The Hooded Merganser Blues: Wednesday, March 20th!

Money may be the husk of many things but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not loyalty; days of joy, but not peace or happiness. -Henrik Ibsen, playwright (20 Mar 1828-1906) 

Up at 7:20 a.m. As El Diablo had had enough of waiting around for this morning's pumpkin. Etta would've been fine, continuing to sleep, curled up beside me new but Duke would not be dissuaded. Didn't actually mind as it is another gorgeous morning and I had a very good sleep last night. Lady Dar is off to join The Flatlanders at 10 o'clock so I need to have completed my first round arm and shoulder exercises before she leaves so that she can strap my sling in place. My own personal Florence Nightingale on call. However, she possesses the personality of the Nurse Ratched. Hearing that she gave my right shoulder a heavy punch, chortling all the while. Life ain't easy on the Burns Street Rehabilitation Ward.

Bloody hell Patrick - you are THE BIONIC MAN! Didn’t realise you were having a shoulder op - thought it was your other hip! Also can’t understand why you didn’t get card - will check which email it was sent to. Just had friends over for supper to discuss Japan itinerary - really helpful as they’ve been there recently .
I’ve got bad cold so hope it will go by Thursday when we set off. Thanks for pics - you sure do get the sympathy vote !! Penny xx Sayonara Sushi People! Trust you have recovered from your cold, Penny. Always a drag never mind when one starting a trip. Funnily enough, had a long term border, Toshi, visiting for a number of nights, in early March. Unfortunately, she missed seeing Lady Dar, who was in LA at the time. We stayed with Toshi and her mother in Osaka when we were in Japan in 2012. Had a simply wonderful, wonderful time and I trust you will do the same.
 

Lady Dar just left to go walking with The Flatlander crew. Gorgeous day for it as the sun is shining. Most of the snow has melted, at least here in town, while still a significant amount in the hills. Must away as it's time for my morning nap. Have done my first set of arm and hand exercises and I usually feel a tad tired afterwards. Will be a reasonably busy day as we are off to look for a new dryer when Lady Darjeeling is back. The control panel on the old machine failed a day or so ago. The appliance people said it would cost about $400 to replace it so it is hardly worth spending that much on such an old appliance when we can probably buy a new one for around $800. 

Then, at 6:30 p.m., good friends Lynne and Peter are treating us to a meal at a local restaurant, the Hooded Merganser, one of our favorites. Apparently, a bribe to help them with their yard sale in April. They are moving to Victoria the end of May. Stay well. Travel safely. Drink copious amounts of Sake! Fundus goes also known as Fondestos, and Cheers but the video regards, also known as Patrizzio! [Such a cute baby! Good morning Canadian family!] Pics: Latest of Olivia from Ayn.

Crowd funding appeal! Sorry to say but I have to charge one dollar per word for reading this message. Please pay by PayPal! If we receive a significant response, based on past history of generous giving, I should be able to buy a couple of bottles of malt to toast the new dryer. Hip hip hurray! Hip hip hooray!! Hip hip hooray!!! Should be pleasantly sozzled by 6:30 p.m., in time for free dinner! Keep the donations coming! Thanks and Cheers, Patrick, also known as P. T. Barnum! 

PS: Chloë, please pop by on your lunch hour to pick up a large load of laundry. We need it back by the time we are back, ourselves, from the restaurant. Your mother would like you to use the steam function on your dryer to see whether we should purchase such a high end appliance or continue to use your door to door, free, laundry service!

PPS: Ayn, please arrange for Olivia to be FedExed to Penticton, forthwith, as her great-grandmother wants to take her along to the appliance store for leverage when buying new dryer, claiming she needs to do countless loads of cloth diapers. Secretly, she's hoping salesperson will be so taken with Olivia that store won't even charge us!

Dear Corinne and Patrick. We are still in progress with travel plans. Nothing 
booked yet. It is a real puzzle! We intend to go kayaking on ucluelet near tofino. And travel back along sunshine Coast seeing Megan Stuart-Stubbs on the way (Halfmoon Bay) Would it be okay if we arrive (by air probably) July 16 or 17 and stay 2 or 3 days? Will most likely fly out of Vancouver July 19 afternoon for Europe. Then we can celebrate our birthdays together Corinne XO MARGARETA 😘 Hi Steel Magnolia! Those dates are just fine but in case you need to change your travel plans/dates we will be around all summer. Great that you will be able to connect with Megan. Stay well. Best wishes do you and Hans, Maggie. Fondestos, to you both from Lady Dar. She is already planning your joint birthday party! Cheers, Patrizzio! 
 

Great! Final plans will soon be fixed. Wishing you a quick recovery, Patrick. I'm sure you'll be just fine shortly, you excercise so systematically :-) What a gorgeous little baby girl. Wonderful and very exciting. Looking forward to seeing most of you later in the year. XO Margareta

Amazing photos of Olivia!Thanks for the news Paprika. Spring has started here. It was gorgeous today which put a smile on everyone‘s faces. Love to you all! Carol Hi Duster and Mop Lady! Spring cleaning will be difficult for next few days as we need a new dryer! Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Patrick, It always amazes me how you do all these cards and stuff. So thanks for thinking of us. We have now sold our condo down the Gold Coast well one bedroom flat though condo sounds better. 
 

So we are in planning mode for 2020. We are thinking of coming your way via Japan in perhaps May/June 2020 depends a bit on the cherry blossoms thing in Japan and the best dates for that. Any how are you and lady Da intending to be at home in May or June so that we might be able to coordinate our visit to the inside passage (small boat cruise) and then catch up with you guys. For a day or two as well as Serge and Michelle? I make the big 65 this year next month so I might actually retire given that over here 65 is pensionable age over here. So golf and relaxing is on the agenda for later in the year and hopefully some caravanning across our apparently great southern land tho I believe the halfwit in charge of America thinks that place is great. Cheers From down here Greg and Claire