Rain, Rain Go Away Blues: Monday, April 10th!

Joy is the best makeup. -Anne Lamott, writer (b. 10 Apr 1954)

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. If you believe that, you haven’t been hit by the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary. 

Master Duke was the perfect alarm clock again this foggy morn so I was out of bed at 7:15 am. Once I'd let the early cats out the front door, I zapped my java and readied their crunchies and pumpkin, to await their return and then went to check the weather report. 

Just as I suspected, it was going to be a soggy day, (Not to mention the rest of the week, Dear Reader!), so I decided I would not go hiking today. Quite disappointed, I might say, as this was to be my first hike since having my hip replaced last September. Aside from the fact that it looked like it would be a fairly miserable outing, I didn't want to be slip-sliding away on the probably slippery footing, given how wet the hills were likely to be. 

At any rate, plenty of tasks to attack so think I'll start working on sorting out the garage in preparation for Ragin' Bull's visit, in a few weeks. He will be driving up on April 25th, for a week or so, to help with a number of shelf building projects we have planned. As well, need to decant and then dismantle the storage cupboards on the south side of the house as I intend use some of the lumber from them to construct a number of bike storage sheds on the opposite side of the house which is far more sheltered from the elements.

Hey Patrick. Haven't seen you at the Sowts whiskey tastings. Have you been
to the tastings at all? Sounds like you enjoy the odd dram or two. We know Kevin also. Hi SOWTS Man! Yes, in fact, Lady Dar and I attended the St Patrick's Day tasting and had a blast. When I picked up the malt, on Saturday, Dame Judith and Kevinator treated me to two snorts of malt, one a Scapa Skiren and and the other a Glenmorangie, an 18 year old, both absolutely delightful and lip-smacking delish! Give me a shout when weather cooperates and let's talk about a ride. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Dame Judith and Kevin! Just a quick note to thank you both for the wonderful, wonderful drams, both absolutely delightful and lip-smacking delish!Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Your future charges! You are so welcome. A pretty lousy day. We attended Ian's funeral this morning. Over 120 people in the little Anglican Church. It was quite a send off. heading over there for dinner. The charges look like they are behaving. Dame Judith

Hi Old Farts, This Thursday, let’s scale Mount Keogan. We will: -meet at 0900 at Home Hardware north parking lot in P’ton (0840 at IGA in S’land) -carpool and drive to the trailhead at Mahoney Lake -hike from Mahoney Lake to the summit area of Mount Keogan and return -meet afterward for debriefing and coffee

This should be a fairly gentle hike.  I have no plans to lengthen the hike by going beyond the summit area.  If anyone wishes to, that is entirely up to them.

I would appreciate a reply  from you if you are intending to join us.  We may have to limit numbers! Please plan on a full day’s hike.  I cannot guarantee what time we will return. The weather forecast for Thursday is for clouds and showers.  Make sure you dress appropriately! I will likely be missing the next 3 Thursdays after this week.  If anyone wishes to take the reins, I would appreciate it.  I will gladly supply you with a copy of the contact list. Cheers, Jim

Orpheus and Euridice

Art: Joseph Paelinck (1781-1839)

Safe travels Jos and Aart. You'll be missed Jos. Patrizzio and Corrine, thank you for the dinner invite. You both are very kind and the meals always are most delicious but I will not be able to join you two on Wednesday as I am meeting up with a girlfriend for a quick bite before I go to Bridge. I'll see you all Wednesday! Hugs, Olly Hi Olga Polga! Thanks for letting us know. Glad you are meeting a friend. However, you are always welcome, in future, if circumstances allow. See you domani. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Wow! 100+ what a ride! I did only 40+ on Sunday, and my rear end is still screaming. Cheers Mike Hi Michaelo! I'll make sure to have plenty of cushions on the chairs, at both tables, tomorrow! If sun cooperates and shines tomorrow, I'm hoping/planning to ride to Oliver as I've not done this particular route so far this year. Cheers, Patrizzio! This will make you laugh. :)) R. Hi Robert! If you had been the first out of the café you would have been able to afford to make the trip to Fest! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, The bike is squeaking. Did you have it parked outside at all? Please advise, Thanks! Jos & Aart Hi Aarturo! I did call as soon as I read your message. No, the bike was never outside but in our Rumpus Room for the entire duration of the time I had it here. 

