-Uke:
 

Q: What do bagpipers use for birth control? A: Their personalities. Q: Did you hear the joke invented by a drunk Irishman? A: It's called the bagpipes and the Scots still don't get it. Healthy New Year to you and Catherine and family. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello again, Duhlink! I'm driving Lady Dar to Kamloops later this afternoon for her flight to Mexico. Might attend a party tonight, with Flamin', in town to see grandchildren, and her gang but probably just sip Single Malt in front of the fire with Duke and Etta to keep me company, singing Auld Lang Syne at the top my voice and howling Aa-hooo! Werewolves of London! Aa-hooo! Aa-hooo! Werewolves of Penticton! Aa-hooo! Healthy New Year to you and Mad Cap and family. Cheers! Cat napping last night with Duke on her lap and Etta on her "office" chair. Ready to roll! Mexico Here I Come! 
  

Hey Pat, Corinne, hope both of you are doing well. I've been out of the loop a bit the past year, a lot of personal issues I had to deal with, but no complaints, it's all just part of life. Hope both of you are doing well and that your holidays are going smoothly and well (and that Pat hasn't embarrassed you too much Corinne).

I work for VPL now as a librarian (yup they are starting to let the inmates run the prison), although, as an auxiliary, but it's all good, at least I have my foot in the door and as I am discovering a lot of people work as an auxiliary for years before they get a permanent position (but I hope I don't have to wait years......) Talk soon and happy new year! VL

Hello to Our Favourite Porch Climber Malt Person! Congratulations on your new position with VPL, auxilliary or otherwise, great step forward. Que será, será! We missed you at our Open House and have been busy ever since. Must away as I'm charged with making brunch before we hit the road to Kelowna. Lady Dar is busy doing last minute packing and setting her various volunteer duties in order, clearing her desk, so to speak. Fondestos from her, to you, Victorious, and we wish you a Healthy New Year! Stay well and come for a visit while I'm un-chaperoned! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Snowshoeing ❤️ How was it? I’m at the airport waiting to leave. Love Mom
It was gorgeous and peaceful and really zen. We did a 3k loop and saw about 5 people just really nice. And the snowshoes were great!!! Then we went to the village and met Brian and the kids who were tubing for drinks and snacks. Now just home, showered and cozy in sweats. Are doing fajitas and margaritas. Then it’s hot tub time. Have a safe flight and a great time mom. Love you, enjoy your warm getaway. Will send you lots it email updates and cat pictures. Looks beautiful! Have a cozy evening and a happy new year! Love to you both

Good Evening and Healthy New Year to One and All! Looks like you are now the snowshoe expert, Chloë! Glad you had such a marvellous outing and that your new pair fit, etc. Really is a magical activity so I hope we can do plenty here when your schedule allows. 

Just back from Sendero. Called Flamin', (by hacking into Lady Dar's phone!), once I was back from Kelowna. Very pleasant drive as very little traffic and I filled up for 98.9 cents/litre, [Only $22 worth, unfortunately! Lowest price since I don't know when, years and years ago! I think we are in for a recession in large part due to Cheeto Trump!], once back in Penticton. Anyway, popped up to wish everyone Happy New Year and deliver cappuccino machina as Kid Chelene really wanted one and I still have the one-shot unit which I can pack with re-fillable capsules. Didn't stay but a few minutes as I wanted to start drinking hot rum and lemonade, before it' time for Single Malt! Just an excuse as I'm feeling much better. Looks like Clan Sutherland will pop by tomorrow so I might have a relapse! [Speaking of them, how is your forehead, Prince Valiant? Hope you are feeling better!]

Well, must away as I am making a large salad for dinner and will eat while watching more episodes of Borderland before catching the festivities in Times Square and elsewhere. Travel safely, Lady Dar, My Darling, and again, a Healthy New Year to one and all. Love and Cheers, Patrizzio/Dad! Pics: Lady Dar readies for trip to Kelowna and then bids adieu! Flamin' and The Terrible Twosome! Sports Centrale! Happy New Years Everyone!!!! :)Nicolina

Pat, Reading ‘One Man And His Bike’ by Mike Carter. It’s an account of his cycle ride around the coast of Britain. I think you would really like it. Off to the Brownlees’ on Wednesday and further north a few days later to visit friends and familySylvia and I have had an extremely busy 10 days meeting with old friends in the London area. Hope you and Corinne have a very good New Year’s Eve.
Best wishes for 2019. Ray 

Hi Raymond! Great to hear from you and learn that you are having such a wonderful time visiting friends and family. Please pass along fondest regards to Chris and Jim when you see them. Lady dar left for Mexico this evening. You might recall that I'm scheduled to have my right shoulder replaced, March 12th, and so wanted to stay home to try to become as fit as possible before operation. Harder to exercise regularly there so plan to return to deep-water walking and snow-shoeing which I missed last winter as we were in Costa Rica.

