The perfection of a clock is not to go fast, but to be accurate. -Luc de
Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues, moralist and essayist (6 Aug
1715-1747)
Hi Patrick and Coryn - I'm so sorry to have to tell you that David passed away last Thursday. He had been dealing with a rare neurological illness for the past couple of years, and for the past year has been unable to speak or swallow much of anything. He never complained, but just adjusted to his limitations as best he could. About the middle of July, though, he took a turn for the worse and the rest of his body became more affected. The kids were here with me for the last couple of weeks, and we had amazing support from Vancouver Coastal Health nurses and from our wonderful doctor who came to the house twice a day. David died peacefully at home with family around him. It's a difficult time for us, of course, but the kids and I are doing okay.
We are having a Celebration of Life for David on Tuesday, August 27 at Cecil Green Park. I thought that, if you were able to make the trip, we would love for you to come. Hope you are both doing well. Janet
Dearest Janet! It was with great, great sorrow that I read your message yesterday. Both Corinne and I send heartfelt sympathies to you and your children and their families. It goes without saying that The Great Balzarini was more than a remarkable individual and, as you well know, your family became intertwined with ours over the years of wine-making, house renovation and social gatherings, not to mention VW rental, an Uber service well before its time!
Thank you for thinking of us and letting us know about the Celebration of Life for David. I deeply regret to say that we will be unable to attend the service as we are flying to Vienna, [starting from Kelowna], on August 28th, for six weeks worth of travel with close friends. Had this not been the case we would certainly have attended to pay our respects to David, you and your family. I do feel badly that we have not seen you, especially in the years since we moved to Penticton, now almost five years ago. While we have been in Vancouver, from time to time, visits seem to have been so busy that we rarely had time to see even a few friends. Had taken in the Folk Fest for the first few years after we moved but didn't bump into you if you were even there.
You probably didn't know that Dusty died two years ago, this past May, three days after his 94th birthday. He had been on oxygen for the last year, or so, but otherwise was well. He slipped away, his already compromised lungs, [Asbestos in the boiler rooms of various navy destroyers during WW II.], succumbing to pneumonia. Clara is well. Corinne was in Falcon this past June to help her ready their home, at Falcon Lake, for sale. She will live with George, her son, and his wife Barb, immediately next door, until such time as they decide if they will all move into Winnipeg. Clara flew to Penticton last October, for six weeks, and we enjoyed a wonderful time. I've started a bridge group and everyone in it was awed at her play and didn't want her to return to Manitoba. She turned 94 this past February.
Am pleased to say that we became great-grandparents on February 22nd with the birth of Olivia Rose, daughter of Samantha and Alexander, our youngest grandson. Ayn is very well and delighted to be a grandmother, climbing the corporate ladder at Crown Media where she is a Vice-President in charge of production and acquisitions for their Hallmark cable channel. You might be familiar with their touchy/feely Christmas movies, etc. Corinne was able to see Olivia as she spent two months in Mexico, [January/February], and stopped over in LA on way home. Other exciting news is that Chloë is six months pregnant! All goes extremely well with her and baby. Due to her age it is anticipated that she will be induced towards the end of November. Added into this mix is the fact that she just sold the townhouse she moved into last August and bought a smaller unit in a duplex closer to where we live. As a single parent-to-be she really needed to lower her mortgage and really didn't need all the space, especially on three levels! Her new place has a very large basement, already plumbed for bathroom and kitchen so first order of the day will be to put in a suite as a mortgage helper.
In fact, Corinne spent most of yesterday afternoon helping her start to pack. Since we are leaving at the end of the month we have to try to have as much of the packing as possible done before we leave as with her pregnancy she must be very careful. She is working for a strata management company, here in town, and I think she has finally found her niche! When she told her boss about her pregnancy he was very, very supportive. He said she could keep the company vehicle, [along with gas card!], while she is on maternity leave and can work from home, a few days a week, as she finds herself able to do so.
Corinne's Marriage Officiant business is thriving and she enjoys the weddings she performs, often at various wineries here in the South Okanagan. For my part I underwent a complete right shoulder replacement on March 12th and am pleased to say that everything went extremely well. Now the long process of physio and daily stretching exercises to regain flexibility and rotation after almost thirty years of abusing the former joint with squash play!
