White Knuckle the Hope-Princeton Compact Snow & Slush Blues: Wednesday, December 20th!

Never be haughty to the humble; never be humble to the haughty. -Jefferson Davis, confederate president (1808-1889) 

 

Manning Park!

 Sara Graefe

·🎶 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even in Vancouver... 🎶

Hi Simi Valley Folk! Thank you for the enticing invitation for Potluck Christmas but we will still be here in Penticton! Fondestos for a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you three, from Lady Dar, Chloë, Patrizzio and Etta & Duke! [Burns Street Christmas Elf responsible for putting lumps of coal in naughty Simi Valley inhabitants' stockings so watch out and be on your best, nice behaviour!]

Compact snow about 40 km before Princeton and then most of Manning was same. Our dear friend's situation is simply devastating for him and Elaine, his wife, and entire family of course. How Ted and his family can come to terms with the sheer anguish they face is something that haunts both Corinne and I. It is highly unlikely that he will be alive when we return to Canada at the end of February. 

This being said, we played quite a few hands of bridge when we arrived. Branko wanted to come with us so we collected him after we were in city. He and Ted were partners for first round but all the cards belonged to Lady Dar and I. After four hands I suggested we switch to give everyone a chance to play with Ted but he insisted he and Branko just needed to warm-up. They did manage a few contracts but cards were still with us by the time we finished. Sad to report, by the end of play he was becoming a bit confused but that is the very nature of the disease, (JCD), and the fact that he tires easily. 

After we made our extremely difficult goodbyes we dropped Branko back at home and then had a quick visit with other friends, Denise and Bill Gross, but a few blcoks from where Keatings live. I had missed them when they were staying in Naramata this past July so it was lovely to catch-up. Had a most pleasant time chatting and sipping a delicious Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a recent discovery Bill had made, along with some very tasty nibbles. Left around 7:00 pm, wishing them and their daughter, Jenny, just in from London, for Christmas, season's best, for Harbour Terrace. Once there I spent a bit of time on fridge management for Flamin', making quite a delicous salad out of salvaged vegetables! Once Flamin' was home for a late work shift, around 9"00 pm, we spent the rest of the evening catching up and downing two more bottles of wonderful red! Too, too bad Sarge was already in Kamloops as we had trouble polishing off the hootch!

Hi Patrizzio, I received payment for the trips to my account. Thank you. Now I understand Branko´s name. Croatia is also Slavic country, people have the same origin in Slavic tribes and so the names are similar. I have been to Croatia quite many years ago. We went bicycling to Makarska and Hvar island. It was nice, out of season, empty beaches, pleasant weather and beautiful landscape. Until recently it was the most popular destination for Slovaks and also other people from Central Europe to go for holiday. It is relatively near and accessible. Now people travel further and to little more exotic destinations.

Hmm, it would be great to go somewhere to warm countries in this winter. Do you also do the same as many people from Canada, that you spend part of winter in Florida or somewhere else where is warm now? Katarina

Season's Greetings to you Patrick and your lovely Lady Dar(is that short fore Darling?? :).. Would expect that from you Hee Hee! whom I hope to have the pleasure of meeting one day!..Anyway Patrick...always so nice to read your newsy letters Hi Katarina! Trust you are well. Which hotel will we be staying in while in Krakow? Lady Dar is short for Lady Darjeeling, after we spent six weeks in India a number of years ago. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you, Katerina. [She hopes to see you in person, as well!]  All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Well I go home from my international travels a week ago tonight..It was a wonderful time in Costa Rica!!...we ( a lady friend from Summerland )& I toured with G adventures for 9 days and saw so many interesting places and such interesting adventures.

There was a group of 16 of us ranging from 19 to 68 and from international countries namely Switzerland to Holland to England to Wales to Australia to USA to Canada..Our 28 year old guide from Costa Rica was absolutely the best...
We experienced and shared the Hot Springs to Animal river float through the jungle to National Parks to Ziplining and white water rafting to Volcanos to Butterfly to hummingbirds gardens to beaches in Manuel Antonio to Cattamaran booze cruise...Everyone got along as one big happy family!!...shared bus rides,..boat rides,..hikes,..meals,..breakfasts...most of them at our own costs but planned and suggested by our guide We stayed in 4 different hotels ..2 nights each in San Jose,...La Fortunate,...Monte Verde,..& Quespo....Anne and I stayed on 2 extra nights in San Jose before going home I would do it over again ..it was beyond my expectations!!
 

Corporate America flag 

Image: Adbusters

We even participated in a BBQ invitation at a private ranch as special guests treated to BBq'ed beef, pork, chicken,ect and to some traditional folklore dancing...It all ended too soon Saw lots of Sloths,..4 different types of monkeys,..snakes and spiders..egrets,..& herons,..iguanas and lizards, Caymans and crocodiles..butterfly's and Ti Cans & Macaws! Some on our guides hikes and others as we were driving and would stop to have a closer look We enjoyed the cultural experience when in San Jose on our own..getting by with literally no Spanish in a completely Spanish speaking environment..taking the local buses to Izaru the volcano at 11,000 ft above sea level to shopping in local stores for clothe meats and fresh vegetable..quite a fun experience I found I should have had smaller US bills...like $20's as most of the time you will get change back in their currency .."colones" Most tourist places accept credit cards and Us $ We felt safe everywhere in our travels ..
 
I caught a cold my last couples days of the holiday and am still trying to shake it so staying indoors I was sorry to miss the hiking group Christmas party in Faulder..Thanks for sharing the photos Have been doing a bit of Christmas cheering...am spending the Season visiting friends or inviting A few here & there
Sounds like you have the next 2-3 months well planned out..Lots of travelling and adventures Loved my 5 days spent in Sedona some 7 years ago..a spectacular area of Arizona Nice that your daughter Chloe is now residing near you I will be going to Montreal Feb.5th to March 15 th taking in Carnaval de Quebec in early Frb... Staying at my daughters most of that time and also visiting my sister and nephews that live in Quebec...I look forward to more hikes this coming New Year...such a nice group of OF's...😂😂 Merry Christmas Elle. Hi Murielle! Trust you are well. Really enjoyed your detailed account of your time in Costa Rica. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!