With Rowan James on the Brink of a New Decade and The Burns Street Blues: Tuesday, December 31st!

Many years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make New Year’s resolutions. Hell, it’s been the only resolution I’ve ever kept!―D.S. Mixell

And a happy new year to you in 2020! Chuckster! Happy New Year to you as well! Laury Happy New Year! Thanks for the card, all the best to you two and your family.  Send photos of the baby!!  Love, Agneta Hi Guayabitos Girl!

Thanks for the lovely card and wishes. Glad you and Lady Dar were able to have a catch-up chat. Stay well. Healthy New Year to you, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! What a beautiful baby! Reminds me of Chloe as a baby. A little miracle…not there one year but there the next! Thanks for pics. XXOO Agneta

Agneta

Thank you once again for a lovely card. It was perhaps fitting that the countries highlighted skipped North American entirely. Perhaps we can continue to exist in 2019 a bit longer. I think we need to escape that year quickly!

I don't know how you find the time to accomplish all you do, plus, do your exercises. Your days must stretch longer than the 24 hours that box in the rest of us. Even I, with my tiny snatch of sleep and immediate full consciousness am stunned by how you ride, write up your trips, find time to send cards to all your friends, and function as a loving grandfather and even do yeoman's work around the kitchen and home. You are amazing.
Happy New Year! Soon I will start a big batch of challah-like bread for our celebration (of New York New Year I should note) with our friends Michael and Elaine in Lafayette tonight. I will do little else, I suspect. Right now, enjoying the morning Java and celebrating that Squeak the cat seemed to like her breakfast. Not an everyday success.

Our love and hugs to Ms. Corinne. Hope the weather allows you to have a great ride and you both, along with Chloe and Rowan and all the ancillary people who have come to visit have a great evening! HUGS. David (and Nancy)

[Callie 19 months!!!! Xo Barb] Hi, Patrick! Thank you for the lovely pictures. I miss you and love you all so much. Toshiko  Dear Patrick, Corinne and Chloe, Thank you for the lovely card! What an exciting year you have all had! Special congratulations to new momma Chloë and beautiful baby Rowan James! Just wait....it is so much fun but OMG very tiring as they get busier. We’re awaiting baby number two any day now....a boy. I wish you all happiness, good health, laughter and the joy your new addition will bring you!! And good cards!! Much love to the gang. I miss Penticton but we made the right decision to return 😉. ❤️♥️👶👶👶👶🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂 Barb 

Patrizzio mio! Thanks for the card, glad my traditions don't include painting my house! Hope you all have a wonderful start to a fabulous
New Year in 2020! Deborah 

Good morning Patrick & Corinne, thank you for beautiful New Years ecard. Wishing you both health, wealth and a wonderful new 2020 to come! All the best, Carol & Tom Hoenisch Cheers 🎉🌎😊 P.S. thank you for the open house invitation. Our son is flying back to his place in Ottawa on Jan. 1st in the
early afternoon. We are driving him to the airport and hope the snowy weather doesn't affect his flight time. We'd love to drop by to see you afterwards if everything goes well for him.
 

[Last one, I promise! Same babe, different looks 😉😉 Just wait till next Christmas!! So much fun. 😊💙💕Barb] Hi Barb! Thanks for the lovely note and truly stunning pictures of Callie! Lady Dar thinks she is a sweetheart, as do I! Yes, you certainly made the right decision to leave Penticton, although you are much missed. Couldn't you fly in to attend our Open House tomorrow? Stay well. Healthy New Year to you and Callie, et al, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Baby Beluga waiting for Santa!

Hello Naramatians! Pleased you enjoyed the card and thanks for the New Year's wishes. Carol had mentioned, [when I bumped into her about a month ago now], that your son was leaving tomorrow. Trust weather doesn't disrupt flight but if it does you are more than welcome to bring him along. We'd love to meet him and see you two, of course. Please pop by, if and when you are able to do so. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Hi Patrice, Thank you for the NYE greetings and updates on Duke and Etta!. All is well here in the Valley and although looking wet today it has been gorgeous over all. I went skiing with Sean at Manning Park yesterday and was quite pleased as the conditions were quite good and I felt pretty good as well as far as comfort and ability go. When you ski once or twice a year you can certainly feel those muscles that don’t get used often for other activities!.
 