Other news is that we had 18 solar panels installed on our roof, this past May, and became the proud owners of a Hyundai eKona in April. Have a Tier Two Charger as part of solar package, [We are "plugged" into city grid so we are credited with any over-generation, mainly during summer, of course.], so we can charge, efficiently, at home. However, there are more an more charging stations around Penticton and in the the South Okanagan, in general. In fact, I charge the car at the hospital whenever I have a physio appointment there. Twenty stations in new parkade there, part of huge extension, just completed, to our Regional Hospital. It is now a UBC teaching hospital so this is an extremely important development for the region, as you can well imagine.
Extremely pleased with vehicle and have driven it into Vancouver a number of times already. We stop at Manning Park to use the "free" BC Hydro fast charger so are gradually learning how to negotiate highway travel. Next challenge will be to plan a trip to LA. While we certainly miss all the friends and acquaintances in Vancouver, we seem to have become a "destination" venue for many of them. In fact we have the next "wave" arriving this coming Thursday. The first group of three, each overlapping, until Friday the 23rd. This being the usual case I often refer to our place as the Burns Street Gin Joint and Hot Sheets Hotel! Not complaining at all but it is a busy, busy life. Corinne has her last weddings that weekend and then we are off to Europe, as mentioned above. Need to start packing now!
Again, deepest condolences to you, Janet. We plan to be in Vancouver, probably during the fourth week of October, [We are back on October 12th.], as I will have an annual appointment with my dermatologist. If you will be at home perhaps we can arrange to drop by. Until then, much love and affection. Corinne and Patrick.
Hi Angelique! Just one table tonight. See you and O Susannah around 6:30 pm. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello All Cards on the Table, People! Thanks to Ann of the Zinnias for hosting this evening. Just one table but a lovely time nonetheless, other than the fact that O Susannah and The Hostess with the Mostest hammered Lady Dar and I, relegating me to the bottom of the scoreboard with a tally so small I needed an electron microscope to read it! Consequently, I have already started reading Bridge for Dummies!
Furthermore, this was the last evening of bridge for Lady Dar and I, for the next couple of months. We have a fistful of visitors arriving this coming Thursday and will be entertaining overlapping waves of Freeloaders until the 23rd. Then we will be helping Chloë pack up her Sendero townhouse for the move to Winnipeg Street, at the end of the month, where she purchased a new place. We leave for Europe on August 28th and won't be back until October 12th. This being the case, I'll leave it up to anyone in the group to arrange games, should people wish to continue to play.
At any rate, trust everyone continues to enjoy the rest of summer and the beginning of fall. Look forward to seeing the gang in mid-October. Until then, stay well. Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Forgot to bring my camera so no record of my humiliating drubbing, thank goodness! Ones attached are from a week ago.
Hi Corrine and Patrick: Patrick, you reading Bridge for Dummies????? Bah, humbug. You are one funny dude! Anyways, I'm just writing to wish you folks a fantastic trip and enjoy your company .....Freeloaders as you like to call them Patrick. Safe travels... I want to hear all about it. Chloe is moving to Winnipeg St. you say. That will be nice and handy; having her so close. Wishing her and the baby the best. Hugs to all, Olly Hi Olga Polga! You can have the book after me! Thanks for the best wishes. Yes, Winnipeg will be much closer and easier to back and forth, etc. Chloë will be over for dinner Thursday eveing so I'll pass along your kind words. Close friend, Kathleen, from Melbourne, visiting her daughter/son-in-law and twin grandchildren, in Vancouver, will be up that afternoon, for a few days. She and Lady Dar were in Library School together so that is how we met, back in '75! Time for more shoulder exercises so must away. Take care of yourself. Regards to Craig. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrick and Coryn - I'm so sorry to have to tell you that David passed away last Thursday. He had been dealing with a rare neurological illness for the past couple of years, and for the past year has been unable to speak or swallow much of anything. He never complained, but just adjusted to his limitations as best he could. About the middle of July, though, he took a turn for the worse and the rest of his body became more affected. The kids were here with me for the last couple of weeks, and we had amazing support from Vancouver Coastal Health nurses and from our wonderful doctor who came to the house twice a day. David died peacefully at home with family around him. It's a difficult time for us, of course, but the kids and I are doing okay.
