Patrizzio sees Dr Pinsonneault about his Sling-shot Blues: Thursday, April 25th!

The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. -Linus Pauling, chemist, peace activist, author, educator; Nobel Prize in chemistry, Nobel Peace Prize (25 Apr 1901-1994)

Hi Patrice, Thanks for the happy message!. Further to my last email, I am happy to report that Sue did wind up coming to the cabin along with her sister Lisa and Maureen. Despite her discomfort mentally and physically she did have a very nice time and we all very happy as a result. Take care for now and we'll talk soon. Cheers, Al

Hi Big Al and Marilyn! Delighted to learn that Sue was able to make it to the Little Cabin in Happy Valley! [Soon to be a Hallmark blockbuster! Apparently Ayn is pitching the script as I scribe!] Terrific that her sister is visiting as well. Am curious to know how Lisa ended up in Ireland.

Seems pretty quiet since returning from Spirit Ridge with all of the Clan Sutherland tribe. Not that we mind as plenty to keep us occupied around the house. Even have to think about where to store more firewood. We played bridge at Spiller Road on Tuesday evening and Phillipo said how pleased he was that I had taken so much of the wood he had left before they headed for Arizona last fall. I mentioned that there were three or four huge rounds that Kid Chelene and I were simply unable to take as his pick-up bed was full to the roof! I said, I'd ask Corey if he had time for another trip to collect them and Philster said to wait as he had many more trees to fell, as part of further fire-proofing the property. Couldn't be happier, of course. Will take a bit of time for him to "log" but by then I'm hoping I'll be using my shoulder for more than lifting a bottle of malt. 

Apollo Crowning the Arts 

Art: Nicolas-Guy Brenet, 1771

I see my specialist this afternoon so am really hoping that I will be on the road to a course of more vigorous and varied physiotherapy rehabilitation exercise to start strengthening the muscles and increasing joint flexibility. Am chaffing at the bit to start riding outside as well. In fact, did slightly over two hours on stationary bike yesterday, in part because I've gradually increased time in the saddle with each session but also because I was finishing last few episodes of Rectify. Saw final one last night after Lady Dar went to bed so am on the look-out for what to watch next. Really found the characterization superb and the issues dealt with most meaningful. What a pleasure to listen to such well-written scripts delivered with nuance and insight.

Speaking of riding, we have discovered that we were somewhat mislead by both the Hyundai dealership and a local trailer hitch company, inasmuch as both assured us, initially, that a hitch could be affixed to the Kona that in turn would accept my bike rack. Turns out that this is not the case and Lady dar confirmed this when she talked to Rack Attack in Vancouver. Chap there said that nobody, as far as he is aware, has yet designed anything that would allow electric vehicles to have fixed hitches, of any sort. Something to do with battery storage area and/or exhaust systems. I'm quite upset, for obvious reasons, that goes without saying. I think we'll be able to carry my Trek with back seats folded down, although we haven't tried yet. Waiting until I can use my arm since I can't ride anyway. 

Croesus showing his wealth to Solon (detail)

Art: Frans Francken the Younger
(1581-1642)

Not a fan of strap on racks but it may come to that unless you take the challenge to be the first to design a hitch that can be affixed to electric vehicles. I'm deadly serious, CAD Man! I think there is quite an entrepreneurial opportunity here and since you seem to moving into a stage of life when you have more time to pursue such challenging, creative endeavours, strike while the iron is hot. Of course, I have a vested interest in such a product but this could be the next hoola-hoop but with lasting staying power. Both of us feel that most anybody who buys an electric vehicle in the first instance is probably going to want to extend that carbon footprint to other green activities so being able to transport bicycles, easily and efficiently, would be a priority. As we age, roof racks are increasingly difficult to use as well as being problematic with respect to underground parking, etc. At any rate, you could always design a firewood rack that could be used as a bike rack in the summertime, thus killing two birds with one stone! I await, with bated breath, the arrival of the blueprints!

Anyway, food for thought. Must away as I want to ride before I shower and change before seeing dottore. Let me know what you think when you've had a moment to recover from the sledgehammer blow and have had a chance to draw up first prototype on a used envelope with a pencil stub! Fondestos from Lady Darjeeling to you both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio "The Thomas Edison of the Okanagan

Pics: Felines at rest and play! Duke's latest toy, an Easter Bunny! We found it when we came home from Spirit Ridge so assume it was left by Chloë's friend's daughter, Emma. Hope she doesn't want it back as El Diablo loves mauling poor thing. He better worry about his own Nine Lives Shelf Life as Lady Dar is not amused!

Just opened that lovely Easter Card............THANK YOU SO MUCH. Hi Von Bingen!

Trust you are well, Von Bingen! Glad you enjoyed the card. Thought of you going through Oliver as we had a lovely Easter weekend at Spirit Ridge. See my specialist this afternoon so hope I'll be back hiking soon. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Die Bingle! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Olivia in her Easter finery!

