Roll Up The Sidewalks Blues: Sunday, March 29th!

 Kindness is always fashionable. -Amelia Barr, novelist (29 Mar 1831-1919)






Sjr Patrick and Lady Dar. Now ensconsed back home and self isolating, going out for walks with dog and shopping,keeping statutory distance. TV and music and reading are main occupations and keepung each other amused and perked up. It could be worse and thank lucky stars we have been spared this awful virus, though I might have had a mild dose as I have had a loss of taste and smell, which have improved! Pray you are all ok and keep in touch. I am sure we will see each other soon. Love as ever. Sir James and Lady Patrizzia. 

Hello Lady Patrizzia and Sir James! Pleased to hear you are safely home and well, in spite of loss of taste and smell. You probably know that these are symptoms associated with many other, more typical flu viruses. Mom lost her sense of taste and sell for months and months after a terrible bout of flu when I was still living in Winnipeg. She had almost resigned herself to having to live with this horrible situation when, fortunately, both slowly returned. Life here, at present goes extremely well, given exceptional circumstances. 

Chloë walked over with Rowan James early this afternoon and she and Lady Dar went for a long walk, with Rowan James pushing them both in his pram! Was supposed to rain but forecast was off as sun was shining brightly, not a cloud to be seen. I had plenty of correspondence to catch up on and wanted to give my legs a bit of a rest after Saturday's Herculean effort! When they were back they sat outside, in our back patio area, The Sisterhood enjoying a glass of Coke while Rowan James downed a bottle of Formula One, a new high-test baby food! Life under the louvres! First time this patio area has really been used since we packed up furniture last Fall. Still haven't put out all the cushions and uncovered other pieces of furniture but will do so, in next little while, now that weather is warming up.


The Baby Train left after Rowan James had his diaper changed and we headed over to Chloë's once I'd showered and changed, in part to catch up on recorded episodes of Homeland. We don't have a subscription to Showtime since we moved from Telus to Shaw and Chloë was two episodes ahead of us. The series airs on Sunday evenings so we had our homework to do. Lady Dar prepared orange/honey chicken before we left, to take over, as well fresh asparagus to roast with broccoli and carrots.

Back home by just before 9:00 pm as Rowan James goes to bed around 7:00 am, [although he fussed a number of times before falling asleep], and Chloë is usually pretty tired by 8:30 pm. At home we watched two episodes of Caliphate and it is becoming increasingly interesting, and tense, with both of us on the edges of our seats. We have to ask Duke to tell us when to open our eyes! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both, Lady Patrizzia and Sir James! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Pics: How is it that felines can nap but I not allowed to do so? Etta loves to curl up in the crib we have here for Rowan James! Ever dwindling firewood! Rock Star in his pram and garlic shoots! Back patio. Etta is not amused! More Formula One during pit stop at Winnipeg Street!
  
Hope you all are hanging in there and being safe. We will get through this. Sending you hugs with this animated GIF. Carole Hello Dream Volunteers and Hazel! Let me echo Carole's wishes. Trust everyone is well. Fondestos to one and all. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Etta and Duke, our resident, terribly spoiled, nay coddled, felines are practicing physical distancing, as is Lady Dar wearing a mask from Soupateria. She didn't bring one for me as she claims that most people don't want to get anywhere near me at the best of times! Tough Love indeed!

Blow the Winds Southerly, Southerly Blues: Saturday, March 28th!

Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose - a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. -Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, author (1797-1851)


Thanks again for your entertaining stories Particularly like photo of chicken
Trump znd chicken I too am taking this home time to clean and sort znd discard
Ben and izzy continue to entertain Walking daily and going to introduce yoga into the mix today Talk with my family daily and at happy hour call friends to chit chat Stay healthy Sending love to all of you Judy


Hello Fellow Spring Cleaner! Glad you find my "silliness" amusing. Pleased to hear that you are wielding the mop and dust cloth as well! Yesterday, Lady Dar mentioned that Vanessa is not coming now. Sorry to hear as I know you were looking forward to her visit/stay. Understand, however, given such difficult circumstances. Perhaps I'll see you later today as I'm planning another ride. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Love the photos The first looks like rowan is enjoying the art of strip tease!!!
I am also emptying my freezer of long forgotten treasures Planning to walk the channel today and adding yoga into the realm(at home) Love from regina street
Hi Cat Woman of Regina Avenue! Pleased to hear you are still your indomitable walking/yoga self! Happy freezer diving! Fondestos from Lady Dar, The Whip Wielder of The Burns Street Bistro, to you, Judy Blue! Cheers, Patrizzio!

 
As I said I can't have x ray till quarantine ends and then to wait for appointment with Bell so looks like I'll be hopping still for quite a while!! Had phone doctor apt yesterday to refer me to Bell for my femur even though I was seeing him april 22 for my hip assessment. Can't see him re my femur at the same time!! She also said they haven't got equipment to read the CD's I brought back from my surgery and post op assessment in US. Moreover she can't send the x rays to my ortho surgeon in Tuscon although she did say that if I wanted to that was my decision. Such is the Canadian health system!! Actually so I have a bionic leg now!!

Anyway all else is good. Went solitary walking/hopping on Campbell with Phil yesterday for over an hour. Aaron and Gwen in Lander Wyoming both not working or doing a bit from home. Kelsey just finished her 14 day quarantine as she was sitting behind someone at work who tested positive. She and Andre seem good and they're visiting us for Easter. Anyway take care and keep healthy yourself Gill and Phil 

I often use the weekend to go for a longer ride so it fell to today, as rain was forecast for Sunday, for my regular extended outing. However, I knew I wouldn't be heading towards Summerland as forecast informed me that the wind was out of the south, blowing quite strongly at 24 km/h, gusting to 36 km/h, increasing to 30 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h as the day progressed. Temperature was to be between 12º C and 13º C so, in spite of the wind, I assumed it would actually be quite warm. This being the case I decided I would make for OK Falls, battling Aeolus all the way along Skaha, so that I would have his help propelling me home.

By the time I'd prepared a hearty brunch of overlefts and communicated with far-flung friends and family, from Stockholm to Winnipeg, from Sydney, NS, to Regina Ave, Penticton, from London, UK, to Summerland, just up the road, it was a 12:07 pm when I left The Burns Street Bistro. As soon as I was on Government, I had to gear down, realizing that the wind was not going to be an easy opponent. Just beyond Industrial there are a number of large, empty lots, to the west, and from them the forceful gusts whipped clouds of dust off their unpaved surfaces. Was glad I was wearing clear riding glasses as the flying grit peppered me as I rode towards Dawson.

