US November Mid-Term Bitter, Bitter Blues: Tuesday, November 6th!

I don't think that combat has ever been written about truthfully; it has always been described in terms of bravery and cowardice. I won't even accept these words as terms of human reference any more. And anyway, hell, they don't even apply to what, in actual fact, modern warfare has become. -James Jones, novelist (6 Nov 1921-1977) 

Art: Robert Havell
From Birds of America (1827)
By John James Audubon

Stormy Petrel

MEANING:

noun:
1. One who brings trouble or whose appearance is a sign of coming trouble.
2. Any of various small sea birds of the family Hydrobatidae having dark feathers and lighter underparts, also known as Mother Carey’s Chicken.

ETYMOLOGY:

The birds got the name storm petrel or stormy petrel because old-time sailors believed their appearance foreshadowed a storm. It’s not certain why the bird is named petrel. One unsubstantiated theory is that it is named after St. Peter who walked on water in the Gospel of Matthew. The petrel’s habit of flying low over water with legs extended gives the appearance that it’s walking on the water. Earliest documented use: 1776.

Poltergeist Patrizzio! Good to hear from you. I must apologise for being so terrible at keeping in touch these days. How is life treating you? Life down under is pretty good these days, particularly since summer is approaching! We have just spent a month in Italy; I have spent the time as a visiting professor at the University of Padua, which has been a lot of fun. Have been sampling some great wines too! We are going to be in Vancouver from Dec 5-11, if you and the lovely Lady Corinne might be in the neighbourhood, we should catch up! (I don't think that we will make it too far out of the city this time...) Sneaky Pete 

Hi Padua Pete! Wonderful to hear from you and know you are still travelling the world! Now you'll be an expert in Brunello! At this time, not sure if we'll be able to connect in Vancouver, as we are hosting a book club meeting on December 6th and it has taken some time to arrange date so cannot change it. Would love to see you both so we'll take a look at Chloë's schedule to see if she might be able to come and stay at our place to look after felines if we drive into Vancouver. At any rate, I'll be in touch once we have a chance to look at dates, etc.

As soon as I finish this message Ill head outside to split more firewood since winter, not summer, is approaching here! Another dry day so more than pleasant to be outside. Anyway, must away, as Lady Dar is starting to bark out orders. I have to help her take tubs of Christmas ornaments out of storage cabinets as with Halloween over, house has to be decorated for next holiday! Fondestos from her, to you Padua Pete and Gemma, moaning about not being able to find some of her favourite decorations, under the supervision of both Etta and Duke. They love investigating all the boxes, dashing around, chasing each other and batting ornaments! Cheers, Patrizzio! Album of this past weekend. Pics: Rosita at Craft Fair with friend/vendor, Leigh; walkway pavers; bridge gang; Olga Polga and her Christmas Cactus; Madcap Michaelo and then with pumpkin hat!

Hello History Making Bidders! Congratulations to Olga Polga and Craigola for hosting the first three table gathering! What an event so pats on the back to everyone. It is a credit to all and shows a growing, keen interest in this wonderful card game. Pretty soon we'll have to start restricting membership so Mariola you better sign up quickly! Thanks as well to Professor Oligarch for all the tasty nibblage and Hip Hip Hooray to Craigster for his quick uptake on bidding, in spite of his spouse's grumpy, although well-meaning, questions!
 
While we didn't discuss possible date for next week's gathering, I suggest Monday, November 12th as a possibility. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Three table extravaganza! Bridge prizes. Miss playing with you guys but high 60's and sunny is good too especially as i can't walk/hike much now. Biking still good but not doing the extreme mountain stuff!! Keep having fun all of you and see you in April Gill

Thanks Patrick.  Fun pictures. I am available for bridge on Monday.  Please tell Corinne the meditation workshop was cancelled. Dianne Hello Patrick, I would like to come Monday if this is possible. Cheers Carol Hi Carolina! Of course, you can join us. Glad you are immune to my bridge abuse! At the moment we are on for one table but I expect we'll muster two. Cheers, Patrizzio! my memory appears to be shot. I dont recall any abuse. That's why I am learning to play bridge. One person at the table to throw a loop into things !!!! 3 of ladies are snowshoeing Thursday at Apex and leaving Home Hardware at 9 if you are looking for fresh air you may join us. Bring lunch for all!!! Carol Hi Snowshoe Woman! Thanks for invitation to join you but have much to do around house and other errands to run. Will take you up, later in season, however. Perhaps not "abuse" but "teasing". Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Shannon and Brian! Sorry for the extreme delay in sending along a few snaps from Poplar Grove Bash but I just found your email address! If I did send these along earlier, I apologize. Better safe than sorry. Anyway, trust you are both well. Life goes swimmingly for us and we spent a lovely time wine-tasting, on the Bench, this past weekend with friends, Ruth/Rick, from Squamish. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Poplar Grove; tasting with Ruth and Rick this past weekend. Hi Patrick. Thank you so much for sending us those photos where do you live. We are in Summerland. We have 10 acres that we are developing into a vineyard. Brian Hi again, Brian! Glad you enjoyed the snaps. We live in Penticton, on Burns. If you are going to be in town give us a shout and pop by for a visit and a java or something stronger! If I recall correctly, your place is not far from Summerhill Winery. How go the plans/work for the vineyard? All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thank you for the frighteningly fabulous card Patricio. I hope you had lots of trick or treaters and enjoyed the evening. Take care and ttys. Hi Big Al and Marilyn! Wonderful to hear from you. Trust you are both well and not too, too busy! Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Miss playing with you guys but high 60's and sunny is good too especially as i can't walk/hike much now. Biking still good but not doing the extreme mountain stuff!! Keep having fun all of you and see you in April Gill Hello Biking Wonder Woman! Glad to learn you are still able to bike, Jack Rabbit, in spite of all your ailments, aches and pains! For our part we only need to go wine-tasting to inoculate ourselves from such afflictions! Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you, Gilliana and Phillipiano. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Sounds like Lady Dar, is just like my sister, as soon as Halloween is over, it's a very quick transition to Christmas! They must be on the same wave length as the stores or perhaps the Christmas Craft Market signals a need for the change. My husband loves Halloween the most so we love to leave the Halloween mood/decorations up for most of November!Ha Ha! The spirit of Christmas doesn't come until the 1st of December, but then I also leave those up until mid to late January, unlike most. It's just too beautiful to take down until January Blues have been washed away. Ruth P.S. I'm busy making pies and applesauce and will perhaps do dehydrated apples, too, since they are so good!

