St Patrick's Day Irish Whiskey Blues: Sunday, March 15th!

Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you. -Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (b. 15 Mar 1933)

Influenza patients getting sunlight at the Camp Brooks emergency open-air hospital in Boston. Medical staff were not supposed to remove their masks. (National Archives)

Alan Waldron Some common sense advice I thought worth sharing given the current climate of paranoia and panic going on. Stay well friends! Patrick James Dunn Corinne's mother lost an uncle to this pandemic. He survived the trenched of WWI to return to Manitoba to succumb to influenza! Sadly, much the same fate awaited many, many vets. 

Put simply, medics found that severely ill flu patients nursed outdoors recovered better than those treated indoors. A combination of fresh air and sunlight seems to have prevented deaths among patients; and infections among medical staff.[1] There is scientific support for this. Research shows that outdoor air is a natural disinfectant. Fresh air can kill the flu virus and other harmful germs. Equally, sunlight is germicidal and there is now evidence it can kill the flu virus.
  

Hi All, Marian and I are in the process of postponing our trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangkok. We will do it at a later date. Thus, we are available to hike on Monday. Any ideas? Cheers, Tim Hi People On Travel Hold, et al! Sorry to learn that you had to cancel your planned trip, or at least postpone it, Cousins! For my part, I just received a message from a friend, on tour with Bach Choir, in the US, Philadelphia, at the time, and he had booked flights, well in advance, to visit us after concerts were over. He was to arrive next week but now has to return to London, given all the travel restrictions, etc.
 

Anyway, with respect to Monday's outing, I'd love to do the round-trip, out of Snowflake, I believe, around one or two of the small lakes there, as I've never done that section of the well-marked trails thereabouts. I believe one of the other routes leads to the Rock Garden and if memory serves me well, we went on a night outing there, to take in the occurrence of a Blue Moon, a couple of years ago now. Other than that , I'd be happy to go boot-hiking, with cleats, somewhere else, at lower elevation, perhaps, should that be another possibility. Must away to hit the pool to do some deep-water walking to ready myself for tomorrow's task masters! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

A wise decision Tim. I will still be out of action after some surgery last week. It looks like similar weather tomorrow, but that wind is vicious. I would try and keep in the trees or on the south side of a hill. And thanks for keeping the hikes going. Cheers Tony Hi Tim. Tony's reply is exactly what I was about send you. The wind chill is forecast at -12 degrees. Lets stay in the trees and wear cleats! Chuck Hi Again Gentlemen, First, I hope that Tony is on the mend. Second, we are off to Vancouver on Tuesday and have to keep some time to continue the process of cancelling aspects of our trip including airlines. Thus, I would prefer a shorter hike, with cleats, in the tree and out of the wind. Any suggestions? Cheers, Tim

 Hi Patrick, Can you put out a notice to meet at the IGA in Summerland at 9:00 and we will decide to head east or west along the KVR. Cheers, Tim

 Hello Monday Hikers! I have been instructed by the Powers-that-Be to inform all interested parties that we will gather at the IGA in Summerland at 9:00 and will decide, by democratic vote, to head east or west along the KVR, at that time. Pentictonites will meet at Cherry Lane parking lot, at 8:35 am, to carpool from there. [Colin, could you collect me at 8:25 am? Thanks] Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Malt selection from this afternoon's SOWTS tasting. Guess which one will be in my camel pack and win a free bottle of same! Sarah, Colin's daughter, doesn't want her Dad to go!

Thanks for the pics. Too bad the Cafe has to shut down for a while but we should expect more of the same in the coming weeks. We are staying low key and distancing ourselves when in public, hoping that domestic travel is not effected in the coming weeks when we have to head home. We do want to have a visit with you and Corinne, how does next Thursday sound? We are cycling next tue or wed (or both), supper date tonight and tied up Monday and Tuesday evening. Colin Hi Colin! Yes, all sorts of gatherings have been cancelled. Nevertheless, Thursday is just fine with us. Would you like to come for dinner or rather a visit sometime during the day! Either works so let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for the wonderful invitation, how about an afternoon visit?  What time is good for you? Colin Hi Colin! Pleased you can join us. How about anytime after 4:00 pm! We live on Burns, just in case you misplaced our address. Look forward to seeing you both then. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

We’ll be there. What can we bring? Colin. Hi again, Colin: Thanks for offering to contribute but just bring your Neepawa-selves! See you in a few days. Happy cycling. Cheer, Patrizzio!