I gave Chloë a pair of snow-shoes for Christmas and she tried them out today, with close friend Katie, in Vernon. Looks like she is now the snowshoe expert and really chuffed that she had such a marvellous outing and that new pair fit, etc.

A few minutes ago, Big Al called to wish me Happy New Year and we had a grand chat. Haven't seen them since they were up this past July. All goes well with them. Thanks for tip on Mike Carter. I'm currently reading Robert Wilson's You Will Never Find Me. Do you know his work? A simply terrific mystery, and more, author. Travel safely, Raymond. Healthy New Year to you and Sylvia and family. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Snowshoe Girls! Chloë's pair are at bottom of picture. Bought them at Costco, (mine, as well, two years ago), and at least half the price from ones, at entry level, at MEC!

 

Two cool cats!!

I love you Patrick!!! Mike has just ousted Mimi from sofa as he couldn’t breathe but she will find her way back. We are having Marks Dine in for 2: coquille st jacques, rack of ribs, asparagus and dessert plus Prosecco for £20 and listening to music as we speak - how lucky are we?!! Madcap was working today 8-2.30 left home 7.15! Max is 10 tomorrow so party time again at Anna’s - lucky at our age to enjoy all the festivities . Love M and P xxx Hi Marks Dine Inners! What a life indeed! I trust that there will be no adult "activity" as a result of too much Prosecco, on the rug in front of the fireplace or else Mimi's fur will really be flying!  Aa-hooo! Anyway, Healthy New Year to you Penelope, on the "shag" rug, in the front parlour with Mad Cap. [Sounds like a board game!] Cheers, Patrizzio!

Healthy New Year, Ariane! Just me and Etta & Duke to bring in 2019 as Lady Dar is in the Calgary Airport waiting for her connecting flight to Puerto Valalrta. I drove her to Kelowna this afternoon. All the best to you, Doug, Damian and Corben! Chloë was snowshoeing at Big White today with her friend Katie and her new snowshoes, green, present from me as I hope to have outings with here here as well. Cheers! 

Happy New Year to all from the Calgary airport Love Lady Dar Happy New Year all !!! Big love to you in 2019 Chloë Healthy New Year, Lady Dar! While I was making my large salad for dinner had calls from, Big Al, in Vancouver and then from Ayn, in Tinsel Town and then Chloë in Vernon, so before I knew it clock was ticking past 10:00 pm and I'd only polished off two rum toddies! Ate while watching last few episodes of Borderland. Was kept company by Duke, on my lap on couch, after I'd finished salad, and Etta, on your office chair, although I must admit they were not all that amused when I staggered around the living room belting out Auld Lang Syne at the top my voice and howling Aa-hooo! Werewolves of Penticton! Aa-hooo! Aa-hooo! Werewolves of Penticton! Aa-hooo! to bring in 2019, along with a snort of Single Malt, of course! [[Unfortunately, Wyatt was all gone so will have to visit Legend, at some point!] Aa-hooo! Aa-hooo!! Aa-hooo!!! Hope your connecting flight to Puerto Valarta goes smoothly. Love and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Cadboro Bay Folk! How lovely to hear both of your voices! What a wonderful way to start of 2019. As you know, I drove Lady Dar to airport in Kelowna this afternoon. In any event, I had taken along a number of CDs and on way there Lady Dar chose Leonard Cohen's Various Positions. How appropriate was Dance Me To The End of Love. I still remember watching his concert in London, on DVD, with you two. On return leg I put on Rodney Crowell's Close Ties. We saw him at last year's Folk Fest, in July, and I picked up CD there. Have been much attracted to his work ever since you first introduced him, (along with Delbert McCLinton), on one of our California wine tasting junkets! Elvira is still one of my favourites:

Well, tonight I'm gonna meet her
At the Hungry House Cafe
And I'm gonna give her all the lovin' I can

She's gonna jump and holler
'Cause I saved up two dollars
And we're gonna search and find that preacher man

Elvira, Elvira, my heart's on fire, Elvira

Delbert's I've Got Dreams to Remember remains welded in my mind. Still recall how we staggered out of some venue in Gastown after listening to his show. My ears were still ringing three days later! Healthy New Year to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi, and a Happy New Year. This Thursday, I intend to lead a “not too difficult” snowshoe, and I would love it if a few folks would join me. We will: -meet at 0900 at Home Hardware north parking lot in Penticton (0840 at IGA in Summerland). -carpool and drive to an area just short of Nickel Plate cc ski area ( we will park at what I have always known as the power line parking area) -snowshoe south from there, to the meadow and possibly to the saddle between Beaconsfield and Apex, and then return to vehicles. I anticipate about 3 to 4 hours on snowshoes. -return, and find a place for debriefing and refreshment. Care to join me? If so, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. Please remember to dress for the weather conditions. Cheers, Jim

 

The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it. -George Marshall, US Army Chief, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Nobel laureate (31 Dec 1880-1959) 

Un-Deck the Halls and Walls Blues: Sunday, December 30th!

In religion, faith is a virtue. In science, faith is a vice. -Jerry Coyne, biology professor (b. 30 Dec 1949)

Hi TNT! Thanks for the wonderful card! You'll be drinking Champagne before us but we'll toast you, each in our separate locations, when the time comes! Healthy New Year to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

For you and your family the best wishes for 2019 Hi Jaap!Trust you and family are well. Thank you for New Year's wishes. We are planning a trip to Europe next September. Have not finalized itinerary other than the fact that we plan to visit close friend in Denmark towards the end of the holiday. We think we might well pass through the Netherlands, en route to London, afterwards so perhaps there might be a possibility of connecting. Other than that, you are more than welcome to visit us in The Okanagan. Plenty of room for everyone to stay whenever suits so think seriously about it if you are inclined to return to Canada. We'd love to show you this remarkable part of the province, wine-tasting and all!  

Must away as we are beginning to take down Christmas decorations. Stay well. Again, both Corinne and I wish you, Jaap and family, a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Hike in mid-December; Christmas Eve dinner with friends, Rebecca and Corey, along with Corinne and Chloë

Hey Pat, So great to get regular Pat messages after the long imposed recuperating silence. Scary time Dude. Glad you have come through. Los Osos is a meditative relaxing place. One just drops into the vibe out there on the coast. Our Christmas was low key. Actually got more than one present each, so that was special! Nephew Louis was on hand so that was probably the highlight.

Sun is ever so slightly coming back now. That is encouraging. Just sent off late lunch visitors. Enjoying some South African Chardonnay fermented in French oak. Almost sherry like. Brownies made with Guittard chocolate were well received. Keeping it simple here. Good to know the holiday was enjoyed by all! Hugs, Nancy & Cactus

Hi Fancy Chocolados People! I'm sure Étienne would be pleased to know that you are keeping things simple with his choc, [Mixed with edible cannabis, perchance, courtesy of Vinnie's baking skills?], washed down with a sherry-like Chaaaaaaaardonaaaaay! Thanks for the vote of confidence but I always assumed my readership was more than somewhat relieved at my enforced radio silence! Come in BBC World Service. Penticton Calling! Penticton Calling!

Flamin' just popped by to go for a walk with Darjeeling. Horrible accidento, last night, at Corey's/Rebecca's place. There was some discussion about length of Sutherland's new fireplace, [Electric insert in a pretty elaborate surround, commissioned by Flamin' and fabricated by friend, Daniello.], at Harbour Terrace, so Ryan lay down in front of similar fireplace at Sendero to better gauge length. While he was there his eldest daughter, Grace, came over to see what her father was doing and inadvertently pulled on a stocking hanging on mantle from a very heavy stocking hanger ornament. Kaboom! Fell from about a meter, (A yard, and a bit, in your non-metric, non-compliance with the world in so many other things as well, parlance!), catching Prince Valiant on the forehead, smack dab between his eyebrows!

