Ben Caplan and the Klezmer Blues: Sunday, March 31st!

 It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them. -Leo Buscaglia, author (31 Mar 1924-1998) 

Ben Caplan

Thank you Patrick ! We have reserved you a Wing table of 2 for Ben Caplan on March 31st ! Dinner and bar service available, doors at 6 and show at 8 pm SHARP. If you intend on dining with us please arrive between 6 and 6:45pm, we serve 110 beautiful people in the short window before showtime. Coming early helps us finish service before the music. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you hear first about upcoming entertainment. Thank you for your support, see you at the music! Hazel
 

Robinson Crusoe

Art: Offterdinger & Zweigle, c. 1880

Hello Patrick, and Corrine, Again I really appreciate your time and consideration regarding putting solar on your home. I admire the reasons you both have for taking this step and look forward to meeting more like-minded individuals like yourself. I have revised your proposal to: a) allow you to add more modules in the future (future proof your system/investment) and b) to honor our promotion that we had in November and December to include an EV charging station with the purchase of a solar array.

Ironically enough, we ended up adding $1000 to include the larger inverter, then we subtracted the $1000 for the promotion. I also noticed a typo with the initial proposal. It read 385 W-72 cell modules when it should read 320 W-60cell modules. Yes, you may be thinking to yourself "What about those 385W modules?" I will be more than happy to set you up with the 385W modules, but the harvest total increase does not justify utilizing the larger modules. Plus the 320W for better on your roof. 

We will submit the Net Metering Agreement on your behave to get the ball rolling with Penticton Utility Corp. This does not commit you to anything but lets Penticton Utility Corp know that you are thinking about putting solar on your residence. They will make sure that their infrastructure can handle it. Also, they will tell us how big of a system we are allowed to put on your home. I will include the proposed future upgrade as well. My manager Dave Malmberg was hoping to chime in on a couple of items prior to taking this to the next step. We are currently booking into May. My apologies for the lengthy email. Let me know if there are more questions that arise. Sincerely, Jonathan

Hi Southside Jonny! Thank you very much for the revised, comprehensive estimate. While you are right about some of the technical details which mean very little to us we do appreciate you outlining some of the benefits. That being said, Corinne and I would like to proceed with the installation so please let us know how the process will unfold. I assume you will need to hear from Penticton Utility before work can begin. As well, we need to know about the initial down payment. Does Argon accept credit cards? All things being equal, we would like to amass  the significant number of points.
 

[Thanks Patrick, DBJS]
Thanks again for your time and thoroughness. Look forward to talking do you and Dave over the next little while. Cheers, Patrizzio, the One-Armed, Go Green, Solar Panel Bandito of Burns Street! PS: Looks like we will be purchasing the Hyundai Kona, so thanks for that tip! PPS: Sendero Canyon and Tinsel Town please start crowd funding campaigns to pay for the above!

Hello Teeny Boppers! Here are my snapolas from this afternoon. Fantabulous concert so thanks to both choir and orchestra. Buona Fortuna in Kelowna! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thanks pat. Still sunning it in Palm Springs. Though hear lovely weather in B.C. heading home March 31. Hope all good with your shoulder. Hi Southern Clime Peoplel! I gather you will starting your drive back home today. Your timing is probably perfect as we have been enjoying wonderful weather over last few weeks. Were it not for my shoulder restrictions, I'd be able to be out riding. Nevertheless, cannot complain at all and am up to 90 minutes on the stationary bike, as of this writing. My shoulder feels more flexible with each passing day and I am now not using the dictation feature as much, or if at all.

Busy with booking for the coming summer. Denise and Bill will be here in July, for a week or so. Stay well. Travel safely. Let us know when you will be back at Sandy Beach Lodge and we'll plan accordingly. All the best from the Go Green Solar Panel Farm on Burns Street. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Yes, I received Hazel's email about Michael's concert logistics/timing and we were thinking of going in time to have dinner there -were you? We are staying firstly at a home on Skaha Lake for a few days and then a few days after the concert we will be staying at the cabin at Deep Roots which we love. We'll be up there from July 11th and leaving Deep roots on July 22nd. I wanted to make a day trip over to the Similkameen to visit wineries there. Are you two interested going there?  Thank you very much for the kind offer of staying with you and Corrine; so we could do that at either end of what we have already booked. Would also like see Chloe's Sendero Canyon operation. Off to a '70's dinner party now. Take care, Bill. 

  

Hi again, William! I forgot to mention that we had planned to have dinner before performance. I thought that we could have drinks and appetizers, at the Burns Street Solar Farm, before we head to the Dream. Cheers, Patrizzio! Shortly after 6:15 pm we walked along Penticton Creek to the Dream. Enjoyed a wonderful dinner, shared crab cakes and baby-back ribs, washed down with a bottle of KVR Sirah. Geoff was the opening act and accompanied himself on the accordion while he sang his own creations. Marvelous, marvelous protest songs, in the main. Stage presence is most engaging. Ben had four very accomplished musicians in his band and his voice reminded me of Joe Cocker's gravel. 

