Rainy Day Hunker Down by the Fireplace Book Club Book Blues: Tuesday, November 28th!

Normal is the average of deviance. -Rita Mae Brown, writer (b. 28 Nov 1944)

Ciao Patrizzio, Grazie mille for your letter. I'm glad you're obviously doing very well. As you say, long time no see, and, as you will appreciate, to far to go to be able to accept your generous invitation. Isn't it about time that you paid a visit to the beautiful Comox Valley? (Preferably when I'm there!)

[This way the action took place. :-)]

I have been back in Stockholm since 3 October now. Trying to spend time as best I can, waiting for Jane to appear on 4 January. After a few days here, we leave for Tenerife on the 9th, coming back on the 23rd. Jane will return to the Valley on the 31st, and I will probably join her at about the same time. I actually had some idea about gate crashing you by the beginning of February (as I gather, it might not work out), because Jane is now barring me from participation in her annual skiing holiday at Silver Star. Says it's because I don't do alpine skiing (true), but I think it's because she considers my spiritual level to be far too low for the Catholic worshippers that form the major part of the group.
 

[Africa trip is being phenomenal so far, more details to come as the internet is very sporadic. Mike] Hi Big Game Hunter! What an incredible series of shots! No such wild animals here on Burns Street. Just California Quail! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Quail and Watcher Duke!]
 
My time in Stockholm is primarily filled with socializing, playing tennis, and studying Italian (evening course). Good to see family and friends, of course. Most of all Anna, who seems to be getting on fine in every respect. The only reservation there is that she is too good at her work as the municipal archivist in Södertälje, and as a consequense she is gradually being given too much work. I had the most wonderful vegan risotto (chanterelles!) at her place day before yesterday. And yesterday was a big day for her, as she passed her driver's test and finally got her license, after practising with my sister from the beginning of the year. Enough for now. Hope to see you soon, Marcello

 

 Hello again, Marcello! Lovely to hear from you and know life goes well in Stockholm. Congratulations to Anna on her performance as an archivist as well as on obtaining her driver's license. Sorry to learn, however, that you won't make our Xmas Bash. Disappointed, as well, about not being able to connect in February either. We'd love to visit the Comox Valley and now, with Chloë here, that possibility certainly presents itself, more easily, as far as feline care is concerned. A must visit for this summer. We already have advance tickets for the Folk Fest so perhaps we'll try for a before or after junket to VI. 
 

When we were in Kelowna, last Friday, we stopped at MEC where I bought a Garmin Edge Touring and sent off the Edge 200 for a repair estimate. Its batteries finally gave out. When back home Chloë castigated me for not looking on-line and/or seeking out Black Friday Sales. In fact she found that SportChek had the same model for $70 less, free shipping. She ordered it and it arrived today and is charging as I scribe! Hope I will be able to work out how to use it as I think you need an advanced engineering degree, given it has so many functions. If it helps me pedal up steeps hills, I'll be more than satisfied!

[Lions and other cats! Hello The Sisterhood! From one of our hiking/bridge friends!]

Before Lady Dar took bus to Vancouver on Sunday, she and Chloë already made four large tins of snowballs, in the freezer, until needed for Open House. In order to find space for the snowballs, we reorganized both freezer in garage and one in kitchen fridge and took out a couple of bags of chicken bones so I have them on the boil for a pot of soup I will make. Also discovered a number of small bags of various herbs from summer so will use a couple for seasoning. Tomorrow I plan to dehydrate more of the Gala apples I picked three or so weeks ago. Chloë met Bill Sliva through her work and he owns about twenty acres of apple and cherry orchards, along with grape vines, between Upper and Middle Bench.

 

Bill also owns a considerable amount of other real estate, here in Penticton, Summerland and Osoyoos so I think he is rollin' in dough. Terrifically interesting character, nonetheless. He invited the staff at her work to come and pick as many apples as they wanted. Unfortunately for them, an important meeting prevented the outing but Chloë called me and I went along. 

Took two wine boxes full into Vancouver on my last trip and Elaine Keating made five pies over the course of my stay with her and Ted! Have also dehydrated most of the peppers from our three plants. Hot! Hot! Hot! Will give my soup some kick, I'm sure! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Earlier, as I was scribing, about twenty of them were on the street, just off our boulevard, pecking for seeds, or something, on the grass and road! Such delightful creatures, zipping under a number of parked vehicles, across from us, whenever a car approached.

Hello Worst Correspondent in the Entire World, if not the Known Universe! Below, a copy of message I sent to Lorraine. Do you know her?

Hello Lorraine! My name is Patrick Dunn and I graduated from DMCI in 1965. I moved to Vancouver, to go to UBC's Library School, in 1974 and worked there until 2004. In 2015, my wife, Corinne Durston, (also a librarian, but at VPL), and I moved to Penticton, where we continue to enjoy retirement. Funnily enough, another DMCI classmate, Erika Kinn, has a wonderful property, in Summerland, just a few minutes away, although she still lives in Winnipeg. We discovered this fact at out 50th Home Class reunion, at Rae & Jerry's in 2015. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!Pics: Visit to Daniel. Looking at the last picture, I'm the one with orange Crocs and Erika is to the left. Fondestos to you and Amy and your guilty conscience! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Patrick, Thanks so much for the pictures and info for our article. It seems your visit was quite recent. As a member of the Alumni board and teacher at the school, I've quite enjoyed reading the responses from the Alums over the years. Also if you don't receive the Alumni newsletter but want to, let me know and I can add your email to our mailing address. We have one coming out next week. Thanks, Lorraine Hi again, Lorraine! In fact, we usually visit once a year and were there this past May as Corinne's Mother still lives at Falcon Lake. We have other relatives and friends in the city as well. I do believe I'm already on the Alumni Newsletter mailing list but if you could make sure I'd appreciate it. Thanks and Cheers, Patrick! Also, we might post the article on the Alumni website. Are you okay with that? Thanks! Lorraine Post away, Lorraine, post away! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thank you!