I'm sorry that you didn't realize we were coming to return the bike. As I mentioned, I did phone beforehand. Nevertheless, to be quite frank, you seemed so upset with our arrival that I did not wish to add to your stress, with coming trip, etc., I assume, that I did not want to tell you, at that very moment, that I had taken the bike to Freedom, before returning it.
 
Towards the end of February it started to squeak so I asked my neighbour across the back lane what he thought might be wrong. [He is a very handy chap.] After he took a cursory look at it he looked at it he thought the housing would need to come off in order to see what was causing the noise. That being the case, since I was back riding outside by then, I talked to Freedom if they could take a look at it. Chap I spoke to said they could but it would not be a priority. 

Once I was able to coordinate with Guillermo, who had been away, on hols, when I first called, he very kindly came by and we delivered it to Freedom. Shop called yesterday to say they had done what they could to address squeaking. Since this is not their area of expertise they were reluctant to "tear" it down completely, worried about damaging  some of the plastic clips, etc., so limited inspection to greasing/oiling, as I was told. Nick, chap I dealt with, said that the technicians thought that perhaps a belt might need to be replaced. Norm, in his cursory look, thought that perhaps a bearing, somewhere.
 

Anyway, they didn't really have the space to store it for next few weeks so that is why I decided it would be best to return it yesterday. I'm terribly sorry that things turned out as they did and apologize again for not letting you know what had transpired, yesterday. I can only reiterate that it was never my intention not to relate the history of these events. Since having access to the bike helped my rehabilitation, immeasurably, I am more than grateful for the extended use of the machine and am certainly prepared to pay for any further repairs that you deem necessary.

When you are back, or earlier, via email, if you have access, please get in touch and we can discuss how you would like to proceed. Until then I trust your trip goes well. Patrizzio!

100th Anniversary-Battle of Vimy Ridge Bloody Bloody Blues: Sunday, April 9th!

It’s surprising how much memory is built around things unnoticed at the time. -Barbara Kingsolver, novelist, essayist, and poet (b. 8 Apr 1955) 

Up at 6:45 am, turfed out of bed by the feline alarm clock! Not at all unhappy to be up as the coverage of the Vimy, on CBC One, is fascinating, obviously disturbing, but remarkably gripping and ever-so informative.

Hi you saucy man!! Today we motored down to Normanville, close to Victor Harbour, for a good friends 80th birthday, we lowered the average age by at least 15 years! I made a recipe that I have shared on Facebook. Cream, chocolate, butter melted together. Then layered between Oreos. Set overnight in fridge. Very sweet but very delish! Did you know that Trevor has a new car, a Jeep. Better get a bigger van! Cheers Tina

Hi Oreo Woman and Jeep Man! Great to hear about the new vehicle, Trevorino! Did you buy it in order to have a delivery van for Ms Thermomix's take-out orders? Must away as Etta and Duke are demanding breakfast! Fondestos from a lazy Lady Dar, still abed. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Remember our friend Jeff Van Geest who is the Executive Chef at Tin Horn Creek? He owned Aurora Bistro, in  Vancouver.  I met  his wife, Mel, at prenatal yoga when I was pregnant with Declan. Their son, Ronin,  is a month younger than Declan. They moved to OK Falls a few years ago. Mel and her friend Amy, owner of the winery, are having a shared 40th celebration. On my way to Nanaimo for lunch wuth my mom and granny, who is down from Vernon. Big trek for the day but I figure granny drove me to West Hawk all those years😊😊.

Hi again, Maya! Great connection indeed! If I was back, think I'd crash the 40th!!! We had a wonderful lunch at Tin Horn Creek last summer. Paul and Joan Whitney were staying there over a weekend and had invited us to join them for a meal. I cycled down to Oliver and Lady Dar drove so that I could put my bike on the car rack for return. Paul and Joan stayed with us for a few days after visiting his sister in Kelowna. Must away! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Sleepy kittens earlier today!