Unfortunately, both of us found the sound far too, too loud. Simply do not know why various bands do this especially in such a small space. Even the sound technician, Grant, [His day job is as an orderly at PRH and he took me you have my x-rays the morning after my shoulder operation and I discovered he worked at the Dream.], felt level was unreasonable. First number was riveting so we had high hopes. Then the wall of sound enveloped us, to our dismay. Must say we were quite disappointed as what we could understand of the lyrics was most appealing. I plan take earplugs to any further engagements! Lovely stroll back home.

[Thanks for sharing your photos. It is a rather spring like spectacle. Glad you enjoyed the concert. Looking forward to seeing the bookclub gang on Thursday night. Pamela]Hi green man We are on the same page as you re going green. I voted green last provincial election and donate monthly to the party, my next car definitely electric , probably a VW because of family connections, next generation out in 2020. Also thinking solar but first have replace roof ! Have you heard of Greta Thunberg the Swedish school girl who started raising awareness about global warming by her Friday sit ins at the Swedish parliament, amazing girl and wonderfully articulate in English.
 

We drove up the east side of Sierra Nevadas today, fantastic drive incredible scenery, much pleasanter drive than I5 and no traffic. Did an eleven hour stint in my gas guzzling Volvo and got past Reno, to seasonville . Tomorrow drive through coast mountains and hook up with I5 at Mount Shasta.
 

I really love Palm Springs and we had a great holiday, cycling every day and I tried to do the equivalent of four lengths of kits pool, 44 lengths, with a good push at each end, so cheating a bit! Unfortunately the mob were all on holiday so wanted to eat and drink to excess every day and I am too weak to resist, so failed to lose any weight which was my goal. Golf starts on Thursday and will 
see Hobbsy and Ricardo, so hope the weather cooperates.  We are at Sandy Beach week of June 16, so look forward to seeing you both then. Mick

 

Hello Elizabeth May Look-alike! Well done Green Party supporter! However, I thought you might be buying and eLamborghini given your Caribbean yeti, also known as Carabinieri connections! Yes, we've heard of Greta and I believe she was the inspiration for similar protests led by Canadian high school students, one of whom attended Lord Byng, if memory serves me well.

We really enjoy the route you and your gas guzzler took to Seasoned Hill, also known as Susanville! We've traced the same drive, going north out of Lake Tahoe, from the foothills wine country, a number of times. On one occasion we went as far north as Bend/Richmond Oregon before heading into Portland. Most recent trip was with Glasgow and Whirlyigig, where the three of us cycled/wine-tasted in Amador before making for Tahoe where we had a grand outing along south-west shore the lake before driving to Susanville and staying the night. 
 

[thank you for great photos! Aart]

Found some of the landscape thereabouts to be much like that around Palm Springs and further into Arizona. Given the absence of heavy traffic, travel time was much the same as on I-5, and far more interesting scenery, of course. Did you stay in the historic hotel in Ashland again? Any Seghesio left?

At any rate, looking forward to your visit. If it suits your schedule, you're more than welcome to stay before you head to Sandy Beach and then return, afterwards. You decide what works for you. Just let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Hello to Sir Andrew I'm the Sadistic Surveyor. Pleased to hear that Ricardo is back playing after his gout. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Bentely Meeker's Immaculate Refraction Blues: Saturday, March 30th!

Hi Wild Bill! Thanks for the tip on the bike light. I plan to see if they are available here in town. Although I have a number of rechargeable front lights I don't have such a powerful rear light. I assume you received a similar message from Hazel:

Thank you Patrick! We have reserved you a Premium table of 2 for Michael Kaeshammer on July 12th !Rest assured we have assigned you the Best Possible Table at the time your reservation came through. Dinner and bar service available, doors at 6 and show at 8 pm SHARP. The Table is yours from 6pm on.If you intend on dining with us please arrive between 6 and 6:45pm, we serve 110 people in the short window before showtime. Coming early helps us finish service before the music and gives you the best possible experience!. If you are not dining with us prior to the show, we ask that you arrive no later than 7:45 pm to be settled at your table. Hazel

Where are you and Denise staying? Over the next little while let us know what your plans are for your stay and we can make arrangements to get together over that time. Of course, you're more than welcome to stay with us before and/or after your booked accommodation, although if you wish luxury, sheer luxury, we can arrange, at little extra cost, for you to stay in Sendero Canyon with Chloë!


For our part, we are off to the Dream on Sunday to hear Ben Caplan with Geoff Berner. Have not heard Ben before but really like Geoff and as have seen him a number of times at the Folk Fest. Lady Darjeeling just left for a church leadership seminar for much of today. I'll ride my stationary bike, [up to 90 minutes as of this writing], before lunch so that I can have a shower before she returns, over the lunch break, to help me dress and put my sling on. I plan to walk to the Penticton Art Gallery to take in a talk by Bentely Meeker, a New York contemporary artist and lighting designer, on his exhibition, Immaculate Refraction. According to the brochure he uses "light as a means to convert physical spaces into illuminating works of art." Simply gorgeous day here so looking forward to walking along Penticton Creek for much of the way to the gallery. All the best from the Go Green Solar Panel Farm on Burns Street. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Happy belated St Patrick's Day Dunners! Hope you and your family are well. Still playing dubs with PB and China among others...Cheers Peps  Hi Pepperoni Kid! Pleased you enjoyed the card but even more pleased to hear that you've got the China Clipper and The Bourne Identity on the doubles court. Does China still whine as much as he did when on Team II and his place in the lineup? Give everyone my fond regards. Who knows, I might be back on the doubles court myself as I underwent to complete right shoulder replacement on March 12th. Very pleased to report that all went exceptionally well and the only painkillers I need to take consist of wine and single malt! Those, in fact, are not needed for my shoulder but rather in order to be able to put up with Nurse Ratched, also known as Lady Darjeeling. I saw my specialist a little more than a week ago and he was very pleased with everything. Had the staples removed this past Monday and can now shower without a plastic bag taped over my shoulder. [Lady Dar wanted to put it over my head!]