Once on Dauphin I decided I'd ride the regular route to Skaha and back so that I'd have logged almost 25 km before actually taking Eastside, off the marian parking lot. This way, if I took McClean Creek to drop into OK Falls and then along Oliver Ranch to Stag's Hollow, looping back along Eastside I'd have enough distance for the day's goal, 71 km. However, once on the flats, beginning at Wilson, I had second thoughts about this ambitious plan, so strong were the gusts that I had to gear down considerably to make other than a snail's pace. Fortunately, each of the west to east/east to west stretches along Yorkton, Lee and Elm, and, indeed, the promenade itself, were really quite manageable, especially when heading west, due to prevailing wind direction. Any of the jogs, to the south, on Cypress and Parkview, were more than brutal.

In spite of this, I persevered and when I made the first loop of the marina parking lot I was amused to see about thirty or forty Mallards bobbing in the not quite whitecaps of the tiny bay there while two brave sail-boarders and three kite-boarders zipped back and forth across Skaha, well away from the beach, their bright sails the only real colour in the otherwise rather drab day.

Return to Dauphin was a piece of cake, compared to the earlier descent, and as I turned the corner on Eraut to Dauphin there were three deer and two Mallards, a hen and a drake, sitting on the front lawn of the small bungalow there, quite contentedly, with each other, hardly bothered by me as I rode past, almost within touching distance. What a lovely treat to see such repose on such a blustery day and in the midst of this disquieting time. At any rate, by now I had all but abandoned my plan to make for OK Falls, becoming faint of heart thinking of the sustained effort that would be required to ride along the completely exposed shores of Skaha and beyond.

This being the case I hunkered down, grit my teeth and made the best of the next three complete loops, slowly adding distance to the ticking odometer, introducing, on the second lap, a few extra dipsy-doodles into the various parking lots which surround Princess Margaret High-school, off Green. At the top of the fourth loop I had logged just over 56 km so I decided not to ride the complete loop to the promenade but would rather use the straightaways of Yorkton and Lee to clock the distance needed before heading fro home. Furthermore, I had also determined that I was going to up my initial goal of 71 km to 81 km, given the change in route which minimized having to ride into the strongest head winds. As well, my legs, which felt quite sluggish and stiff at the start of the ride, had loosened nicely and showed not the least sign of any dreaded cramping, something that often comes, to me at least, towards the end of an extended ride, early on in the season.

That being said, found ride up Dawson, with a short dipsy-doodle onto Braelyn, to take advantage of the slightly slighter grade, quite taxing, so it was with great relief when I finally made it to Government. Everything after that seemed Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy, with wind at my back and my head held high, making all the lights, until I swooped down our back lane into the driveway to stop the clock at around 4:45 pm! Bravo Patrizzio if I don't say so myself! Hip Hip Hooray for this "extended" ride, even if AVG was pretty mediocre but I can, without any rationalization whatsoever, put the blame squarely on the enormous shouldares of Aeolus for that, Dear Reader! Cheers, Weasel Patrizzio!

Garmin Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4709598932#.Xn_kk6GgGSQ.email

AllTrails Map and Stats for ride:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/recording-mar-28-4-56-pm-edb6848?p=-1

Hi Campbell Mountain Bionic Woman! Pleased to hear you are still your indomitable self, Peg Leg! Bravo! Sorry, however, to hear that you are going round and round with your medical CD's and X-rays! Perhaps you can use the former for Christmas ornaments!!! Will be heading over to Chloë's tomorrow, in the early afternoon, in part to catch up on recorded episodes of Homeland. We don't have a subscription to Showtime now that we changed from Telus to Shaw and Chloë is two ahead of us. Series airs on Sunday evenings so we have homework to do. Lady Dar will be preparing orange/honey chicken before we leave, to take over, as well fresh asparagus. Must away to do some of the six million chores Lady Dar has assigned for my. Fondestos from The Whip Wielder to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

'Twas a Cloudy, Cloudy Blues: Friday, March 27th!

History is a novel whose author is the people. -Alfred de Vigny, poet, playwright, and novelist (27 Mar 1797-1863) 




Hi Patrick and Corinne, good to hear from you and yes we made it back home last night and it's all been go go go today unloading and getting things together.
Of course it takes me so long to do anything and mostly Phil has to do everything!! we're in the 14-day quarantine and unlike I hear some snowbirds were doing we didn't go shopping on the way home!! I actually have so much in the freezer here and neighbors have offered to get supplies if we need some.

Of course I can't go and see the doctor tomorrow as planned and now have to wait 2 weeks to even get X-rays which really should have been done a month ago anyway that's life and I'm still hopping on crutches and have no weight bearing on my leg fun until I get some assessment Hope we can get to see each other in the not-too-distant future but depends on how things go I suppose Take care hugs from Gill 

Hello Spiller Road Isolation Ward! Welcome Home! Wonderful to hear that you arrived safely, seemingly without incident, en route, and that your freezer should keep you well fed over the course of your quarantine. How much peanut butter can you eat anyway? Sorry to hear about the delay in having X-rays taken. At least you can become an elite hopscotch player in the interim!

For my part, with respect to physical exercise, I feel very fortunate inasmuch as I've been riding almost every day, especially since Monday/Thursday outings have been put on hold. Until they were cancelled we enjoyed some fabulous outings but I suppose I'll put my snowshoes away for the season now. Also, splitting some of the fabulous Spiller Road firewood give me a workout, from time to time!