Sir Pat and Lady Dar. Things have got so bad as you can imagine and borders closed because of this virus! So obviously I do not want to cause problems in Penticton and think it best not to visit you. It is a great shame and will phone on return to UK. So sorry. All our love. Sir James. Hello Sir James! Very, very disappointed that you will now not be able to visit but understand completely. For all sorts of reasons you have made the right choice. I trust you will be able to return to London, [if you are not already there.], without undue difficulty. As mentioned above, we were all looking forward to seeing you and catching up on busy lives since we, [You and I], last saw each other in 2018. At any rate, do so hope our paths will cross in the not too, too distant future. 

This afternoon we attended the whiskey tasting, St Patrick's Day event, put on by The South Okanagan Whisky Tasting Society, [We are both members.], so it was loads of fun. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you, Sir James, and Lady Patrizzia. Let us know how life goes with you two when you have a moment. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: SOWTS St Patrick's Day Whiskey tasting; Rowan James visited this past Tuesday; rest are from when gang were in LA. Last is a drink to tide you over self-isolation!

Hello Patrick and all the family! I hope everyone continues to do well given the self isolation and all the restrictions we are facing now. I am so glad to hear that the parcel was happily received. I know as Rowen grows into the toys etc. things will become more useful in time. I am sure he will be a swimmer... especially being in Penticton. So many opportunities in such a beautiful community. 

Our training camp was canceled so we are at SunPeaks for the week instead. Quite relaxing and and opportunity for me to just rest. I was planning to clean and paint up here but with everyone here that can’t happen. So... -20 is too cold for me to ski. Just hanging out right now. Supposed to warm up Tuesday so we will ski then. Home Saturday night.

Kitchen cabinets installed on March 23 & 24. After that we wait a week for counters. At least I can start cleaning after cabinets go in. Upper cabinets can have items put in them too. House is very dirty right now but I know it is going to look amazing when we put it back together!

Please stay healthy and away from the travellers bringing the flu with that awful pneumonia. Your family doesn’t need that. Hugs to you all. xoxo Take care, Ariane 🍃🍁🍂🍃

Hi Kitchen Cabinet Lady! and Chloë are to meet with Rona, tomorrow, to make some changes to kitchen installation that they had proposed and hope to book installation to take place on April 13th, date suggested by our contractor. Sorry to hear your training camp was cancelled. I just learned that: Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Penticton Community Centre, Cleland Theatre, McLaren Arena, Library and Museum, along with the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, South Okanagan Events Centre and Memorial Arena, will be closed to the public. I'm hoping that my monthly pass will be honoured, [I bought one at a GFA fund-raiser, a month or so ago, and was only about a week into it as of today! Clock didn't start ticking until first use.], for remaining time, when place opens again!
 

Our friend, Jamie, from London, on concert tour with Bach Choir, on Eastern Seaboard, will not be visiting now, so we don't have to worry about him bringing something from the US. Must away as we will watch Netflix. We will start a new series, The Valhalla Murders. Do you know it? Popped up after we finished Memoir of Colors, a marvellous series from South Korea. Back in Iceland now so we are very happy as we are great fans of the wonderful Scandinavian murder/mystery books and TV/film. Norwegian connection this time: Police profiler Arnar is sent back home from Oslo to his native Iceland to investigate the country's first serial killer case. He teams up with the local senior cop Kata.
Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and family, Ariane. Enjoy Sun Peaks and hope it warms up! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Dear Patrick We are still in Toronto--leave tomorrow. It is a beautiful day here today sun's out and the cold wind has subsided from yesterday. Sadly not much is open--the Art Gallery of Ontario closed as of Friday March 13th along with most theaters and museums. 
 

So we won't be going to Hamilton or Come From Away--as we can't. Also U of T is shut down so going to visit there as I usually like to do is cancelled. I had lunch Thursday with Diane Davy who works with a non-profit organization called WorkInCulture. She is very fit and will be going to Banff with her walking group in Sept for a big walk run event. Colin and I did visit the ROM on Thursday using our Vancouver Art Gallery membership and it was very interesting as we hadn't been there in years. They have a special exhibit on about Winnie the Pooh as well.

On Friday we met up with Charlotte Teeple the now retired executive director of the Canadian Children's Book Centre and we had a long long visit with her at a Starbuck's in the Indigo Book Store in the Manulife Centre on Bloor close to Yonge St. Afterwards we picked up food at Eataly a very expensive Italian grocery complete with many restaurants. We bought cheese, mortedella, focacia bread, salad and some nice buns. 
 

