Lady Dar Sings the St Christopher Crowsnest Blues: April 28th!

Let us face a pluralistic world in which there are no universal churches, no single remedy for all diseases, no one way to teach or write or sing, no magic diet, no world poets, and no chosen races, but only the wretched and wonderfully diversified human race. -Jacques Barzun, professor and writer (1907- )

Hi Sounds like you are well on the way in your recuperation from surgery. Sorry to hear that there are health concerns in your inner circle though. Good for you two in getting ahead of the game in buying an electric car. I decided to sell my Beetle while there was still a market for it but may have to wait a few years to buy either hybrid or electric. Is there an online info as to the location of charging stations. What range does the Kona have? Love to hear more as time goes by. The solar panels are a great idea. I keep wishing the complex here would consider the possibility but evidently that idea does not muster much interest.

We are still on a babysitting schedule but unfortunately with Kian’s formal schooling starting this fall our time will be cut short. It has been such fun! Imagine you being a great grandparents! Such a cutie too! Without a second car, I am beginning to feel like a recluse. Time to start looking into bus schedules. Your life Is just as full as ever! Good to hear from you 💗 Brenda Greetings to all Hi Brenda Louise! Wonderful to know Kian is already enrolled in the heavy equipment program at TRU! Coincidentally, Lady Dar used her 2003 Bug as part of the Scrap-It program when we bought our Kona, along with our 2013 Equinox, as a trade-in. We decided to buy the electric vehicle, in part, because the Hyundai dealership offered us about $1000 more than did the GM dealership when we looked at the 2018 Bolt before Christmas. The longer we kept the Equinox the more it would depreciate, of course. As well, the Bolt is much smaller than the Kona and we wanted something with a little more room. 

Funnily enough, we decided to move on the solar panel front as Argon Solar, out of Oliver, had approached Chloë, last Fall, in her capacity as a strata manager at Pacific Quorum, to see if any of the buildings she had in her portfolio might be interested in installing solar panels. They gave a presentation and she forwarded some of the information to us as she knew we were toying with the idea. Had been for a number of years. A few months ago, now, one of the reps came over and to look at our property and then gave us a detailed estimate. Once we realized we could afford it, [O Woe is my tax-free account but what is this money for anyway?], we moved on the electric vehicle front.

Speaking of which, the "747 dashboard screen" has many features, as you can imagine, one of which maps charging stations, giving type and distance from one's present location, etc. Furthermore, we signed up for ChargePoint, (free), which provides both a card one uses at charging stations to release plug as well as an app for one's iPhone to find available stations, check charging status and view charging history, etc. I gather you can also reserve a charging session but we haven't had to do that at this point. Probably something for longer trips such as driving to LA to see Olivia! For now, Lady Dar will need to be concerned about how to charge Kona in Vancouver, not so much at public charging stations but at residential homes which may well not have a regular outlet near a parking spot that might necessitate running an extension cord across a city sidewalk. 

Anyway, an interesting learning experience. Really have to re-think one's attitude of, heretofore, simply travelling from one gas station to another and a relatively quick fill-up and go, within minutes. Now, a quick charge, if available, [Another wrinkle is that many of the existing stations are for Teslas only and plugs are not compatible for other electric vehicle.], is about an hour, perhaps more, I believe, so need to have a good book at the ready all the time. Perhaps, a more relaxed way to travel, particularly if one has the luxury of time. Simply have to become far more disciplined when planning and undertaking a highway trip until we have a better idea of the reality of how vehicle behaves between readily available charging stations, given where we now live. Cross your fingers for Lady Dar on this, the maiden voyage of the good ship Kona!

Speaking of things electric, perhaps you should think about an ebike since you are down to one car. This would allow you to negotiate the considerable hill you live atop and free you from your hermit's cave! Must away to do my first set of arm/shoulder exercises for the day. Will do a few light chores around the house once I've waved goodbye to Lady Dar and then must ready things for tonight's meal. Chloë will come for dinner this evening and we'll watch latest episode of Game of Thrones while we eat. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you and Sir Walter, busy packing her bag. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Patrizzio, post-barbershop! Took these "selfie" snaps, [With my regular camera as I'm not really a regular iPhone addict, although need to become much more acquainted with it now Kona is part of our lives.], as friend, David, in Berkeley, wanted to see me shorn!

Great to hear about the relatively pain free mending of the shoulder!. Not so great to hear re the unavailability of bike racks for your car and the misleading info presented when you purchased it ☹.

Perhaps we could build a combination bike / wood carrier for yourself and concoct a more commercially viable unit for mainstream market. I agree that this is well suited to the emerging green minded populace and should be seriously looked at. The attached picture is an idea in progress. Perhaps you could take a few detailed pics’ of the back of the car including the underside area if possible and I can think more about what we could do.

Heading out for my first golf game in a year and a half this morning so looking forward to that , especially with the weather cooperating so nicely. Going with our friend Amar who is the father of one of Jesse’s school mates from Elementary school so we go quite a ways back now, also Colleen’s brother Sean and Mike Carrol an old friend of mine who I rarely get to see but we keep in touch. Mike is a former contract trucker turned wholesale coffee distributor who lives in Burkeville with his wife. Turns out that Mike and Amar know eachother from work as Amar is also a truck driver and they happened to get to know eachother over the years and not making the connection to me until many years later!. Mike is a surprise guest at todays game so I am sure they will both be quite happy to see each other and catch up.