Must away to help Lady Dar move some of the furniture in the living room as she is on a Spring Cleaning Binge! Fondestos from her to you, Peg Leg, and to Sherpa Phillipo. Give us a shout, [Do you have FaceTime?], when you have a moment and we can catch up. Until then, stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Great photos Patrick. You both have a rather different approach to dealing with Covin-19. Marian is out looking after the money tree. It continues to shed leaves. We just got back from a walk which has been part of our routine. We put away our snowshoes for the season. Tennis is a non- starter but we might start cycling soon. Be safe. Cheers, Tim Hi Patrick, Now that I am looking at the photos on the iPad, I can actually see them. I thought the swiffer was a bottle of whiskey when I viewed the photo on the phone where the pictures are simply too small. Rowan looks great and the construction is taking shape. Cheers, Tired eyes. Hi again, Tired Eyes! Pleased your iPad sharpened your senses, however, I truly wish Steam Cleaning Swifter was a bottle of malt, a Nebuchadnezzar indeed! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick and Corinne: Thank you for your kind message and offer to shop. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Our daughter-in-law and her partner, who live in North Vancouver, spend much time with us and give us so much help in every way: shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.! We even celebrated St.Patrick’s Day together and hope that you did as well! Congratulations on your grandson! Stay in good health, take no risks when you go out. We would love to see you, when this awful mess in over...With love, Rene and Terry and Charlie (our dog)

Hi Charlie and his Human Minders! Pleased to learn that everyone is doing well on Peach Orchard and that the North Vancouverites are taking such good care of you! Happy to report that all goes as well as possible, here in Penticton. Thank you for your congratulations on Rowan James who continues to thrive. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Terry. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Duke and Etta send regards to Charlie! Etta loves to take a nap in the crib we have at Burns for Rowan James!

Hello Whisky-A-G0-GOERS! Thanks very much for the bar cart, Colin. Interestingly enough, one of the Irish drops, (5 out of a total of 8), we sampled at the SOWTS St Patrick's Day Tasting Event was the Redbreast Lustau, Single Pot Still, 46%, $103.59 here in BC. While I know it is not the one on the cart I found it my favourite, surprising, to me at least, since I'm not overly fond of the number of other, that I've tasted, at the lower end of the line. 


As well, have included, the latest message from Kevin Ritcey, President of SOWTS:

Further to what I mentioned at the St Paddy's tasting, here are the links to both the March 2020 issue on Tasting Clubs plus the article that appeared in the online version of the magazine. The photo accompanying the article was supplied by Stuart and shows Ruaraidh MacIntyre as Tasting Co-host of our November 2013 Tasting event. He was the brand ambassador for Charton Hobbs at the time and he introduced us to three Glenmorangies' and the Ardbeg Ardbog that evening. Ruaraidh is now National Brand Manager for Moet Hennessy.

Here's a link to the main post on the magazines website—http://whiskyadvocate.com/whisky-tasting-clubs/—and to the story on South Okanagan Whiskey Tasting Society—http://whiskyadvocate.com/south-okanagan-whiskey-club/

If You Want to Start a Whisky Tasting Club, Look to These Groups for Inspiration - Whisky Advocate whiskyadvocate.com Across the country, whisky lovers are starting clubs to further enjoyment and exploration of their passion.

Great Whisky Club: South Okanagan Whiskey Tasting Society - Whisky Advocate whiskyadvocate.com This British Columbia whisky club spreads knowledge and enjoyment through carefully planned tastings.

Stay well, physically distanced but never, ever socially isolated! Happy tippling and snuggling to one and all! Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Rowan James sleeps so soundly through the night as Chloë regularly puts a drop, or two, of Writer's Tears, [another of my favourites], in his bedtime bottle, if, and only if, she can wrest quickly diminishing hootch, from Lady Dar! A fine circumstance, indeed, when a four month old and his almost 73 year old Nana are competing for drams! Ain't Life Grand!

😊😊😊 Stay Safe…..and… in good spirits Von Bingen!

Hi Eliana! Trust everyone at Roche is well. For our part we would like to receive our six bottle shipment so let us know when we can collect it and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Patrick, Thank you for your continued support, we are keeping healthy and safe. Your wines are ready to be picked up anytime between 11-5 Thursday through Monday! Cheers, Eliana Hi Patrick, I got your message this morning and can’t quite get through to you on the phone.

The easiest thing to do is to call Thursday through Monday between 11-5 when you are in the parking lot, and I can bring it out to you and put it in your car wearing gloves. Alternatively, we do have a doorbell on the front tasting room entrance and we have a pass through window to the right of the door that you can pick up your box through. Eliana Bray, Executive Manager ROCHE WINES Hi again, Eliana! Thanks for message. I think my wife, Corinne will collect wine later today as I plan to go for a ride now that the sun is starting to shine. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

Hi Colin and Jo-Anne! Thanks for The Outback Ballad. I had already seen it but enjoyed it so much listened again. Thought you might enjoy the following link, if you haven't already seen it, [ Embedded in body of message, as you can see, as well.], below. 10 Best Whiskeys for Your Bar Cart: Bourbon, Rye, Scotch and More: https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/best-whiskeys-for-bar-cart-bourbon-scotch-rye/?utm_source=PMNTNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=200327#8-arran-10-year-old-whisky 

 

Fondestos from Lady Dar busy making an oatmeal crisp from some of the frozen peaches Lynne Lighthall left with us when they moved. Who knew what treats the bulging freezer held! Almost like Christmas morning when we rummage through the shelves of various pantry cupboards now that we are trying to minimize trips to the grocery store. "Youngster" Chloë is our designated shopper over concern that her "aged" parents might be more susceptible to Corvid-19! Happy tippling and snuggling, maintaining a distance of two metres or go straight to jail without passing GO! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Fellow SOWTSers! Trust you are both well. I saw you two, homeward bound, about a week ago now, across from boardwalk on Lakeshore, but had whizzed on my bike before I realized it was you! Thanks for links to the Whisky Advocate articles. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Clea's Rio!

Hello Darling Kathryn! Trust you and all the VWF staff are managing given what the world is currently going through. Must say that I am pleased to report that all goes as well as possible, here in Penticton.

I noticed the wonderful picture of Rio in Books & Ideas: Weekly Quarantine Edition, Volume II, and wanted to say hello to you as well as asking if you would forward attached snapolas to Cleo, for Rio, from Duke and Etta, to our non-complying cats! Fondestos from her to you and everyone at VWF. Until next our paths cross, take care of yourselves and stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Duke and Etta who hiss and spit at social/physical distancing! I like tobogganing much, much more than snowshoeing! Taken on last outing to Nickel Plate Lake, out of Apex. Group outings, both hikes and snowshoeing treks, have been put on hold, for who knows how long!

Riding on Sunshine and The Fridge Bandido Blues: Thursday, March 26th!

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. -Viktor Frankl, author, neurologist and psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor (26 Mar 1905-1997) 

Hi All, You probably have heard, but I want to let you know that the Kiwanis Quiz Night has been postponed from the April 29th date. We hope to host it in the fall of 2020 and I will let you know when an alternate date has been selected. I hope you are all doing well during this difficult period. Regards, Doug Button Thanks Doug, all good, although I love to start hugging again. Luckily I still sleep with Jos! Aart

Hello Quiz Masters and Trivia People! We assumed the Kiwanis event would be postponed but thanks for confirming that this is the case. In fact, this delay should give our teams time to practice so that the most disciplined one will win top prize! To this end, we need to set up a Zoom conference call to pick the members for each of the rival groups!

