Marps and the Back Patio Picnic Blues: Wednesday, June 5th!

I'm sometimes asked "Why do you spend so much of your time and money talking about kindness to animals when there is so much cruelty to men?" I answer: "I am working at the roots." -George T. Angell, reformer (5 Jun 1823-1909) 

I was up at just before 7:00 am, not a kitten in sight until I went to close front window and spied Duke peering at me from one of the yellow chairs. He came inside and ate two small platefuls of pumpkin, with great relish, I might add. Lazy Etta was on her regular chair in back patio but didn't seem interested in coming inside so I went back into the kitchen to prepare my java. Once that was ready I noticed her waiting patiently at the sliding door, too, too spoiled to use the cat door, insisting on having the servant do her unspoken bidding! Somewhat surprised to find that she licked her pumpkin clean and then munched away on the crunchies!

By this time Lady Dar was up and went to water. She came inside with our first garlic scapes of the season, more rhubarb and two bouquets, sage and oregano. Will offer former to Jo-Anne and will hang latter in garage to dry. While she was watering plants in back patio Miss Etta hopped up onto fence and then onto canvas top covering gazebo. She looked like she was on a water bed but she managed quite well, returning to the fence before jumping down to join us, giving us each a rub, before rolling around on the driveway while I scratched her tummy. The Constant Gardener planted the gorgeous lily, from Lynne and Peter, in one of the planters whose original inhabitant had not survived the winter. Looks lovely so trust it will do well. Must away as I need to have a quick shower and change before I head to PGH to see my physio for assessment and next set of exercises.
 

Hi All! Sorry it has taken me so long to organize this!! I do have posters in the cafe now ready to put up in Penticton and a list of regular places we use each time which could grow also. If any of you are still interested and could pick up posters from me at the Cafe this week , it would be a huge help! Each person who distributes posters will get to choose their Free Show from a list I will provide each month. I also need more volunteers to sell our 50/50 tickets at shows , if you'd like to be added to that group please let me know. I am short a volunteer for tonight's show. It's easy. You arrive at 7pm and sell tickets to the audience until show time by going table to table and you get a free table for the show! Please reply to this email if you can help with either of these?  Hazel
 

Hi Hazel! I'm happy to pick up posters today or some other day this week. I'm also available sell 50/50 tickets this evening if you still require a volunteer. Let me know and I'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheer, Patrizzio! PS: You can also text me. I'm out for lunch with friends shortly. I do need a 50/50 seller tonight! See you by 7pm? Hazel See you at 7:00pm! Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick! Thanks for doing an excellent job with 50/50 tickets this evening! I have cc'd in our coordinator Carole so she can set you up as a regular 50/50 seller! Hazel Hi Hazel and Carole! More than happy to help out. Really enjoyed West My Friend. Look forward to selling more tickets. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

Hi, Patrick. I had meant to email you before now . . . but you got there first. Thanks for the lovely photos. I didn't bring my camera on this little impromptu getaway and took only a paltry few when I was on the KVR Trail with James earlier that same day, so it is good to have a visual memento.

And thanks also, of course, for your hospitality and wonderful dinner. It's great to have all those fresh herbs right in your backyard. Perhaps I should be inspired to be a bit more ambitious with container gardening on my balcony.

James and I left very early Monday morning as we were both awake around 6 am and James is always at the vagaries of air pass availability for his return journeys to Lethbridge (this being around the 35th time or so that he has made the trip in the past several years). We blasted down the Coquihalla and straight to YVR, where I was able to drop him off (or more correctly, he dropped himself off and I retook the wheel, as he handled all of the driving for this trip). Sorry to hear that Corinne has been unwell. I had a horrible stomach bug a week ago, and my mother had a day or two earlier had a bug with the OTHER major gastric symptom. Hope Corinne is well on the mend now. Give her my love. Hedgehugs, Janet
 

Hi Hedgehug Woman! Grand that you were able to visit and pleased to make his 35th flight on time! Thanks for your concern about Lady Dar. She seems to be on the mend now, at least her tummy is not nearly as sore and upset as it had been initially. This allowed her to enjoy our afternoon with Jo-Anne and Colin. They arrived. from Osoyoos, [where they had a wonderful time for two nights/days, wine-tasting, etc.], around 1:30 pm. I had assembled various things for lunch and they contributed much of the food they had used for picnics over their stay. 
 

It was much cooler than it had been of late but still pleasant enough to eat on back patio, polishing off three bottles of wine! When wind finally came up, bringing with it some light rain, we moved inside to continue the visit. By this time Colin and I needed some Single Malt so we continued to tipple! We invited them to stay the night but they had to go home as Colin had a medical appointment, quite early on the morrow. After a grand time we said goodbye around 5:00 pm. Marps had only had a glass or two of wine, early on, so she was designated driver.
 

Once they were off I cleared up the kitchen and then had time for one set of my shoulder exercises. Earlier in the day I had responded to a request for volunteers to sell 50/50 tickets at The Dream Café and had heard back from Hazel, programmer for acts, that she needed someone at 7:00 pm. Lady Dar was off to an executive meeting for The South Okakanagan Whisky Tasting Society, [She was elected Secretary at the AGM a few weeks ago.], so I hoofed it along Penticton Creek to the venue. Took my brolly as sky threatened rain. We really need it so didn't mind in the least.

Once at The Dream Hazel gave me the tickets and I criss-crossed the place selling tickets at most every table. Patrons are usually quite pleased to support the sale as this fund-raising is sponsored by the BC Lottery Corporation and 40% of sales is returned to The Dream. Hazel uses this money to subsidize new acts, not well -known enough to necessarily draw a full house. In so doing, this contributes to the development of burgeoning talent throughtout the province and further afield. I quite enjoyed the task, chatting with patrons, and once sales closed, before act opens at 8:00 pm, I was entitled to sit at a free table and enjoy a half-priced drink, one which I really needed, of course! 

Really liked West My Friend, "an acoustic blend of guitar, mandolin, accordion, and threepart harmonies that challenges the conventions of popular music. Drawing from folk, classical, jazz, and pop influences and forged in a sonically adventurous acoustic music scene on Canada's west coast, West My Friend is proving to be a key part of a new generation of grassroots folk music. With over six hundred performances ranging from the Edge of the World Music Festival to the West End Cultural Centre to the Copenhagen Folk Club and everywhere in between, West My Friend's commitment to creating original indie-roots music always catches hold of audiences." The lead singer had a very powerful, strong, strong voice which she used to great, good effect so it was thrilling to hear her use it, back by such accomplished musicians. 

Was a bit peckish by this time so I ordered a scrumptious Mac with four Cheeses to help sop up all the hootch! After first set was finished I said goodnight to Hazel. She said she would give my name to the 50/50 volunteer coordinator as she was pleased with my overall sales and approach. 

Enjoyed the stroll home, back along the crik again, now filled with more rushing water from the recent rain. Lady Dar was home when I walked in the door, back from her productive meeting, watching last few episodes of Shetland. For my part, I was ready for bed so as soon as I brushed and flossed I flopped into bed, drifting off to CBC. Quite a full day indeed!