By the time I'd finished watching the tremendous coverage of the Vimy ceremonies, hosted by Peter Mansbridge and, historian, Tim Cook, I spent a goodly part of the later morning and early afternoon re-arranging our bed linen cabinet. Bottom section had two tubs of cleaning fluids and other like materials, stowed there since we moved in, almost two years ago! By the time I'd sorted and amalgamated and distributed the various containers to other parts of the house it was time for a bite of lunch. Made my self two sandwiches and enjoyed the break. Lady Dar returned from Oasis and an errand run with two attractive, wooden cut-out bunnies, more decorations for the Easter weekend.

Well-fueled, I suited up and after cleaning my bike chain, I set off, just after 3:00 pm. I had planned this outing as but a "stretch" ride after Saturday's 101 km push and I must admit that my legs felt pretty sluggish as I battled against the damnable South wind, 20 kph, gusting to 29 kph, as I made my way along Lakeside. At this point, I knew it was going to be a slog so I just put my head down, not really worrying about achieving a given speed, and settled into Gerbil Cage mode. As it turned out, the wind was so strong that whenever it was behind me I literally shot along and my AVG gradually inched, from 19 kph to 20.5 kph, dropping a tad or holding whenever I faced the blasts, now gusting to 37 kph, by the time I was two-thirds of way to the day's final distance. 

Furthermore, with the exertion, my muscles had had warmed up nicely and I felt more aggressive so that when I had completed the last loop and was heading for PTC I had managed o log an 21 kph AVG. Wasn't naive enough to believe I could hold this on climb up Ellis, gradual though it is, right into the head wind, but was pleased that I was able to log only a slightly lower AVG of 20.8 kph. A fair amount of hard work and not a particularly enjoyable ride, in terms of scenery, but at least I rid myself of a bit of lactic acid build-up and worked up a healthy appetite for Lady Dar's fried pork/lettuce wrap for the night's dinner! Yum Yum! Cheers! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1668636344#.WOrY5mnKBb4.email

After the wonderful dinner we watched a couple of episodes of Mossad 101! Really enjoying this series, particularly as I didn't think I would after seeing first couple. Plot really thickens, so to speak, and characterization, dialogue, plot is terrific. Then we watched latest Call the Midwife and then Homefires, recording while we watched Mossad. Again, both of these two Masterpiece Theatre series are becoming even more and more engrossing, dealing with all sorts of significant social issues, (dwarfism, worker safety and lesbian love, former, and spousal abuse, adultery, latter), in very perceptive, extremely sensitive ways. As we viewed, kittens were curled up, cosy as all get-out, Etta on her favourite armchair, Duke on the blanket on the couch, fire warming us all. An evening in with our favourite four-legged, silky, cheeky, ever-so adoring and adorable feline family memebers! Hip Hip Hooray for Etta and Curious Duke!

 

OK Falls Beat The Showers Blues: Saturday, April 8th!

Every man is the son of his own works. -Miguel de Cervantes, novelist (1547-1616)

Rambunctious Boy was playing with the fob on Lady Dar's bookmark at 6:35 am this morning so I gave in to his effort to make one of us get out of bed and opened the front door to let them explore the glorious morning. AccuWeather forecast informed me that wind will be out of the SE/SSE at around 11 kph so I have my destination set for today, okay, Dear Reader!

Hello Opening Points People! As of this writing we have seven players committed. If I remember correctly, Josinta, cannot play this week and Michaelo,, exhibiting his usual, typical tardiness, has not replied. Nevertheless, we have enough for two tables with Dummy hop-scotching when needed. Duke and Etta are beside themselves with anticipation! Olga Polga, let us know if you'd like to join us for dinner, beforehand, if in town for your massage. Enjoy Fest of Ale, those juiceheads attending. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi all bridge, and not only, friends, Count me in for Wednesday Patrick please. I have to be if Duke and Etta expect us to be there. Cheers. Mike Hi Michaelo!
Delighted that you will be the eighth, as are both Etta and Duke! Went for a great ride today and was back just before ot started to rain! (See details below, if interested!) Cheers, Patrizzio!


