You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4,
not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White
House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics. -Erma
Bombeck, author (1927-1996)
Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth. -Nathaniel Hawthorne, writer (4 Jul 1804-1864)
Hi Kara! How lovely to hear from you! Sorry to hear about family difficulties but trust things are better now. For our part we have been quite busy with a quite a few visits from friends from both Vancouver and elsewhere in Canada. As well, a merry-go-round of social activities, from the wonderful weekly Farmers' Market to the Penticton Art Gallery's Dinner and Auction at the end of last month. I drove Lady Dar to Kelowna on Canada Day as she flew to Winnipeg for about ten days or so to help her Mother with the sale of her home. She lives at Falcon Lake, a provincial park about 125 km east of Winnipeg, quite close the Manitoba/Ontario border, and initially, she will live with Corinne's brother and wife, who live immediately next door. I chatted with Lady Dar yesterday and she is busy readying things for a garage sale this coming weekend as the house needs to "decanted" for real estate listing, etc.
For my part, I have recently become a 50/50 ticket seller, a volunteer at the Dream Café, here in town. I usually have about three shifts per month, from 7:00 pm to just before the shows start, at 8:00 pm. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the performance with drinks at half price! My last shift was last Saturday evening. Was quite impressed, in particular, with Raincity's lead singer and saxophonist, both young women. Band is from Vancouver. In fact, I'm on tonight. Daughter of the Moon, Natalie Ramsay, a folk songstress on acoustic guitar will perform.
When friend, Rhoda, from Cape Breton, was here, we took in Over the Moon, fab, fab husband/wife duo, from Longview, Alberta, where Ian Tyson is their rancher neighbour! They covered one of his songs and did so remarkably, remarkably movingly! Will return on July 12th to see Michael Kaeshammer with more friends from Vancouver, Denise and Bill, up for a week, staying at the rental cabin at Deep Roots Winery. They will bunk with us that night so that we can walk to the venue and not have to worry about drinking and driving!
Yesterday morning, after I'd enjoyed my java I went outside to water the front garden. I used the water from the two rain barrels on the back patio so I played Gunga Din, carrying full pails and watering cans to the front. With watering restrictions in place I wanted to empty all the barrels in the hope that the rain forecast for next few days will fill them up. By the time I was finished it was around 11:00 am so I started my shouldares. [I underwent a complete right shoulder replacement on March 12th and am very pleased to report all went extremely well. However, a fairly long process of physical rehabilitation to gain full movement and rotation. Not complaining but I have to be very disciplined if I want to as complete a recovery as possible.] Had had a phone call from Flamin', [aka Michele], inviting me to join her and her son, Kid Chelene, [aka Corey], for dinner at the Front Street Brasserie at 7:30 pm. I'd invited them for a drink and nibblage first so knew I had to be ready by 6:15 pm.
With Lady Dar away, I will be the Constant Gardener for the duration of her holiday. Radishes have been providing us with daily salad fixings and we are pleased as punch with how they taste. Didn't need to buy any at the last Farmers' Market as we will be self-sufficient for next few weeks, or more, I think. Same goes for zucchini, both yellow and green. Had both, on Friday of the long-weekend, and they were simply delish! Even starting to pick cherry tomatoes so cannot complain in the least! [The ones I picked a few days ago vanished last night, gobbled up by Flamin' and The Kid, along with one of our latest cheeses, Gold, from Upper Bench, part of our Curds & Corks release!]
Other big news is that we had solar panels installed early in June, along with a Tier Two charger for our new electric vehicle, an eKona, by Hyundai. Very, very pleased with car. Haven't had a utility bill since we installed panels so am very curious to see what the bill will be, given the amount of electricity we are generating. I'm hoping I'll be able to spend all the savings on malt!!! Lady Dar insists any credits will be for shoes!
Dinner last night was wonderful and we'll be heading there again, on Thursday, July 18th. Lady Dar's actual birthday is July 19th, Wine Club Appreciation Bash at Poplar Grove, as you will know, so we'll have a celebratory dinner beforehand, with Maggie, [Chloë's nanny in the '80's], and her boyfriend, Hans, visiting from Denmark, along with Flamin' and her husband, Sarge, [aka Wayne], and Chloë. [She moved into her place at Sendero Canyon a few weeks after we met you. If you have time, you'll have to pop by, have a drink and "tour" of finished kitchen! We are more than pleased with how things turned out.]