Filmer and Sally

Plan on trying to have a relaxing day today until our friend Cathy comes up with her daughter and boyfriend and the boys come back up with a friend of Jake's in tow. I hope all went well with the grand parenting duties! And that you have a nice night tonight, please pass our fondest along to everyone there and we will catch up soon. Cheers, Al Hi again, Ski Bum and Snow Bunny!

What a life you Sunshine Valley Folk live! As I look out the front window see a mix of light rain and the odd snowflake so I won't be heading out for a ride. Even if weather had cooperated, Lady Dar has other plans for me! 
 

Still don't know, as of this writing, if we are on for Sendero Bash. Hope they Clan Sutherland is fine but not really fussed if their party is cancelled as we are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here, or at Chloë's place. Rowan James loves Champagne even more than his doting grandmother!!!


Must away as time to listen to Lady Dar, barking out orders! Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from She of the Iron Fist, Lady Darjeeling, and Indentured Patrizzio! Cheers, from the dungeons!


Dear Patrick Corinne Chloe and Rowan Happy New Year! Right now we are soaking up the last of our wine and ocean view in Oak Bay. Fortunately my brother has a place that needs to be checked such a pleasurable respite. We have read relaxed and enjoyed lovely afternoon outings and daytime viewings. Tomorrow it is back to being at home. Christmas was great with Colin's mother and we went out for Christmas dinner at the Grand Hotel. I thought it was exquisite.

Anyways thanks heaps for your email and all your pictures. Cats in the fridge?? By the way who was your surgeon for your hip?? Have to do my knee. Would value your advice. Cheers for now Joanne and Colin.

Hi Hoi Aristoi Oak Bay Freeloaders! What a life! Grand Hotel no less!!! Pleased that your Christmas provided such a wonderful opportunity to be with Colin's mother. Curious cats want to explore every cupboard and drawer one opens. When I took those snaps I had turned my back, leaving door open, and before I knew it they were intent on checking out the overlefts in case there were any that they were interested in! 

On another matter, after I was up this morning and had zapped my java and fed the felines I started to stream CBC One. [We changed from Telus to Shaw, a month or so ago, and this provider does not carry any radio channels, let alone CBC, if you can believe it! When Lady Dar talked to the local representative she did not even know that CBC had a radio division! What does this say? Our local radio coverage only allows Radio One so, before change, I could only listen to Radio Two through any of our TVs.] At any rate, Stephen Quinn interviewed Jean Barman so it was interesting to hear her voice again.

Marps!

My surgeon was Clive Duncan, [I couldn't have been better served as at the time, perhaps still, he was considered the "best" surgeon for this particular operation.], but as far as I know he specializes in hips only, and does not perform knee surgery. Sorry I cannot be of more help. However, you could move to Penticton and see Dr Timothy Bell. Close friend, Linda Ervin, had her left knee replaced this past September and couldn't be happier with his care. Doesn't your billionaire brother have a place in Naramata? After surgery you could join me at the pool for recuperative deep water-walking, wine-tasting afterwards! 

[Hi Peacock People! What a life you Island Folk live! Isn't Beacon Hill just down the Yellow Brick Road from Downton Abbey? Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from She of the Iron Fist, Lady Darjeeling The Terrible, and Indentured Patrizzio! Cheers, from the Deepest, Darkest, Dankest Dungeons in Penticton!]

What are your plans for this evening? [Hi Carol and James! We'll miss you but understand completely. You are dealing with company and we are getting ready for company! What are you up to this evening? We are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here, or at Chloë's place. Rowan James loves Champagne almost as much as his doting grandmother!!! What are we doing? Evening at home with Susie, Olivier and girls. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers, Jim] 

We had been invited to a bash up at Sendero with Clan Sutherland but not sure if this is still on. Beckster and Kid Chelene were down in Seattle at Seahawks game over weekend and we don't know, as of this writing, if they made it back to Penticton, given weather conditions. Not really fussed as we are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here or at Chloë's place. Should know, one way or another, shortly.