Have fun everybody, I'll see you in 3 weeks, hopefully on Tuesday nights for the summer season Jos Hi Josinta! Sorry you won't be playing for a few weeks but just wanted to wish you a safe trip. Happy travels to you and Aarturo. Delighted that Michaelo will be the eighth! Fondestos from Lady Dar, busy preparing fresh pickerel filets for our dinner. Cheers, Patrizzio!

[Hommage to Vivian Maier!]  
Hi Maya, as Patrick has mentioned I will be home. Arrive back to Penticton on the 11. Would love to see all 4 of you. Do you have time to stay for a night?
Where are you staying on Saturday night after your party? Look forward to the visit whatever form it takes, Love Corinne Good morning! Thanks for the offer. We would love to spend the night in Friday. We booked a motel in OK Falls for the Saturday night. We thought it prudent to be close to the event at Synchromesh Winery. (Have you been there?) 

It will be great to see you, Corinne, and see your new home. Pat, we'll try to stop by on our way home. We'll stay in touch and let you know what time we think we'll arrive close to the date and figure out what we can bring for dinner, etc. 😙 Maya Maya don't worry about dinner just remind me what you are eating? Vegetarian, fish? Corinne

Hi Maya! Yes, we have tasted at Synchromesh and really think their wine is superb! Just curious but the winery is quite small so how large is the event? How do you know the people there? I rode by today as I was making my way back from OK Falls and beyond. (See details below, if interested!)

Sorry I won't be at home on Friday but I'm sure you'll have a great time with Lady Dar, Etta and Duke. All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Under the louvres, last Saturday afternoon; Etta sunning this morning; Duke inspecting the garlic shoots before I went riding; Duke chewing the grass and then nap-time!

Would love to but it's a heckava long way to go for a beer. Cheers, R> Hi Robert! Sorry you won't be coming up for a few pints. Haven't heard back from friends who went to Fest last night but am curious to hear their thoughts. Cheers, Patrizzio!

When I consulted the AccuWeather forecast, round 8:30 am this morning it informed me that the wind would be out of the SE/SSE at around 11 kph so I knew I had my destination set for today, okay, Dear Reader! Yes indeed, OK Falls, here I come, so after I'd enjoyed an absolutely scrumptious steamed, fresh spinach/soft cheese omelette, courtesy of Lady Dar, I suited up and left the house at just before 10:00 am. Initially, I thought I'd shoot for a 61 km ride so started off with the Gerbil Cage/Hamster Loop from PTC, along Lakeshore and then Riverside, adding the mini-loop off Power, until I had 17 km on the clock. Then I climbed Vancouver to do the Middle/Upper Bench Loop so that the odometre registered a little more than 31 km by the time I was back on Government and making for Skaha Lake Park. 

Did a short dipsy-doodle here and this made me a tad reluctant to face the wind on Eastside as it was really blowing by then, not at 11 kph, SE, but rather out of the SSE at 25 kph, more than double what I'd initially found! Nevertheless, I persevered and had clocked 40 km by the time I left the marina parking lot. Going wasn't quite as basd as I feared it might be and I was able to maintian a 21 kph AVG all the way into OK Fallls. That dropped below20 kph when I climbed Oliver Ranch Road and to just above 19 kph when I took the turnoff to Blue Mountain. However, once I reached the cattle guard at the turn of the road leading to the winery itself and headed back the wind really helped me along, gusting as it was to 28 kph. 

By this time I had decided I'd shoot for a 100+ km ride as I felt pretty good and I knew the wind would be my ally on way home. This being the case I did three Stag's Hollow loops so that when I was on McClean Creek Road, heading up the hill to Peach Cliff, I had ridden 73 km. Grind up MCR was pretty manageable given that the wind, although not behind me was a cross wind so it helped rather than hindered. Grade is a long pull but otherwise not punishing and once I was on the level, I literally whistled along and was soon back to an AVG of 20 kph. Made up a few more notches along Eastside and at one point I thought I might even break go to 21 kph but Aeolus had other plans for me as I was to find out.