Lucky it didn't fall on one of his eyes, it goes without saying. Necessitated five stitches at Emergency. Lucky Kid Chelene took him there otherwise Megan, Ryan's wife, might well have been charged with spousal abuse! Attending physician and nurses looked rather skeptical when they were informed that significant injury was a result of a Christmas decoration! Bubble above their collectice heads: "A tiny plastic star did that to you!" Never a dull moment with Clan Sutherland around. We moved here to get away from all the brouhaha yet it followed us here! Might have to come south to live in Villa Vicente while you Trump-dodgers head north!

Over and out from Burns Street Broadcasting Corporation, sending Fondestos, via the airwaves into Vacuum Land, beaming directly to the completely empty head, akin to the vastness of interstellar space where global warming doesn't exist, of your Chief Executive Cheeto, on PBS and better radio stations everywhere, although he only listens to his own inane, puerile, bullying rants! Where O Where goeth self-awareness, Trumpolino, for there are more things in heaven and earth, Donaldino, Than are dreamt of in your political philosophy! [With deepest apologies to Guillermo!] Cheers, Patrizzio!

Must away as the KVR Walkers are back and it's time to put away decorations. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, and we wish you both a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Etta prefers the warm and comfort of a chair in the Rumpus Room!

Must away as we are having a "romantic" evening together, before Lady Dar decamps for warmer climes. We were watching Outlander, [Have you watched Bordertown, a more than gripping Finnish detective series? Deadwind is another wonderful Finnish production.], with a bottle of 2017 Terravista Viogner, 14.5%, when Pamela, Lady Dar's youngest sister, phoned from Winnipeg, so I thought I'd say hello while she is chatting. I plan to open a 2015 Painted Rock Syrah, 14.9%, to go with the lamb chops broiling away as I scribe. Home-made mint sauce to boot!

Must away as we are having a "romantic" evening together, before Lady Dar decamps for warmer climes. We were watching Outlander, [Have you watched Bordertown, a more than gripping Finnish detective series? Deadwind is another wonderful Finnish production.], with a bottle of 2017 Terravista Viogner, 14.5%, when Pamela, Lady Dar's youngest sister, phoned from Winnipeg, so I thought I'd say hello while she is chatting. I plan to open a 2014 Popular Grove Cab Franc, Munson Mountain 13.8%, to go with the lamb chops broiling away as I scribe. Home-made mint sauce to boot! 

Hi Patrick, Tell Corey , “likely story”. I hope the wine works for you in the romance department. Best wishes to Corinne for her travels down Mexico way.
We finished all three seasons of Outlander a couple of nights ago. Last night watched Roma, an interesting drama. Tonight started on The Innocent Man. Yes, we’ve seen Bordertown. We’re flying to Vancouver tomorrow morning for a New Year’s party at Byron and Anne’s, courtesy of Aeroplan. Back on Tuesday. Will have to catch up with you before departing for the Desert. Happy New Year to you both, Peter

Hi Aeroplanners!  Great that you could celebrate New Year's with Byron and Anne. Please pass along best wishes to them. Travel home safely and give me a shout so we can have a snort and arrange chauffeur service! Healthy New Year to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio! Thank you for the card, merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you, Jack Bartosinski Hi Jumpin' Jack Flash! Thank you for the season's wishes. Trust you are well. I do hope to see you when weather allows. I understand that you are not a winter weather hiker. For my part I'm planning to snowshoe as much as possible this year as we were in Costa Rica last winter. Again, Healthy New Year, Jack. Best Wishes and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick, The New Year is fast approaching and I hope that you have a gala event planned for that evening. Your dear sweet girls are leaving only for a moment and it is hard to imagine you being alone after all you do  bring happiness into so many people’s lives. John & I will call you tomorrow to see how you are doing. 

Our friends from Seattle Kathleen & Barry are coming in for New Years. They come every year and we have known them since our Auzzie days. Their children live in Alaska and they travel there two or three times a year to see their grandchildren.  It is hard to imagine how different their children are to them. Their son who we are godparents too married a women that was home schooled along with her thirteen siblings and so with her over active maternal instincts are busily reproducing like rug rats. Kathleen and Barry’s daughter has a dog breeding business raising  Alaskan Huskies and is raising two children from two different men by herself out in the boonies. Both children love the challenge of living off the land which sends shivers up my spine.

