SS Sicamous and Blue Christmas Fair Blues: Saturday, November 16th!

Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world. -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)

Hi Pat: How are you? I saw this article and it made me think of you. How’s Cloe? When is the baby due and how is she feeling? Are you around, I will give you a call and catch up. All is well here, I have been so busy with Celtic Colours. It was another extremely successful year- good shows , excellent volunteers and a great staff. Ron and I are going to do El Camino Costa Rica Dec. 4th to the 16th. I’m really looking forward to the hike- it won’t be easy but we are up for the challenge. Let me know when you are free for a phone call. I’m trying to come for another visit this year! Love Ski 
 

Hello Camino Costa Rica People! Grand to hear from you. What a trip you have planned. Bravo!!! Trust everyone is well. From the sounds of it, would seem so. [Thanks for sending along link to article. I was unable to open it as I'm too cheap to pay anything! Furthermore, I knew Lady Dar would be buying the G&M as she does so every Saturday! I'll read it when she is done.] Thanks, as well, for inquiring about Chloë. She is doing extremely well, I'm pleased to report. She had her last day of work last Friday and joined us, with Josinta and Aarturos, from hiking group, to see Alex Cuba. Fab show! [Not sure if I mentioned it in an earlier missive but she saw Jill Barber there a day before we returned from Europe and it was a spectacular evening. Of course Bank of Parents bought tickets!]  If all goes as medically expected she will be induced on November 23rd, given her age, 43, and baby's size. From ultrasounds, a bruiser at 9 lbs, so far! We are off to the Dream Café this evening, with Dame Judith and Kevin, to hear the Mike Field, [jazz trumpeter], Quintet, [I'm actually selling 50/50 tickets so didn't have to pay cover charge as volunteers are allowed to stay for show and drinks are half-price!], and then to a South Okanagan Whisky Tasting Society Tasting Event tomorrow. [Have appended the Tasting Notes. Kevin is President and Lady Dar is Secretary.]

This morning I was off to the Christmas Fair at the SS Sicamous, all by my lonesome, as Chloë had her pre-natal yoga class. She and Lady Dar will go tomorrow. After I was back we headed up to Spiller Road to play bridge with good friends, Gilliana and Phillipo. She had her right hip replaced about ten days ago and is doing extremely well, out of hospital same day as surgery and walking two miles already. Before we started playing I loaded four wheelbarrows worth of wood into our car. Had managed a pickup's worth a month or so ago, as Kid Chelene very kindly made the trip with me. Will ask him again as probably about another load ready and waiting. Will dry it out over next year or so for following winter.
 

Back home to unload wood and when finished Lady Dar headed out to Painted Rock to pick up latest release. I stayed as we had made an appointment to have chimney sweep come over. He said everything was in good shape as we burn dry wood at a decent temperature. He said, this being the case, only need to have it cleaned every two years. While he was working, I was bagging the last batch of Galas I put into the dehydrator yesterday. 

Plan to do another batch tomorrow morning and also make another large pot of soup, this time Pumpkin Coconut Curry, [with rest of Halloween pumpkin I prepared last week], to try out the recipe from Nautical Dog Café, (a new restaurant, located at the marina on Skaha Lake), which was voted best soup of the Penticton Art Gallery's Soup Bowls event, Thursday evening. Had a marvellous, marvellous time and Lady Dar was very pleased with bowls "she" picked! [I'm never allowed to make colour or design choices!]