Needed another 5 km by the time I reached Skaha Lake Park so a few quick dipsy-doodles there until I was ready to return to South Main. ALl went exceedingly well until I was a couple of blocks from Johnson and I noticed that the dust was blowing right into my face! This was certainly not supposed to happen, Dear Reader, but, in fact, it was! Wind had shifted to slam at me out of the W at 31 kph, gusting to 45 kph, so rest of South Main and most of Government were tough, although climb up Johnson was almost comfortable, in comparison, the wind fully at my back then. Managed to catch all the lights on Government and so in spite of battling the fierce head wind, I actually finished with an AVG of 20.2 kph. Not the 21+ kph AVG I had hoped for, at one point, but then I had not anticipated the wind's change of direction. Still, my second 100+ km ride this week and one which included a number of decent climbs so quite satisfied with outing and my own effort. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1665900131#.WOldQJBYoYc.email
 

Love the dress and matching tie that Sam and Alex chose for a formal dinner event they are attending tonight. Had a great time at the tuxedo shop today as the boys were trying on and ordering their wedding clothes. Then we went to brunch after and had a great visit as both Alex and Pierre are so busy with jobs and school. Alex has now passed his security background clearance and goes for his six hour medical and psyche examination on Tuesday with the L.A. Fire Department Hope everyone is well xoxo Love to all Ayn

Hi Tinsel Towners! Great, great shot of the Bright Young Things! Hip Hip Hooray! Congratulations, as well, to Alex, for passing background security check. Buona Fortuna with coming medical and pyschological exams. Went for a great ride today, (Yes, Rosita, it is all about the wind!!!), and was back, just barely, to dodge getting soaked! Poor Lady Dar was out doing door-to-door campaigning for the coming provincial election, this May, and she and her cohort were soaked when they returned to NDP office! However, didn't stop her from preparing fresh pickerel filets for our dinner, along with parsnips!

After dinner we started watching Mossad 101, ["An Israeli television action drama series that premiered in 2015. The series follows a fictional training course for the Israeli intelligence agency the Mossad and focuses on the humane side of its agents and their personal experiences. It reveals different methods to track down, sort and recruit successful agents and shows the moral difficulties of this occupation."], and Duke was racing around the living room, playing soccer. Etta, as is her wont, was napping on her favourite chair. At one point, Lady Dar was holding her empty wine glass over the side of the armchair she was sitting in and Duke popped up on the foot stool beside her and dropped his soccer ball into her empty glass! Goal scored!!! First time he's done this so am curious to see if it will be repeated. Cheers, Dad/Poppa/Patrizzio!

 

Lady Dar's Mah Jong Blues: Friday, April 7th!

The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. -William Wordsworth, poet (7 Apr 1770-1850)

Up at just after 8:00 am, an atypical rising time, but Lady Dar had to be up much sooner, to ready herself for her early morning PGH shift, so I was relieved of my kitten-feeding duties!

Hello, you two. Are you back from Alex's wedding by the 15th? David, Declan, Reuven and I will be traveling through your region to attend a party in OK Falls on the Saturday. (And then onto Vernon, to visit family.) Let me know if you're around for a visit. If not, I'll try to catch you on the way home. 😙Maya Hi Maya! Great to hear from you! Unfortunately, for me, at least, I won't be back until July 17th as I'm driving, to and from LA. Lady Dar is flying as she cannot be away for too long as her Marriage Officiant duties require her to be around. I will be going to the Folk Fest the weekend you will be passing through but I will be back if you decide to stop on return leg. I'm sure Lady Dar will be delighted to see you three, anytime, but let us know what you think about coming visit and we'll plan accordingly. At the moment she is discharging her early morning volunteer shift on the Info Desk at PGH. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Must away to play soccer with Duke! Etta is curled up on a chair, under the louvres, on the patio. She seems to like sleeping where it's coolish, but Rambunctious Boy usually demands constant attention, so great is his curiosity!
Fondestos to you and Marilyn, from Lady Dar, in absentia, as, at the moment she is discharging her early morning volunteer shift on the Info Desk at PGH. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Lady Dar's gluten-free cauliflower biscuits. Very, very tasty! Miss Etta, last night, on shower mat; new planter and tomatoe plants; Duke guarding the patio earlier this morning!

