With Rowan James on the Brink of a New Decade and The Burns Street Blues: Tuesday, December 31st!

Many years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make New Year’s resolutions. Hell, it’s been the only resolution I’ve ever kept!―D.S. Mixell

And a happy new year to you in 2020! Chuckster! Happy New Year to you as well! Laury Happy New Year! Thanks for the card, all the best to you two and your family.  Send photos of the baby!!  Love, Agneta Hi Guayabitos Girl!

Thanks for the lovely card and wishes. Glad you and Lady Dar were able to have a catch-up chat. Stay well. Healthy New Year to you, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! What a beautiful baby! Reminds me of Chloe as a baby. A little miracle…not there one year but there the next! Thanks for pics. XXOO Agneta

Agneta

Thank you once again for a lovely card. It was perhaps fitting that the countries highlighted skipped North American entirely. Perhaps we can continue to exist in 2019 a bit longer. I think we need to escape that year quickly!

I don't know how you find the time to accomplish all you do, plus, do your exercises. Your days must stretch longer than the 24 hours that box in the rest of us. Even I, with my tiny snatch of sleep and immediate full consciousness am stunned by how you ride, write up your trips, find time to send cards to all your friends, and function as a loving grandfather and even do yeoman's work around the kitchen and home. You are amazing.
Happy New Year! Soon I will start a big batch of challah-like bread for our celebration (of New York New Year I should note) with our friends Michael and Elaine in Lafayette tonight. I will do little else, I suspect. Right now, enjoying the morning Java and celebrating that Squeak the cat seemed to like her breakfast. Not an everyday success.

Our love and hugs to Ms. Corinne. Hope the weather allows you to have a great ride and you both, along with Chloe and Rowan and all the ancillary people who have come to visit have a great evening! HUGS. David (and Nancy)

[Callie 19 months!!!! Xo Barb] Hi, Patrick! Thank you for the lovely pictures. I miss you and love you all so much. Toshiko  Dear Patrick, Corinne and Chloe, Thank you for the lovely card! What an exciting year you have all had! Special congratulations to new momma Chloë and beautiful baby Rowan James! Just wait....it is so much fun but OMG very tiring as they get busier. We’re awaiting baby number two any day now....a boy. I wish you all happiness, good health, laughter and the joy your new addition will bring you!! And good cards!! Much love to the gang. I miss Penticton but we made the right decision to return 😉. ❤️♥️👶👶👶👶🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂 Barb 

Patrizzio mio! Thanks for the card, glad my traditions don't include painting my house! Hope you all have a wonderful start to a fabulous
New Year in 2020! Deborah 

Good morning Patrick & Corinne, thank you for beautiful New Years ecard. Wishing you both health, wealth and a wonderful new 2020 to come! All the best, Carol & Tom Hoenisch Cheers 🎉🌎😊 P.S. thank you for the open house invitation. Our son is flying back to his place in Ottawa on Jan. 1st in the
early afternoon. We are driving him to the airport and hope the snowy weather doesn't affect his flight time. We'd love to drop by to see you afterwards if everything goes well for him.
 

[Last one, I promise! Same babe, different looks 😉😉 Just wait till next Christmas!! So much fun. 😊💙💕Barb] Hi Barb! Thanks for the lovely note and truly stunning pictures of Callie! Lady Dar thinks she is a sweetheart, as do I! Yes, you certainly made the right decision to leave Penticton, although you are much missed. Couldn't you fly in to attend our Open House tomorrow? Stay well. Healthy New Year to you and Callie, et al, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Baby Beluga waiting for Santa!

