Mexican Hummingbird Charms and BC Day Blues: Monday, August 6th!

One of the primary tests of the mood of a society at any given time is whether its comfortable people tend to identify, psychologically, with the power and achievements of the very successful or with the needs and sufferings of the underprivileged. -Richard Hofstadter, historian (6 Aug 1916-1970) 

Lazy sleep-in while Lady Dar and The Fabulous Felines were dashing around, helping her to water the garden.  Lovely cool morning so she is now reading on the back patio. Quiet as nobody here but us. Chloë won't be back, from Kamloops, until this evening and Etta and Duke are probably sleeping somewhere cool, having been let out around 4:00 pm. 

Hi to the recovering one. Just wondering when the single malt is expected to be ready. I am thirsty. Actually, I am forgetful and have no idea as to when you said it would be ready. Hope those cats aren't causing you too much grief. Colin

 

Art: Brittany W-Smith

Hi Colin, et al! Have been meaning to send out this up-date ever since I talked to Grant at the Farmers' Market, a month or so ago, now. He informed me that our half-cask will be released in June 2019 so, Lower Mainlanders, make plans to come up to Burns Street to stay and celebrate. With Chloë moving into her Sendero Canyon townhouse, this coming Wednesday, there will be plenty of free, extra accommodation, given that she has been living with us, rent-free/grocery-free for almost a year now!

Trust everyone is enjoying the long-weekend! I certainly am, especially after Chloë brought back a bottle, [Walter Hicks, Old Fashioned 125º/71.4% Navy Rum! Great bookend for the first bottle of Hicks I bought there, in 2013, Fine Old Demerara, same proof, although I thought it was higher when I queried staff this last time.], from Kamloops, I'd picked up in Cornwall, at St Austell Brewery, [Place sells wonderful spirits and wine as well as craft beer!], when visiting with terrific friends, Gayle and Derek, after a fabulous hike on coast, in late April. [We did a house exchange with them in August, 2013.] They "muled" it to Squamish to hand it over to Krissy, their daughter, who lives and works there, as a chef, when they were over to take an Alaska cruise, in June, I believe. Krissy met with Chloë and mutual friend, Kim, [She works, part-time, at Iron Road Brewery, terrific craft operation there!], in Kamloops yesterday and delivered it this morning.

Must away as it is time for my grog ration, sun being over the yard-arm! Fondestos from Lady Dar, reading in the shade of back patio louvres, to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio, Keeper of Half Cask Futures, Always Open to Bribes! Pics: Grant at his booth at Farmers' Market, July 7th; His lovely, part-time, Tasting Room attendant making us a G/T and then doing her homework! Walter Hicks bottles and new cabinets, or at least ones that have been installed! Cat Wars, Colin! Etta and Duke have taken to fighting with each other after Duke's nasty encounter with a neighbouring feline! Thanks for the update! Did you go to the big B.C. Day picnic and get a selfie with Justin?

Hi Colin! No, didn't have time for Justin, particularly as we are not at all happy with his government's stand on Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. As well, spent much of the day moving furniture, boxes and such, to ready our place for Chloë's move into Sendero tomorrow. With the kitchen renovation we had to decant everything in the shelves/drawers that were to be removed and the many boxes and small appliances became "intermixed", to a certain extent, with Chloë's possessions, stored here since last October! Hello to Miss Marpole. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! Here it is the constant de-crapification.  We have way too much stuff and need to get rid of things. Unfortunately our sons moved out and left most of their stuff here.  Hope you are having more luck. Colin

