Big Woody Fir Firewood Blues: Sunday, January 31st!

Words are loaded pistols. -Jean-Paul Sartre, writer and philosopher (1905-1980)
 

Patricio, I'd like to include a photo of Richard Moore in the Scrapbook, at that point in 2008 when he was awarded the President's Service Award for Excellence, but haven't been able to turn up a suitable one in the usual places. I'm guessing you might be able to help me out with one from your own collection. If it should be part of a group, do as you did with the excellent one you sent me of yourself. Let me know if nothing's available there but that you can suggest someone else I might ask.

Have you heard how he's doing? I've been thinking about him lately and wondering if he might be back at work by now. If he's healthy of course, let me know and I'll ask him directly.

Hope all is well with you and that you're not overdoing all the renovations you have in mind. I, myself, held the ladder last week while Anne changed a lightbulb that had been dead for several months. So, as you can see, I'm seeing to it that we're getting along ourselves swimmingly. Tomasso

Hello Tomasso! Once again, apologize for not replying sooner. Unfortunately, I don't have any snaps of Richard. Ihad been retired for four years by 2008. Jo-anne Naslund might be the one to contact about snaps. As far as I know he made a full recovery and was back at work, at some point. Not sure if he has retired by now, however. Your light-bulb caper makes my paltry efforts at DIY seem silly indeed!  Buona Fortuna and Cheers, Patrizzio!



Hello PD/EDC! I'll be there on Thursday at 2:00 pm. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hi Mick! Sorry I didn't reply sooner but Dusty and I were trying to finish up as much work in the garage and on patio stairs as we could before The Freeloaders arrived on Friday evening! First of all, thank you for buying the Sevens ticket. Please let me know what I owe you. Cora Lee is coming into Vancouver towards the end of this month for her Book Club so I'll ask her to pop around to give you the cash! As well, thanks so much for inviting us to stay. Much appreciated. We still have to work out the details of the trip so as soon as we have done that we'll let you know. We might come in on Thursday, the 10th, if we don't have tickets for an Art Gallery Series. Would leave on Monday so you might not want us around that long! At any rate, we'll chat, but thanks again.

With respect to on-going projects, managed to do most of what was needed as far as storage shelving was concerned and then started to assemble the pieces necessary to affix the planks to risers, etc., outside. Started to rain around 11:00 am so we covered up the planking and went inside to work on a "contraption" that Dusty designed to "bridge" the door sills when we move our plants inside for the winter. We also built a small dolly to fit the planters we are using so that we only have to lift the Mandevilla and Japanese Maples on and off, (instead of dragging them all the way inside), sparing our aging backs.

Later that afternoon, I tidied up the garage so that we have more room to work and then into house to shower and change. Sarge and Jo-anne arrived at just before 6:00 pm, [Sarge called about five minutes earlier as he was on Braid Street, one street over!), after they had dropped Flamin' off in Kelowna where she was staying the night with a close friend. After a delish meal of chili, courtesy of Lady Darjeeling, Clara and I took on Sarge and Dusty for a couple of rubbers of bridge, while Jo-anne and Mme Coriandre visited. Long day for everyone so we all turned in around 11:00 pm.

Next morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast after which Sarge did a bit of work. (He is now retired from the RCMP but is working, in much the same administrative capacity, for a private firm with the contract to build the forensic lab, (now on Heather and 37th), next to the building he was project manager for in Surrey! Cora Lee and Jo-anne went for a walk into town and after Sarge collected Flamin' from where her friend dropped her, (Penticton Sportsplex not far away, down Eckhardt), she went for a run as she is training for Sun Run. Sarge continued to work and I put wood preservative on the planking. After everyone was back home and showered/changed we headed out to do a spot of wine tasting.

