More Shouldares and More Gala Dehydrator Blues: Thursday, November 7th!

You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful. -Marie Curie, scientist, Nobel laureate (7 Nov 1867-1934) 

Volunteering at the Dream must be a great way to experience great music! Today I'm racking apple cider in the wine shop! Hi Cider House Rules Man!

We are off to see Alex Cuba, along with Josinta and Aarturos, tomorrow evening, then selling 50/50 tickets on Saturday.

Today I'll be readying my fifth batch of Galas for the dehydrator! Apples, apples everywhere and not  drop to drink! Yesterday I cut up one of our two Halloween pumpkins and roasted it to make removing the flesh easier. Fondestos from Lady Dar, just off to do the downward facing feline, to you, Guillermo, and Rita. Happy racking. Stay well. Cheers and Arrivederci, Patrizzio! Pics: The Pumpkin Eater!   Must get in the loop! I tried just now to get tickets for the show tomorrow and of course it is sold out... Enjoy. Bill Hi Billy-come-lately! Yes, Alex Cuba was sold out almost as soon as date was announced. Not sure if you were aware of the fact that if you subscribe to the Dream's free Newsletter, [sign up on the website], you will receive advance notice of line-ups and this often gives one the chance to buy tickets for acts that might well be quite popular. We'll toast you tomorrow evening! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dearest Magnolia and Minor Man! Trust you are both well. Must really apologize for not really being in touch ever since your wonderful visit. I had planned to send along the album below, while travelling, but for some silly system or bureaucratic administrative reason I was not allowed to access Flickr when overseas! Not sure why but finally gave up and we have been pretty busy ever since we returned from Europe on October 13th. 

Back at the Dream tomorrow evening to hear Alex Cuba, with friends Josinta and Aarturos, from Summerland. Then more 50/50 ticket selling on Saturday, for me, with Chloë's baby shower on Sunday. Whew! If it's Tuesday it must be Århus! Fondestos from Lady Dar, just back from doing the downward facing feline, to you, Dottore and Hänneschen. Stay well. Cheers and Arrivederci, Patrizzio! Pics: Blanket Girl and Pumpkin Eater! Duke and Etta waiting for Lady Dar to watch The Young and The Useless this afternoon!
 

Thank you Corinne, and Patrick, Just a friendly reminder that I believe the City of Penticton will be addressing the Net Metering Program again this coming Tuesday (November 12) at 1 pm. There is anticipation that they will make the changes to the program that will make it much more appealing and beneficial for homeowners to install solar on their residence. We hope to see Penticton Utility Corp to allow solar clients to offset their kWh used by kWh generated, and eliminate buying back the electricity you produce from your solar array at a wholesale rate. Looking forward to a positive outcome with this next council meeting. Thank you again for your support, and for choosing Argon Solar. Sincerely, Jonathan

Hi Southside! Trust you are well. Thanks for the reminder about coming Council meeting. I do apologize for not being in touch sooner, replying to a number of your earlier messages but, while travelling, there never seemed an opportune time and we have been pretty busy ever since we returned from Europe on October 13th. No excuses but plenty of reasons! By chance, at dinner, with friends, this past Sunday, we met their son who is a planner with the City and mentioned Net Metering Program, etc. It was his opinion that the bylaw in question had not yet been passed, hence no new pricing reflected on our bill. One can only hope that the changes the "solar community" have been insisting upon will be enacted on Tuesday. Plan to attend so perhaps we'll see you there if you will be going. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

We are looking for half a dozen volunteers who have good handwriting to come to Granville Island and help us address and stuff envelopes for our year-end fundraising campaign...This is a mostly sit-down job, indoors, with coffee and snacks provided. Laughter and good company guaranteed! If you are interested and available either or both THURS Nov 21 and FRI Nov 22 from 9 am until 1 pm, please let me know ASAP, many thanks! Endless appreciation awaits! Kathryn Fowler, Volunteer Manager Vancouver Writers Fest

Hello Dearest Katarina! Not sure if anyone mentioned it or not but I popped in to the office to say hello on the Monday following the Festival. We were in town until Thursday morning of that week and had hoped to see you but our schedule didn't allow, unfortunately. If we were still in town I'd have volunteered to stuff envelopes but, given my illegible chicken scratching you'd not want me anywhere near addressing portion of project. Trust you are well. Come and visit. You probably didn't know but Chloë is pregnant and given her age, baby's size, she is scheduled to be induced on November 23rd! Am pleased to report that all goes very well with her and "soccer player", [She doesn't wish to know sex of child.], in her tummy, but it "kicks" her much of the night so she has had some difficulty sleeping over last few months. Fondestos from Lady Dar. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: At Christmas Fair last Saturday and then with good friend, Judy, over for dinner, this past Wednesday.

Patrick! No, no one mentioned to me that you had stopped by the Monday post-festival. I was 'in recovery'.... Actually I am surprised anyone was in the office that day. GLAD to hear your news, hello to Corine and have fun being a Grandad. I am not quite done with the Festival yet...feedback data to compile and a final report to write! Kathryn Hi again, Recovery Woman! Thanks for wishes. Lady Dar sends her hellos. She's just about to head over to Chloë's to take some measurements in a number of closets, looking for some shelving, of one sort or another. Buona Fortuna with post-Festival tasks. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

To commemorate her 79th birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:
 

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don't feel so bad.
 

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions, 
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, 
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring, 
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin', 
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin', 
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames, 
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, 
Then I remember the great life I 've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.