Must away my as I'm off to a talk at the art gallery. Absolutely gorgeous day so looking forward to strolling along the walkway beside Penticton Creek. Fond Fondestos from Masochistic Lady Dar to you and Linda. Stay well. Come and visit us in the Okanagan. We'll be the pickleball champs of Penticton! Raymondo and Mick the Hearse are playing same at Dunbar. We spit on the Limeys!

Bentely's talk was simply incredible. He is a remarkable individual, extremely, extremely well spoken and wonderfully self-deprecative, especially given his commercial and artistic success. For him, his light exhibitions are a way of trying to understand how light, in all its different forms, natural and electric, affects us and our behaviour, both physiologically, psychologically and spiritually. Funnily enough I bumped into Debbie Zabarsky, a fellow owner at Harbour Terrace, up to stay in a family home here in town, for a week or so. We both agreed that the PAG is quite remarkable for the exceptional shows and exhibitions it mounts, given and/or in spite of the size of the city. Lady Dar joined me after her seminar was over and we toured the exhibition together, before going home. With dinner we watched The Highwaymen, with Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, the true tale of the two Texas Rangers who chased down Bonnie and Clyde as seen from their perspective. I am a fan of Woody so I enjoyed the biopic even if it was pretty predictable, aside from knowing the murderous ending, iconocized by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. 
 
Hello Fartograms, This Monday on April 1 we will conquer Papa Gerry (officially Mount Nkwala) under the capable leadership of Okanagan Trekker Dave Snyder!
As usual we will meet at 9:00AM at the Home Hardware in Penticton. All of the Summerlanders will need to meet at the IGA at 8:40AM, then carpool their way to Penticton. We will then all drive to Jim Bryans house where Dave will wait for us to, in his own words, "herd the Mt. Goats to the top". Should be a great day Monday See you there! Aarturos

The Electric Vehicle Hyundai Kona Blues: Friday, March 29th!

Kindness is always fashionable. -Amelia Barr, novelist (29 Mar 1831-1919) 





I'm was up just after 7:00 am as Lady Dar was off to her volunteer shift at Penticton Regional Hospital at 8:00 am. Did my arm/hand exercises before she strapped me into my sling and then, tea in hand, she took off. We have an appointment to test drive the Hyundai Kona this afternoon so curious to see what this vehicle, somewhat similar in size to our GM Equinox, is like. We are also reasonably close to deciding about having solar panels installed with an electric charging station as part of the package. Go Green Burns Street!  

This afternoon, we took the Hyundai Kona for a test drive. Quite liked it and we both feel it would suit our needs. Having driven the GM Bolt before Christmas we like the slightly larger vehicle. Sounds a bit silly but the dealership does not recommend putting a small hitch on the vehicle. [Extra weight and the airflow drag will affect distance between charges.] I want/need one for the bike rack I have on current car. I will call the hitch dealership, on Monday, [It is closed until then.], to ask them if they are able to mount one on the Kona. The salesman assured me that it was possible, given battery location et cetera, but I want to consult the installers first before making a final decision.
 
On the solar panel issue am pretty sure we will be proceeding. If all goes well, with the city permit, installation should begin in early May. As might seem obvious we will have a tier two charging station as part of the package.

Rainy Day Blues: Thursday March 28th!

To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate converse with men of unseen generations--such is a pleasure beyond compare. -Kenko Yoshida, essayist (1283-1352) 

Good morning, I believe I left my phone on the small table by your front window last night. May I stop by after 10 am to pick it up? If not convenient then how about this afternoon when I come back from Naramata around 3PM? Corrine, as promised, I have attached the walking group pic. Cheers, Susan Hi Susan! Yes, we have your phone and I will be home after 10am. Lady Darjeeling left for yoga just before 9:00am so she might not be back when you pop by. Thanks for the snap. Trust your dad is feeling better. Cheers, Patrick! Thank you. See you after 10am. Dad is back to his ‘normal’ 

Hey Patrick, I guess this falls under the “better late than never” category. Pam showed me a picture of your surgery scar – very impressive – should attract the chicks. I hope your rehab goes well. But the real purpose of this email is to send you a very big Thank You!! The boys and I really appreciated you putting up with us.

Thanks for the great hospitality, great accommodations, great food(very impressed with your culinary skills) and most of all, great company. Always tons of fun hanging out with you and Chloe! And having Toshi there was an fantastic bonus! Love your house and very very jealous of posh digs that Chloe lives in.