We will be home, after 8:00 pm, Sunday evening, after whisky tasting and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. [Playing bridge on Monday at another friend's home.], Must away to ready myself for the coming evening. We will head over to Ritcey's, on Lakeshore, for a drink, before making for Dream, for dinner, [I'll eat after I finish selling 50/50 tickets.], and show. All the best from Lady Dar, just back from Painted Rock, to you both. Cheers/Slàinte, Patrizzio! Chloë, at 37 weeks, on KVR!

pat: thanks for the update (blow by blow). how’s chloe doing? what is the actual due date? can you forward her email address/contact info please. fyi: we had a wonderful time in the uk. everyone behaved and throughly enjoyed the itinerary. scotland bears much deeper investigation… mom held up very well, only one minor impact day when we travelled from somerset to the lake district. quick recovery however. in spite of many visits i’m still constantly awed by the presence of such deep history on every corner. makes me worry (on top of everything else) for the future in north america when you consider our approach to historical fabric (replace it!). too sad to ponder just now. i’ll revel in it where and when i can.

all good on the coast (in wpg today, big sister shauna in for weekend visiting mom and doing an engagement party with friends from toronto). kids back in the saddle and alex riding herd. staying still for christmas with no visitors. can’t recall a time ever when that happened historically. all our best to the girls. stay well and don’t forget to breathe. … and to quote robert di nero, “…FUCK TRUMP” (shit stain of an embarrassment, blight on the country and a continuing saga of “you have GOT to be kidding”) regards, kevin  
 

Hi Reeling from Blow by Blow Man! If all goes as medically expected Chloë will be induced on November 23rd, given her age, 43, and baby's size. From ultrasounds, a bruiser at 9 lbs, so far! Here is her email address. Pleased to hear that your time in the so-called UK went so well. I agree, Scotland certainly bears much deeper investigation. We've only been there, the once, for but a week, back in 2004, but had a terrific time.

Shauna's visit coincides with last night's performance at the Dream Café, inasmuch, as Mike Field, jazz trumpeter, is from Toronto, although rest of the quintet are all very, very accomplished local musicians. Show was truly one of the best we've attended so entire evening was a blast. Speaking of Di Nero, we are looking forward to Scorsese's The Irishman, to be streamed on Netflix on November 27th. Apparently, nearest location to us, where it will be on the large screen is in Kamloops, on December 6th, my birthday, so perhaps Lady Dar will buy me tickets! Maya is flying up to Penticton that weekend to meet new baby so I'll probably have to go by myself!

Fondestos and best wishes to one and all from Lady Dar. She will be helping with the set-up for this afternoon's whiskey tasting at 3:30 pm tomorrow while I'll be stuck in the kitchen, barefoot, but not pregnant, beforehand, readying more Galas for the dehydrator and making another batch of pumpkin soup. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Pics: Duke guarding malt cabinet! Mike Field Quintet: Mike with a fan; with sound man, Grant; second set; trumpet with mute; with Hazel, manager of venue; drummer; Kevin, meet Kevin Ritcey, President of SOWTS! We were at their place for a drink before heading over to Dream. Had a tasty gulp of one of the first whisky releases from Dubh Glas, distillery in Gallagher Lake, about forty-five minutes south of us. Together with ten other "investors" we participated in the cask futures offering: half the contents of a 100L barrel, around $2,000 for 50L of whisky-in-the-making, with the rest of the barrel remaining the property of Dubh Glas. At the end of maturation, [3 years], we take home 44 bottles of custom-labeled whisky at a cost of $45 for a bottle, cask strength! Come for a tasting next June when we receive our hootch!

Thank you Patrick for the local update! Lovely! We’re looking forward to the new baby very soon and can’t imagine how happy you folks are!!!!! Been a long time coming. Christmas this year with Chloe’s newborn will be magical I’m sure. Peace to you all, talk soon. Much love, Colin and Gail ✌️❤️✊️ 
 

Hi Gail and Colin! Thanks for best wishes on coming birth. Magical indeed. Had a newsy note from Kevin and he mentioned he was in Winnipeg with Shauna. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Corinne and Pat, How are you? Any snow on the ground yet? We are thinking of Chloe with her due date so near. How is she doing? We hope she is comfortable and getting lots of rest. How are preparations for the babe? Please pass along our well wishes. Could you please send her email address to us so we can congratulate her when the day comes? Enjoy this last week before your lovely little grand baby arrives!! We can’t wait to hear the news. Love Jane, George y Morita xxio

Hi Spiller Road Folk and Colonel Klink! Thanks for the firewood and the very pleasant afternoon of bridge. Pleased that Gilliana is doing so well, under the extraordinary nursing care of Phillipo! Also had one of your fabulous cookies, Colonel! Delish. Unfortunately the hipster would only let me have one! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Spiller Road Firewood and Bridge Camp; SS Sicamous earlier that morning.
 