Time to spend time reading The Guinness Book of Records, Farmers' Almanac and at least ten Wikipedia entries, based on your personal and professional predilections, per day! Cheers, Patrizzio, former Reach for the Top contestant! First individual to reply telling me what this refers to will be rewarded with a virtual hug, immediately, and an actual dram of malt when "normal" life resumes! PS: Hanneke/Doug and Michelle/Antonio: Welcome home! Did the pandemic affect your trips to NZ? I trust you didn't visit any farms when there! Thanks Doug. I think that the crisis is going to last for quite some time. Cheers, Tim Hello Summerland Cousins! Trust you have recovered from your colds. I agree that we are not going to be out of the virile woods, so to speak, for some time! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Until then, take care of yourselves and stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Ha ha !!! Don't fall off your bike if you see me wearing one! Vanessa changed plans her team is staging an event remotely in Halifax. Changing times I am happy to hear lady dar is treating you well and her in return Missing you both
Vanessa is planning on Saturday now Xoxo Judy blue aka crazy cat lady!! Hi 

Crazy Cat Lady! You remind me of Bertha Rand from St. James, Winnipeg, who was a local eccentric. For years, she battled her neighbours and city hall to save her dozens of cats. Quite outspoken, Bertha criticized the bylaw that was coming into effect limiting the number of cats allowed in a household. Bertha said she only had 20 cats but some though she had close to 50. Jailed briefly in 1967 for balking at the bylaw, she still refused to surrender her collection of cats. Eventually, the city gave up trying and neighbours continued to endure the presence of Rand's pets as well as the strays that came around for handouts. Bertha died in hospital, Dec. 31, 1981 at the age of 86. After her death, her nephew rounded up the pet cats and found homes for the healthy ones in Balmoral, Manitoba.

[Story of Minerva - The Muses Showing Minerva Hippocrene Waters of the River that Brings Out Pegasus, 1696 Art: René-Antoine Houasse] 

You, Crazy Cat Lady, can be Penticton's Bertha! Will ride today but have to vacuum first as Lady Dar will use her new, handy, dandy electric power steamer to do the floors. Spring Cleaning comes to The Burns Street Bistro! Pleased Vanessa is still coming, if later. Fondestos from Lady Dar, with a bandana in her hair, an apron around her waist and elbow length rubber gloves to protect her nails, not really used to performing such mean household chores, usually, regularly assigned to minions, while she sips Quarinitinis! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Fridge Bandito this morning! Steam cleaner! Exciting medical discovery! AMurica! Cocktails, anyone?

Spent most of the morning answering my daily quota of messages, laying a fire and bringing in a couple of baskets of firewood, it was time to vacuum for Lady Dar to enable her steam clean the floors! This chore discharged, [Both Duke and Etta hightail it for the high ciountry as soon as I pull out the hose!], I was suited up and ready to ride by 12:15 pm. Forecast informed me that the wind was reasonably strong out of the SSE at 23 km/h, gusting to 30 km/h, so, in spite of this, I decided I'd head to Skaha Lake Park. Once past PRH Government levels off and from Dawson rest of way is, more or less, downhill so makes riding into the prevailing wind a lot easier. Once on the flat of Wilson one is relatively protected until riding on the short stretches, straight south on either Cypress or Parkview. 

Even riding along the promenade on Skaha, either east or west, was not overly demanding as the gusts were more cross-winds here than anything else. Just off the marina parking lot, near Eastside, I noticed about twenty, or more, Mallards settled on the lawn just off the tarmac, happily sunning themselves. At the other end of the promenade there is a smaller parking lot and on my first circuit here I noticed it was clean of all the cones and pine needles which had littered its surface last time I rode here. Discovered why when I made my way to the opposite side of the park, a few minutes later, and noticed a city employee driving an indudstrial "vacuum cleaner", grooming the lawns of the lovely park. A few circuits later the Mallards had relocated, further north, beside the small ball diamond, unsettled, I presumed, by the hoovering!

At any rate, once I'd described my route around the park itself I retraced my "wheels" back north on Wilson, didpsy-doodling my way into each of the cul-de-sacs, en route, back to Dauphin, street I turned onto off South Main. Such a circuit is 12.5 km so I knew I'd have to complete four more before making for home if I wanted to achieve my basic distance, 61 km. While the wind was fairly chilly the sun often poked its nose through the clouds and the people out strolling, [mainly dog walkers on promenade], offered friendly nods or good afternoons, so these positive notes made the remaining circuits more of a cheerful merry-go-round than tiresome or boring. 

Once I'd slogged up the always maddening incline of Dawson, [Funny how I never complaing about swooshing down at start of ride!], I had the tail wind to propel me along Government and I sailed all the way home, only having to slow down, a couuple of times, to allow intervening traffic lights to give me a Green! Home at around 3:35 pm with plenty of time to shower and change and head over to Winnipeg. Cheers! Garmin Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4701179068#.Xn01hf_6mLk.email

AllTrails Map and Stats for ride:https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/recording-mar-26-3-42-pm-a2487e8?p=-1

Lady Dar used her new steam mop to clean the kitchen floors this afternoon. She did the kitchen area and we can now eat off the super shiny floors so I don't have to do dishes anymore and can spend the time cycling! 

Rowan James continues to thrive. A bright light in these increasingly dark times. We celebrated his four month birthday today, [Cheers! Happy Four Month Birthday, Rowan James! Hip Hip Hooray! For He's a Jolly Good "Little Chap" Fellow!], ordering Japanese food from Sushi Heaven, trying, at least in a small way, to help support local restaurants. Unfortunately, the owner said their business, [take-out only, of course], has been very slow, for obvious reasons, of late. Food was, as we've come to expect, simply fabulous so thanks Sushi Heaven! As well, the basement suite, at Chloë's is progressing. Chloë spoke with the contractor, Mike, today and he said that the kitchen area will be ready to paint next Wednesday morning. This is critical as cabinets, counters, etc., are scheduled to be installed after Easter. We will have him purchase primer and the colour The Sisterhood decide upon and then Lady Dar and I will paint. This is something we can do and will certainly help save money since it only grows on the trees around the homes of everyone else! 