I was going to send you a paper check for the $4.18 that was the increase in your heating bill but I knew you would want me to save the tree. I will recycle a bottle cap in your name. Keep up the psycho recycling but if you find yourself doing excessive had washing or not able to leave the house without touching your compost slop pail 15 times, please call 1-800-ECO OCD and get the help you need! I hope we can come and ski Apex again someday. Happy recovery and talk soon, Greg Best email ever!!! LMAS!!!! Glad to have seen you three, i miss you guys❤️ Remember you are always welcome at the posh digs, the recycling is contracted out and there is no composting all the way up here!! Your favorite BC Niece/Cousin😘

Hello Mikey Grégoire, also known as Mighty Egor, [More lost in automatic dictation!], et al! Thank you for the wonderful email. You are to kind. [Toshi was delighted to have met you as well.] In the first instance, let me say that it was a pleasure to have you and the lads stay with us. Both Etta and Duke can hardly wait for next year's Apex run! However, more than that you do not know how much I appreciated the toll-free Eco-hotline. I simply do not know how I have managed to live without it. Unfortunately, I think the staff receiving the calls are planning to report me as part of the lunatic fringe survivalist recyclers. I can only assume this is due to the over fifty calls a day, spurred by the guilt that continually washes over me as a result of your stay and reluctance to compost and recycle, that I feel compelled to make. 

If you think that one stinking bottle-cap can rectify my PTSD you couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I would like you to cut the cheque for the measly amount you mentioned although the real cost was in the hundreds of dollars. I had to replace the heater in the rumpus room as Cody left it on all night for the duration of his day and the coil overheated and melted. I can only thank my lucky stars the place didn't burn down.

On the other hand you might be pleased to know that only yesterday I managed finish the last of the prepackaged, [another example of the over-packaging which characterizes your carefree attitude towards Global Warming!], cheese slices which you left in the garage fridge in your haste to escape all of the despoilage you left in your wake. I didn't even bother to scrape off the mould as it was such a neon hue of green that I didn't need lettuce. Lady Darjeeling, on the other hand, did not fare so well as it seems the cheese did not sit well in her stomach. Too, too bad has she may find it difficult to drink fermented compost when we are in true survival mode brought about by your selfish, non-recycling behavior.

So please reconsider the amount on the cheque as soon as you receive this missive as we have an appointment to test drive the Hyundai Kona. Curious to see what this electric vehicle, somewhat similar in size to our GM Equinox, is like. As well, we are also reasonably close to deciding about having solar panels installed with an electric charging station as part of the package. Go Green Burns Street! Send cash not Bit Coin! It goes without saying, thank you for spurring us on in this direction. Were it not for your visit we might still be sending tons of garbage to our local landfill!

Must away as I need to take out the compost as well as the recycling. Fortunately there is very little of either as we are back to strict adherence to the foodstuffs we buy and how they are packaged. Lady Darjeeling did not need to buy any vegetables yesterday as I was able to find plenty in the various containers along our back lane, while the frozen bananas you left kept quite nicely in our compost bin. Not all of us can afford to holiday in Palm Springs and stay in 6,0000 sq/ft mansions or in huge, gas guzzling RVs in San Diego. Live your life as you see fit but don't bother to come crying to the Okanagan when hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes have destroyed Winnipeg and War Eagle and you are looking for a safe haven. You'll be dreaming of mould then, let me tell you! Other than that, stay well and I raise you, two bottle caps and three wine corks! Cheers, Patrizzio, The One-Armed, Crazed Bandito Recycler of the Burns Street Bottle Depot!

PS: Just to let you know I sent this message to Agnes and she replied that she always felt suspicious of you! PPS: Please find enclosed the staples from my shoulder incision. I'm sure you will need them to put some sort of shelter together after Armageddon!

Two Table-Dummy Moves Bidding Blues: Wednesday, March 27th!

History is a novel whose author is the people. -Alfred de Vigny, poet, playwright, and novelist (27 Mar 1797-1863)

Michael Kaeshammer

Hi Patrick, We’re back in town and have just booked for ourselves 2 premium seats for the July 12 show (Friday). Are you interested in coming with us? Also, we are going to be staying in your area from about July 11 to July 21st; hope to get together with you and Corinne sometime then. cheers, Bill & Denise.

Illustration: Dylan Thurgood

Hello Wild Bill and Denise don't feel flu, also known as Dangerous Denise! Trust you're both well and thanks for the tip about Michael Case Hammer, [Lost an automatic dictation! I'm using this feature on my Mac after having had right shoulder replacement two weeks ago. Some hilarious translations!] We have always wanted to see Michael at The Dream but have never managed to obtain tickets or else were never in town when he was appearing. Thanks to your ticket pre-sale buttoon we are now the proud owners of two premium tickets. If you would like to sit together we can phone Hazel and ask her to sit us at the same table. In fact we are going there to hear Laila Biali, in June, with good friends Aarturos and Josinta. Again, Hazel seated us together.