Started at Upper Bench as they are one of few open during winter. Flamin' was so impressed with both wine and cheese that she signed up for the Corks/Curds wine club, (We are already members and received a cheese of choice, [a very tasty Italian of some sort], for introducing a new member!), which pairs three cheeses with every release. After a most enjoyable time we headed to Naramata to have a wonderful lunch at the Grape Leaf Cafe. Do you know it? It is one of Lynne's/Peter's favourite spots for breakfast on Saturdays and we just missed them as they'd walked over for brunch.

Food was fabulous and most generous servings so no room for dessert. However, we decided we'd buy the carrot cake for dessert that evening so did just that. Jo-anne very generously footed bill for everything. Told her I wished I'd known she was going to pay the tab as I would have ordered a larger meal! As it was I only had a bowl of the delicious, spicy Red Pepper Soup but managed to "scavenge" a fair bit from those whose eyes were larger than their stomachs!

On to Poplar Grove, after a quick drive to Indian Rock to show the visitors this lovely community. Have you been there? Great hill back up if you cycle! Another fun-filled tasting, along with Christy/Dan, a couple, from Peachland, we met at the winery while sipping. Jana, behind counter, was pouring and she lives on Braid, one street over from us, same block! Decided we might as well join here as well, (Cora Lee had already been here, earlier in week, with Clara, to buy white for Dusty!), so we signed up along with F/S. We will collect the shipments, from both UB and PG and hold them until they visit, (They bought a fantastic "fractional condo" at Spirit Ridge last July so they are up every two months or so, particularly in spring/summer/fall.), or else we'll bring them down when we visit. Much like the arrangement I've had with David/Nancy, in Berkeley, for wine from Coffaro when we are not going to be in California for some time.

Back home to play a rubber of bridge before we had to ready place for dinner. Lynne and Peter were coming as well and we spent a wonderful evening. Cora Lee had done tasty, tasty ribs and there were only three tiny pieces left so guests certainly enjoyed meal. Sarge brought along a 2010 Quinta Ferriera Syrah, a wonderfully intense wine, showing blackberry fruit, raspberry jam, and black cherry, a virtual fruit bomb, in short. Peter contributed a 2012 Nichol Syrah, (He grows some of the Syrah for them.), but it didn't possess the soft, well rounded tannins as QF's or its spicy,lengthy finish. Some of this can be attributed to age but I don't think, in general, that Nichol makes such full-bodied wines.

At any rate, Peter also contributed a bottle of 2014 Riesling, which he makes with a friend, from the fruit he grows. We've had a few bottles over the last few months and I think it is terrific. Quite tart, with just the right amount of "frizzant", so I was delighted that he brought another bottle. This year's vintage was such that he will have five cases so looking forward to tasting it when ready. After dinner and dessert, (Carrot cake was more than a hit!), Peter and I took on Sarge and Dusty and managed to miss a small slam by one trick. Loads of fun but that cost us the rubber. Drowned our sorrows with a few snorts of malt, one from the Bruichladdick Classic Laddie, 50%, which Lady Dar and I had given to Sarge for his retirement. A grand time was had by all!

Up at 8:00 am to have blueberry pancakes and bacon for breakfast and after visiting for a bit, gang loaded up the car and hit the road, just before 10:00 am.
The Freeloaders should have been safely home between 2:00 pm-3:00 pm as they were crammed with wine, for ballast, since snow was expected on the Coquihalla! Dusty and I headed back to garage to hang a blind that had been on window in study and which now will keep the sun from blazing into the garage during the heat of the summer. After a spot of lunch we drilled a hole in the wall, beside the vacuum, in order to vent it outside. Put everything in place but needed a few things to finish job.

Just as I was about to head out to Rona, Big Woody called. He is chap I bought a cord from last September and had ordered another one a few days ago. By the time he arrived and we stacked it against back wall of Rumpus Room it was close to 4:00 pm. I thought store was open until 6:00 pm so I went inside to have a mug of java and talk about shelving we plan to build in living room, (for our stereo set-up, records, books, etc.), so I wasn't in any particular rush. Arrived just after 5:00 pm and of course place was closed! Will have to make a quick trip tomorrow morning before I go hiking at 8:40 am. Have really been enjoying this so-called Boot Hikes, chosen where snow is not really an issue.