[David Kessler Do you know a nursery where you can purchase those trees? We have room in our yard. Cactus Patrick James Dunn I assumed you, or at least Donna Florida, arborista extraordinaire, would know precisely where to find these exotics, just beyond Grizzly Peak, near the grove of cigarette trees in the Big Rock Candy Mountains. You'll need you hip waders, however, as you'll be fording the lemonade spring, following the song of the bluebird. Once there you'll find an empty boxcar which you can fill with greenbacks, twice as many if you pick $CDN from the lower branches, since our currency is worth even less these days. Don't worry about the Homeland Security thugs guarding the trees as they have wooden legs, [cloned from Trump's brain], and their viscious guard dogs have rubber teeth, cloned from the President's ability to stretch the truth! If the US/Canada border wasn't closed we'd be there, picking with you, reading The Hot Zone! Please eTransfer, $US, only, any windfall to my numbered Swiss bank account as Lady Dar needs more designer medical masks to match her last remaining one! Fondestos and Cheers! 
 

David Kessler It will be easy to get to the Big Rock Candy Mountains too, as there is hardly any traffic! If only we weren't terrified to venture out of our own little garden, which has excellent salvia but not a single dollar tree! It's also rodents galore around here, and I doubt a harvested bill would last long due to their unflagging appetite. Make us worry about our resident titmouse and towhee! Patrick James Dunn This being the case, I let sleeping felines lie! Etta loves to curl up in the crib we have here for Rowan James!] Pics: Rowan James, post-bath; just up from afternoon nap, today, then with Nana and trying to "gum" Sophie, his giraffe, toy which has numerous ridges to help with teething; kitchen and living area drywall.

Watched a couple of episodes of Season 3, Babylon Berlin, when we were bck from Winnipeg Street. It is tremendous. The historical period, Weimar Republic, is extremely well realized, in terms of sets, costumes and cultural practice. Beforehand, at Chloë's place, we watched Uncut Gems: In 2010, Ethiopian Jewish miners retrieve a rare black opal from the Welo mine in Africa. In 2012, gambling addict Howard Ratner runs KMH, a jewelry store in New York's Diamond District. He struggles to pay off gambling debts, including the $100,000 he owes to his loan shark brother-in-law Arno. His domestic life is split between his estranged wife Dinah, who has agreed to divorce him after Passover, and his girlfriend Julia, an employee at KMH. Howard's employee Demany recruits basketball player Kevin Garnett to visit KMH, and the Ethiopian opal, which Howard had ordered, coincidentally arrives while Garnett is in the shop. He shows the opal to Garnett, who becomes obsessed with it, insisting on holding onto it for good luck at his game that night. Howard reluctantly agrees, accepting Garnett's NBA championship ring as collateral. 

It must be said that I am not a fan, by any stretch of the imagination, of Adam Sandler's comedic work but wanted to see this film after hearing about his dramatic performance here. Simply remarkable, remarkable performance, by him, in particular, but also by rest of talented crew. However, this being said,  certainly not an easy movie to watch given the overy frenetic pace, hardly, if ever, interupted and, very early on, the realization that all is not going to end well, or simply cannot end well. Not so much a take on Tarantino's work, although parallels exist, but pretty close to Mean Streets where De Nero's character is his own worst enemy. Still shaking my head at this mesmerizing, downward spiraling portrait of such a doomed individual, whether snatched from Greek mythology or the pages of Shakespeare's Tragedies. Violence, as such, though always lurking just below the surface, much of the time, and malevolently so, is really not visually realized until the tightly wound, over-coiled spring snaps. The ever present prospect of potential, cascading catastrophe had our nerves peeled and hyper-jittery. Congratulations, Adam! Keep going in this direction and I'll forgive you your Golden Raspberry Awards multiple nominations!

Hi Sushi Mom, et al! Great snapolas of The Little Chap, especially his belly-button! Here are a few of the ones I took before he went to bed as well as ones of your kittens when we arrived home! Duke go up when I went to brush and floss, although he went to sleep on bathroom rug while I did so and didn't wake up to play after I was finished. Had to move Etta from my pillow as she was intent on staying there all night. Miffed, she resettled in the crook of one of your Mom's knees! Love to you and The Birthday Boy, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: Rowan James, Nana and Sylvie the Giraffe! Drywall just off bathroom; Sleepy kittens!
Dear friends, This is just to tell you, that I arrived in Stockholm a few hours ago. Except for the flight from Comox to Vancouver being cancelled (Jane drove me there), everything was on time. I was the oldest traveller both to London and to Stockholm. Average age of passengers around 26. Now for two weeks of isolation. Bad news wherever you turn. My dwelling area is especially badly hit. The health authorities are planning to turn ice rinks (hockey season over) into morgues. BUT, family and friends over here are still healthy! Strange times. You think you're dreaming. Keep safe and enjoy life as well as possible, Kjell

Hello Stockholm and Courtenay Isolation Wards! Wonderful to hear that you, Dom Marcello, arrived safely, seemingly without incident, en route, other than Comox/Vancouver leg. Pretty grim about ice rinks having to be used as morgues! Strange times indeed!

I'm more than happy to report that the basement suite, at Chloë's is finally progressing. Once The Sisterhood decide upon paint colour Lady Dar and I will get to work. This is something we can do and will certainly help save money since it only grows on the trees in Courtenay/Comox and Stockholm! 
Fondestos from her to you both Give us a shout, [Do you have FaceTime?], when you have a moment and we can catch up. Until then, stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Ciao, Patrizzio, Thank you so much for your, as usual, informative and entertaining report, spiced up with beautiful pics. Rowan already looks a lot smarter than last time I saw him.😝 I will see to it that I can use FaceTime (for now only Skype). Talk soon, Marcello

Hello Dear Friends! Having heard from Dom Marcello I bring greetings from Penticton. Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Until then, take care of yourselves and stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Was a perfect read......thanks for that. Hope you folks are hanging in there like us. Quite different to not be able to just get out and see the country....eat out and visit friends...….so hope this will pass too...as some gas does....that isn't needed...….thanks again......Arv & Sandee

Hello Manitoba! Had heard from Swedish friend, Dom Marcello, who just arrived home, safely, seemingly without incident, en route, other than on the Comox to Vancouver leg, where flight was cancelled, back in Stockholm where some ice rinks are to be used as morgues! Fortunately for you Prairie Folk you can just put corpses in snowbanks, to save cash, as money only grows on the trees in Falcon Lake and Steinbach! Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Until then, take care of yourselves and stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