Haven't heard from Upper Bench about their bash so I hope we haven't missed invitation. It has become so popular, over last few years, that one needs to book immediately or else no room at the winery! I plan to call as soon as they open this morning to see what is what. Have you booked already?
Sarge is flying in to Penticton this evening and they will drive to Osoyoos to stay at their place at Spirit Ridge for weekend. [They own a half share while we are the poor relatives with only a quarter share. Lady Dar has booked for August as Chloë would like it over her birthday, August 18th, as she usually invites about four of her girlfriends to stay. We, of course, are "told" to be gone by then. Kids today!] They've invited me to overnight with them on Saturday. Kid Chelene is working on Saturday, [He is an RCMP officer here in Penticton, along with his wife, Rebecca, but she is in Kamloops, with their daughters, Avery and Ashlynn, visiting her parents for a week.], so we'll drive down after he finishes his shift.
Wanted to stroll the Farmers' Market anyway, as well as take a look at the Penticton Scottish Festival, at Kings Park, just down Eckhardt from us. As mentioned above, had a wonderful time at the PAG Dinner and Auction, the day friend, Ski, [aka Rhoda], left to fly back to Cape Breton. I was much more restrained about bidding on anything this year but Lady Dar came home with a fairly large piece while Chloë forged my name on silent auction bid for the Scottish Festival and "I" won! Two cans of Irn-Bru and a spiffy T-shirt from kilt makers, here in town, along with tics. Again, kids today!
As well have a release to collect at Bartier Brothers, off Black Sage Road, but winery will be closed by the time we whiz by so will have to pick it up on Sunday, on way home. Chloë will stay overnight, on Saturday, to take care of Etta and Duke. Time to bundle up herbs so will say goodbye for now. Let me know your plans for Poplar Grove Bash visit and I hope we can arrange something if your schedule allows. Stay well. See you soon, one way or 'tother. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Salt Miners! How lovely to hear from you, from underground, no less! [Thanks, as well, for the great pictures from Holland and tales of your biking there. A couple of years ago, when I was watching the Tour de France, one of the commentators mentioned that the Dutch riders usually did very well with strong head winds as they trained with them all the time! Ever since we moved to Penticton I decide on which direction to ride, based on head wind. Whether out of the north or south, I ride into the head wind on way out, hoping it will not change direction on return journey!] Snaps of salt mine brought back great memories of visiting Wieliczka. Still have a souvenir bag of rock salt from there!
Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth. -Nathaniel Hawthorne, writer (4 Jul 1804-1864)
Hi Kara! How lovely to hear from you! Sorry to hear about family difficulties but trust things are better now. For our part we have been quite busy with a quite a few visits from friends from both Vancouver and elsewhere in Canada. As well, a merry-go-round of social activities, from the wonderful weekly Farmers' Market to the Penticton Art Gallery's Dinner and Auction at the end of last month. I drove Lady Dar to Kelowna on Canada Day as she flew to Winnipeg for about ten days or so to help her Mother with the sale of her home. She lives at Falcon Lake, a provincial park about 125 km east of Winnipeg, quite close the Manitoba/Ontario border, and initially, she will live with Corinne's brother and wife, who live immediately next door. I chatted with Lady Dar yesterday and she is busy readying things for a garage sale this coming weekend as the house needs to "decanted" for real estate listing, etc.
For my part, I have recently become a 50/50 ticket seller, a volunteer at the Dream Café, here in town. I usually have about three shifts per month, from 7:00 pm to just before the shows start, at 8:00 pm. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the performance with drinks at half price! My last shift was last Saturday evening. Was quite impressed, in particular, with Raincity's lead singer and saxophonist, both young women. Band is from Vancouver. In fact, I'm on tonight. Daughter of the Moon, Natalie Ramsay, a folk songstress on acoustic guitar will perform.
When friend, Rhoda, from Cape Breton, was here, we took in Over the Moon, fab, fab husband/wife duo, from Longview, Alberta, where Ian Tyson is their rancher neighbour! They covered one of his songs and did so remarkably, remarkably movingly! Will return on July 12th to see Michael Kaeshammer with more friends from Vancouver, Denise and Bill, up for a week, staying at the rental cabin at Deep Roots Winery. They will bunk with us that night so that we can walk to the venue and not have to worry about drinking and driving!