Luigi Galvani

Art: Sante Nucci (1821-1896)

Must away as I need to finish my gentle arm and hand exercises before Lady Darjeeling goes to join her Flatlanders walking group I need her to put my arm sling on before she leaves. I am up to riding 70 minutes on my stationary bike which I've set up in our rumpus room. This way I'm able to watch Netflix. Currently I'm on Mar de Plastico, set on southern Spain. Do you know it? We are also watching Carlo and Malik, another detective series, set in Rome. Fonda Stowes, [Fondestos], from Lady Darjeeling to you both and Cheers Bethany Teal, also known as Patrizzio, The One-Armed Bandito!

Pics: Barrel tasting at Dubh Glas distillery in Gallagher Lake with Calamity Jane and Whirlygig and then wine tasting at Fairview Cellars and Nighthawk, this past Saturday. Jane and Giorgio we're up for the weekend from Osoyoos where they were staying for a week or so while Jane was on Spring Break. First shower, staples and incision after removal of staples!



Patrick, Great to see you are recovering well from your surgery -now you will have some lovely battle scars to display when you wear your muscle shirt! Great to see you both are interested in seeing and hearing the great Michael. This guy is one technical wonder in the way he plays the piano. We have over the years seen him at the Ag Hall on Mayne Island, at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre and the Dream Cafe -never disappointed. [Tiny venue so very up close and intimate.] Please see your friend Hazel and hopefully we can sit together -really looking forward to it. Must get and do some work in the garden which is now taking off. best regards, Bill. Hello Constant Gardener! I talked to Hazel but she did not have a table for four. However, we are sitting side by each at tables for two so that should work well. We can always switch up to chat before and after performance. All the best from Lady Darjeeling, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

We eagerly await to hear about your schedule, but it seems that there is no end to the amount of things you can explore and do "on the way to nowhere." All kidding aside, we are thrilled that you have made this area "come alive" for all of us. Cheers! P.S. We also visited Arrowleaf and Ex Nihlo in Lake Country which I also recommend for future explorations, if you find yourselves out that way. I love the rolling country hills set above the lake, definitely worth exploring. Hi Lake Country Little White! Trust you're both well and that Ricardo has incorporated you in your new wine tour bus company! Busy summer already heating up, socially at least. Once a Manitoba schedule has been established we'll be in touch. Cheers, Patrizzio, The One-Armed Bandito of Burns Canyon! Pics: Incision after removal of staples! Latter will be tonight's great bridge prizes!

Franz Anton Mesmer
Meersburg, Germany

Sculpture: Peter Lenk
Photo: Andreas Praefcke/Wikimedia

---

Patrick - only you would keep the staples sprung from your body after surgery.  To anyone else the would be filed under "G". Pam You're starting to look like Sylvester Stallone with all your battle scars! Very Hollywood! Ayn Hi Spumoni, Ms. Tinseltown, et al! In fact, I saved the staples for Mighty Grigor as he mentioned that he would like them to use on gyproc in your new bathroom. Furthermore, I have been approached by Netflix for a Canadian production of their new series, The Bionic Man of Burns Street, starring aforementioned Sylvester Stallone, as the first 70-year-old to win an Iron Man on a unicycle, juggling two cats for the entire race! Etta and Duke already have their agents! Head office would like me to write the script and Lady Darjeeling is to coordinate the catering. Chloe will be transportation coordinator picking up people from the airport in her company car! Must away to practice tossing kittens into the air. Cheers, Patrizzio, Poster Boy for Medical Waste Recycling! Thanks for providing me with a good laugh today! After-all, it’s the secret to a long life, well, that an apple a day, too! Ruthless!

Dear Friends, Here is the final plan of our visit in BC coming July. Flights and car booked, kayaking/camping trip booked. We hope everything will work out. XO Margareta Hi Tofino Tourists! Trust you're both well. Your itinerary looks fabulous indeed and we are so pleased that you will be able to visit us. Looking forward to seeing you both already.

Heard from Jonathan, the solar panel chap, and he will pop by tomorrow to discuss the proposal he has in mind. Need 200 panels at a bare minimum to operate our electric corkscrew! Must away as I need to start setting up for two tables of bridge this evening. With only seven players dummy will move. After this is done I'll head to the rumpus room to cycle 160 km at 30 km/h! Couldn't even do that before my operation. Must be the painkillers! Lady Darjeeling is speaking to her mother as I dictate and once a Manitoba schedule has been established we'll know more about her trip to Winnipeg. Fondestos from Lady Darjeeling to you both and Cheers, Patrizzio, The One-Armed Bandito of Burns Canyon!

Hi Patrick and Corinne, Greetings from Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Weather is great here and only one more days before traveling home Thursday, arriving Friday. I'm like to invite you to join us and some of our other good friends for a dinner to celebrate Lynne's 3/4 century birthday. Her birthday is on April 2, but we're having the dinner at 6:30 PM on Friday, April 5 at the Front Street Brasserie. I hope you will be able to make it. Cheers, Peter Hi Peter thanks for the invite. We would be happy to join you to celebrate Lynne's Birthday, what can we do to contribute? Please let us know hugs corinne Hi Horizontal Man! Let me echo Lady Darjeeling's thanks for the fabulous invitation! Trust all went well at the mine-site and that your trip home goes well. Travel safely and we'll chat soon. Cheers Patrizzio! Pics: Bridge tonight with The Sisterhood behaving like kindergarten kids!
 