We are having a Celebration of Life for David on Tuesday, August 27 at Cecil Green Park. I thought that, if you were able to make the trip, we would love for you to come. Hope you are both doing well. Janet
Dearest Janet! It was with great, great sorrow that I read your message yesterday. Both Corinne and I send heartfelt sympathies to you and your children and their families. It goes without saying that The Great Balzarini was more than a remarkable individual and, as you well know, your family became intertwined with ours over the years of wine-making, house renovation and social gatherings, not to mention VW rental, an Uber service well before its time!
Thank you for thinking of us and letting us know about the Celebration of Life for David. I deeply regret to say that we will be unable to attend the service as we are flying to Vienna, [starting from Kelowna], on August 28th, for six weeks worth of travel with close friends. Had this not been the case we would certainly have attended to pay our respects to David, you and your family. I do feel badly that we have not seen you, especially in the years since we moved to Penticton, now almost five years ago. While we have been in Vancouver, from time to time, visits seem to have been so busy that we rarely had time to see even a few friends. Had taken in the Folk Fest for the first few years after we moved but didn't bump into you if you were even there.
You probably didn't know that Dusty died two years ago, this past May, three days after his 94th birthday. He had been on oxygen for the last year, or so, but otherwise was well. He slipped away, his already compromised lungs, [Asbestos in the boiler rooms of various navy destroyers during WW II.], succumbing to pneumonia. Clara is well. Corinne was in Falcon this past June to help her ready their home, at Falcon Lake, for sale. She will live with George, her son, and his wife Barb, immediately next door, until such time as they decide if they will all move into Winnipeg. Clara flew to Penticton last October, for six weeks, and we enjoyed a wonderful time. I've started a bridge group and everyone in it was awed at her play and didn't want her to return to Manitoba. She turned 94 this past February.
Am pleased to say that we became great-grandparents on February 22nd with the birth of Olivia Rose, daughter of Samantha and Alexander, our youngest grandson. Ayn is very well and delighted to be a grandmother, climbing the corporate ladder at Crown Media where she is a Vice-President in charge of production and acquisitions for their Hallmark cable channel. You might be familiar with their touchy/feely Christmas movies, etc. Corinne was able to see Olivia as she spent two months in Mexico, [January/February], and stopped over in LA on way home. Other exciting news is that Chloë is six months pregnant! All goes extremely well with her and baby. Due to her age it is anticipated that she will be induced towards the end of November. Added into this mix is the fact that she just sold the townhouse she moved into last August and bought a smaller unit in a duplex closer to where we live. As a single parent-to-be she really needed to lower her mortgage and really didn't need all the space, especially on three levels! Her new place has a very large basement, already plumbed for bathroom and kitchen so first order of the day will be to put in a suite as a mortgage helper.
In fact, Corinne spent most of yesterday afternoon helping her start to pack. Since we are leaving at the end of the month we have to try to have as much of the packing as possible done before we leave as with her pregnancy she must be very careful. She is working for a strata management company, here in town, and I think she has finally found her niche! When she told her boss about her pregnancy he was very, very supportive. He said she could keep the company vehicle, [along with gas card!], while she is on maternity leave and can work from home, a few days a week, as she finds herself able to do so.
Corinne's Marriage Officiant business is thriving and she enjoys the weddings she performs, often at various wineries here in the South Okanagan. For my part I underwent a complete right shoulder replacement on March 12th and am pleased to say that everything went extremely well. Now the long process of physio and daily stretching exercises to regain flexibility and rotation after almost thirty years of abusing the former joint with squash play!
Other news is that we had 18 solar panels installed on our roof, this past May, and became the proud owners of a Hyundai eKona in April. Have a Tier Two Charger as part of solar package, [We are "plugged" into city grid so we are credited with any over-generation, mainly during summer, of course.], so we can charge, efficiently, at home. However, there are more an more charging stations around Penticton and in the the South Okanagan, in general. In fact, I charge the car at the hospital whenever I have a physio appointment there. Twenty stations in new parkade there, part of huge extension, just completed, to our Regional Hospital. It is now a UBC teaching hospital so this is an extremely important development for the region, as you can well imagine.