Lorraine

It's going to be a Wash n Fold service next to the Coin Laundry Sorry Poppa, we'll find you a new guy Xoxo Hello Cachorro-less Tinsel Town!! Sorry to learn that my favourite barbershop is gone! Perhaps there is another location, not too, too far away! Thanks for snap of new laundry facility. How I dream of Cachorros! Love and Cheers, Boy Without an LA Barber! Duke's 9th collar looks great on him! Dear Poppa Thank you for sharing your safari sex pics Love Ayn Dear Hallmark Prude! I'm sorry, I forgot to preface message with a Netflix disclaimer! Duke is missing Lady Dar's lap as she likes to read in front of the fire. Etta spits on Lady Dar! Love and Cheers, Pornographer Patrizzio! 

Hi Patrick, I just tried to call but there was no answer, I had an email from the Naramata location that your subscription was White not Mixed (for the second time). My apologies- there must have been a communication error between the two locations. I have switched your account to the Mixed Selection (see below) and made the appropriate changes. I hope you enjoy your November edition! Cheers, Brittany. Hi Brittany! Thanks for making the change. When you called, I think I was outside splitting up some kindling. Looking forward to one of the reds this evening BUT a large glass! Cheers, Patrizzio! You’re welcome, enjoy!

Oh, my gosh I cannot imagine you spending any quiet time. Well done considering you are an extravert who continually immerses himself in others. Great book to read with your book club - “Quiet” The power of Introverts in a world that can’t stop talking by Susan Cain. Superbly researched, deeply insightful and a fascinating read. Quiet time, John is out at the boat all day doing what he loves doing and I am at home immersed in my forest with the kids enjoying the profound beauty there is in just listening to the stillness. Hope you do your laps on your stationary bike. Another wonderful way to read your IPhone catching up on the world news which I will do later. xxx

Hello again, Dog Whisperer! Aside from reading reading The Sellout, [I believe I heard Susan Cain interviewed, by Anna Maria Tremonte, on The Current, earlier this summer. Sounded fascinating, as you suggest.], I put on a crock pot of soup. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Siblings investigating their stash of soccer balls. Chloë took about twenty out from under TV cabinet! Miss Etta making sure I didn't stop reading The Sellout! Hi Patrick, Your 2018 schedule looks quite exciting. I must say, you do your retirement well. Congrats go out to Alex for his achievement. I am so sorry to say that Rick's Work Christmas party is the same night so we'll not be able to make it to your wonderful gathering. We have to hope that we can squish a visit in with both of you during the New Year, between or after all of your travels. Ruth 

Hi Little White! Lovely to hear from you although most disappointed that you won't be able to attend our Bash! You need to work on the Grumpoid next year so that there are no conflicts in busy social calendars! At any rate, now, with Chloë here and feline care not a worry, a number of visits, this summer should be possible. We already have advance tickets for the Folk Fest so perhaps we'll try for a before or after junket to Squamish for bridge camp! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Etta curled up on chair in Rumpus Room. Duke missing Lady Dar as he likes to sleep on her lap when she reads in front of the fire! Siblings investigating their stash of soccer balls. Chloë took about twenty out from under TV cabinet! Miss Etta making sure I didn't stop reading The Sellout!

Patrizzio, The shop did not call back today, they had said they were expecting another Ranger with a clutch problem. I will probably hear mañana as I wait in trepidation. Hmmm … I will have to make friends with Duke - we can enjoy nightcaps together. Perhaps mid-night caps as well! ANYWAY, I will put the side rails back on the supertruck, and if you have a load (or two) ready, we could pick up the Thursday afternoon, or if I am delayed, Friday a.m.
 

Friday/Sunday could be potential cycling days, or firewood excursions, depending on weather. Also, I have some spare inner tubes that don’t fit my tires, so would you please let me know a) the size of the tires on your bikes [26 x ??] and b) the type of valve [shrader or presta]. I would love to take a spare tube if we go riding, and in any case I can leave them with you, alond with a lesson in tube replacement(!). Swapping a tube is a *lot* faster than waiting for a ride! Did you ever get around to buying fat tires for your “trail” bike? For my 2 cents, 26 x 1.5 is more than adequate for hard pack trails (that’s what mine are). Looking forward to quail-on-a-spit! Branko

Hello again, El Trepidore! Sorry to learn that your vehicle isn't receiving the attention it deserves! However, when it does, I trust work will not break the bank! Thanks for offering to provide high-end muleage! I will make a trip or two, to stockpile wood so loading can proceed whenever you arrive or over course of your stay.

I also appreciate your offer of spare inner tubes and free lesson in replacement therapy! I didn't get around to changing tires and will probably not do so until next Spring, if then, given your 2 cents worth of advice! However, I will enlist your expertise to help me replace standard pedals with clip ons so if you have a bike wrench for such work, perhaps you could bring it along, together with refinished cabinet! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Duke is too, too depressed to be on the lookout for Quail as he is missing Lady Dar terribly. However, I'll take parts of apples I cannot use and bait a trap for them!