Of course we had to stop and buy some wine at the LCBO as we have been enjoying a wine from Prince Edward County from a winery called Sandbanks Estate Winery. Their white blend is called Dunes and their red blend is also called Dunes. Very drinkable and it seems all there is to do is come back to the apartment drink wine and watch Netflix.

This morning I met up again with Charlotte and this time with Mary Machiussi from Pembroke Publishers at the United Bakers Dairy on Lawrence Street and Bathurst. The diner has been running since 1912 focusing on dairy, vegetable and fish dishes plus fresh pastries. It is a Jewish establishment. To get there I took the subway to Bathurst then the number 7 bus to Lawrence St. I enjoyed a nice breakfast of eggs, lox and bagels and it was great to visit with Mary and Charlotte. Mary sadly three years ago lost her partner of 47 years --Harry Black he headed up UNICEF Canada. She has not really recovered and is very sad. She is saved by her busy work life and love of walking.

Now I am back at the apartment enjoying a cup of tea. We will go for a walk shortly and figure out how to get to St. George's station as we will take the subway to the airport. There is no elevator at our closest station Bay Street Station so we want to check out how far we will have to go to get to St. George's. I don't think it is that far but dragging a suitcase may not be possible.

Colin talked to Eric this morning and he is not going to Edmonton to see my Dad and Pauline. He feels the coronavirus is very serious and thinks I shouldn't go to Edmonton either. However, I will wait and see how things go once we are back in Vancouver and see how I feel. My plan had been to go March 19 to 24. Anyways I hope you are having a great day and that you stay well. Sending you virtual hugs and great affection. As ever Jo-Anne and Colin Hi Winnie the Pooh People! Grand that you were able to make it to the special exhibition, using your VAG membership, no less! If you didn't know before, you will undoubtedly have learned that Winnie is from Winnipeg! I've said, many times before, nuthin' but the best things come from the Peg! Thanks very much for the lovely St Patrick's Day card, and note, which arrived today!
 

Quaffing white and red Dunes doesn't sound all that bad to me, feasting on Eataly food and watching Netflix! Self-isolation seems rather desirable under such circumstances! Speaking of Netflix, we started a new series, The Valhalla Murders. Do you know it? Popped up after we finished Memoir of Colors. Back in Iceland so we are very happy. Norwegian connection this time: Police profiler Arnar is sent back home from Oslo to his native Iceland to investigate the country's first serial killer case. He teams up with the local senior cop Kata.

Your subway station without elevator reminded me of our stay in Paris, in 2010, when we spent most of our last day there, scoping out our route, by public transport, to the bus station where we were catching a bus to London, via Chunnel. We had heavy suitcases so I'd take one down the stairs and then Lady Dar would meet me halfway, our eyes fused on the unattended bags until we both reached our respective luggage. Had to do this two or three times, with line changes, etc. Trip through Chunnel was quite interesting as passengers stay on bus. Nothing to see anyway. 

We felt we were fine when we were finally back in London as we knew King's Cross had elevators. However, due to line work, we arrived at a different station and process started all over again, only this time in pouring rain until we actually made it to the subway station in question! Too much luggage is, without question, the albatross of travel!

Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you both. Trust you are safely home when you read this. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: SOWTS St Patrick's Day Whiskey tasting; Olivia Rose when gang were in LA. Last is latest drink craze!

Hello Monday Evening Bidders! Tomorrow, we will gather at Il Palazzo di Dronkers, [6310 Faircrest], at 6:30 pm. I assume O Susannah and Lady Di will go together while Lady Dar and I will collect Dame Judith at her residencia at 6:05 pm, at the side entrance on Martin. Judy Blue are you interested or available? You could probably hitch a ride with O Susannah. Anyway, look forward to two tables, Dummy to Move, if JB cannot make it. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Sorry, I can't make it. I hope you all have a great time ! We have 2 of the 10 grandkids with us. Cheers Carol I am not able to play tomorrow Wishing u all good cards Judy Xo

Hi SOWTS Fellow Tablers, et al! Thanks for the simply wonderful St Patrick's Day tasting and delicious meal! Stay well until next we tipple! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Tasting tables; Rowan James feels he's old enough and mature enough to attend AGM!

This past Tuesday, Chloë walked over to have lunch with us as Dame Judith was at the Burns Street Bistro to help Lady Dar with some SOWTS correspondence. Nana fed The Little Chap and read a couple of picture books to him once he'd downed his bottle! Then he sat in the "chair" we have here. Really quite impressed with how strong he has become in terms of holding up his neck! He looks so composed, almost as if he is conducting a business meeting. What is next on the agenda! I'd like to moves things along as quickly as I've a busy day and have plenty to do after these items are dealt with!