Hello The Bridge Sisterhood, [Colin where were you?]! Thanks to everyone for the more than spirited play this evening! Sapphire, [also known as Josefa!], has very kindly offered to host next Monday night so we will gather at Il Palazzo de Dronker's at 6:30 on April Fools' Day to bid like court jesters. Pentictonites please let us know how you might like to carpool and Lady Darjeeling will plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Yes, I am in for Monday and would like to meet up and car pool with someone. Susan Hi all. I'm in for Monday.  I can drive ... 4 more but a little cramped. Dianne Me too JB I'm in. Dame Judith Hi everyone. Olly is coming to play! Yeh. I'll see on Monday eve. Hugs.

Lady Darjeeling and the Yard Clean-up Blues: Tuesday, March 26th!

No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. -Robert Frost, poet (26 Mar 1874-1963)

A plaque memorializing the lynching of Levi Harrington

Photo: DavidMCEddy/Wikimedia

Hi Two Tablers! We have enough for two tables on Wednesday evening even though Olga Polga cannot join us. With all people who replied we will have enough so that the dummy will move. Lady Darjeeling and I will host so see everyone anytime after 6:30 pm. Have included a couple of snaps of the high-end bridge prizes that will be up for grabs for your viewing pleasure! Lady Darjeeling took me to my doctor yesterday to have my staples removed and I'm pleased to report that the incision has healed nicely. Saw my surgeon the previous Thursday and he was very pleased with how the incision had healed and he didn't even put a dressing on the wound. Enjoyed my first shower without a plastic bag taped to my shoulder yesterday, before attending a Lens on Lent film series to see The Zoo Keeper's Wife. What's a film! Thanks and Cheers, Patrick! See you tomorrow.  Dianne

You are saying "next week". So not tomorrow. Am I correct. Dame Judith Hi Dame Judith! Sorry about confusion but that was the subject line when I first sent out message. I forgot to change it in my excitement over having two tables! See you this evening. Cheers, Patrizzio! Good news about shoulder!! See you tonight Judy Blue



Hola Patrizzio y Corinne, Thanks for your note Patrizzio. We are on the road near Abbotsford. I want to add an extra special thank you to you both. We had a lovely visit. Thank you for all the fun, delicious meals and drinks!! We managed to get to C. C. Jentsch yesterday for a tasting. We then returned to...
Hola encora, Sorry my note took off before I finished it. We returned to Gehringer Bros. to get a few more bottles for gifts after spending the morning pruning at Budino Brothers. We ended the day with a walk out to Haynes Point. We made a portobello mushroom burger recipe we think you would like. When we get home we will send it to you.

We really enjoyed our visit with Chloe and seeing her attractive new home. She is a lovely young woman and we wish her all the best. We are glad to hear your incision has healed well Pat. You have taken good care of it. Did it hurt to get the stitches out? We would like to put your names on our calendar so let us know when you can visit. We look forward to hosting you. Take good care and enjoy yourselves. A bientot! Love George and Jane xo 
 
Hello Salish Sea People! Trust you're both well and and made back to Vancouver without any hitches. Did you meet up with Big Al? Pleased you made it to C. C. Jentsch as well as going back to Gehringer Brothers. How do the Budino Brothers feel about the competition? Thank you for the kind words about Chloë. In fact we haven't seen her since we visited. Have to have her over to cut both Etta's and Duke's needle claws and catch up on Fargo. This evening's Lens on Lent film series, The Zoo Keeper's Wife, was riveting. What a film! Do you know it?
 
Thank you both for the wonderful stay. It goes without saying that you are always welcome, in spite of your extraordinary propensity to freeload! Fondestos from Lady Darjeeling to you both and Cheers, Patrizzio, The One-Armed Bandito of Budino Canyon!

Hello Patrick and Corinne, Sorry for the late reply. I guess you have had the shoulder operation by now Patrick. I hope it went well. Mandy is going to Scotland at the end of April, Kefalonia in June and Brazil in December for a wedding. I am going to London for a couple of days in May, Sorrento in June and possibly New Orleans in September. We both go to Devon every two, three or four weekends, depending on what else is on. At the moment we will be at home in October and we would love to welcome you if you decide to visit. Best wishes. Chris Durston

Hi Chris and Mandy! Lovely to hear from you thank you so much for the warm invitation. Trust you're both well but know from your message that you are traveling, traveling, traveling. Pleased to hear that this is the case. We will certainly be in touch as soon as we have a better idea of our schedules.

At the moment Corinne is dealing with surgery that her mother is to undergo in mid-May. She had a re-occurrence of bowel cancer which was originally diagnosed over 20 years ago, or more. Fortunately, this time it was caught early and has not spread to any surrounding organs so medical opinion is that the tumour can be successfully removed. At 94, Clara is, otherwise, in remarkable health. Corinne is in discussion with her siblings trying work out when it might be best for her to travel to Falcon Lake to share care during Clara's post-operative recovery. Quite a juggling job as she has many weddings during this time. Not sure if you knew that she is now a wedding officiant. Many of her weddings over the last two years have been at local wineries.