Must away as we are going to be busy for most of the day readying a number of the dishes we will be serving tomorrow. As well, need to rearrange some of the furniture in both the living room and rumpus room to better accommodate guests. Healthy New Year to you and Colin from Lady Darjeeling and I! Onward!! Fight!!! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Linda Ervin was over for Christmas dinner; a couple of days before Christmas; Monday before Christmas Eve, waiting for bridge game we hosted that evening.

Hi Challah Bread Boy and Clock Lady! Thanks for the terrific NY's card, [Duke loved the mouse and with his more than dexterous paw tracked it with my mouse!], and wishes. Your New York New Year sounds wonderful. Will you sleep overnight so as not to have to worry about how much hootch you imbibe? As I look out the front window see a mix of light rain and the odd snowflake so I won't be heading out for a ride. Even if weather had cooperated, Lady Dar has other plans for me! Cats will disappear as soon as I start to vacuum! Stay well. Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Pre-vacuuming: Let sleeping cats lie!

Hi Pat and Corinne, We wish you all a very Happy New Year! May the end and beginning of the next decade bring you much joy! Love, Rick and Ruth


Nice to see the felines are thriving. Hope you have a peaceful time as the years rolls over.... We will drive home, but luckily Donna Florida loves life more than booze! Cactus Hi Patrick and thanks for the pics…….. however, a big OMG….. Rowan looks a lot like you! Happy New Year with Cheers Love and Hugs  to all, S Thank you for your ecard and the wishes! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family Patrizzio! Your new little granddaughter is a real cutie! Congrats! Cheers! Joan

January and February 50/50 schedule Happy New Year everyone Because January is not a very busy month, I have decided to combine both January and February. Hi Carole, et al! I'd like to take Wednesday, January 29th and Monday, February 10th if those slots are still available. Thanks. Also, would like to wish you and all the other volunteers, A Healthy New Year. Lady Dar, [aka as Corinne!], and I are hosting our Annual Open House tomorrow, anytime after 2:00 pm so please pop in if you are free to do so. All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for the invite! My husband and I will stop in! I signed up for 2 as I know lots of people may be away. Greta

Hi Beckster and Kid Chelene! Thanks so much for the wonderful, wonderful evening, even if we were not able to stay to ring in the New Year with you and friends. Still , it was a lovely gathering and we did so enjoy visiting and getting to know gang better. All the best to one and all. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

[Pat, Thought I’d share this with you as you never get to be apart of your colleague, aka collage!]

Happy New Year! Trust everyone rang in the New Year in suitable style. We enjoyed a lovely evening up in Sendero until just after 10:00 pm when Chloë felt she couldn't make it to midnight. We wished our hosts and their guests Happy New Year and then headed home. Chloë dropped us off and then took Rowan James back to Winnipeg. Funnily enough when she was putting him to bed he decided he wanted to stay up, wide alert as alert could be! 

They managed to stay up until 12:45 am, not quite as late as us. We watched an episode of Season 6 of House of Cards and then put it on pause to watch the ball drop in Times Square and celebrations thereafter. By the time we watched the end of the HC episode it was just after 1:00 pm. Enjoyed a tasty bottle of Orofino, their 2015 Beleza, 14.1%, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, while watching TV, so we slept like little lambs!

 

Blow, Winds! Blow Until Your Cheeks Crack Blues: Monday, December 30th!

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. -Cyril Connolly, critic and editor (1903-1974)

From all of us to all of you HAPPY NEW YEAR from Eveline, Heinz and Family

Hello Dearest Eveline and Heinz! Thank you for the wonderful, wonderful New Year's picture and wishes. Everyone looks well. Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you both, and rest of family as well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Tea Tree Gully! Thank you for the wonderful, wonderful New Year's card. Trust everyone is well. I just took a look at a number of maps showing bush-fires across Australia and noticed that there was a wildfire on Kangaroo Island. Is this the closest to Adelaide? I also noticed that there was one outside Bendigo, not all that far from Castlemaine where our close friends live. Frightening in the extreme and we cannot imagine when this will even end.

Given such on-going devastation it is hard to even ask about coming festivities but I assume people feel that they must go on as best they can. What are you up to for New Year''s Eve? Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year and Fondestos from Lady Dar and I, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Cadboro Bay People! Thank you for the wonderful, wonderful New Year's card and wishes. Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Rowan James a few days ago!