Hi Ruthie Applesauce! Grand that you are using the fruit, I have a batch in the dehydrator as I scribe. Rosita is planning to bake an apple coffee cake tomorrow so my stash is going down! Really started to pour this afternoon so both Etta and Duke are sopping when they come inside for a snack. And then, right back out back out. I let Duke out at 5:30 am and there were three or four deer on the sidewalk, just up from our place. He stood on the entranceway mat, rooted, his eyes locked on them! On my ride, on Sunday, near the marina, I came across a handsome buck with a most impressive set of antlers. Wish I had had my camera as he really paid little, if an, attention to me, as I rode past, coming and going, as I turn around near the Tennis Club at the end of the road. He was munching on some shrubs near the water's edge.

Must away as I'm to make a salad for dinner: Spaghetti squash stuffed with chicken smothered in marinara sauce. Chloë is coming for dinner so it will be nice to see her getting off work at a decent hour for a change. Fondestos and Cheers from Lady Dar and Rosita. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: The Rumpus Room Sisterhood!

Hello Dear Friends, I believe most of you know that Jos and I, with our friends Marianne and Tim, were in Greece in September & October to visit 4 islands in the Cyclades (it took us 24 hours to get there!). Objective was to do as much as possible on foot and take ferries from one island to the next. We were eager to do something more relaxed than the "challenging out of the ordinary trips" we typically do! Maybe this will become the norm now.

Please find following the link to our photos in Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99264714@N02/albums/72157701689892151

We had a great time, the weather was cooperating except for the "MediCane" that struck while we were there (apparently this was world news). Wind gust of 9-10 made hiking along cliffs challenging at times, but unlike some other travelers we ran into, we had only one ferry cancellation and could hire a private boat with others later in the day to carry us across to the next island. The islands we chose, under guidance of my sister, were small, generally un-touristic and therefore authentic Greek. 

The several emotional encounters with kind Greek locals were a testimony for that and always a special experience. The islands were simply beautiful, with some stunning coast lines. The quite different geology resulted in many dramatic landscapes and strange landforms. In particular Kimolos consists largely of acidic volcanic rocks and tuffs.

One setback: The normally well connected public bus system on these islands was not always operational so late in the season and that meant, unfortunately, that we had to rent a car a few times, just to get us to where we wanted to go to hike. The positive side of this was that we were able to do more than we otherwise could have done. In the photo series you will find a map of the islands we went to, as well as our detailed itinerary, so that you can see how long we stayed where.

I assume you know how Flickr works. But just in case, on the opening screen with all photos posted in small size, you can hover over them with your mouse and see the file name. All file names describe where the photo was taken, some in more detail than others. You can view the photos best in full screen mode, press opposing arrows at the bottom right. Esc to get out of it. If you wish to download a photo you can do so by pressing the download icon on the bottom right of the screen. Download in any resolution including full resolution. Please let us know if you have any questions. Enjoy! Aart & Jos  Hello Telephoto Aarturos and Bikini Babe! Finally had time to peruse your simply wonderful album. Μεγαλοπρεπής/Magnificent! What an incredible record of your exceptional holiday. Stunning landscapes and fabulous vistas, picturesque villages and iconic church domes. Feel like I was right on the trails and in the village squares with you and Famiglia Dunn, sipping Retsina and Ouzo, nibbling on Calamari and meeting locals! Cheers and Yassou, Patrizzio!
 

Hello Telephoto Aarturos and Bikini Babe! Are you home yet? Finally had time to peruse your simply wonderful, wonderful album. Without question, without doubt, without exception, Μεγαλοπρεπής/Magnificent! What an incredible record of your exceptional holiday. Stunning landscapes and fabulous vistas, charming, picturesque villages and iconic church domes. Feel like I was right on the trails and in the village squares with you and Famiglia Dunn, sipping Retsina and Ouzo, nibbling on Calamari and meeting locals! Until next our paths cross, stay well dear friends. Cheers, Patrizzio!