Hi Patrick, I have another friend confirmed to play bridge with us on Monday so we will have 2 tables Her name is Lynda and she is a retired school teacher Just wondering who else is on your list Fun seeing you at the soup bowl event!! I made it to 4 stations only...I can now see the advantage of going both nites.. See you Monday Cheers, Judy X0x0  Hi Bridge Impressaria! Thanks for confirming Lynda as eighth. Michaelo will be only Summerlander, together with Lady Di, O Susannah, Mama Theresa, yourself, Lady Dar and I. Lovely to see you at Soup Bowls. We had a grand time. I managed to try all but one soup!

Enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon with Gilliana and Phillipo this Pics: Soup Bowls and Spiller Road. When we drove there it was just starting to spit and by the time the cards were first dealt one couldn't see across the lake!afternoon. Had not seen Gill since her hip replacement and she is doing extremely well. They hope to head to Sedona at the very beginning of December if her surgeon gives her the green light. Thanks again for hosting. See you on Monday. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Soup Bowls and Spiller Road. When we drove there it was just starting to spit and by the time the cards were first dealt one couldn't see across the lake!

Hi Dame Judith and El Presidente! Thanks very much for the pre-dinner drinks and your company at The Dream. Show was truly one of the best we've attended so entire evening was a blast. Fondestos from Lady Dar. See you both, domani. Cheers, Patrizzio! 
 

Hi Hazel! Great to see both you and James this evening. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Please pass along any of the snaps to staff, etc., as you see fit. Hi Yanti, et al! Great to see you and your friend last night. Thanks for loan of your gorgeous hat! 

[Victorians, I left one quite similar on train from Geneva to Valence, towards the end of our European junket! (Hi Patrick, It’s good to see that you’re keeping all the ladies of Penticton amused.  How is the pregnant Chloe doing?  Is everything on track?  When is the blessed birth expected?  The sun is out here in this fabulous Victoria climate. Best to all of you, Peter)] 

Fondestos from Lady Dar. Next Friday it's Stephen Fearing. If it's Tuesday, it must be Penticton! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Corinne and Pat, How are you? Any snow on the ground yet? We are thinking of Chloe with her due date so near. How is she doing? We hope she is comfortable and getting lots of rest. How are preparations for the babe? Please pass along our well wishes. Could you please send her email address to us so we can congratulate her when the day comes? Enjoy this last week before your lovely little grand baby arrives!! We can’t wait to hear the news. Love Jane, George y Morita xxio Hi Calamity, Whirlygig and Morita! Thanks for best wishes and inquiries on coming birth. Magical indeed. Trust everyone is well. No snow, yet, consequently I've been for a number of invigorating rides over last week or so. Stay well. Take care of each other. Cheers/Slàinte, Patrizzio!
 

Hello Fartos, This Monday we will march up Mnt. Conkle in Summerland under the leadership of Franz Bieber, a German guide we contracted for the OF's recently because we recognized we needed more decisive leadership in case we would get lost! He has a small dog named Charles who will not waver under any circumstances.

As usual, we will gather at the IGA parking lot in Summerland at 9:00AM. Pentictonites will need to get together at the NE corner of Warren and Atkinson (map attached) at 8:40AM, then carpool to Summerland. 
After the hike we will relax, socialize, ponder on the next hike, and .. enjoy a beverage of your choice in a venue to be decided. See you Monday, Aart, the mountain bard

Hi Patrick, The writing has been going well over the last few weeks and I am just starting Act III of the new novel. I spent some time this week planning it out but who knows what will happen as the words flow onto the page. I have at last chosen a title, one suggested by a reader. I'm going to let it sit in my mind for a while and will let you know in my next email. Robert