The Broadway Coronavirus Medley: Really enjoyed the Broadway musical! Something to make you smile I think we all need ithttps://youtu.be/n1OCZRann8w Hi again, Dunbar! Friend from hiking group sent this "archival" clip along! Cheers, Patrizzio! HERE’S YOUR FRIDAY LAUGH……………..😊😊😊 Von Bingen! Archie Bunker Surgery Prep  Hi Von Bingen! Really enjoyed Archie so here is your Friday music selection: The Broadway Coronavirus Medley - YouTube

Roche “OPT-IN” wine club shipment: Our Black Book spring wine club shipment is on an opt-in basis. We will not ship the Spring wines or charge your credit card until, and unless, we receive a confirmation from you.
Please reply if you would like to receive your 6 bottle shipment, and if you would like to add any additional wines to your order with no added shipping cost. You may also make changes to your order and we are pre-releasing the 2017 nuances and 2017 CHÂTEAU to members to you may include these in your wine selection. Spring Black Book shipment: All are new releases! 2019 Texture Pinot Gris 2019 Auxerrois/ Chardonnay – Black Book priority release 2019 Gewurztraminer – Black Book priority release 2019 Arôme 2019 Rosé 2018 Texture Pinot NoirHi Eliana! Trust everyone at Roche is well. For our part we would like to receive our six bottle shipment so let us know when we can collect it and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks. Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Watching Season 3 of Babylon Berlin and it is tremendous. You'd enjoy historical period, Weimar Republic, Timber! Also watched Uncut Gems last night: In 2010, Ethiopian Jewish miners retrieve a rare black opal from the Welo mine in Africa. In 2012, gambling addict Howard Ratner runs KMH, a jewelry store in New York's Diamond District. He struggles to pay off gambling debts, including the $100,000 he owes to his loan shark brother-in-law Arno. His domestic life is split between his estranged wife Dinah, who has agreed to divorce him after Passover, and his girlfriend Julia, an employee at KMH. Howard's employee Demany recruits basketball player Kevin Garnett to visit KMH, and the Ethiopian opal, which Howard had ordered, coincidentally arrives while Garnett is in the shop. He shows the opal to Garnett, who becomes obsessed with it, insisting on holding onto it for good luck at his game that night. Howard reluctantly agrees, accepting Garnett's NBA championship ring as collateral. 

It must be said that I am not a fan, by any stretch of the imagination, of Adam Sandler's comedic work but wanted to see this film after hearing about his dramatic performace here. Simply remarkable, remarkable performance, by him, in particular, but also by rest of talented crew. However, this being said,  certainly not an easy movie to watch given the overy frenetic pace, hardly, if ever, interupted and, very early on, the realization that all is not going to end well, or simply cannot end well. Not so much a take on Tarantino's work, although parallels exist, but pretty close to Mean Streets where De Nero's character is his own worst enemy. Still shaking my head at the downward spiralling unfolding of this doomed individual, whether taken from Greek mythology or the pages of Shakespeare's Tragedies. Violence, as such, although always lurking just below the surface, much of the time, and malevolently so, is really not visually realized until the over-coiled spring snaps. This ever present prospect of potential, cascading catastrophe had our nerves peeled and ever hyper-jittery. Congratulations, Adam! Keep going in this direction and I'll forgive you your Golden Raspberry Awards nominations! 

Fondestos from lady Dar, off for a walk with Chloë and Rowan James. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

The Burns Street Bistro and The Lockdwon Blues: Wednesday, March 25th!

A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space. -Gloria Steinem, activist, editor (b. 25 Mar 1934) 

Photo: Andrew Newman

CORVID-19 has really "thrown" a monkey wrench into everyone's lives!

Hello Snow Birds! How are you faring? Will you return as you usually do or has the changed situation altered these plans? Have not heard a peep from Gilliana and Phillipo so not sure what they are doing about return from Sedona. On a much happier note, really enjoyed the clip of the pets and their owners so thanks for that. In a similar vein just wanted to let you know that The Burns Street Bistro is releasing a series of audio-books for any who have run out of reading material, available, free, at better email addresses everywhere! Must away as Lady Dar is just about to make gluten-free pancakes for her over-worked, under-appreciated house-boy and common drudge! Fondestos from her to you both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Katie Maness Hansford with Chloe Alexis Dunn, 25 March 2010 Katie, look at Em’s!!! So little 🥰❤️

Hello Sedona Snow Birds! How are you faring? Will you return as you usually do or has the changed situation altered these plans? Have not heard a peep so thought I'd say hello. Think I'll give my legs a rest from riding today and will "attack" our bedroom window and the front picture window. Latter doesn't seem too, too bad until the sun shines and then you realize how dirty it has become over winter! Also, want to split more firewood and spend some time on my shoulder exercises. Always something to keep one busy here at The Burns Street Bistro! Must away to mash the turnip I've had on the boil. Have really enjoyed this root vegetable over last few months. Was a staple on the Prairies, and elsewhere, of course, and I wish my version tasted quite as delicious as my grandmother's and mother's dishes. Still, seems to receive a passing grade from Lady Dar so I must be doing something right! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!



Hello Wherever You are, in self isolation, we trust, Sandee and Arv!
If you've been in contact with either Trump or Boris, lately, [Thanks for the alerting us to this medial breakthrough!], this clip will tell you if you have contracted the COVID Virus and what to do! Cheers, Patrizzio!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYk8dY2xrNo&feature=youtu.be

Hello Dunbar Self Isolators! Trust you are both well. Quite enjoyed both clips, so thanks for sending them along. I plan to forward Israeli mom's rant to Dawn and Gerry Martin as they are self-quarantining, in Vancouver, as I scribe, as they returned from Israel a week or so ago. Closer to home I heard on the news, an hour or so ago, that a someone at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge, where Annie lived for almost five years, was just diagnosed with the CORVID-19 virus. Yikes, pretty close to home as Flamin' and Sarge live but two buildings away and another friend, Joanne, who lives there as well, is currently is self quarantine, having just returned from Mesa where she was visiting her brother. With respect to us, here in Penticton, so far everyone is well although Lady Dar was having difficulty breathing over last few days. Quite worrying of course. She had a FaceTime consultation with her family doctor, [Chloë's/Rowan's as well), yesterday and she prescribed a new ventilator for her asthma and this seem to have done the trick as she is much improved. [On her second Zoom conference call of the day as I scribe. First, this morning was with United Church, (300 participants), and now, this evening, with her book club, (6 readers), here in town. Lady Dar, with a glass of a 2013 Noble Ridge Meritage, 13.9%, (delish as I'm having some too!), as she book clubs virtually! She's been rearranging our "wine cellar" to make room for latest releases and so we are finding stuff we didn't even know we owned!