Hello Chloë! I am writing to say how sorry I am that I upset you so terribly when you were here with Pam. That was never my intention. At any rate, I certainly don't want my lack of sensitivity to be a roadblock between us so please understand that I love you very much and trust we can repair our relationship. Fondestos to you from your Mother, in absentia, as she is away playing Mah Jong. Love and Cheers, Dad!

Light, though steady, rain didn't really let up until about 2:30 pm but the fairly brisk wind, from the S/SE at between 31-14 kph, gusting to 45-40 kph, over my outing, certainly dried out the streets by the time I left the house at 3:30 pm. Day before, when I was back at the garage door, the clip on my left pedal fell off when I released my shoe. 

I thought I'd be able to tighten it when I left for today's ride BUT no dice. This being the case I rode down to Freedom to see what could be done. Not much except buy another pair of pedals as ones on the bike were originals so had seen about five years of fairly decent road work. Nikolevitich very quickly and efficiently changed the pedals and shortly after 4:00 pm, and 91 smackeroos later, I was back on the road. Forecast had predicted a thunderstorm around 6:00 pm so I decided I'd better stick reasonably close to home rather than face a lightening strike on Eastside, per esempio, Dear Reader! This being the case, I put my head down and resigned myself to the Gerbilization ahead.

In fact, things didn't go all that badly as the endless Hamster loops were discharged with the wind mainly at my back and I was both surprised and delighted to see that my AVG kept steadily creeping towards 23 kph as I ticked off the distance. In fact, by the time I was heading back towards PTC and the round-about by the PAG I was clocking an AVG of 23.2 kph! Wondered if I'd be able to keep it above the 23 kph mark with uphill on Ellis and fierce head wind so decided I'd take the back streets home and managed, by dint of luck and hard leg work, to slide into our driveway holding this desired speed! Couldn't have been more pleased, as you might well imagine, Dear Reader. First and foremost for the very fact that I'd been able to ride at all, given soggy day, and then to achieve the best AVG, over this distance, of the year! Hip Hip Hooray! Cheers! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1664070119#.WOg9eXzh65Q.email
 
Back inside to a wonderful smell wafting from the kitchen as Lady Dar was preparing a topping, (oniones, zucchini, garlic), for one of her fantabulous, home-grown pizzaa. Paired with a 2014 Painted Rock Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5%, we were set to watch last two episodes of Elementary. What a night! What a life!

 




 

Stationary Bike Bearing Blues: Thursday, April 6th!

We take our colors, chameleon-like, from each other. -Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (6 Apr 1741-1794)

Morning Patrice, I don't know why but I didn't see this til now. That was very interesting but pretty awful too! please don't send me anymore animal snuff films!!.

Hope all is well, I am currently at the cabin as I am off work for this week and next because our big gag on predator got pushed a couple weeks. I just got the word that they have cancelled the one shot that I was prepping for out in Golden ears, gold river location which we figure they have already spent $80,000 on. All they had to do was give us a half day to set up and they could roll cameras on it but they have run out of time and have to prioritize some other stuff. They also cancelled another shot which is already built and set up and ready to go in the studio but again no time to film it... $40,000 for that one!. all this and in the mean time they nickel and dime us on the stupidest things!..Oh well gotta love showbiz.
 

Getting calls for other shows such as Dead Pool 2 as the town is incredibly busy. The guy doing Dead pool is someone I have know since I started and always treats me very well but I don't want to work that much and especially all summer. He has called me twice in a week and I have resisted so far but thinking I will see if he will bring me on for three days a week which would be great for me as I get free time and still make some good money that I need unfortunately due to excessive cabin buying and renovating! Lets talk about a visit soon and also you guys are always welcome to stay here on your way back and forth from home to the city if you want. Hopefully we can get together up here before long and I can run you through the opening up and closing of the place. Hope everyone is doing well, love to Corrine and we'll talk soon. Cheers, Al

