Back on Burns Street Searching for the Lost Collar Blues: Monday, July 31st!

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. -J.K. Rowling, author (b. 31 Jul 1965)

Honeymooners in Jamaica!

Up at 6:30 am even though the felines were not agitating to go outside. Lovely and cool but knew the day was going to heat up to be a blast furnace later. Think I'll wait until very late afternoon until I go for my ride. Am waiting for heat of the day to die down before I head out today. Unfortunately, smoke is back, and pretty thick, so I only plan a relatively short ride to OK Falls and back, fueled on a delicious slab of poppy-seed cake from Farmers' Market. Have scads of things to do beforehand to ready ourselves as the August Tsunami of Freeloaders begins a week, next Thursday!

Hi Fast Eddy, et al! Enjoyed the article on expensive malt and Coke!

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/tipplers-acquire-a-taste-for-expensive-whisky/article35809609/

Alex & Sam!

Thanks muchly. Trust you are well. We're just back from Little Shuswap where Lady Dar performed the marriage ceremony for the eldest daughter of very close friends, The Squamoids, Ruthless and Ricardo, both bridge players! Wonderful, wonderful time indeed. Unfortunately, with the busy wedding schedule, no time for any bridge although we have played with a number of other couples attending, over the years.

Went for a fabulous ride this past Saturday, before the wedding ceremony itself. Even saw a gorgeous, decent sized, black bear, crossing the road ahead of me, towards the end of the ride. I rang my bell, furiously, when I first saw the creature, hoping the sound would make it scamper into the bush more quickly. In fact, the bear stopped to look right at me and I was just about to make a quick about-face when it ambled off. My heart beating I "raced" past as quickly as I could! Guess I better stick to The Seawall! Map and Stats for ride:
 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1883710349#.WX32HB3cST4.email

Toshi-san!

Having two tables tomorrow evening, [Judy Blue is hosting], so should be fun. Many of the players are from the hiking group I've joined since moving here. Ragin' mentioned, when I was last in the city, that he'd like to get a regular game going, much as we had the year or so before Whirlygig and I abandoned Vancouver. [You may know that Giorgio is back on Galiano after a more than wonderful trip. He was even a domestique for Chris when Tour rode through the town they were staying in at the time!] Don't think it should be much trouble with you, the Carters, the Keatings and The Penguin as potential players.

Didn't join today's hike as have scads of things to do beforehand to ready ourselves as the August Tsunami of Freeloaders begins on Thursday! Lovely and cool this morning but know the day is going to heat up to be a blast furnace later. Think I'll wait until the very late afternoon to go for my ride. OK Falls or bust!
 

[Between 1640 and 1660 thousands of Irish people were sent by the British as indentured servants to work in Barbados and elsewhere in the Caribbean. The name of the island is from Portuguese/Spanish barbados (bearded ones). It’s not clear whether this refers to the people, the appearance of the dense vegetation, or something else. Earliest documented use: 1655.]

Must away as Lady Dar has just prepared a lovely omelette, with fresh basil and some of the green, heritage tomatoes from our modest vegetable patch. Nothing but designer produce here in Paradise! Our four different types of melon are doing well, not to mention our zucchini, two rows of corn, [only six stalks apiece, so one meal, if we are lucky, two or three sans Freeloaders!], as well as some beautiful Bolivian, purple hot peppers, in a planter. Glad Cannery Brewing is only a few blocks away in case I need to quench the fire!

All the best and look forward to a visit from you in the not too, too distant future! Bring your bikes as the KVR awaits, along with some pretty good hills! Fondestos from Lady Dar, working on the ceremony for her next wedding, Thursday evening, at a private residence, here in town. Cheers, Patrizzio/Il Conduttore! Pics: Corn is as high...! Bolivians along with basil and parsley; Saskatchewan Cream melon; Lady Dar performs wedding ceremony for Leah and Mason: Ricardo and Patrizzio; Lady Dar and Ruthless; Dad and daughter; Vows; signed and sealed!https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/tipplers-acquire-a-taste-for-expensive-whisky/article35809609/

Corrine looks fabulous! Oh and you don’t dress up so bad yourself Pat! Thanks for sharing the photos. OH and quick playing with the bears! You don’t have a chance. PS I’m sure you must have received Charlie and Susan’s travel letter and so now know about Charlie. Hope he is mending well. Scary stuff. Hugs,
Janet Hi Grand Slam Penguin! Glad you enjoyed the snaps. Don't worry about the bears as I know even I am no match for them!!! Still riding as Penticton is, more or less, a bear-free zone!