Coxcomb

Georgia O'Keeffe was twenty-eight when she arrived in Canyon, Texas in September to become the sole teacher in the college's art department, responsible for classes in design, costuming, and interior decoration.  

O'Keeffe had lived in the Panhandle before. In 1912, when she was twenty­-four and no longer able to afford to live in New York or continue her studies at the Art Students League, she had boarded a train for far-distant Amarillo to become the drawing supervisor for the town's public schools. She was something of an apparition in Amarillo -- a lean young woman, her hair pulled straight back to showcase her stark and striking features. She left Texas in 1918, but the color and scale and isolation of the Pan­handle seems never to have left her consciousness, and the abstract water­colors she made there -- a painting called Sunrise, and a series known as Light Coming on the Plains, are as much about the awakening of a soul as they are about the dawning of a new day.
Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas, Stephen Harrigan, University of Texas Press, Austin, 2019
 
I just started an account with Zoom as I had read in Emeriti Newsletter that Don Fisher had done so. [If you read the issue in question, I signed us up to help out, if needed, other alumni who live hereabouts and might require help with grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions and the like.] Am hoping he and Sue will visit this coming summer, [They have an outstanding house exchange here.], if the world is still around by then. Trump seems determined to see that it isn't. Did you postpone your trip to Edmonton, Jo-Anne? Presume so.
 

[The black neighborhoods of Detroit in the 1950s and 1960s were teeming with teenaged musical talent—Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Otis Williams and others. Most passed through the doors of the 4,500 seat New Bethel Baptist Church, pastored by the "flashy bon vivant" Reverend C.L. Franklin—so high-profile that he merited mention in Time magazine. In the decades leading up to the 1950s, more blacks from the South had poured into Detroit—filling churches like Reverend Franklin's—than any other Northern city, seeking the solid-paying jobs of the automobile industry. The young singing star of Reverend Franklin's church, a touring gospel star by the time she was 14 and an object of fascination for teens in the neighborhood, was his daughter Aretha. While Aretha was discovering her vocal capacities on the altar of the New Bethel Baptist Church, the surrounding Detroit neighborhood was humming with music of all sorts. Otis Williams recalls hearing wonderful things about that little Franklin girl who had people in awe of her voice when she sang on Sundays. In 1964, Williams became world-famous as one of the Temptations. A skinny little neighborhood girl named Diane Ross joined two school friends, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard, and together they became the Supremes. (When she became famous, Ross changed her name from Diane to Diana.) Friends of the Franklins, the Robinsons, had a little boy named William, and he was interested in becoming a pop singer. Everyone called William by his nickname, 'Smokey.' Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul, Mark Bego, Skyhorse, 2012.]

Did you know Sarika Bose! [Her mother taught in Asian Studies and her dad was a prof in the English Department at SFU, although both retired for many years now.] Sarika, teaching herself in UBC's English Department, has been very involved with the Faculty Association for the last 6 years, and in CAUT's Executive for the last 3 years. Have reconnected with her lately. We first met when she worked in Circulation in Main Library before Learning Commons was to come into being. She is in the exciting process of building a lane house behind her parents' place, on 10th, somewhere near Balaclava, if I recall correctly, to match their craftsman-style home. I'm sure it will be wonderful as she has the same sense of fashion and design as does Lady Dar!!! Once Zoom book club is over we'll watch more of Season 3 of Babylon Berlin. Do you know it? Highly recommend series. Fondestos from Her Imperiousness, in absentia, to both. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: With your recent jet-setting, if you have been in contact with either Boris or Donald the last snap will alert you to an incredible medical breakthrough!

Spring by J. Mazzanovich

There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields. In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of color that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines. Then foxes barked in the hills and deer silently crossed the fields, half hidden in the mists of the fall mornings.

Rachel Carson

Along the roads, laurel, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wildflowers delighted the traveler's eye through much of the year. Even in winter the roadsides were places of beauty where countless birds came to feed on the berries and on the seed heads of the dried weeds rising above the snow. The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and fall people traveled from great distances to observe them. Others came to fish the streams, which flowed clear and cold out of the hills and contained shady pools where trout lay. So it had been from the days many years ago when the first settlers raised their houses, sank their wells, and built their barns.

Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients. There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths, not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours. 
 

Story of Minerva - The Muses Showing Minerva Hippocrene Waters of the River that Brings Out Pegasus, 1696

Art: René-Antoine Houasse

There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example -- where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh. Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1962

LOL! Well, I'm pretty exhausted with all the student emails I'm getting, and all the tech stuff that isn't working and is having to be redone. I just want to sleep.
But today I did go out for a short walk in the neighbourhood with my parents to look at the spring gardens in the neighbourhood. I think I said I was staying with them till my little lane house is built. I'm trying to plan how to make the new, reduced garden work.
 
[Wadjet-Bastet, with a lioness head, the solar disk, and the cobra that represents Wadjet]
  
Glad you could go on your bike ride. The lockdown in India means police are going after anyone on the street with sticks, and knocking cyclists and motorbike riders off their seats unless they have specific curfew passes. And police are patrolling the streets of Vienna, fining people for unnecessary trips out of their properties. I'm really hoping people will truly follow social distancing rules here so it doesn't come to the situations in India, Austria Italy etc.

Image: insima/Adobe Stock

A senior, senior citizen, with an oxygen tank, tried to knock me off my bike a few days ago but I was able to out-pedal her motorized wheel-chair, came up behind her and drove her into the lake! She survived her underwater ordeal as tube from oxygen cylinder keep her alive until ambulance arrived. All the people on the boardwalk cheered me as apparently she had been driving into pedestrians for weeks! Local RCMP officers now give me a wide berth!!! Cheers! WOWWW! Sarika

Hi again Sleepy Girl! Sorry to hear that you are experiencing technical difficulties. Always a drag! Trust you are, otherwise, well as I heard on the news, an hour or so ago, that a someone at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge, on Lamey's Mill Road, just off Granville Island, where my mom lived for almost five years, was just diagnosed with the CORVID-19 virus. Yikes, pretty close to home as very good friends, Flamin' and Sarge, live but two buildings away, [Where we did before we moved to Penticton in 2015.], and another friend, Joanne, who lives there as well, is currently is self quarantine, having just returned from Mesa where she was visiting her brother.