Hi Mr Squeamish! Sorry to hear a number of your shots have been cancelled, for seemingly silly financial reasons, but glad that this will allow you to work on cabin. Thanks again, as always, for invitation to stay. Much appreciated, of course. Lady Dar is busing into Vancouver, on April 21st, I think, and will be returning with Ragin' Bull on Tuesday, the 25th. He is very kindly coming up, for a week or so, to help with more shelving and other assorted projects. He will be bringing his bike and we plan to ride on the KVR. You and Marilyn should bring your bikes when next you visit. Fondestos to you and Marilyn, from Lady Dar. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Since it was raining pretty steadily so we decided to drive to Kelowna to do a large shopping run at Costco. Lady Dar picked up quite an attractive, efficient, raised planter, (I put it together while she was at the Community Centre, taking a Pickle Ball lesson!), which we will use for some of the vegetables we hope to grow. Also picked up two tomatoe plants which will be first to go in, once it warms up a tad. Our garlic, in the front garden, is pushing up nicely, so looking forward to the scapes, once they are tall enough. Once harvest begins we'll be able to produce our own stock from our very own, lovingly raised and watered home-grown, organic vegetables! Pics: Miss Etta on shower mat; new planter and tomatoe plants; Duke guarding the patio!

Patrick, Looks like a fun night👍 I am available to play Weds night😀 Pam
I like Wednesday and can play🤓 Judy Hi Hedgehog Woman! Glad you can make it. Hope we need to use your card table! Cheers, Patrizzio! Ya funny to see you too. Always a great meeting spot. Yup maybe some fame and no fortune awaits. Familiar as always.Well beer fest tomo night with the Websters whom you know also. Maybe you,ll be there too? Talk soon----Grady  Hi Patrizzio, Please count me in for next Wednesday evening. And a lovely weekend to all! Hugs, Olly Yes Phil and I will be there next Wed Thx Gill Give me a call tomorrow and we can arranged a time for you to pick it up. Cheers

Hi Naramata Goil and Indian "Pale Ale" Rock Man! Glad you can make it next Wednesday, Pamela. Justicia is in as well so will confirm number of tables, (Enough for one as of this writing!), as soon as I've heard from more people.

I gather, as a result of a message from Grady, that you four are off to Fest of Ale this evening. Have a grand time! I'm sure you will. Elaine Davidson asked me for a number of the snaps I took at Legend and has used them on her blog, [https://naramata-blend.com/], so Wild Bill figures large. Grady, Gail, you and Lady Dar are on the editing room floor, however! Funnily enough, three bottles of single malt from Macaloney's Victoria Caledonian Distillery/Twa Dogs Brewery, bought for me by Kevin Ritcey, President of The South Okanagan Whiskey Tasting Society, when he visited Victoria last week, were delivered to Penticton, along with beer for Fest, I gather, yesterday. I tasted the malt, [from Scotland, not distilled in Victoria], at Dram Come True in Vancouver, at the end of March. Have to meet with Kevin to collect my hootch at some point. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Glad all is well in Naramata and environs. Spring is almost here. Have fun. Cheers, R, Hi Robert! As Mr Crafty Beer I'm sure you know that the Okanagan Fest of Ale is on this weekend. [In case you don't know, was established in 1996 making it one of the largest and longest running annual beer festivals in the Pacific Northwest. Operating as a non-profit society, managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Okanagan Fest of Ale Society hosts an annual Consumer Craft Beer and Cider Tasting that functions to support and promote the growing world of quality craft brewery products, promote local tourism and support charitable organizations within the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen. As of October 2016, $577,660 in net proceeds has been gifted back to qualifying registered charities.] Come on up and we can play some bridge while sipping! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Flatlanders Buck the SSE Wind Blues: Wednesday, April 5th!

It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defense, we would sanction the subversion of one of those liberties which make the defense of our nation worthwhile. -Earl Warren, jurist (1891-1974) 

Lady Dar will need to wear warm clothes this morning when walking with The Flatlanders. Wind is whistling out of the SSE at between 23-26 kph so it will be chilly. I have yet to decided if I will brave the winds myself or opt for a deep-water walking session at the pool. Haven't been there, of late, with all the riding I've been doing and certainly do enjoy this activity. More bridge in Summerland tonight so looking forward to that. Josinta is hosting. Hi Ms Thermomix! Thought you might enjoy this album! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thx Patrick - both Phil and i are coming as i'll miss my volunteer meeting. If you have room for us we'll car pool with you - be at your place 6.10. Gill Hi Jack Rabbit! Great news! We'll have your limo seats ready and waiting at 6:10 pm! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Ola Patrizzio! the food on the grill looks delicious and Pussy sleeps contently, what a peaceful sight. Thanks for all the latest adventures and events in your existence. LIFE!!. Not much news here, spent a ay again in PoCo to look after the little hellion Sebastian, but he is lovely, and i enjoy Roman's warm hugs for a thanks you.
 