Must away as I plan to ride my stationary bike. I'm up to an hour so I'm quite pleased with my progress in this regard. Stay well. All the best to you both from Nurse Ratched and Cheers from Front Gate Geo, [Lost in automatic dictation! I'm using this feature on my Mac and becoming quite adept. However, often produces some hilarious results!], also known as Patrizzio The One-armed Bandito! Pics: Barrel tasting; view from Fairview Cellars and farewell. Staples! Rain barrel cracked by Polar Vortex's winter ice! 

Paolo and the Staple Remover Blues: Monday, March 25th!

Life is an adventure in forgiveness. -Norman Cousins, author and editor (1915-1990)

Tummler and Corinne, thanks again for the great visit and your generous hospitality. And of course the personal tour of your local wineries. Our favourite winery so far : Budino Brothers Estate Winery. We are trying to secure you an invite. We liked their Italo-cemente Foot-looseTrebbiano. By invitation only of course. The food shows we were wanting you to see: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and The Chef Table series on Netflix. Start with the one on Modena Italy. And then the Slovenian chef. I will send a sample of the trusted house sitters offering to give you a sense of what is available. Let us know when you are coming to the lower mainland and can visit the Republic. We will secure visas. Fond regards to all, W&CJ Tummler Reserve Whiskey, 2018

Today's New House & Pet Sitting Opportunities Just a sample of what is available. We get two offerings per day. If you want to travel around Christmas you could have a castle in France! Hi Pat and Corinne, Talking to you and reading this makes us want to put Turkey at the top of the list!! Love J&G
Turkey’s Black Sea coast: food to drive for: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/mar/23/black-sea-coast-turkey-food-drink-mountains-trabzon?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
 

Greetings from a Freeloader Free Zone! Thank you both for the wonderful if all too brief visit. We enjoyed your marvelous company and delicious food. Pleased you were able to visit with Chloë and see her comfortable spot. We have already made arrangements for you to stay with her on your next visit! Just a quick note to thank you for all the websites. We started a new series last night, Carlo and Malik, a detective series set in Rome. Another for your list! Must away as I am doing my arm exercises and Lady Darjeeling will drive me to the doctor shortly to have my staples removed. All the best to you both from Nurse Ratched and Cheers from front gate Geo, [Lost in automatic dictation!], also known as Patrizzio The One-armed Bandito! PS: Will send more snaps once I'm back from I'm seeing dottore!

Hello Dedicated Followers of Foot-loose Trebbiano, with a hint of Italo-cemente! I assume you are readying yourselves to soon be winging your way to Vancouver. Trust a landslide has been cleared and drive will go well. Thanks again for all the links. Unfortunately, we simply did not have time to explore Turkey's Black Sea coastline when they're in 2003 with Elaine and Ted. The closest we got was a distant view from a castle we visited after taking a ferry north from Istanbul. Stunning scenery indeed let alone the food. Must away as I'm going to stream Day One of Canada Reads. Travel safely. Stay well. Wanda Stowes and best Estos from the cement factory! Cheers but the Seo also known as Patrizzio! PS: Calamity thanks for the archival picture Popular Grove!
  

I ARRIVED SAFELY LAST NIGHT. . . and am delighted to be away from Brexit madness. André mentioned that the writers festival is on here in Vancouver so we wondered if you were in town. I thought it unlikely since it is only 13 days since Patrick’s surgery but just thought I would ask just in case. Patrick - thanks for my St Patrick’s Day card. Currently still planning to drive up to you on Tuesday April 16th, assuming this still works for you both. Our cellphone number still is the same - let’s talk soon. Much love to you both, Rosemary XXX
Glad you arrived safely! April 16 is still fine. The Writers Festival is not on only some occasional events. Patrick is doing very well. His first two weeks have been pain free. Had the staples out today. Hugs Corinne Greetings from Penticton! Welcome to Canada, Rosemary! Can understand your Brexit malaise as we are suffering from our own SNC Lavalin/Trudeau debacle/scandal.

Glad you enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day card. Lady Darjeeling Took me to my doctor this morning to have my staples removed. Incision looks so well-healed that he didn't even bother to put a dressing on it. I am now cleared to have a shower. Although I have had a number of showers since the original surgery Lady Dar always covered that portion of my shoulder with a plastic bag taped to the skin. She just left to drive to the recycling depot as she spent a goodly portion this afternoon rearranging the garage.

Must away as I plan to ride my stationary bike. I'm up to an hour so I'm quite pleased with my progress in this regard. All the best to you both from Nurse Ratched and Cheers from Front Gate Geo, [Lost in automatic dictation!], also known as Patrizzio, The One-armed Bandito! Pics: Staples; rain barrel cracked by ice!