Hello Naramatians! Pleased you enjoyed the card and thanks for the New Year's wishes. Carol had mentioned, [when I bumped into her about a month ago now], that your son was leaving tomorrow. Trust weather doesn't disrupt flight but if it does you are more than welcome to bring him along. We'd love to meet him and see you two, of course. Please pop by, if and when you are able to do so. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Hi Patrice, Thank you for the NYE greetings and updates on Duke and Etta!. All is well here in the Valley and although looking wet today it has been gorgeous over all. I went skiing with Sean at Manning Park yesterday and was quite pleased as the conditions were quite good and I felt pretty good as well as far as comfort and ability go. When you ski once or twice a year you can certainly feel those muscles that don’t get used often for other activities!.
 

Filmer and Sally

Plan on trying to have a relaxing day today until our friend Cathy comes up with her daughter and boyfriend and the boys come back up with a friend of Jake's in tow. I hope all went well with the grand parenting duties! And that you have a nice night tonight, please pass our fondest along to everyone there and we will catch up soon. Cheers, Al Hi again, Ski Bum and Snow Bunny!

What a life you Sunshine Valley Folk live! As I look out the front window see a mix of light rain and the odd snowflake so I won't be heading out for a ride. Even if weather had cooperated, Lady Dar has other plans for me! 
 

Still don't know, as of this writing, if we are on for Sendero Bash. Hope they Clan Sutherland is fine but not really fussed if their party is cancelled as we are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here, or at Chloë's place. Rowan James loves Champagne even more than his doting grandmother!!!


Must away as time to listen to Lady Dar, barking out orders! Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from She of the Iron Fist, Lady Darjeeling, and Indentured Patrizzio! Cheers, from the dungeons!


Dear Patrick Corinne Chloe and Rowan Happy New Year! Right now we are soaking up the last of our wine and ocean view in Oak Bay. Fortunately my brother has a place that needs to be checked such a pleasurable respite. We have read relaxed and enjoyed lovely afternoon outings and daytime viewings. Tomorrow it is back to being at home. Christmas was great with Colin's mother and we went out for Christmas dinner at the Grand Hotel. I thought it was exquisite.

Anyways thanks heaps for your email and all your pictures. Cats in the fridge?? By the way who was your surgeon for your hip?? Have to do my knee. Would value your advice. Cheers for now Joanne and Colin.

Hi Hoi Aristoi Oak Bay Freeloaders! What a life! Grand Hotel no less!!! Pleased that your Christmas provided such a wonderful opportunity to be with Colin's mother. Curious cats want to explore every cupboard and drawer one opens. When I took those snaps I had turned my back, leaving door open, and before I knew it they were intent on checking out the overlefts in case there were any that they were interested in! 

On another matter, after I was up this morning and had zapped my java and fed the felines I started to stream CBC One. [We changed from Telus to Shaw, a month or so ago, and this provider does not carry any radio channels, let alone CBC, if you can believe it! When Lady Dar talked to the local representative she did not even know that CBC had a radio division! What does this say? Our local radio coverage only allows Radio One so, before change, I could only listen to Radio Two through any of our TVs.] At any rate, Stephen Quinn interviewed Jean Barman so it was interesting to hear her voice again.

Marps!

My surgeon was Clive Duncan, [I couldn't have been better served as at the time, perhaps still, he was considered the "best" surgeon for this particular operation.], but as far as I know he specializes in hips only, and does not perform knee surgery. Sorry I cannot be of more help. However, you could move to Penticton and see Dr Timothy Bell. Close friend, Linda Ervin, had her left knee replaced this past September and couldn't be happier with his care. Doesn't your billionaire brother have a place in Naramata? After surgery you could join me at the pool for recuperative deep water-walking, wine-tasting afterwards! 

[Hi Peacock People! What a life you Island Folk live! Isn't Beacon Hill just down the Yellow Brick Road from Downton Abbey? Stay well dear friends. Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from She of the Iron Fist, Lady Darjeeling The Terrible, and Indentured Patrizzio! Cheers, from the Deepest, Darkest, Dankest Dungeons in Penticton!]

