Back South to Spirit Ridge and Clan Sutherland Blues: Sunday, July 22nd!

For what are stars but asterisks. To point a human life? -Emily Dickinson, poet (1830-1886) 

Chloe Alexis Dunn My most favorite view. #kvr #viewsformiles #rechargesme — at Okanagan Lake, Penticton.

Hello Upper Bench Folk! Just a quick note to thank everyone at Upper Bench for the more than wonderful, wonderful party last night! The delicious food, the free-flowing wine, (It goes without saying, yes, even the Zweigelt, Gavin!), and the marvellous, marvellous company, all made for another remarkable, ever memorable evening! So thanks, thanks, thanks! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

[Shar Lou-Hing Hello beautiful ladies!]

Hi Patrick, So glad you had a good time! Would you mind if we share some of your pictures from the party on social media? Thank you! Kayla! Hi Kayla! Delighted you enjoyed  pictures. Please feel free to use any of the snaps you'd like. Sorry I haven't replied sooner but we were away at our place in Spirit Ridge and was so busy enjoying being there that I didn't even look at my email while we were staying. We came back home yesterday and saw your message this morning. Again, thank everyone for the wonderful party. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Karinska and Penelope! Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed meeting you two at Upper Bench during the more than wonderful, wonderful party last night! The delicious food, the free-flowing wine, (It goes without saying, yes, even the Zweigelt, Gavin!), and the marvellous, marvellous company, all made for another remarkable, ever memorable evening! Pleased you were able to come back to our "chaos" for a drop of malt and the chance to get to know one another a bit more. Trust you toddled home without incident. Keep in touch and we hope to see you again when next you visit. You are welcome to stay if you are comfortable with so doing. At any rate, take care of yourselves until next our paths cross. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Good morning Young Patrick. I have been seeing all kinds of bad reports from around your end of the country. These things happen so often, that I am surprised that there is anything left to burn. How have you and Corrine and Chloe be getting through this? I imagine the air quality would ground you and your bike for a while.. Hang i there Kid... it will get better.

I have been doing well. My lung specialist and Cardiac doctors have both approved me for a hip replacement ( it takes about 18 more months for them to operate), and I have been feeling great. My older sister, with whom I am very close is going through breast cancer now.. It just keeps on going. She had had the lump removed, and will undergo radiation, but has decided against chemo.
I just recently found out that Joyce Robertson of VRC died in May. She was sick for a long time. I talk with her husband occasionally and he took care of her for years with only 1/2 day a week off. This has to be a relief for him. I was very fond of Joyce as well as her husband. Pat my heart is with you all. Good luck with the fires and I will talk soon... Cheers.. Bill

Tummler, Thanks for the update. We are relieved to know you are on the mend. Attending two wine appreciation events is probably a very good sign. Happy belated birthday to Corrinne from all of us. We are in the capital city with our friend Monika from Germany. Just here for a couple of nights. She has been with us on the island for last week and we have had fun showing her the Republic. Congratulations to Chloe on both fronts, passing her exam and her new move date. I hope The builders come through as promised. Great that you are enjoying Spirit Ridge. Is this your first visit to your own place? You did not mention how the folk fest of all went. Did you see Ry Cooder? Jane is off to Ontario later this week and I will join her on 8 August if the current plan holds. Find regards to you and Corrinne, CJ, W y Morita  

Hi Calamity and Whirlygig! Trust you are enjoying the long-weekend! Did you ride along the Ottawa, when in the nation's capital, into Gatineau Park. Wonderful place to cycle. Thanks for best wishes for both my own health, Lady Dar's birthday and Chloë's exam/move date. Two more week's worth of sleeps for Sendero Canyon Goil! Over Easter weekend we stayed in our suite but this last time we had full two weeks. Chloë spent four nights with three of her girlfriends over weekend we were at Folk Fest. Did see Ry. Unfortunately, I have felt, for some time now, at least with respect to FF, that many of these "big name" draws are often past their prime and can never really live up to the hype of pre-Festival billing, or indeed, to our musical memories of earlier times. [Funnily enough, last time I looked, I wasn't aging, but that was fifty years ago!] I liken it to The River Rock Casino Syndrome, usually found in Baby Boomers, or later generations, [I spit on Heavy Metal, Disco, and now Rap, Hip Hop, but that is just my grumpiness speaking!], yearning, desperately, for a lost, golden past, that never, ironically, ever existed. What is it with our species and aging?

Wasn't able to connect with Ragin' over the busy weekend but chatted on phone. His Dad is in hospital, kicking and screaming, pulling out his IV tubes and otherwise harassing staff BUT will not be coming home, no matter what. Home care is no longer a viable option so that is a great relief for Branko. [Something we have been advising for at least last two years!] I just hope he survives because he is not really in the best of health, both the stress of his father's health and law suit with Michael.

Lady Dar has fourteen weddings between now and then so she'll be busy indeed. Travel safely. Stay well. Make a booking at Burns Street on way home! Fondestos to you both, from Lady Dar, watching something on Netflix. Cheers, Tummler/Patrizzio!

  

Hello Fartograms, Your Monday Activity Committee (MAC) got together and decided, given the smoke, the heat, etc, to do a bike ride, a brief hike and end up at a swim hole for a dip! Let's get together as usual at the HomeHardware in Penticton at latest 8:15AM (if you cannot remember this 8:00AM is good too :)) or for those who live south of Penticton, they can come to the IGA in OK Falls directly, because that is where we will start at 8:30AM. If you come to HH in Penticton there is the option to carpool because some of us will have an extra space on the rack or pick-up truck. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE IGA IN OK FALLS DIRECTLY .... LET ME KNOW PLEASE, then I know we do not have to wait for you in Penticton. DO NOT FORGET YOUR SWIMSUIT ! See you tomorrow ��😍📢��😀 Aarturo