 Hello Dearest Upper Dunbarites! Thank you for the wonderful, wonderful Christmas card, [and enclosure for Chloë and Rowan James], and wishes. You sound very busy, Hostess with the Mostest! You'll be able to work at The Empress now, serving High Tea with ease and pizzazz! How is Ron doing? Please give him our regards when next you meet. Great that you could hook up with Gazebo and Nick. From what you wrote, gather the on-going "divide" still persists between Gaz and Di. What is he doing with property in Ireland?

Speaking of Adelaide, I just took a look at a number of maps showing bush-fires across Australia and noticed that there was a wildfire on Kangaroo Island. Was wondering if this is the closest to Adelaide as we  have close friends, [Tina and Trevor], there, as you might remember. We were staying with them when we first visited Di and Nick, closer to downtown. Also noticed that there was one outside Bendigo, not all that far from Castlemaine where our close friends, Kathleen and Stephan, live. Their youngest daughter, Zoe, just had their third grandchild, Owen, a couple of weeks after Rowan James was born. Kathleen will be visiting in January. Not sure if we will be coming to Vancouver then but we will see, closer to the time. 

What are you up to for New Year's Eve? Thanks for the Words of Wisdom, Colin. However, they don't really apply to me as I now have three replaceable parts! Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Photo: Dominique Linel

Hi Patrick: The closest to Adelaide was in fact only 15k from our place, Cudlee Creek has been raging for 10 days now! 86 homes have been burnt, many, many acres of land, many out buildings plus two loss of lives. The temperature has ranged from 27 C to 47C! Today it is 27C and down for the next few days then up to 42C on Friday. The wind has also been a major factor as it has whipped up the burning embers and started spot fires along its path. Many native animals have been burnt and killed. Kirsty and I are going to a sewing workshop next week to make mittens and cocoons for the surviving animals. I will also be joining a group called Blaze Aid who help land owners repair fences etc. I will be in the catering tent feeding the workers.

Today, Tuesday 31st we are heading off in our caravan to join friends on the river to celebrate New Years Eve, for a few days. If we have a few drinks we only have to topple back to the van and not drive👍 Never to many photos of Rowan (you know dear friend that I am not really a cat lover!!) Btw what is Chloe's address and what surname does she use? I have a present for Rowan and would like to send it direct. Warmest Tina/Christina

 

Diary of a Decade and the CBC Radio One Blues: Sunday, December 29th!

  The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border. -Pablo Casals, cellist, conductor, and composer (29 Dec 1876-1973)

Happiest of Happy Birthday's Penny! All the best from the denizens of Tinsel Town, The Burns Street Bistro and The Winnipeg Crib! For She's a Jolly Good Fellow! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Cheers from Ayn, Chloë, Rowan James,
Lady Dar and Patrizzio!

Hyderabad prepares for Ivanka Trump tour with rainbows and lookalikes: Faye Powell Homeless people, stray dogs and trash all cleaned up in Hyderabad before Ivanka arrives. "I don't know who Ivanka is," one man said, "but I'm happy she has come to Hyderabad. I've been shifted to this ashram and get tea and food on time." Something similar happened when we were in Varanasi. Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, were visiting, so paint and tarmac were splashed over the cracks and potholes and everything was well! With apologies to Billy Rose, et al: "Its only a paper moon/Sailing over a cardboard sea/But it's only make-believe/If you believe in Trump, et al!" When such politicians succeed the desperate unthinking are completely hoodwinked and we all fail! "It's a Barnum and Bailey world/Just as phony as it can be/But it wouldn't be make believe/If you believe in" Impeachment!!!

Hello Naughty Nancy and Recumbent Man! Thank you for the lovely cards and wishes. Trust you are both well. Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio

Happiest of Happy Birthday's Simon! All the best from the denizens of the Burns Street Bistro! Hip Hip Hooray! Cheers from Lady Dar and Patrizzio!

Hi Lovely Linda, The Pepperoni Kid, Courtney and Patrick! Thank you for the lovely card and warm wishes. Trust everyone is well. Had a note from Chopper and from Fast Freddy Ensom, both of whom now live in Parksville, or close to there, not far from Grogg and Lurch! When weather permits, I'm still cycling. Fondestos from the four of us, Rowan James, Chloë, Lady Darjeeling and Il Conduttore, to the four of you, Patrick and Courtney, Red Wine Goil and Mama Rufino's Favourite Son! Stay well, Kids! Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Little Evita, Arnoldo and Poplar Bogart! Thank you for the lovely, newsy message, good wishes and congratulations on the birth of Rowan James. He is doing extremely well, gaining weight, [over 10 lbs now], and possesses a very easy going temperament, rarely complaining, thus far, except when hungry or needs his diaper changed.
 