What are your plans for this evening? [Hi Carol and James! We'll miss you but understand completely. You are dealing with company and we are getting ready for company! What are you up to this evening? We are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here, or at Chloë's place. Rowan James loves Champagne almost as much as his doting grandmother!!! What are we doing? Evening at home with Susie, Olivier and girls. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers, Jim] 

We had been invited to a bash up at Sendero with Clan Sutherland but not sure if this is still on. Beckster and Kid Chelene were down in Seattle at Seahawks game over weekend and we don't know, as of this writing, if they made it back to Penticton, given weather conditions. Not really fussed as we are almost just as happy to ring in the New Year, either here or at Chloë's place. Should know, one way or another, shortly.

Must away as we are going to be busy for most of the day readying a number of the dishes we will be serving tomorrow. As well, need to rearrange some of the furniture in both the living room and rumpus room to better accommodate guests. Healthy New Year to you and Colin from Lady Darjeeling and I! Onward!! Fight!!! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Linda Ervin was over for Christmas dinner; a couple of days before Christmas; Monday before Christmas Eve, waiting for bridge game we hosted that evening.

Hi Challah Bread Boy and Clock Lady! Thanks for the terrific NY's card, [Duke loved the mouse and with his more than dexterous paw tracked it with my mouse!], and wishes. Your New York New Year sounds wonderful. Will you sleep overnight so as not to have to worry about how much hootch you imbibe? As I look out the front window see a mix of light rain and the odd snowflake so I won't be heading out for a ride. Even if weather had cooperated, Lady Dar has other plans for me! Cats will disappear as soon as I start to vacuum! Stay well. Healthy New Year to you both, et al, in circle we might know, from Lady Darjeeling and I! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Pre-vacuuming: Let sleeping cats lie!

Hi Pat and Corinne, We wish you all a very Happy New Year! May the end and beginning of the next decade bring you much joy! Love, Rick and Ruth


Nice to see the felines are thriving. Hope you have a peaceful time as the years rolls over.... We will drive home, but luckily Donna Florida loves life more than booze! Cactus Hi Patrick and thanks for the pics…….. however, a big OMG….. Rowan looks a lot like you! Happy New Year with Cheers Love and Hugs  to all, S Thank you for your ecard and the wishes! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family Patrizzio! Your new little granddaughter is a real cutie! Congrats! Cheers! Joan

January and February 50/50 schedule Happy New Year everyone Because January is not a very busy month, I have decided to combine both January and February. Hi Carole, et al! I'd like to take Wednesday, January 29th and Monday, February 10th if those slots are still available. Thanks. Also, would like to wish you and all the other volunteers, A Healthy New Year. Lady Dar, [aka as Corinne!], and I are hosting our Annual Open House tomorrow, anytime after 2:00 pm so please pop in if you are free to do so. All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for the invite! My husband and I will stop in! I signed up for 2 as I know lots of people may be away. Greta

Hi Beckster and Kid Chelene! Thanks so much for the wonderful, wonderful evening, even if we were not able to stay to ring in the New Year with you and friends. Still , it was a lovely gathering and we did so enjoy visiting and getting to know gang better. All the best to one and all. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

[Pat, Thought I’d share this with you as you never get to be apart of your colleague, aka collage!]

Happy New Year! Trust everyone rang in the New Year in suitable style. We enjoyed a lovely evening up in Sendero until just after 10:00 pm when Chloë felt she couldn't make it to midnight. We wished our hosts and their guests Happy New Year and then headed home. Chloë dropped us off and then took Rowan James back to Winnipeg. Funnily enough when she was putting him to bed he decided he wanted to stay up, wide alert as alert could be! 

They managed to stay up until 12:45 am, not quite as late as us. We watched an episode of Season 6 of House of Cards and then put it on pause to watch the ball drop in Times Square and celebrations thereafter. By the time we watched the end of the HC episode it was just after 1:00 pm. Enjoyed a tasty bottle of Orofino, their 2015 Beleza, 14.1%, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, while watching TV, so we slept like little lambs!