Colleen and I are heading to New York at the end of the week so it will be busy catching up on various stuff. Really looking forward to that. Jake’s girlfriend's Mom is going to pick us up on Monday and take us around for the day to a bunch of major attractions including the Freedom Tower, Wall Street and the Brooklynn Bridge, among others. I must go and dust off the golf gear but will catch up soon, hugs to you both and have a great day. Cheers, Al                                                                      Hello Big Apple People! Wonderful to know that you continue to live The Lives of the Rich and Famous! What a wonderful trip! Bravo! I was first in NY when I was about five and we docked there, having crossed the Atlantic, leaving from Southhampton. I remember going to Radio City Music Hall to see Seven Brides for Seven Sons and watching TV, for the first time, in our hotel room. 

When we left, at the end of our long, three month holiday in Canada, (by train to Winnipeg, via Buffalo and the Niagara Falls), I still have vivid, vivid memories of seeing the Statue of Liberty as the ocean liner, the Exeter, sailed past her, eventually making for Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. I remember I was standing, by myself, in the late afternoon, the sun setting, on the upper deck of the stern, imagining she was waving goodbye, just to me! Next time was in 1957 when we left Cyprus, aboard the Independence, from Liverpool, for the last time, and we docked in NY. Fireboats shooting fountains of water into the air and confetti falling like snow to welcome us. Magical indeed, at least for me as a nine-year old.

Thanks for great drawing of Road Runner's prototype of a bike rack! I have attached a snaps of underside, (rotated, after the fact), and back of Kona. From what I could discern there doesn't seem much to attach a hitch frame to, given battery housing, etc. I suspect underside would need a much closer inspection, while on a hoist, or some such elevatory device/mechanism. Until my former, "regular" rack is installed, if ever possible, I'm hoping I can transport bike inside. Not ideal, of course. I'd rather that than a detachable clip-on, with straps, etc., or a roof rack, but may have to live with one or the other.

Enjoy your golf with good friends. Great surprise indeed! Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you, Cartoon Chap, and Marilyn, busy packing her bag, as you both will soon be doing! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Kona. Etta helping Lady Dar pack, yesterday, and then, exhausted, napping with her brother and her mistress.
Hi everyone, I’ll see you tomorrow night. Craig not be with us as he’s on the island but we should have enough for two tables, right? Hugs, Olly Hi Patrick...I am happy to let Theresa drive...but we can decide Monday night. Thanks. Diannesee you at 6:05 pmOk...sounds good I can flip the 3rd row of seats up in our Highlander. ...BUT Not too comfortable for 
adults to crawl into the back. Especially gimpy ones like you and I 😉. If there is a nimble short legged player who doesnt mind the back row???? I will plan to drive one way or the other, as long as someone comes with me who knows the way. AEB Hello Dummy Moves People! Yes, we enough for two tables but Dummy must move! With respect to carpooling, Ann has enough room for everyone, if one of us is nimble enough to clamber into the back set of seats. If everyone plans to arrive at 611 Burns by 6:05 pm we can see which vehicle woks best for all concerned and take things from there, the Summerlanders warming up the cards for us! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello, Theresa and I will go together straight up to Ollie’s. See you there Susan Sorry Patrick, I was not part of that decision….Theresa Hi Theresa! That's fine. We'll see you at Ollie's place. Thanks, Patrizzio!
Hello Penticton Carpoolers! Apparently Susan and Theresa will go directly to Olga Polga's so I'll let you two fight it out over who will drive to Summerland. In any event, I'll see chauffeur and passenger at 611 Burns at 6:05 pm! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!
See you then AEB

Lady Dar took the Good Ship Kona on its maiden highway voyage yesterday, leaving around 10:30 am. Almost a strategic military planning situation in terms of making sure she knows where she can re-charge, given vehicle's range over mountain terrain, etc. She called just before 2:00 pm to say she was in Manning Park, at a BC Hydro free charging station, all having gone exceedingly well to that point. Our ChargePoint card does not work on this system so she had to call number provided on outlet and was immediately signed up. Neither of us were aware that this system was in place so an on-going learning experience. She was huddled in her car, for forty minutes or so, snow covering the ground, until her "tank" was charged to 80%!

Georges-Eugène Haussmann 

Art: Henri Lehmann, 1860

This allowed her plenty of juice to make it to East Van where she had arranged to stay with Robyn for two nights. She arrived around 6:00 pm as she ran into stop-and-go traffic around Abbotsford, due to Tulip Festival crowds! Anyway, she has now scoped out Hope-Princeton so pleased that this route works so well in terms of battery charge/distance with enough redundancy, it would seem, for unexpected situations, traffic, road work or weather conditions, per esempio. Will probably explore Connector/Coquihalla on one of next trips as there is a charging station in Merritt and we need to see what this is like, access etc. Batteries re-charge on descent, no matter grade, [actually a form of very efficient braking as well], so while more energy is expended on climbs than flat terrain, -/+ probably balance each other, to a large extent, maintaining charge needed/expected for planned trip. 

Her book club is on Monday evening and she is hosting, at Robyn's. [Muled a case of wine, (!), plus Clan Sutherland's case, latest release from Black Widow we collected on Saturday.]