Two Tables Dwindling to One No Trump Blues: Thursday, December 7th!

The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum -- even encourage the more critical and dissident views. That gives people the sense that there's free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate. -Noam Chomsky, linguistics professor and political activist (b. 7 Dec 1928)


Hi Corinne, Thanks again for treating us to dinner last night. It was a great celebration of Patrick’s 70th. The photo below shows the lineup of Highland Park that we tasted. Cheers, Peter  Thanks/Highland Park:
 

Good morning, Last Standing Bidders! I was just on the phone to Olga Polga. Poor darling really sounded rough. As I think most of you know, she came down with a very nasty head cold almost as soon as she was back from Hawaii. This being the case we are now down to six players as neither she nor Craigola will play this evening. Lady Dar is happy to sit out as she has plenty of things to do to for our Open House on Saturday. While I do not want to prevent any of you from playing I know it is a busy time of year so if anyone would rather bow out, please feel free to do so. However, please remember that we need at least one player, two if Lady Dar is to sit out and simply serve drinks! Anyway, please let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

[Also this one.] It was great to see you and Lynne seems so long since we've had a chance to chat. See you Saturday, Corinne Hello Naramata! Trust you are both well. Lovely that you could join us for dinner. Thanks for being part of the celebration and for the lovely gifts. Very, very busy time of year as I'm sure I need not tell you. Lady Dar is already starting to pack her bags! See you at our Open House, then on Christmas Eve or until next our paths cross! Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: A week or so ago, I happened to pick up a bottle of the Highland Park Viking Honour so that she and Santa will have something to tipple!

I am ok to bow out Judy Good Afternoon, Last Standing Bidders! Just had a message from Judy Blue and she has volunteered to bow out so we will expect Barbarella and Josinta to arrive anytime after 6:30 pm as Lady Dar insists on sitting out to serve highly alcoholic drinks! Sorry to miss your company, Judy Blue but you will receive nothing but good Karma from now on! Cheers, Patrizzio! I will be there Patrick. The situation sounds dire You can count on me!!! 👌. B Hi Barbarella! Trust you are well. Lovely to see you both and thanks for bringing back the more than extremely valuable necklace! Always need more fabulous bridge prizes. Speaking of which, I will be trying to stitch together a game in the week before Christmas. Are you interested/available? Might be the last time we see you before you move back east. I cannot remember when you are planning to leave Penticton for Montreal. At any rate, I'll be sending out a call for bridge but in case we don't connect, all the best. It was a pleasure meeting you and you will certainly be missed. Until next our paths cross, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Hi Patrick, Thank you so much for the invite. I could surely use the practice! I have to work an event tonight so I won’t be able to make Bridge tonight. The next few weeks are pretty filled up with work events in the evening but perhaps in the New Year? I am off to Mexico shortly after Christmas for the month of January. Feliz Navidad! Best, Laura

Hi Laura! Must apologize for not replying sooner. Very, very busy time of year as I'm sure I need not tell you. Trust you are well and starting to pack your bags for Mexico! Lady Dar is doing just the same as we will be driving to Tinsel Town, day after Boxing Day. Since we now have a built-in feline sitter, in Chloë, who moved here at the end of September, we will spend Christmas with her and then drive south. Will celebrate New Year's with Ayn, our eldest daughter, and Los Horridos, aka our grandsons! Alejandro, the youngest, is currently enrolled in the LA Fire Department Academy and is to graduate on January 6th. Of course, as very proud grandparents, we would like to attend his graduation ceremony. 

Next day we fly to Costa Rica until February 4th. [Lady Dar has made all the in-country travel arrangements, (hotels and shuttle buses between various cities/regions.] Once back we plan to drive to Palm Desert for a couple of nights before driving to Sun City for another two or three nights with the friends who house-sat for us two years ago. This should put us in Sedona on Saturday, February 10th, for a couple of nights, with good friends from Penticton who own a house there, perhaps leaving on Shrove Tuesday, February 13th, to give them a week before they plan to head back to Spiller Road where they live here. [I obtain much of my firewood from their lot as they don't burn very much, not being here for most of the winter.] We are still toying with going as far east as Santa Fe and San Antonio but those plans are not firm. Depending on the  schedule of a close friend, Rhoda, from Cape Breton, who would like to visit at the end of February, we'd probably return to accommodate her visit.

 

Where in Mexico will you be? Over the years we have had wonderful times in the country and it was a possible choice this year but since we'd never been to Costa Rica we decided to explore new territory. Have a wonderful time in warmer climes and practice your bidding as we want you in our bridge group once everyone is back in town! Happy Christmas and Año Nuevo Saludable! Cheers, Patrizzio!