Of course, we go over, most days, or when needed. Last night, per esempio, we had our first "Official Grandparenting" evening as Chloë and Katie, and her lovely daughter, Katie, down from Vernon for the night, went to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Lady Dar prepared a Korean Beef Bowl, [She substituted minced turkey.], using spiraled zucchini, for dinner and we watched Secret in Their Eyes, an American re-make of The Secret in Their Eyes, an Argentinian film from 2009. Found the latter far more powerful but the former had some interesting actors: Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Dean Norris, [from Breaking Bad],and Michael Kelly, [from House of Cards]. All washed down with two fabulous reds, a Merlot from Painted Rock and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Pentâge.
 

Trust you three are well. Pleased that your hip replacement went well. How has the transition from "Owner" to "Employee" gone? With respect to snapolas I thought I might give Etta and Duke a chance to show you and Bogart what they have been up to! Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you, Yda, and Arni. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick and Corinne, Thank you for all your marvelous pictures of your grandson Rowan. He is adorable and has brought you all such happiness. Chloe looks absolutely peaceful. She projects that glow of contentment.

Thank you Corinne for your call yesterday. I tried to return the call but you do not have an answering system. We had an early dinner out so could not get back to you. We attended an open house a week ago and came down with the flu so I could barely get out of the house for our dinner engagement.

We always celebrate Christmas just the two of us with the “kids” and as always it was divine. The usual but no ordinary Free Range Turkey stuffed with Wild rice. Roasted vegetables, garlic potatoes, cranberry relish, gravy and butternut squash soup. Prepared by a superb chef. Followed by plum pudding with rum sauce. On Boxing Day our neighbor John who is 94 popped in for some Christmas cheer. He still works and is a land surveyor, plus writes books.  On our long talk I realized that both he and my mother are first born and have out lived their siblings. Both are farm children. There is something to be said for building a strong immune system with all those allergens. Children today are so over protected and have so many allergies that the trend now is getting children out in nature an exposed to mother earth.

John bought us both new I-Pads and he is busily transferring data from our old pads to the new. I laughed my head off when I opened one of his gifts. She is called ‘Alexus.’ When you hook her up to the internet she will talk to you on anything you want.  We now have our first in-house robot. She is absolutely amazing.

  

We have both turned 75 and I promised John we will have our annual birthday lunch celebration in town. Picture of John in his study with Tess. We had a beautiful dinner last night with long-time friends who we have not seen in a year at the Yacht Club. Patrick you might know Victor Horton as he and John have played squash for thirty years. They travel twice a year to see their children and grandchildren in Australia.

We usually have our long-time friends Kathleen and Barry from Seattle visit for New Years but they are in Alaska visiting their children and grandchildren. They too go twice a year to visit. Our new year’s celebration will just be the two of us with the kids. John will do his fabulous rack of lamb. I have found myself quite allergic to sugar so gone are the days with all those desserts  although I will have some chocolate.

The Assuaging of the Waters (detail)

Art: John Martin, 1840

John in the new year will continue his project of busily building a door for his boat house and then will paint it red. Attached picture of John in his study. I will continue my book editing.

Below, two Blue Jays just out-side my window as I type. They seem to be here every day feeding off the bird feeder and such a pleasure to watch. They are strikingly beautiful. The Conservatory of Music contacted me and asked to have my Japanese garden in their tour for Mother’s Day next May. There will be about 1500 people attending I am sure as the last tour five years ago. Wishing you a Happy New Year and thinking of you always. Love, Jean, John, Benson & Tess

The illusion dates from the 1960s, but no one seems to have kept a record of who first created it.

Hi Sylvie! Thanks for the great, singing Christmas card! Trust your own celebrations were filled with family and friends, as were ours. Healthy New Year, Fondestos and Best Wishes from Lady Dar and I, to you, Sylvie.  Cheers, Patrizzio!