Australian Wildfires and PAG's Soup Bowls Blues: Thursday, November 14th!

No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power. -P.J. O'Rourke, writer (b. 14 Nov 1947) 

Patrick James Dunn Off increasingly distressing and deeply troubling global concern, related to all of us, Australians and their wildlife, in particular, is this picture, posted by the sister of a close friend in Qualicum Beach, at Wallabi Point, NSW, taken by Adam Stevenson. This horrendous image represents the devastation of the wild fires in Australia right now but is also a reminder of those raging in Brazil, Siberia and across Canada this past summer. Do we really need any more convincing that Global Change is frighteningly real? Trump should be impeached for being a Climate Change Denier, let alone for his moral and political criminal acts!

Christina Tassell My cousin who lives inland from Kempsey, NSW, has been evacuated and does not know if her home is safe as they are in the midst of the forest😔

Patrick James Dunn Thank you for this reminder, terrible though it be, of utmost importance in the fight to combat Global Change. Ironically, the wonderful, wonderful Kookaburra, imbued with a sadness that is simply heartbreaking, reminded me of one that perched on a friend's balcony, but an arm's length away, on a visit to Sydney's Northern Suburbs in 2000. Happier days, of course, but had we heeded the world-wide warning signs many were alarmed about then, perhaps we would have been able to mitigate or avoid what is happening across the globe. As I write this post I am listening to CBC's Laura Lynch of The Current interviewing a resident from Wallabi Point. This is definitely not fake news. This is a call to arms. 

We all bear certain responsibility and each of us must act, as best we can, however we can, to effect change, no matter how small, to reverse the self-destructive course we have set for our planet. Chloë, our youngest daughter, is to give birth in a week or so. It is for our grandchild, and your children and grandchildren and more, that we must work in the struggle to prevent such catastrophes as pictured here and, more importantly, understand and then attack the underlying causes. I took this picture of this magnificent Raven, a month or so ago, in Manning Park. I send it in solidarity to its Australian cousin!  

Hi Dreamboat People! Here is Saturday's show! We usually arrive around 6:45 pm so we have plenty of time for dinner. Would you like to pop by our place for a drink before we go to The Dream? Let us know and we'll plan accordingly, Cheers, Patrizzio! Why don't you guys come here for a drink. Then we can walk over J
 

Great...2 tables more fun.  No you don’t have to bring table.  I have one here........let me know if we only have 7 and i will see if I can get someone See u Monday Judy xoxo

Hi JB! I just talked to Olga Polga and she, poor dear, is suffering from some sort of respiratory ailment so she won't be playing this coming Monday. If you can dig up another player that would be grand indeed. Even if not, we'll manage like we did this past week and it was terrific. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Lady Dar's breakfast this morning!!! Just to let you know ,you can buy fire starters, called Zip, 20 to a box. They are great, no paper needed & better for your chimney. Get them at Canadian Tire or Home Hardware Clara  

Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, 1993

Photo: IMDb

Hi Clarisse, et al! Thanks for the terrific tip. A few years ago, Lady Dar made similar starters using cup-cake moulds and paraffin wax, [bees wax is better for the environment, however.], mixed with bedding litter, part of a Christmas fund-raiser for Oasis. They worked really well as I used the few that were not sold. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for making more seems to have waned considerable since then. I'm hoping your suggestion will spur her on to re-starting production line although I think she will use coming birth as an argument against such entrepreneurship!

Perhaps Chloë and I will use the litter as stuffing for the perogies we plan to make for Christmas! Still want them, Ayn? Must away as Lady Dar is demanding another bottle of vodka! Love and Cheers, Patrizzio/Dad PS: A parcel just arrived from Tinsel Town! Pics: Perogy stuffing or fire starter? The felines are not amused!

Thursday Hike!

Would like you guys to come over. I might get tea and cake ready with a little bit of bridge. When are you guys available between now and next Sunday 24th?? I doing great and even did a 2km hike up Campbell yesterday and all fine. hope to see you soon Gill Hello Mountain Goat of Campbell Mountain!
 

Wonderful to hear you are doing so well, Gilliana! Hip Hip Hooray! Thanks for lovely invitation. We'd be delighted to come over for tea and cake and bridge. Best time for me would be either Wednesday or Thursday of Friday but I don't know what Lady Dar's schedule is. I suspect Phillipo might be hiking on Thursday and I know Lady Dar is involved with Grandmothers for Africa and Tree Light Up, downtown, on Friday evening so those two afternoons might not be the best. As soon as we've had time to compare calendars I'll ask her and we'll let you know. 

Had grand time at the Penticton Art Gallery's Soup Bowls event this evening. Chat soon. Cheers, Patrizzio! People and art, (under $500), for sale: Lady Dar, picking up a soup bowl, with PAG volunteers, Lou (far left, from hiking group and book club), and Inês, (from Grandmothers for Africa); Max, (Lou's son), and Dame Judith; Chloë and Bill Laven, [He distils his own high octane Grappa!], clutching their bowls; one of soup stations; bread station; Chloë with Avi, (One of vendors, [fantastic knitted products, with needles the size of small baseball bats], at Farmers' Market), with her daughter; but a few of the many works available to buy. Flowers were painted by Avi. Lady Dar came away with three small works!
 

Wednesday I'm seeing doctor early pm and Thursday I've got a friend coming over and Phil likely hiking. Friday could work but are you available this weekend either Sat or Sun?? See you soon Gill  Hi again, Gilliana! Looks like this weekend might be out as we have a full day on Saturday and a Whiskey Tasting early Sunday afternoon. We could "squeeze" in a visit, on Saturday, after about 11:30 am but would need to be home by 2:15 pm as chimney sweep is booked to come for cleaning chimney, etc. Perhaps this coming Monday? Will Phillipo be hiking? If not, we could come around 11:00 am, after my massage appointment, and then stay for a couple of rounds bridge. Or after he is home from hike. We have two tables that evening, hosted by Judy Blue. Busy, busy schedules all. If none of these suggestions work, perhaps we'll just pop around to say hello at a time suitable for one and all. Let us know what you think. Cheers, Patrizzio!