Chalk off the Long Chore List Blues: Sunday, November 25th!

  Assumptions are the termites of relationships. -Henry Winkler, actor (1945- )

Buongiorno Signora! Good, I've replied to G. Little that the date and time are fine. On another matter, I had a lovely message from Jane so I think it would be wonderful if you are able to arrange to see them before you return.

[Patrick James Dunn Want a date, Babycakes?}

Other than that, all goes well. This morning kittens went out, Duke at 4:45 am, Etta not until 6:00 am! She sidled to food bowls first time so I went back to bed until she squeaked! The Boy just finished drinking out of the kitchen sink and left, Etta is curled up on shower mat. I'm to go over to Sendero around 10:00am to help Chloë move her patio table and then try to open a kitchen drawer which someone has managed to jam. I gather it was too full with something or other is preventing it from opening all the way. [It was too full and a box of tin foil was preventing it from opening all the way. I took a long wooden spoon and simply moved it sideways and Voila!] She plans to walk the KVR afterwards, hoping to see if Christmas trees are still for sale at place we bought ours from last year and come for dinner again. I mixed her two hot lemonades with rum last night as she is still quite congested. She liked the drinks and I think they helped her feel better.

Must away as I've a long list of chores. First off, I'm going to try to salvage string of lights by cutting off length which doesn't light up and reattach wires to end plug. If this doesn't work I guess we'll need a new string. Hello and best wishes to Elaine. How is Nicole? Fondestos, Love and Cheers, Patrizzio, Keeper of Cats and Tender of Fireplaces!

I went over to Sendero around 11:00am to help Chloë move her patio table and chairs under cover of her covered deck and then did a bit of shopping for tonight's dinner. 
 

Back home to re-arrange the cupboard in Rumpus Room where we keep preserves. Then sat down to send a few messages and after a few moments I heard a couple of bumps and assumed it was a log on the fire. Didn't seem likely but went back to digitating after I checked fireplace. Same again but this time sounded like a feline jumping off something onto floor. Assumed it was El Diablo as he has a habit of climbing all over furniture, exploring! Couldn't see him anywhere in living room but when I walked around counter towards sink I spied Miss Etta on the rug playing with a poor dead sparrow! [Guess I shouldn't telling bird watchers!] Anyway, pieces fell into place as when Ruthless and Ricardo were here last time I found a lone bird's wing on their pillow, on cabinet Murphy bed in Rumpus Room, shortly after they arrived, obviously Etta's present to the guests!

Must away as I need to steam the kartofellage, prepare the Brussels sprouts and then the salad, Belgian endive, [Is Maigret coming for dinner as well?], and Radicchio, topped with blue cheese from local winery, Upper Bench. Have an Orofino, (Cawston), 2013 Beleza, their meritage of Merlot, Cabbage, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, 14.2 %, so Lady Dar will be beside herself when she hears about choice! For pre-dinner drinks we are having rum and eggnog, with grated nutmeg on top! Chloë brought the eggnog as it was on special at Safeway. She was there to pick up some soy coffee creamer for work. Now relaxing in Rumpus Room catching up on Outlander.

No word from Squamoids, so presumably they were whisked away by the iron cage of their schedule. Ruth, Rick, Alex and ??? I imagine the young women have other obligations by now! PBread in the oven on this end, to be replaced with eggplant Parmesan. Enjoying a Portuguese jug an Alentejano that I picked up at Vino earlier today. I guess if you have cats, you are going to have corpses. So be glad I guess that they are not as frequent as they might be. The only exception I've ever seen was our loaner cat, the late Marcus. A most methodical hunter of mice, he would catch, kill instantly, and devour all but tail. No show off he. You will need Belgian chocolate perhaps? Cactus (Do look at my Facebook post about my friend Ben's photographer grandpa when you get the chance....)

good photos and thanks for your communications. good thanksgiving here with friends. We're back climbing though still only easy things. Biking, only 1-2 hours every day for me, road or mountain style and Phil doing lots of long hiking days.
We're off to Yuma Dec 10 and will be away for 10 days going back via Tuscon to bike in their bike friendly places. Please say hi to Corinne and hugs to you both. Gill Hi again, Last Train to Yuma! Glad you enjoyed the snapolas and that you had a pleasant Thanksgiving. Fondestos to you, Jack Rabbit, and Phillipo. Stay well. Keep biking and hiking. Cheers, Patrizzio

Hi Patrick, I know it would have been fun and delicious but unfortunately it was out of reach. I will be hiking with my Naramata friends as usual on Monday. We have a hike/lunch thing going which always includes wine; quite different from the Thursday group! It’s good to mix things up a bit don’t you think? I enjoyed your open house last year and hope to attend again. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to meeting Rene and discussing “...Adrift”. It seems I’m experiencing several holocaust reminders including the recent Kitchen Stove film and the murders at the synagogue. See you on the sixth, ( we should also think of car pooling, maybe Pam and you guys could join me on the drive). Take care Luigi.

Hi Luigi! Unfortunately, we already have a full car for book club so perhaps you and Pam can car-pool. Dianne might wish to hitch a ride with you as well. I'll be seeing her this coming week, at bridge, so I'll ask her about her plans for getting to Summerland. Like you I seem to have been "inundated" with Holocaust reminders this past week. Didn't see you at the PAG Kitchen Stove film series on Thursday. I think your Monday hike is just an excuse to eat fine food and drink wine! Better not cancel your wine club memberships! For my part, I'm planning to join gang tomorrow. Must away  as I'm to go over to Sendero to help Chloë move her patio table under cover for the winter and then try to open a kitchen drawer which someone has managed to jam. I gather it was too full with something or other and this is preventing it from opening all the way. I took a long wooden spoon and simply moved it sideways and Voila!

She plans to walk the KVR afterwards, hoping to see if Christmas trees are still for sale from the tiny store just off the trail, across from hop farm. The couple were selling place so don't know if new owners are still in tree business. We bought ours from them last year and it was one of best we ever had. Didn't drop but a few needles and we had it up for more than a month. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi O Susannah! Thought I'd say hello after I read the Travel Club Newsletter. Trust you are well. Rosie and Lady Dar left on Friday. Had a simply wonderful visit, (six weeks), with Clara, cooking and baking and playing bridge and will really miss her company. I didn't even drive her and Lady Dar, [She was seeing her Mom onto plane in Vancouver for return trip to Winnipeg, and then staying until Wednesday, book club, friends, etc.], to the airport as I had an early morning breakfast, in Summerland, with about twenty of gang from hiking group. Chloë drove them there at 8:30 am.
 

Must away as I need to steam the kartofellage, prepare the Brussels sprouts and then the salad, Belgian endive, [Is Maigret coming for dinner as well?], and Radicchio, topped with blue cheese from local winery, Upper Bench. Have an Orofino, (Cawston), 2013 Beleza their meritage of Merlot, Cabbage, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, 14.2 %, so Lady Dar will be beside herself when she hears about choice! Fondestos to you and Marnie. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Last few bridge gatherings with Rosita. Thanks for the update and Love to all! S

Hi again, Jane and Jack! Glad you enjoyed the card. Thank you for the holiday wishes. I spoke to Lady Dar this morning and mentioned I'd heard from you and I believe she will give you a call. Fondestos to you and Jack, from Chloë. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Christmas Cat on the Prowl in Reykjavík, Iceland: <http://icelandreview.com/news/2018/11/24/christmas-cat-prowl-reykjavik> Hello Dunbar! I think that Etta is related to Iceland's infamous Christmas Cat! Fondestos to you, Colin, and Marps. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!