Yes, we knew a bit about Charlie's illness. I've called a number of times and sent along a few messages but other than a short thank-you for an e-card, [Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and hope to see you both soon. Luv C & S], I've not heard more or actually talked to anyone. I suspect, and fear, that things are not going as well as travel letter suggested. I hope I'm wrong, of course. Perhaps treatment schedule/regime is simply too exhausting for everyone, particularly Charlie, it goes without saying, both physically and mentally, to allow more frequent communication. Anyway, I'll let you know if we hear more. Look forward to a visit whenever it suits. You should give Ragin' a call and help him set up a regular bridge game, if interested. Happy Bidding. All the best and  Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hello Lower Mainlanders! Trust all goes well. Must apologize for not being in touch sooner, especially after enjoying everyone's marvellous hospitality. Colin, have you seen this the article, [See below], on expensive malt and Coke! Wednesday is our book club, hosted by Senka, owner/winemaker at Terravista. Discussing When Breath Becomes Air. Do you know it?

All the best and look forward to more visit from you in the not too, too distant future! Bring your bike, Miss Marpole, as the KVR awaits. Fondestos from Lady Dar swooning over Victor in The Young and the Useless, in the Rumpus Room, A/C going full blast! Must away as I need to suit and lube up and out on my gas mask! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dunbar and Kerrisdale! 

 Summer of Love 6pk Special $120

(shipping included)

You will receive a set 6pk of six different red wines from our fan favorite 2013 vintage.

Shipping is included in this limited time offer! If you want to come by the winery to pick up one of these groovy 6pks instead, we'll pick up the sales tax.  

Thanks for the update Patrick! Your veggies and melons look great. But best of all was the photo of you all "decked out" for the wedding - nice outfit!
Patrizzia#2 Wow, Man, Heavy! Groovy, groovy marketing, indeed! Peace!

Hey. Thanks for the pics, Conductore! Hi Piston Man! Glad you enjoyed the snaps. Please pass along my thanks to The Immortals for allowing me join their quest for Eternal Youth! Look forward to a visit whenever it suits. Happy Trails. All the best. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
 
By the time I'd run a few errands, (Picked up some cheese, from Upper Bench, to take to our Book Club, on Wednesday, hosted by Senka at Terravista, and latest releases from both Township 7 and Poplar Grove, then to recycling depot to return empties and worked away at my message backlog, it was close to 6:00 pm. Set off then, into the murky haze and since the wind was blowing out of the North at 16 kph I decided against fighting it on Eastside , on way back from OK Falls. Instead, I hit the Gerbil Wheel Route, hammsterizing the loop between PTC, Lakeshore and Riverside then back up to the start of the KVR and thence to Vancouver Ave and back to start all over again. Once I'd done this, with variations, two or three times, I had about 34 km on the clock so I then headed down Government, as far as Dawson before turning around to retrace the route for the final, basic loop down Ellis to PTC, my the route regulare and then home.

On the last loop to PTC, the sweet scent of dope, from the homeless camping out in the bush nearbye, overlaying the pervasive charred wood smell, and then down Lakeshore where the sun was a gigantic blood orange globe, hanging, pulsing just above the hills of West Bench, a gargantuan, primordial heart pumping rays colouring the water with streaks of neon red! Spectacular indeed but with a terrible backstory, of course, given the wildfires which have given rise to the blanket of smoke engulfing most of the Okanagan. Happy to be home and, overall, pleased with the outing, given conditions. Hip Hip, (Cough!) Hurrah! Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1888215794#.WYCWTdHFGOI.email
   
Hi Chris, Here is the signed paperwork, let me know when you want to come over to do pictures, Wednesday might be best for me but I could make arrangements for either Tuesday or Thursday to work, depending on yours and the photographers schedule. Cheers, Chloë Hi everyone, Good work. Just spoke to my photographer. Unfortunately, he is not available Wednesday. Let's try for Thursday at 9ish. I'll confirm that ASAP.

