St Branymir Hits the Road Singing the Ragin' Bull Blues: Monday, December 11th!

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions. -Naguib Mahfouz, writer, Nobel laureate (11 Dec 1911-2006)

Hi Rosemary! Trust all goes well for coming trip. Just a brief note to send along the album from our Open House. Loads of fun. Ragin' Bull left this morning so we are sorting ourselves out, post-Open House and post-visitor. Place is in pretty good shape, overall, so cannot complain. Earlier this afternoon the sun broke through the clouds, flooding our back patio with marvellous light. However, was still too, too chilly for Miss Etta, Pillow Girl, cosy near the fire! Fondestos from Lady Dar, in absentia, at a church meeting, and Chloë, busy in the kitchen, preparing food for lunches for the coming week. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Ragin'

Hi Merry Mah Jong Mary and Paolo! Thank you both, so very much, for your wonderful, wonderful gifts, (Unfortunately, for me, Lady Dar has already pressed Chloë into using the hand massager, starting last night when they were watching Outlander. Poor Chloë was exhausted by the time the episode was over as her Mom wouldn't let her stop for a moment!!), and for your birthday wishes. We were both delighted to have you join us here at Burns and have you contribute to the loads of fun everyone seemed to be enjoying. Thanks again for your more than generous gifts and effervescent company. See you on Friday! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Arrivederci Ragin' Bull! Sleepy Miss Etta

Hi Luigi! Thank you so very much, for your wonderful, wonderful gift of 50 million USD! How too, too cruel to discover it was a hoax! Lady Dar, Chloë and I were delighted to have you join us here at Burns. See you on Thursday? Cheers, Patrizzio!

Mid- afternoon I had my appointment with my orthopaedic surgeon and now have an appointment for a right shoulder replacement on Thursday, July 26th! Apparently, my arm will be in a sling for six weeks so will need to work on drinking with my left hand from now until then!

Photo: Ceadda of Foxhall

Hi Old Farts! It’s Christmas picnic week in Old Fart Land. Below is the information. Read it and, if you decide that you and others will be coming, please send me a quick heads up. It appears unlikely that we will have much snow by Thursday, so I don’t think there will be any snowshoeing (but you never know). Dress warmly nonetheless. Also, there is the information about the Solstice snowshoe. It’s coming up soon, too. Looking forward to a good time with both old and new friends on Thursday. Cheers, Jim 

Some wonderful news in preparation for the Thursday picnic….Tony Cottrell has volunteered to hike out the picnic location tomorrow and saw some fallen wood in preparation for Thursday. Aren’t we lucky! You might still bring some odd sticks of dry kindling so we have an easier time staring the fire. Looking forward to seeing quite a bunch on Thursday. Cheers, Jim

Ensiform leaves of Poor Knights lily (Xeronema callistemon)

Photo: Rebeccca Bowater

Hi James! Sorry I've not replied sooner but I am planning to join the picnic on Thursday. I'm happy to bring along a small knapsacks's worth of kindling to  contribute towards Paul Bunyan Cottrell's bucked firewood! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi everyone, Is there a Christmas hike planned? If there is - I did not get the email. I would like to attend if there will be one this year. Would someone/anyone please let me know...please and thank-you! Sharon Thanks Dave and Patrickioooooo for your reply! I am looking forward to joining everyone at the Christmas hike! Sharon
 
Seasons Greetings from Terravista Vineyards Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! See you in the New Year, Bob and Senka