Yesterday morning, after I'd enjoyed my java I went outside to water the front garden. I used the water from the two rain barrels on the back patio so I played Gunga Din, carrying full pails and watering cans to the front. With watering restrictions in place I wanted to empty all the barrels in the hope that the rain forecast for next few days will fill them up. By the time I was finished it was around 11:00 am so I started my shouldares. [I underwent a complete right shoulder replacement on March 12th and am very pleased to report all went extremely well. However, a fairly long process of physical rehabilitation to gain full movement and rotation. Not complaining but I have to be very disciplined if I want to as complete a recovery as possible.] Had had a phone call from Flamin', [aka Michele], inviting me to join her and her son, Kid Chelene, [aka Corey], for dinner at the Front Street Brasserie at 7:30 pm. I'd invited them for a drink and nibblage first so knew I had to be ready by 6:15 pm.
With Lady Dar away, I will be the Constant Gardener for the duration of her holiday. Radishes have been providing us with daily salad fixings and we are pleased as punch with how they taste. Didn't need to buy any at the last Farmers' Market as we will be self-sufficient for next few weeks, or more, I think. Same goes for zucchini, both yellow and green. Had both, on Friday of the long-weekend, and they were simply delish! Even starting to pick cherry tomatoes so cannot complain in the least! [The ones I picked a few days ago vanished last night, gobbled up by Flamin' and The Kid, along with one of our latest cheeses, Gold, from Upper Bench, part of our Curds & Corks release!]
Other big news is that we had solar panels installed early in June, along with a Tier Two charger for our new electric vehicle, an eKona, by Hyundai. Very, very pleased with car. Haven't had a utility bill since we installed panels so am very curious to see what the bill will be, given the amount of electricity we are generating. I'm hoping I'll be able to spend all the savings on malt!!! Lady Dar insists any credits will be for shoes!
Dinner last night was wonderful and we'll be heading there again, on Thursday, July 18th. Lady Dar's actual birthday is July 19th, Wine Club Appreciation Bash at Poplar Grove, as you will know, so we'll have a celebratory dinner beforehand, with Maggie, [Chloë's nanny in the '80's], and her boyfriend, Hans, visiting from Denmark, along with Flamin' and her husband, Sarge, [aka Wayne], and Chloë. [She moved into her place at Sendero Canyon a few weeks after we met you. If you have time, you'll have to pop by, have a drink and "tour" of finished kitchen! We are more than pleased with how things turned out.]
Haven't heard from Upper Bench about their bash so I hope we haven't missed invitation. It has become so popular, over last few years, that one needs to book immediately or else no room at the winery! I plan to call as soon as they open this morning to see what is what. Have you booked already?
Sarge is flying in to Penticton this evening and they will drive to Osoyoos to stay at their place at Spirit Ridge for weekend. [They own a half share while we are the poor relatives with only a quarter share. Lady Dar has booked for August as Chloë would like it over her birthday, August 18th, as she usually invites about four of her girlfriends to stay. We, of course, are "told" to be gone by then. Kids today!] They've invited me to overnight with them on Saturday. Kid Chelene is working on Saturday, [He is an RCMP officer here in Penticton, along with his wife, Rebecca, but she is in Kamloops, with their daughters, Avery and Ashlynn, visiting her parents for a week.], so we'll drive down after he finishes his shift.
Wanted to stroll the Farmers' Market anyway, as well as take a look at the Penticton Scottish Festival, at Kings Park, just down Eckhardt from us. As mentioned above, had a wonderful time at the PAG Dinner and Auction, the day friend, Ski, [aka Rhoda], left to fly back to Cape Breton. I was much more restrained about bidding on anything this year but Lady Dar came home with a fairly large piece while Chloë forged my name on silent auction bid for the Scottish Festival and "I" won! Two cans of Irn-Bru and a spiffy T-shirt from kilt makers, here in town, along with tics. Again, kids today!