Our Christmas was quiet with people dropping in which was great.  I loved not having an endless list of things to do. We will call. Happy New Year my dear

Love, Jean & John

 
 

Snow-Shovel & Corn-Broom Blues: Saturday, December 29th!

To read fast is as bad as to eat in a hurry. -Vilhelm Ekelund, poet (14 Oct 1880-1949) 

Belated Christmas Wishes Patrick and Corinne, Thanks for the good wishes. We also had a lovely Christmas with our son, Chris, his wife, Yoshimi and our dear grandson, Andrew! We spent five days in Vancouver, visiting extended family and eating, eating, eating! It was great! Nice to be home again, however. We went on the homecoming snowshoe yesterday. There were about 13 or 14 of us, including 4-year-old Helen. It was a nice, gentle hike up the Riordan (not sure if there is an “h” in there or not). The best part, of course, was a lunch of leftover Christmas goodies and various drinks with value added. Hope to see you out on the next hike, Patrick and all the best to you, Corinne as you head to warmer climes! Happy New Year! Cheers, Marian and Tim

[Hello again, Duhlink!
Pleased you enjoyed card. It reminded me of your jazz club outings! Must away as we are beginning to take down Christmas decorations. Stay well. Again, both Corinne and I wish you, Penny, and Madcap, and family, a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Xxx 🥂💕] Hi Cousins! Sorry I missed hike up Riordan. Probably won't be able to join gang until Thursday, January 3rd, 2019[!], at the earliest, after Lady Dar has departed for warmer climes! She thanks you for the good wishes and says she will have a drink with a tiny umbrella and toast you once she is on the beach! Just in from shoveling all the sidewalks. As I'm sure you know, it snowed quite heavily for most of last night, heaviest snowfall to date, I believe, but light and fluffy so not hard to clear. However, here it is now 2º C, quite unseasonably "warm" and with rain forecast for later this afternoon not sure if roads will be a mess or not. Chloë is off to spend New Year's in Vernon but making a detour to Kamloops first as she wants to see Flamin's/Sarge's newest granddaughter, Kaiya, born to Nicole and Marvin a few weeks ago. She was to leave this afternoon but had a call from Nicolina who would like her to come tomorrow instead. 

Fine with Chloë and now she will come over to have dinner with us and wish her Mom Bon Voyage and Happy New Year's to us. Not sure what I will do that evening myself. Might just spend it in front of fire with Etta and Duke, reading and sipping single malt, unsupervised, inappropriately dressed and uncriticized for my raggedy, yet somehow beguiling, homeless look! Oi Vey, already! Fondestos from Lady Dar, the Mexican Sand Pipe, to you, Marian and Tim, out dropping off the church budget and running a few last minute errands, and we wish you both a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Duke just after midnight, last night. He dashed out when I opened door to turn off Christmas lights and tried to balance on settee strut and wall, off patio surface as I guess he found newly fallen snow chilly on his pads! 

Beautiful card--please give our regards to Corinne--we hope she enjoys a wonderful time in Mexico and that you don't get too lonely. Lots of hugs sent your way. Jo-Anne and Colin Hi again, Marps! Glad you enjoyed card. I probably won't be able to join hiking/snowshoeing gang until Thursday, January 3rd, 2019[!], at the earliest, after Lady Dar has flown south. Fondestos from the Snow Bird to you, Jo-Anne and Colin, and both of us wish you a Healthy New Year! [Might just spend it in front of fire with Etta and Duke, reading and sipping single malt, unsupervised, inappropriately dressed and uncriticized for my raggedy, yet somehow beguiling, homeless look! Oi Vey, already!] Cheers, Patrizzio!