[Frances Willard, co-founder of the Women's Christian Temperance Union]  

So far everyone here is well although Lady Dar was having difficulty breathing over last few days. Quite worrying of course. She had a FaceTime consultation with her family doctor, [Chloë's/Rowan's as well), yesterday and she prescribed a new ventilator for her asthma and this seem to have done the trick as she is much improved. [On her second Zoom conference call of the day as I scribe. First was with United Church, (300 participants), and now with her book club, (10 readers), here in town. I just signed up as I had read in Emeriti Newsletter that Don Fisher, President, had done so. [If you read the issue in question, I signed us up to help out, if needed, other alumni who live hereabouts and might require help with grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions and the like.] Am hoping he and Sue will visit this coming summer, [They have an outstanding house exchange here.], if the world is still around by then. Trump seems determined to see that it isn't.

Buona Fortuna with your garden. I have little doubt that it will be wonderful as you certainly possess the same fashion and design senses as does Lady Dar!!! Okay, she forced me to say that!

I'm gave my legs a rest today and "attacked" our bedroom window and the front picture window. Latter didn't seem too, too bad until the sun shines and then you realize how dirty it has become over winter! I used a "wonder" cleaner I first bought at The Farmers' Market a couple of years ago. [Liked it so much I bought a large, almost 4L, container this past July.] Before tackling these panes I split more firewood. With temperatures becoming warmer don't think we'll need to use all that much more although we do enjoy having it on of an evening, while sipping wine, [Lady Dar, with a glass of a 2013 Noble Ridge Meritage, 13.9%, (delish as I'm having some too!), as she book clubs. She's been rearranging our "wine cellar", of late, to make room for latest releases and so we are finding stuff we didn't even know we owned!], and malt, me! Sometimes, often, both!!! 
 

Always something to keep one busy here at The Burns Street Bistro! Must away to mash the turnip I've had on the boil. Have really enjoyed this root vegetable over last few months. Was a staple on the Prairies, and elsewhere, of course, and I wish my version tasted quite as delicious as my grandmother's and mother's dishes. Still, seems to receive a passing grade from Lady Dar and even Rosie-the-Riveter so I must be doing something right! Once Zoom book club is over we'll watch more of Season 3 of Babylon Berlin. Do you know it? Highly recommend series. Fondestos from Her Imperiousness, in absentia, to you, Sarika and your lovely parents. Please pass along our best wishes. Stay well, all of you. Happy Dreams! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: With your recent CAUT jet-setting, if you have been in contact with either Boris or Donald the last snap will alert you to an incredible medical breakthrough! Alternate forms of greeting! Ultimate denial!

Do I Have the Covid Virus? [I loved the dog. Colin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYk8dY2xrNo&feature=youtu.be

Do I have the COVID Virus (music credit to "If I Had a Million Dollars" by the Barenaked Ladies) - YouTube www.youtube.com

 
If Corona Virus Doesn't Kill You Distance Learning Will: An Israeli mother's rant about her kids home schooling during the COVID epidemic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=8U6zU4MXmnA&feature=emb_logo

If Corona doesn't kill us, Distance Learning will - YouTube

Patrizzio, I'm glad C is getting good treatment for her health. My mom has asthma too, so she is taking good care at home. Sounds as if you're spending your days well. Today I answered what seemed like 1000 questions from students, and worked with a committee I'm in to sort out one of our big exams. Couldn't get on to open some files I'm supposed to vet for tomorrow afternoon, and hoping the tech person will get back to me in time. I'm going to work on some lectures when I get off email.

Alexandrine, Tinné 1860

[Alexandrine Tinné was the richest woman in the Netherlands, who explored Africa in the mid-19th century. She was murdered by the Tuareg in Libya when she was betrayed by her guide in January 1869]
The day was so beautiful! We saw a lovely magnolia in the neighbourhood. I think I told you I'm building a laneway house, and it was great to see my bathtub was in. It was a lot of stress trying to choose one when they had none in stock, so I hope I made the right choice. I'm liking my siding, which is a pale green, but still unsure about my front door, which is more orange than the red I had in mind.

I miss my April CAUT Council meeting already - I love meeting up with people from all over Canada, especially at the end of day, when some of us serious oyster lovers go and grab tables for our buck-a-shuck hour. This is popular and the hotel usually has more than one group of conference attendees (we had a hockey group once, as well as the Conservative Party). So getting a table requires strategy. And the different provinces have dinners on different nights, but we always get together for the great seafood tower at the Shore Club. I know, every other province wonders why the B.C. folks get a seafood tower in Ottawa! But it's oh so delicious!
 

[He-Gassen (Japanese for “Fart fight”) Detail from a scroll (enlarged and revised edition of an original from 1680) Art: Fukuyama Soran, 1846]

I'm also going to miss our Council dinner, when we get amazing speakers - we had the director general of Amnesty International speak to us in November. And I always love my walks along Parliament Hill and in summer, by the river. I also usually get a membership at the National Gallery of Canada, which is such an awesome privilege. I really love going there every time I go to Ottawa, which is about 9 times a year. 

Dunny Roll!

I'm going to miss our Executive retreat, too, which was supposed to be in Montebello in June. It would have been my last retreat, as it's my last year on the Exec. Montebello is just so special. So these are some of the memories of fun stuff I do! Btw - I absolutely adore Don Fisher. Talk to you soon, Sarika Hi Laneway House Woman! We are ahead of you in terms of bathtub as one in Chloë's basement suite has been in for a few weeks now, although plenty of dry walling left to be done. You should count your lucky stars that travel is restricted otherwise Lady Dar would be knocking on your door, her head brimming with colour advice for your siding, doors, interior paint, to say nothing abou how you should arrange furniture and decorate! 
 

[Gathering crude turpentine -- North Carolina c 1903.]  

With any luck your home will be finished by the time we are able to visit and you'll only have to endure, "Well, I would have done it this way!" Welcome to Patrizzio's World!!!

 
Just had a note from Don Fisher about the Emeriti program he hoped to start to help those alumni who might need help, of one sort or another, and it has been cancelled on the advice of health authorities given the fact that the Emeriti are ones at high risk! Whew! Is this a run-on sentence, Professoressa? Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Sarika. Stay well, Betty Boop. Trust our paths will cross in the not too, too distant future. Cheers, Patrizzio!