Extremely pleased with vehicle and have driven it into Vancouver a number of times already. We stop at Manning Park to use the "free" BC Hydro fast charger so are gradually learning how to negotiate highway travel. Next challenge will be to plan a trip to LA. While we certainly miss all the friends and acquaintances in Vancouver, we seem to have become a "destination" venue for many of them. In fact we have the next "wave" arriving this coming Thursday. The first group of three, each overlapping, until Friday the 23rd. This being the usual case I often refer to our place as the Burns Street Gin Joint and Hot Sheets Hotel! Not complaining at all but it is a busy, busy life. Corinne has her last weddings that weekend and then we are off to Europe, as mentioned above. Need to start packing now!
Again, deepest condolences to you, Janet. We plan to be in Vancouver, probably during the fourth week of October, [We are back on October 12th.], as I will have an annual appointment with my dermatologist. If you will be at home perhaps we can arrange to drop by. Until then, much love and affection. Corinne and Patrick.
Pics: The Sisterhood in our kitchen; Reading with Duke; At Poplar Grove Winery this past November. Ayn flew up to see Clara; Clara's famous porcupine meatballs; The Goils in our Rumpus Room; in Chloë's living room at Sendero Canyon, place she just sold; Samantha with Alex at his station; proud grandmother; proud great-grandmother; Chloë's "bump"!
Oh no, very sad. The end of an era for sure. He was a total character and always a lovely person xoxo I tried to send a e-mail to Janet using the one she showed, but it did not Work, anyway send her my love & tell her I have great memories of her & David, Dusty working on the house, David keeping his cars going that he Rented out to you, would never know he was a professor Clara
Oh no, very sad. The end of an era for sure. He was a total character and always a lovely person xoxo I tried to send a e-mail to Janet using the one she showed, but it did not Work, anyway send her my love & tell her I have great memories of her & David, Dusty working on the house, David keeping his cars going that he Rented out to you, would never know he was a professor Clara
Hi Angelique! Just one table tonight. See you and O Susannah around 6:30 pm. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello All Cards on the Table, People! Thanks to Ann of the Zinnias for hosting this evening. Just one table but a lovely time nonetheless, other than the fact that O Susannah and The Hostess with the Mostest hammered Lady Dar and I, relegating me to the bottom of the scoreboard with a tally so small I needed an electron microscope to read it! Consequently, I have already started reading Bridge for Dummies!
Furthermore, this was the last evening of bridge for Lady Dar and I, for the next couple of months. We have a fistful of visitors arriving this coming Thursday and will be entertaining overlapping waves of Freeloaders until the 23rd. Then we will be helping Chloë pack up her Sendero townhouse for the move to Winnipeg Street, at the end of the month, where she purchased a new place. We leave for Europe on August 28th and won't be back until October 12th. This being the case, I'll leave it up to anyone in the group to arrange games, should people wish to continue to play.
At any rate, trust everyone continues to enjoy the rest of summer and the beginning of fall. Look forward to seeing the gang in mid-October. Until then, stay well. Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Forgot to bring my camera so no record of my humiliating drubbing, thank goodness! Ones attached are from a week ago.
Hi Corrine and Patrick: Patrick, you reading Bridge for Dummies????? Bah, humbug. You are one funny dude! Anyways, I'm just writing to wish you folks a fantastic trip and enjoy your company .....Freeloaders as you like to call them Patrick. Safe travels... I want to hear all about it. Chloe is moving to Winnipeg St. you say. That will be nice and handy; having her so close. Wishing her and the baby the best. Hugs to all, Olly Hi Olga Polga! You can have the book after me! Thanks for the best wishes. Yes, Winnipeg will be much closer and easier to back and forth, etc. Chloë will be over for dinner Thursday eveing so I'll pass along your kind words. Close friend, Kathleen, from Melbourne, visiting her daughter/son-in-law and twin grandchildren, in Vancouver, will be up that afternoon, for a few days. She and Lady Dar were in Library School together so that is how we met, back in '75! Time for more shoulder exercises so must away. Take care of yourself. Regards to Craig. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!
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