[I think this will adequately describe your situation. Thanks for the support! Much appreciated. Sláinte Mhaith!] Most of our family got together on Christmas Day at Kaitlyn's in-law's place.We enjoyed lots of good food and sparky conversation. As usual our grandson Kellan was the centre of attention. All the best to you, Corinne and the rest of your family. Hello Sparky Conversation People! Pleased as punch that you enjoyed a pleasant family gathering on Christmas Day with Kellan as MC! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Filmer, and Sally, and we wish everyone a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks Patrick. Stay warm and watch the ice. No falling down. Good health and happiness for 2019! Hi again, JT! Thank you for New Year's wishes and ice advice! Fondestos from the Snow Bird to you, Joanne, out dropping off the church budget and running a few last minute errands. Both of us wish you a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Madroña Manor! Trust that you are both well and enjoyed pleasant gatherings with friends and family over Christmas. Thanks for birthday wishes, Grog! I apologize for not being in touch sooner but seems social whirlwind just kept revving up right into Xmas. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both, just back from driving Flamin' back to Sendero. She came with Prince Valiant, Megan and the girls, as they wanted to see everyone. Flamin' will be here until January 3rd, to help out with child-care, when she'll fly back to Vancouver. Sarge went back home, from Kamloops, on the 26th as he has World Junior Hockey tickets. Take care of yourselves and Lady Dar, Chloë and I wish you both a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Well, ho ho ho season is over, but weight gain from turkey dinner remains.
If you would like to get out and get some fresh air, join us for a hike on Monday. We will go to the Roddy meadows area for a relatively easy and short hike – 3 hours rather than 4. The snow should not be too deep, but bringing cleats could be a good idea. Meet as usual, 0840 at HH Penticton, 0900 at Summerland IGA. For those who do not join us, have a happy and safe New Year. Cheers Tony 

Hi Antonio! Thank you for New Year's wishes. Busy here so I probably won't be able to join gang until Thursday, January 3rd, 2019, at the earliest, after Corinne has departed for warmer climes! She says she will have a drink with a tiny umbrella and toast everyone once she is on the beach! I will be driving her to airport in Kelowna on New Year's Eve day as she is flying to Puerto Vallarta, staying north of there for two months. I'm staying here as I missed the winter last year as we were in Costa Rica, and plan to do as much snow-shoeing as possible. All the best. Healthy New Year to you and Heather. Cheers, Patrizzio!

I

Begin the Countdown to the Vaya Con Dios Blues: Friday, December 28th!

I am not one of those who believe that a great army is the means of maintaining peace, because if you build up a great profession those who form parts of it want to exercise their profession. -Woodrow Wilson, 28th US president, Nobel laureate (28 Nov 1856-1924) 

 
Thank you for your wishes. Happy 2019 to bothoya :-) Hi Brunello! Thank you for the New Year's wishes. Trust your hols were full of celebrations with friends and family. Last two days have been rather lazy and tomorrow will probably start to put away Christmas decorations. Have already taken "Frosty", Dusty's picture we had on front door, down, so at least a small start. I'm hoping Lady Dar will manage to set aside a couple of tubs of all the various decorations that we haven't really used in last few years and pass them along to anyone who might not have much and could use them. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to you, Brunello and Chooch, and we wish you and family a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Photo: Kevin Dooley

Thank you so much -- what a clever card. Hope you enjoyed a great Christmas with friends and family. May the year ahead be a healthy and happy one for you. Lots of love as ever Jo-Anne and Colin Hi Marps, or should I say, BC Book Prizes Advocate! Thank you for the New Year's wishes. Trust your hols were full of celebrations and visits with friends and family. Thanks as well for the Christmas card and lovely note. We are very sorry to hear that Colin's eye problem persists but pleased to know that the Whiskies Advent Calendar has helped. Please tell him that Etta and Duke have left my malt cabinet alone but Lady Dar is none too pleased with El Diablo as he seems to have great good fun knocking her jewelry and makeup off the bathroom counter, often right in front of her, little sauce-pot that he is! Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to you, Jo-Anne and Colin, and we wish you and family a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for the update Patrick! Nice to see you have some of the white stuff to shovel during the Holiday Season..Christmas was lovely in Santa Barbara with my daughter,...the two children and three neighbors...went well and as usual...I am always relieved that it's all over and done with..What would everyone do without this commercialized event...?? For sure the economy would suffer more than ever...sorry ...but it is really a fantastic preoccupation for so many!

I like to remember the days when I was a child and it was about decorating the tree the week preceding Christmas and the Christmas pageants and the anticipation for the one gift we got Christmas morning from Santa..
Then all 16 adults and 36 grandchildren packed into someone's small humble home for turkey dinner and games and cards...those were the days!!...
Oh well it is what it is...I tried to keep it fairly simple for my family when they were growing up..but it was still so much for the focus on that one day!
It's nice when I see people focus on family gatherings and friends and carolling... Each to their own

We drove to Sacremento yesterday to be with the other side of the family!..
We are Denae's new place...Adelle's former sister-in-law ..kids are cousins of similar age. We will be here until Sunday and are going to some winter wonderland. She has this huge house now with 12 rooms plus 4 full bathrooms and every room has a Christmas scene display. I think you would love to be here with your camera so I will take pictures and send to you. Denae is obviously very much into Christmas as is her mother..Looks like a home for the Better Homes Magazine...picture perfect!...