Must away as I need to make a small lunch for tomorrow, as well as want to read some more of my latest Bernie Gunther, Phillip Kerr's A Man Without Breath. All the best from DIY Centrale. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Polly. Will be in touch about staying as soon as we know our travel plans. Thanks and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pics: Late lunch at Grape Leaf Cafe; Poplar Grove; firewood; vacuum vent; blind; patio steps

South Okanagan Winter Hours Winery Blues: Saturday, January 30th!

Sin is geographical. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)

Up at 8:00 am to see if any of our guests had survived the night! Unfortunately, both had so we needed to cook extra bacon and eggs!

Patrick James Dunn You are famous in all our tummies, Vincenzzo! Wine tasting at Poplar Grove with Flamin'/Sarge, Jo-anne, Lady Dar and Christy/Dan, a couple, from Peachland, we met at winery while sipping. Jana was pouring and she lives on Braid, one street over from us! Visited two wineries, (most are closed over winter), Upper Bench was first. F/S became wine club members at both, while we joined PG, already signed up with UB! We will collect the shipments, much like you and Janferie, with respect to Coffaro muleage!

David Kessler I remember being at that gorgeous winery! Enjoy my friends!!!

Patrick James Dunn The Freeloaders should be safely home between 2:00 pm-3:00 pm on Sunday as Sarge planned to hit the road at just before 10:00 am, quite obviously loaded with wine, for ballast, as snow was expected on the Coquihalla!

Fellow Shareholders

Our investment has been maturing nicely at the Distillery and we are now only ten months away from the 5th anniversary of when our cask was initially put in the oak barrels. So we can look forward to having it bottled in December. I've recently been in touch with

Patrick Evans, our distiller and he asked me to share the following information with you:

1. In early March he will draw a final sample from our cask and send it to me for our group to sample. I will advise you once I receive it.

2.a heavier style of clear bottle has been selected to bottle the whiskey and this should reflect the colour very well. As previously agreed we will have our cask bottled at cask strength of 62% thus reducing some of applicable provincial markup.

3. We will need to send them a design of any label we want. They sent us a copy of the label used by another cask group.See attached. If we like it we could adopt it and make changes as desired thus reducing our costs for artwork. I've asked them for approximate costs for labels. One possibility would be to reflect the SOWTS logo since so many of us are members. Let me have your feedback on the sample. 

4.In response to my request Patrick advised that the remaining duty, fees and taxes which will be owing on our cask are estimated to total $ 17.37 per bottle on the estimated 226 bottles for a total of $ 3,925.62 plus GST.To this we need to add the costs for labeling and shipping however as we get closer to the date Patrick may be willing to deliver our order personally. Our original estimate that a final payment would be due of $ 250 per 5% share appears to be a bit high but won't be known for sure until the early fall. I believe we'll know the actual amount in mid October and so please plan on paying your remaining share by November 1st.

I maintain a Shareholder Registry for our group reflecting the names, addresses, phone and emails of all owners (individual or joint). Since we formed our group I've only been made aware of one change where a 5% ownership share was transferred to a pair of new co owners. If you have sold or transferred your ownership let me know. To ensure your contact information is accurate please advise me of any changes in your personal contact information especially email. Let me know if you have any questions. Slainte! Kevin Ritcey

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the update. The excitement for our whisky release is palpable. Could you please add Patrick to the distributionlist as my co-shareholder. Slainte, Peter Please ignore previous e-mail.  I see Patrick is on the list. Peter

Hi everybody: It is Summerland's turn. We meet at 09:00 at the IGA, the southerners may want to car pool at 08:40 from HH. The plan is to drive N on Hwy 97, 1 km short of the Antler Beach (A pull-off at the N end of Brent Rd.) and head straight W as far up as the time and energy supply allow.