AHHHHHH WHAT A CUTIE. Doing well down here. Busy, busy as always. I’ve got 6 yards of dirt to move from my front yard. That will keep me busy for a bit. Trying to get the yard in shape for summer again. Two funerals and a Spring Choir to attend this week-end. And a trip to Kelowna on Tuesday to pick up a friend from the Airport. That takes care of the Week-end. I haven’t been out hiking for a bit either. So sad about our dear Jim. You and Lady Dar have a great week-end. Sending Love & Hugs fromVon Bingen. Hi again, Von Bingen!

Extremely, extremely sad, as you say about Jim. Last time I saw him was with you, and others, when we pitched in to help clean up their yard. Such a gentle, kind, socially concerned man. My heart breaks for the entire family, not just for their loss of Jim but for the on-going, very serious health issues faced by both Anthea and one of the daughters. 

Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thank you for the lovely message. Hope you Easter was peaceful as well! Just returned home from 2 weeks in Cuba, happy and rejuvenated! Love and best wishes Anne and Kurt. Hi Anne! What a wonderful holiday. Both Lady Dar and I would like to visit Cuba so we are green with envy. Had a lovely Easter weekend at Spirit Ride, in Osoyoos, where we have a "fractional condo". Spent it with friends, Rosemary and Andre, visiting from London, as well as Clan Sutherland, with their children and grandchildren, [Kamloops, Penticton], from Vancouver, along with Chloë, who is now living and working in Penticton. We became great-grandparents on February 22nd as Olivia Rose was born to Alexander, our youngest grandson, and Samantha. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Olivia with her adorers! Olivia is adorable! The boys are all grown up and very handsome men. You should be so proud! Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos. Anne & Kurt

Thanks, all, for the Easter card! We hope spring has come to the OK - still chilly here. Congrats on going electric SUV! Now that globe-trotting high commissioner of yours can offer low-carbon nuptials. Hi Recumbent Man! Trust you are well. Glad you enjoyed the card. Trust weather is warming up. Gorgeous day here. We had a lovely Easter weekend at Spirit Ride. Spent it with friends, Rosemary and Andre, visiting from London, as well as Clan Sutherland, with their children and grandchildren, [Kamloops, Penticton], along with Chloë. See my specialist this afternoon so hope I'll be back cycling and hiking soon.

Speaking of low carbon nuptials, just finished chatting with chap who will be installing our solar panels. He is presently dealing with Penticton Utilities regarding our application for direct metering. Once approved he imagines work should begin in next week or so. At moment, Kona recharges, overnight, using a regular household outlet so we are managing quite nicely until the Tier 2 Charger is ready, part of solar panel package. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, David, and Naughty Nancita! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! That is one adorable baby! Have a hard time thinking of you and Corinne as great-grandparents. Nancy  Hi Naughty Nancy! No Kidding! Hard for us as well, let alone Great-Great-Grandmother Clara! Hi Naughty Nancy! No Kidding! Hard for us as well, let alone Great-Great-Grandmother Clara! Fondestos, from Lady Dar. Stay well, my Darling! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Duke's Easter rabbit! 

Summerland KettlesToday's trip Only 10 min. from the centre of town.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kAjbVjUcxD8AzUSv6 Hello Summerand Kettlers! Thanks for great snapolas, Big Al! Sad to see, however, that it didn't take long for St Killian to replace me in Olga Polga's affections! However, I was cleared to start physiotherapy today, [while you were knee-deep in Balsam root], so I plan to be back on the slopes soon, to fight for matters of the heart. All's fair in love and hiking! Cheers, Patrizzio! Its good to hear you are on the mend Patrick! I look forward to seeing you “on (or off) the trail again”! Cheers…..Kilian Hi St Kilian! Shoulder ifs feeling wonderful, thanks. Rolly Polly is hosting bridge on Monday so I'll try to worm my way back into her affections without you around to compete with! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks for the Easter card, Patrick. I will see Corinne next week and am looking forward to it. Very happy news about Chloe. I will keep my fingers crossed! Love Julia Hi Julia! I know Lady Dar is looking forward to seeing you. Hello to Ross. Thanks for the good wishes regarding Chloë. Cautiously optimistic but wonderful, wonderful, totally unexpected news, of course! 

Saw my specialist this afternoon at the Cast Clinic at PRH and he signed off on physiotherapy rehab so hope I'll be back cycling and hiking soon. No longer need to wear the sling that has been my albatross for last six weeks! Hip Hip Hooray! Unfortunately, no appointments, at Physio Dept at PRH, until May 7th, so I will ask him if he will sign a request form for similar treatment at the Community Centre, REACT program, I used with my second hip replacement. Like the hot tub and steam room there and plan to continue deep-water walking once I'm cleared for such exercise as a certain amount of stress on one's shoulders when one pulls oneself through the water, even though supported by a flotation belt. Fondestos from Lady Dar, watching The Young and the Useless to you both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!