Hi De-Crapification People! I do apologize for not being in touch sooner but last few weeks have been a whirlwind of kitchen renovation, moving and social activity, speeding up, even more as we twirled and spun towards the completion of kitchen. On quite a positive note, Paul Whitney sent me a link to Duty Free in Dublin airport. His cousin and wife are coming to visit and the four of them will stay here, mid-September, for a couple of nights. Paul asked if there was a bottle that I'd like so I suggested the Pearse Lyons 5 Year Old Single Malt Cask Strength Irish Whiskey 70cl, at €103.00. I'll certainly pay for bottle as it is a bit pricey. If that is not available then perhaps the 12 Year Old Cask Strength Redbreast at €59.00, 58.6%. Looking forward to "muleage"! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Gayle and Derek! Trust you are both well. Fondestos from Lady Dar, napping, and Chloë, just back from walk on KVR, with Rebecca, and then two tastings, one at Ruby Blues and one at Perseus. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Ultra-Proud Grandmother! Great shots of Callie! Trust you are enjoying the long-weekend, eating zucchini! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Corinne and Patrick, Thank you, once again, for another lovely evening and your gracious (and delicious) hospitality! It has been so much fun getting to know you, and it was a pleasure to meet Linda and Jim as well!

Thank you, as well, for the introductions to Gavin and Dylan! I got to spend a good amount of time with each of them today and do private tastings in their cellars...what a treat. And what delicious wines! AND it turns out that Gavin and his pizza chef, Daniel, trained down in LA with Mario, the chef/owner of my favorite little pizza/wine joint in Venice called South End - right in my neighborhood and regular go-to spot! Crazy small world! So of course I had to have a pizza!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for adopting me on this trip and introducing me to so many wonderful winemakers! I absolutely can not tell you how much I appreciate it! Ayn, THANK YOU and I will see you next Monday (and we will have to make a plan to celebrate our birthdays...I am Sept. 14)! Cheers and big hugs to all, Jane Hi Jane! Virgos Unite!! I'm glad you're having such a great time and I look forward to hearing all about your adventures on the OK Valley...and yes, it is a very small world indeed Lol Pizza for everyone! Looking forward to seeing all the Pentictinites soon! Ayn xoxo

Hi Never Never, et al! Delighted to hear that your tastings at Upper Bench and Roche went so well. Great that you were invited to experience private tastings in their cellars. Don't worry, a single moment's worth of guilt, that Lady Dar and I have never been privileged enough to do so! Pushy Tinsel Towners all! Must make a point of visiting South End when next in Venice. I'll ride from bottom of Topango/PCH to meet you all there! Still, I'm happy that you are enjoying the long-weekend, tippling with wine-makers!

Last night was a blast although I didn't have the opportunity to "grill" you enough, Never Never, even though I had the blinding spotlight at the ready!! You are probably relieved that you will be making your escape north, to Kelowna, tomorrow.

Ayn, just had a note from Julien, Carol's eldest, and he now wants to stay next weekend! He is coming up for Peach Fest and originally he was to stay with friends, here. Now they are off camping, it seems! We have just ridden ourselves of an American Freeloader plus one from The Hat and they are replaced, in the twinkling of an eye, by one from Vancouver Island! Must away as it is time for my stationary bike ride. Fondestos from Lady Dar, watching The Young and The Useless, a million rungs below Hallmark's Xmas weepers! Simply lovely to meet you, Hillary, and I trust our paths will cross again, in the not too, too distant future. Travel safely. Stay well. Affectionados and Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Wonderful to see you, Zircon. Thanks for making considerable cross-country trek. You too, of course, Ersatz Olive Woman! Let us know when you want to start learning how to play bridge. Pic: Zircon says arrivederci! 

Hi Old Farts, Pete has an adventure which he would like to share with you on Thursday. Read on! "I suggest that for this weeks hike we become a bit more adventurous and hike down Trout Creek Canyon from the Rodeo Grounds to the golf course. This involves wading through the stream bed in water that, at times , could be chest deep. It will require sturdy water shoes and a way to keep valuables dry . Getting wet will be unavoidable so one should be prepared for it. Although it will be stinking hot on Thursday, there is no need to start early as it should be quite cool in the canyon. So I suggest that we start at 0900 this week from the Summerland IGA (0840 at Home Hardware parking lot in Penticton). Diane has agreed to transport the drivers back to the rodeo grounds when she gets our call that we have arrived at the golf course." Are you interested? If so, please give Pete a heads up. And have a great time~ Cheers, Jim