Here's The Thing and The Kismet Blues: Tuesday, August 20th!

To have and not to give is often worse than to steal. -Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, writer (1830-1916) 

Hi Hazel! Trust you are well. Greetings from Osoyoos and Spirit Ridge. Down here for a couple of nights with Nancy and David, along with Chloë who had a number of girlfriends here to celebrate her birthday on Sunday.

I had mentioned, last week, that we were probably going to be back in Penticton, on Wednesday, and this is the case so the three of us, (N/D and I), would like to hear Al Lerman. Lady Dar has her book club so she won't be joining us. At any rate. let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! So a table for 3? Not a problem. Hazel Three indeed. Thanks muchly, Darlin' Hazel! See you domani. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Eric! Lovely to hear from you. Again, heartfelt condolences on the death of your father. What a fabulous idea to put together such a video tribute to The Great Balzarini! Of course, I'd be more than pleased to contribute in any way that you see fit. At the moment we are in Osoyoos, with close friends from Berkeley. They fly back to California this coming Thursday, from Kelowna, so sometime later on Thursday or Friday might be best to talk on the phone. Our home number is 250-493-0092, cell at 250-486-7006. Not sure which number would be best for recording so i"ll let you decide. Perhaps you could send me another message outlining how you would like to proceed and timing of call. Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, it’s been nice to reconnect with people, although it’s unfortunate that it seems to be events like these that are often the reason.
Friday would work just fine - would morning be OK, say at 9am? If not I’m free anytime. Have you used Skype, and if so, what’s your username or email that you use with it? I’ve done this already with a few others and it seems to have worked well to record video conversation. Let me know if this works. Thanks,
Eric

Hi again Eric! Sorry I have not replied sooner but we are still entertaining close friends from Berkeley. I have not used Skype for sometime so I tried to invoke it and it will not work on either my laptop or on Corinne's. At any rate, I managed to overcome countless technological difficulties to mount FaceTime on my computer. I gather you can call me at the email address you have as well as an associated cell number should that be required. If you send me your phone number, as back-up, if you think necessary, we can connect, should there be any other technological glitches. Otherwise, I expect, and look forward to, hearing from you around 9:00 am Friday morning. Please pass along fond regards to your mother and sisters in this more than difficult time. Cheers, for now, Patrizzio, lesser and always overwhelmed/impressed, understudy/admirer of The Great, [nay Fabuloso!], Balzarini! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick, Dear Corinne, It’s a long time ago we heard of you. Of course it’s me who didn’t write you to tell you about our daily affairs ! As a part-time pensioneer I still spend quite a bit of my time in my office and beside that we are often abroad in our holidays.

So we spent some time in Lisboa last December, in our beloved mountains during January and February. March / April is always high season für my ski-adventures. In May we spent for the fourth time in a row 2 weeks in Cadaques, Spain to enjoy warm weather, good food and nice wines! Beside that we enjoy our bicycles, we walk and visit close friends. Monica is quite busy with caring for her mother Hanna. She is 91 years old, lives by her own, but needs more and more help.

We would really like to see you again. But unfortunately according to your mail, we seem to miss you this year. We booked our ferry to Bastia (La Corse !) this year for Saturday, the 21.09.2019 and we plan to stay there until 8th of October. Once in a year we usually plan to visit a southern region of Europe to enjoy our Indian-summer. Of course we prefer a place that offers a nice range of good wines and locally food !

So tell me, if there is still a chance to see you somewhere this fall. Otherwise we seriously have to think about visiting you at Burns street hotel next year! Have a wonderful time and stay well, cheers ! Max

Hello Dearest Famiglia Krebs/Leu! Lovely to hear from you, Mad Max! Still as busy as ever so pleased that this is so. Really quite disappointed that we will miss you and Monica again this year as our schedules simply won't intersect, unfortunately. However, more than delighted to learn that you may well make a visit next year. Of course that would be wonderful so do plan on it.

As mentioned, we have been very busy with visitors. At the moment we are in Osoyoos, with close friends from Berkeley. They fly back to California this coming Thursday, from Kelowna, so after they leave we have to help Chloë with as much packing as possible, before we have to pack for our own trip! Do hope that we will be able to see our Darling Fiona when in Bern. Until then, stay well and travel safely. Fondest from Lady Dar to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio.

PS: On a sad note, I mention that The Great Balzarini died this past June. His son Eric has asked to me to do an audio recording of The Piano Move as he is putting together a video for David's memorial on August 27th. Unfortunately, we are unable to attend due to our travel plans.

Pics: Playing bocce, at Township 7 Winery, with friends Colleen and Al, last week, and then wine-tasting after Al and I lost the match! Latest piece of art acquired by Lady Dar. Needed Al to hang it. I wanted to wait for a Swiss architect! Lady Dar and I at The Dream Café last Thursday, shortly after Nancy and David arrived. More wine-tasting with D/N. Bumped into Chloë and her girlfriends at one of the wineries. She is with Gaelan. With Thomas, from Basel, at Saturday's Farmers' Market. Met him at The Dream Café a month or so ago. The Great Balzarini!