Hi guys, We are just looking at the calendar and seeing what works for having a visit with you at our cabin. If the May Long weekend doesn't work, we could do it on the weekend that we are opening up the cabin which is April 27th. We'd love to see both of you and catch up! Hopefully, we can arrange something in the not too distant future. Ruth
 

P.S. We had a very successful 80th celebration for my Mom in Kelowna. We started by seeing my niece and her lovely baby Anastasia who is 3 months
old and absolutely delightful. We then proceeded to do some wine tasting at
various wineries in East Kelowna with a lovely lunch at Summerhill. Did you know that you can make wine from honey? Well, if you visit Meadow Vista Honey Winery, you'll find out about their process and they also have cyzers,
beer and other delights.

We also did House of Rose Winery which has hilarious labels and titles for some of their wines for example: "Hot Flashes" wine which Brook Shields gave a huge call out for while she was filming a Movie by the same name. We did St. Hubertus which is an oldie from 1928 and has come back strong after their wine tasting hut was burned down in a fire several years ago. The View Winery and Cidery was built in an old Apple processing plant with relics adorning the walls and some hilarious wine magnets and other goodies. We ended with a yummy Asian meal!

Hello Kelowna Wine-taster! Wow! You'll be giving wine tours soon, Little White. We really have not explored any of the wineries in and around Kelowna so we'll have to address this large gap in our repertoire soon. Thank you for the lovely invitation to visit at the cabin. Lady Darjeeling is currently looking at her busy schedule to see what might work best. This includes everything from scheduled weddings to her book club in Vancouver. I, of course, am Infinitely flexible, given that I am naturally so, plus currently limited by my shoulder rehab.

We will certainly be in touch as soon as we have a better idea of our schedules. Must away as I plan to ride my stationary bike. I'm up to an hour so I'm quite please with my progress in this regard. Stay well. All the best to you both from Lady Dar and Cheers, Patrizzio!


Yes, there will be an Old Farts’ outing this Thursday. Tony will lead it. You will: -gather at IGA parking lot in Summerland at 0900 (0840 at Home Hardware north parking lot in Penticton) -carpool and head to Bentley Road (Tony will be more specific) -hike on Rattlesnake Mountain -return to S’land for debrief and refreshment If you are interested, give Tony a nod. And, Tony, thanks for stepping up and leading this! Cheers, Jim

Carlo and Malik Sing the Rome Vespa Blues: Sunday, March 24th!

 Truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it. -Flannery O'Connor, writer (25 Mar 1925-1964)

Good Morning, Patrick: HAPPY SPRING!! This is a late 'Thank you' to you for your thoughtfulness in thinking of me. Many thx for the cute Flamingo Valentine's card and the cute St. Patrick's Day card. You are always thoughtful in sending cards to keep in touch. Hope Corinne enjoyed a fun time in MX with friends. You must be happy to have her back home again. Keep on enjoying all the things that make you happy 😅 Cheers!! Mary Lee 😍
 

Charles Grandison escorting Harriet Byron

Engraving: Isaac Taylor, 1778

Hi Mary Lee! Glad you enjoyed the cards and trust you and Paolo are well. Yes, it is wonderful to have Lady Darjeeling back from Mexico. She enjoyed a wonderful time there as well as a week in LA where she saw our new great-granddaughter, Olivia Rose. Busy back here with all sorts of social activities as well as daily arm and hand exercises for me. Will be missing hiking with the gang as my arm will be in a sling for another month. Then, with my specialist's permission I will begin formal physiotherapy. Until then I am able to write my stationary bicycle which we set up in our rumpus room so at least I am able to get some exercise. Need to do some walking as well so perhaps we'll stroll up the KVR and knock on your door to say hello. All the best do you both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!             Hi Patrick, The spring break has been a nice time off for us. The world is such a complex place now. I feel lucky to be able to go into the mountains and be away from the news and turmoil that is happening elsewhere. Time to go back to work tomorrow and head into the next 3 months of busy days until we reach summer vacation! Countdown is on again so here we go :) I hope you get to see your great-granddaughter soon too. Those photos were beautiful! Corinne must have had a wonderful visit :) Love to you both and enjoy the blessings of spring! xoxo Ariane  
  

Hi Back at Work Woman! Trust everyone is well. We've been busy ourselves with various social activities and a visit from good friends this past weekend.Must away as I plan to ride my stationary bike. I'm up to an hour so I'm quite please with my progress in this regard. All the best to you four. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Fartograms, The carousel keeps churning out great outings. This Monday we will conquer Campbell Mountain from the SW side on our hiking boots! Beautiful views right from the start! Not sure how much snow there still is, particularly on the East side, so just in case, take your crampons if you have them.
   

As usual, we get together at the Home Hardware in Penticton at 9:00AM. Summerlanders will need to meet at the IGA at 8:40AM, then make their way to Penticton. There will not be a lot of parking space at the trail head, so we have to carpool as much as possible at the HH in Penticton. After the hike, we will decide where to relax and debrief. See you all on Monday! Cheers, Aart the Mountain Bard

 
Hi All, Just a reminder that the Sample Sale starts today - hope to see you there! Norm 

Hi Pat, This is just the receipt for the additional 3 wines that your friends picked up at the winery. I just processed this as an add-on to your wine club package. Looking forward to seeing you soon at the winery. Best regards, Jodi  Fee Structure – Servas Canada:
 
http://www.canadaservas.org/en/join-servas-canada/fee-structure/