I will also need everyone to send me a picture or a scan of either their Driver's Licence or Passport for a mandatory federal ID form. Did we decide on a launch day? I still think Monday, Aug 14 is a good date. Makes it easy to work around Chloe's schedule and avoids the long weekend lull. Let me know and I'll make the arrangements. Thanks! Chris Naples Real Estate Trading Representative
Macdonald Realty Ltd. Hi Chris, Yes the 14th as a launch date is fine, I'll text you a picture of my license in a bit, and Thursday is fine just let me know when you find out. Thanks Chris, Chloë!

Hi Zamir, I have filled this out to my best ability, please let me know if I have failed miserably or what next steps are, I am heading up to Penticton on Friday where I'm looking to buy but have no property locked down as of yet. The one thing I did not put on paper is that the property I live in I partially own, and will be getting money to put down on my next purchase but the remainder goes to the other people on the title (my folks). I would prefer to qualify on my own but if need co-sign they will do that for me. Thanks, Chloe

Hey Chloe – I will get to your application as soon as I have a moment. Off quick glance: - Do you have a mortgage on your existing property? If so, please provide the following: o Balance o Rate o Lender o Payment o Property Taxes o Strata Fees - What price range are you currently looking in for your new purchase? Do you have any sample listings of what you are interested in? - What are your plans for employment in Penticton? Obviously, we are not able to use your income from here. It would be one heck of a commute. This would most likely call for your folks to co sign in order to income qualify. Are you available to chat tomorrow? We can discuss game plan. Have a good day. zamir 

Hi Zamir, No mortgage on the property I currently am living in and will sell with Chris's help, but strata is $309 a month and property tax is $55 monthly.
I am looking between 450-650 but would prefer and most probably could only afford 500-550 comfortably. I can send you some listings i'm interested in seeing this weekend in Penticton if that'd helpful? I am looking at jobs in Strata management but am open to renting the house that I purchase until it works for me to move in 6 to 12 months so that I move with a job already in place, and would staying with a friend in Vancouver. Tomorrow works for me to chat, just let me know the time that best suits you so I can make myself available. Thanks, Chloë

Hey Chloe – Attached is the application for your parents. Have them fill it out and send it over with the following: - 2014,2015,2016 of FULL T1 Generals from Personal Taxes - 2014, 2015, 2016 of Notice of Assessments from Personal Taxes - Property Tax Notice for their Existing Current House Chat soon, zamir From Zamir.......Hey Chloe – It’s just so the lender can see the actual breakdown of where their income is coming from. Some people have various pensions, investment and dividend income and the lender requires to see all the actual allocations. They can send the NOA’s for now but eventually the lender will require to see the full T1 Generals in any case. 

Hi Chloë! Here are four files, [My three Ti Generals for '14, '15 and '16, along with your Mother's for '16.] Still having difficulty finding information for other two years as TurboTax seems to have no record of her '14 and '15 returns but I will contact them again now that I know we seem to be unable to open the file I sent earlier. I'm hoping that they might be able to do so and send it, along with '15, to me in pdf format. Let me know what Zamir thinks of these files. See you soon. Love and Cheers, Dad!

Hello Aero Postales, or should I say Luau Party and Summer of Love People! (See forwarded messages, from Coffaros!) Trust you are both well. Sorry that it has taken me a bit of time to send along more thanks for your considerable outlay for postage, not to mention time and energy. Might well have been worth the expense and effort as I will now give Casa Vicente a wide, wide berth on future trips to California, so that I'm not hit with extra excise duty!

Sorry indeed, that we will miss the fabulous Hawaiian Bash but you should think about going as our representatives! Stay well, take care of yourselves. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio, aka Master Freeloader Extraordinaire! Pics: Two priceless Deidre's. I've been meaning to send these along for ages, ever since your sen tout your wonderful retrospective!


Doug McInnes:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=douglas-mcinnes&pid=186228175

A celebration of Doug's life will be held at the Beach Grove Golf Club on Sunday, October 1, 2017 from 1-4pm.