Anyway Life goes on ..Looks like I will be home before the end of January..
I will start heading back North in mid January..stop at Morro Bay or Santa Cruz for a few days then at my son's in San Francisco...then onwards home. I miss being in my own surroundings although the arrangements at my daughters have worked surprisingly well with only 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I have been using the hideabed which is very comfortable. My daughter plans on taking some prerequisite courses to eventually get her nursing degree...she needs to get focused for that and better for her to be doing this without me hanging around. Although I help her a lot around the house and yard...better she figures a routine on her own. She's doing well..so I feel she's got it under control. Well hopefully get some outings with the hiking group..get my snowshoes and poles out All the Best to you both..Cheers🙏 Elle

Hi Sacramento Girl! Pleased to hear all goes so well with your visit and your daughter. We don't really know Sacramento although we have passed through it many, many times, most often en route to Placerville, for wine-tasting in El Dorado and Amador Counties, or else going to LA. Simply gorgeous country towards Tahoe. We are more familiar with Morro Bay as, in the past, we wine-tasted regularly near San Luis Obispo. Often drove HWY 1 from SF south, and north, through Santa Cruz, staying there and wine-tasting as well. Have very close friends in Berkeley so we often take BART into SF for the day. Last year, a few days before New Year's I did just that, with my bike, getting off the train at Embarcadero to ride over the Golden Gate, returning by ferry from Tiburon.

Funny you should mention Better Homes and Gardens as Ayn, our eldest, has cousins in Simi Valley, just north of LA, and we have done a number of house-sitting stints for them as well as often having Christmas Day dinner at their place if we are down in LA for holiday. One year I had to go with husband to their storage locker, which they had to rent to store their decorations, [At the time they lived in a huge place, similar to how you describe Denae's new home.], to retrieve the artificial tree which could easily have been used in some giant mall and untold boxes of seasonal decorations and ornaments! Lovely people but far too, too much space and "stuff" for me. Less is More as far as I'm concerned. Also agree with how commercialized Christmas has become. Had to laugh, sadly, a week or so ago when we were in Kelowna to do a bit of last minute shopping at Costco as well as looking for a few small gifts and noticed, in one of the malls, a sign announcing that Boxing Day Sale was already on!

Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to you, Murielle, and we wish you and family a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Front sidewalk, yesterday, before I shoveled it. After, this morning! Roads are mostly clear and dry but more snow is supposed to start soon, and heavily so!

Hi again, Trevorino! Just a quick note to say that when I sent along last few messages I realized that I had not commented on your Mum and the nursing home. Quite a coincidence about the same room! Sorry to learn of her recent fall and fracture but I'm sure she has good reason to be worried about her son!

Chloë just popped in, shivering from the icy wind, blowing snowflakes everywhere. She and Lady Dar are off to look at rugs at Teas and Weaves, a local shop that has an incredible inventory of quite colourful, and reasonably priced rugs, from India and elsewhere. We have a large runner, from them, between the island and the sink counter. It used to be in the hallway to my office before the renovations but works very well in its new spot. [One we had at The Island Inn is too long for this space, unfortunately and it doesn't meet Chloë's interior design colours! Corinne will see if Ayn might like it for her new place when she is there in early March. If so, we'll mule it down next time we drive.] Over the last two years we have given Chloë gift certificates to store, for birthdays, etc., and the like, so she has about $400 to use. Must away as want to split a bit more firewood before snow really sets in. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Chloë carried the sleepy boy into living room and he settled down here after they left!

