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)