Sun is still on vacation, lots of drops from heaven . Not very pleasant. It will be a day inside. Doing chores and later my little beautiful friend Takaya comes , she going to be 7 in a few weeks. She is of mixed race and gorgeous. She is bright and intelligent as well. She models and has been in some movies. An active little girl. So long for now until we right again. have a great time with all your adventures Always Gisela

Once again, the strong winds were howling out of the South at 18 kph when I left home at 2:30 pm. Had a bit of a tight schedule as we were playing bridge in the evening and I needed to be back by 5:00 pm, at the latest, in order to have a shower/change of clothes and a bite of supper before we car-pooled to Summeria. This being the case I knew The Gerbil Cage Loop was best bet, given time I had, so I resigned myself to my fate, popped a couple of Gravol and washed them down with a few slugs of the Single Malt I had in my water bottle, Dear Reader, jet fuel for the jet-stream I'd be bucking!

As soon as had reached the bottom of Riverside and zipped through the parking lot of the mini-mall there, I noticed, frustratingly, that I was now riding into the wind on way back to Lakeshore. Sure enough, [I checked when back home!], the wind had shifted, dramatically, and was now blowing out of the North at between 12-16 kph, gusting to 29 kph, over the duration of the ride! Was really pleased that I had not decided to ride to OK Falls as I would have had to buck the head wind both ways. At any rate, using the Hamster Run, inside the Gerbil Cage, I ticked off the mileage, making one trip back to PTC, after having 17 km, (one-third of day's distance), on the clock. While I had to really battle wind on way to PTC I whistled along when on return leg. 

Seemed to fall into a bit of a rhythm when I have done half of the distance, (26 km), I wanted to achieve and quite enjoyed trying to keep my AVG above 21 kph for rest of the ride, pushing myself reasonably hard whenever I had the wind at my back to build up credit that would inevitably fall away when I had to face the strong blasts. A few minor dipsy-doodles towards the end of the final loops off Power and I was set for last run to PTC and then home. Tough run up White, once I'd climbed Ellis, as wind seemed to be out of the NNE by then. Still, I held the AVG I wanted and was home just a few minutes after 5:0 pm, so all was well! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1660624232#.WOZX4BO-C8o.email

Had just enough time to shower and change and have some delicious fresh pickerel for dinner before friends knocked on door. We took everyone to Summerland where we had loads of fun with two tables of bridge.

Hello Card Sharks! Thanks to Josinta for hosting! Fabulous nibblage and thanks, as well, to Justicia for delish Hedgehogs. I just sold my bridge prize, (DVD player!), on eBay, for $100 so certainly appreciate such a great junk! Congrats to Michaelo for having top score. However, given he did final, un-audited tally, hardly surprising!

Lady Dar and I will host next Wednesday, if everyone would like to play that evening. We cannot play on Tuesday so if group chooses that day, someone else will need to host. At any rate, please let me know your individual preferences and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Two tables in Summeria! 

Hi Gisela! Adored your umbrellas but I think they have brought rain to the Okanagan as it is going to be wet all day, if forecast is correct! This being the case, we will make a run to Kelowna, to shop at Costco, once Lady Dar is back from a number of errands and meetings this morning. Glad I went for a ride yesterday! Must way as I need to to a few household chores before Lady Dar is back and we take off for Kelowna. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Ragin'! Thanks for advice. Since it is going to be wet all day, tomorrow, if forecast is correct, we plan to make a run to Kelowna, to shop at Costco, and take Lady Dar's MacBook Air to Simply Computing, as you mention, once she is back from a number of errands and meetings that morning. You can test your shelf ponderings on her over course of drive here! Buona Fortuna!  Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!