Hi again, Jean! Thank you for the gorgeous card and heartfelt wishes. Fondestos from the Mexican Sand Piper to you, Jean and John, and both of us wish you a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

thank you for the beautiful card! Very kind of you! We were all up in apex for Christmas, five peoples swished into a one bedroom, ha, maybe next year Corene has the right idea, mexico! at oliver working now but in new year at apex snowshoeing and skiing, give me a shout and come on up! HAPPY NEW YEAR Hi Apex Folk! Glad you enjoyed card. Sounds like an orgy on the slopes with 5 people "swishing" into one bedroom! I will certainly give you call as I'd love to visit fancy chalet people, even if you only have one bedroom! I thought you were supposed to be retired, Judy! Fondestos from the Mexican Sand Piper to you, Judy and James, and both of us wish you a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks Patrick see you soon I do a lot of downhill skiing as well so looking forward to new snow!

Dear Sir Pat and Lady Dar. Thanks for a lovely card and sweet Xmas music. Now at Camelot Castle and all well. Lovely guests and weather good considering it is winter. Patricia's talk went well and much appreciated. Food better. Quality not so good earlier on. Hope all well at your end and be in touch. Love Sir James and Lady Patrizzia. Hello Camelot Castle Fancy People! Pleased as punch that you are enjoying your visit and that Lady Patrizzia's talk went so well. We'd have loved to have been in the audience but the closest we came was to watch the Christmas Special of Call the Midwife!  How many fabulous paintings have you purchased? Travel safely and stay well. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both, Lady Patrizzia and Sir James, and we wish you a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Snowplows Up and Down Burns Street Blues: Thursday, December 27th!

One does not ask of one who suffers: What is your country and what is your religion? One merely says: You suffer, that is enough for me. -Louis Pasteur, chemist and bacteriologist (27 Dec 1822-1895) 

Alex and Sam

We got a great pic from them in the mail this morning! Mom Patrick & Corrine, Many belated thanks for the card! All four of us went to Whistler for a few days before Xmas and were overwhelmed with activity when we returned. Didn't look at the computer until yesterday. Hope your open house party went well and you are all set for a happy and healthy New Year. Much love from all of us, Bill, Denise, Jennifer and Julie. Hello Whistlerites! Pleased to hear that the four of you enjoyed a wonderful time in the mountains even if swept away by an avalanche of activities once back in Vancouver!

 

[Meet our new grandson Teddy Bevin Wittwer, Lisa is great and very happy xx Congratulations to you both, and to Lisa as well, of course! I will be driving Lady Dar to Kelowna on New Year's Eve as she is flying to Puerto Vallarta, staying north of there for two months and then a week or so in LA to see our new great-granddaughter, Olivia Rose, all going well to be born in late February! Healthy New Year from all of us!]

  

On Boxing Day we headed to the cinema to see Vice with Christian Bale as Dick Cheney. Quite extremely, extremely,  interesting, filmically speaking, and the subject matter makes one's blood boil. Analogous to what Trump is now doing to the environment, international relations, etc., although Cheney was almost invisible and far more Machiavellian, easily manipulating a weak-willed Bush in his single-minded pursuit of absolute power. Must away as I need to put another log on the fire and then shovel the front sidewalk again. Did it yesterday afternoon but it continued snowing all day. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to one and all and we wish everyone a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Christmas Eve with Famiglia Sutherland, Corey, Rebecca, Avery and Ashlynn; Derek and Linda; Christmas morning watching the Queen's address; Christmas dinner with two bottles of Orofino! Boxing Day with Etta and snow!

Lady Dar is moaning and groaning beside me, as I scribe, swearing like a trooper, at an Excel spreadsheet as she, as church treasurer, works on Oasis's 2019 budget. Linda Ervin just called and invited us for coffee and cake around 3:00 pm this afternoon. Her niece, Kyla, is in town for a few days so it will be a treat to see her again. Last time was with Zircon, this past fall. Pic: Sidewalk this morning! 

Hi Linda et al! Thank you so much for the lovely afternoon. It was more than a delight to see Kyla again and to meet her parents, Carol and Eric. Terrific to get to know more of your family. As well I was pleased to meet Donlea and chat with her about mutual friends, Barb and Lynne, in Enderby. Furthermore, Ken knew our friends Gwynne and Geoff Battersby in Revelstoke so it was fun to make that connection. Thanks as well for the care package. Dessert for tonight while we are watching The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. Do you know this series? It is more than a hoot. Chloë told us about it. It is on Amazon Prime if interested. Must away as I'm to make a salad. Thanks again. Healthy New Year to you and everyone else visiting. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Please forward pics to your family and Ken/Donlea. Thanks.