As well have a release to collect at Bartier Brothers, off Black Sage Road, but winery will be closed by the time we whiz by so will have to pick it up on Sunday, on way home. Chloë will stay overnight, on Saturday, to take care of Etta and Duke. Time to bundle up herbs so will say goodbye for now. Let me know your plans for Poplar Grove Bash visit and I hope we can arrange something if your schedule allows. Stay well. See you soon, one way or 'tother. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Salt Miners! How lovely to hear from you, from underground, no less! [Thanks, as well, for the great pictures from Holland and tales of your biking there. A couple of years ago, when I was watching the Tour de France, one of the commentators mentioned that the Dutch riders usually did very well with strong head winds as they trained with them all the time! Ever since we moved to Penticton I decide on which direction to ride, based on head wind. Whether out of the north or south, I ride into the head wind on way out, hoping it will not change direction on return journey!] Snaps of salt mine brought back great memories of visiting Wieliczka. Still have a souvenir bag of rock salt from there!
I do apologize for not replying to your earlier message sooner. For my part, I have recently become a 50/50 ticket seller, a volunteer at the Dream Café, here in town. Was on shift tonight, for Daughter of the Moon, Natalie Ramsay, a folk songstress on acoustic guitar performed. She has a lovely, lovely, strong voice and accompanies herself on guitar. Before Natalie started, Hazel thanked crowd for supporting 50/50 draw, mentioning me and I received a thunderous round of applause! Hee Hee!
This morning I tied up bundles of sage, oregano and mint, harvested yesterday from our herb beds. I usually hang them in our garage for a couple of months, to dry them but decided to hang them in the kitchen, from the light fixture over the island counter, as the smell is wonderful, particularly the sage. Yesterday, took down those I'd hung earlier and stripped off dried leaves and bagged them for our own use or to give to friends. Also harvesting our lavender. Have two vases full, one on fireplace mantle in living room and another on small bureau in front entrance. Rhoda took back a bouquet to Cape Breton and both Flamin' and Kid Chelene would like one each as well. Travel safely. Stay well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Salt mine! Wine-tasting with Ski. Duke helping with herbs; Today's harvest: Small but tasty Walla Walla Sweets, tiny bulb of garlic, [Was curious to see how large bulb was so this was test plant.], and radishes. Hanging bunches of herbs. Dream, tonight: Thomas and Eileen; Tammy and Jim; Daughter of the Moon.
PSA from George Clooney Gerry and I thought this was quite entertaining. Hope you do too. Dawn Hello Ex-Fridge Magnet People! Trust you are both well and that you are managing without your lovely fridge magnets! Thanks so much and I hope you will find more in your obsessive-compulsive cleaning sweep! Thanks, as well, for the George Clooney clip. I enjoyed it immensely even if pin-points Trump's reign of idiocy, and worse. Let us know about a possible visit in your shiny, shiny aerodynamic Airstream and we'll plan accordingly. Stay well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
This morning I tied up bundles of sage, oregano and mint, harvested yesterday from our herb beds. I usually hang them in our garage for a couple of months, to dry them but decided to hang them in the kitchen, from the light fixture over the island counter, as the smell is wonderful, particularly the sage. Yesterday, took down those I'd hung earlier and stripped off dried leaves and bagged them for our own use or to give to friends. Also harvesting our lavender. Have two vases full, one on fireplace mantle in living room and another on small bureau in front entrance. Rhoda took back a bouquet to Cape Breton and both Flamin' and Kid Chelene would like one each as well. Travel safely. Stay well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Salt mine! Wine-tasting with Ski. Duke helping with herbs; Today's harvest: Small but tasty Walla Walla Sweets, tiny bulb of garlic, [Was curious to see how large bulb was so this was test plant.], and radishes. Hanging bunches of herbs. Dream, tonight: Thomas and Eileen; Tammy and Jim; Daughter of the Moon.
PSA from George Clooney Gerry and I thought this was quite entertaining. Hope you do too. Dawn Hello Ex-Fridge Magnet People! Trust you are both well and that you are managing without your lovely fridge magnets! Thanks so much and I hope you will find more in your obsessive-compulsive cleaning sweep! Thanks, as well, for the George Clooney clip. I enjoyed it immensely even if pin-points Trump's reign of idiocy, and worse. Let us know about a possible visit in your shiny, shiny aerodynamic Airstream and we'll plan accordingly. Stay well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
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