3 hrs max, followed by a coffee at GO. Al 

Patio Stairs Lower Mainlander Freeloader Blues: Friday, January 29th!

A man is not old until his regrets take the place of dreams. -Yiddish proverb

Hello Teens et al! Thank you for the terrific visit! House is quite lonely and empty without you. We've put the shovel you bought on one of the living room chairs. Have to watch Dusty as he keeps wanting to burn the handle! Please pass along our thanks to Jacque(s) André, (?), for the most tasty lunch and wonderfully interesting stories. Hope we will meet Lael and Olivier at some point, in the not too, too distant future. So, Kids, that's all the news that's fit to print. Must away as Dusty is heading for the garage. Travel safely, those of you on the road. Fondestos from The Burns Street Gin Joint/Hot Sheets Hotel! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick & Corinne, I trust this finds you both well and doing well in the mid winter gloom - on the Coast anyway. You no doubt know this but the Scotch tasting is early this year:

Spark a lifelong love of reading and writing at A Dram Come True, our annual fundraiser, featuring 25+ unique single malt whiskies, delicious canapes, a silent auction and more! Friday May 13th 2016 7:30pm
Hycroft - 1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver, BC.
​ 
Let me know ​if you want me to get you tickets or, if you can't come, place an absentee bid on a rug for you. Cheers.....Paul

Hi Paul, I bought 2 tickets for Patrick for his birthday so he will be there. It is our 40th wedding anniversary the following day so we will be in town to celebrate that as well. Look forward to seeing you two. You are also welcome to visit anytime. Regards, Corinne

Hello Single Malt Paolo and All The Usual Suspects! Once again, apologize for not replying sooner but I know that Lady Darjeeling sent along an earlier message letting you know about my birthday tickets for a Dram  Come True. On a related theme, Peter Lighthall and I are part of a group investment in Shelter Point's cask offering and according to latest from Kevin Ritchey who deals with Patrick Evans, distiller, "We are now only ten months away from the 5th anniversary of when our cask was initially put in the oak barrels. So we can look forward to having it bottled in December." Cask will be bottled at 62% so a bit of high octane hootch! Think each investor we will receive four of five bottles.

We will be coming to town for Cuffed, March 11th/12th/13th. Are you planning to attend? Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Bestestos, [Thanks Kjell!], and Cheerios, [Latest version of "Cheers", from one of hiking group!], Patrizzio!

Greetings from Panama! I am thinking of you all in that beautiful snow....as I snorkel in the deep warm sea and hike way up in the rain forests with all these very big spiders, which BTW, my bf has been leading the way and whacking them for me.....Love your pictures! Sharon 

Hello Spider Woman! Glad you enjoyed the snaps and that all goes so well in Panama. Enjoy the snorkelling! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Rosie-The-Riveter's 91st Birthday Blues: January 28th!

Love, friendship, respect, do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something. -Anton Chekhov, short-story writer and dramatist (29 Jan 1860-1904) 

 
Slight change to our weekend. Joanne is coming with us and we are going to drop Michele in Kelowna tomorrow and then come to your place so you can have our pleasure for two nights. Michele will drive down in the morning with Diane who does something with weight watchers in Penticton. See you tomorrow evening. Wayne   Great see u for supper C

Hi Patrick I have a weekend pass for you that I bought at the early bird special price. I think most of the lads are going, Hobbsy, Richard , Ray for starters.
You are very welcome to stay with us. 
 

The Siren

Art: John William Waterhouse, c. 1900

We just returned from Victoria where we visited an old friend who is recovering from a heart attack, but she is making a great recovery and we walked for miles the three days we were there and I was definitely the slowest !! Let us know your plans. Mick 

After TNT said goodbye to Rosita and Dusty, we drove to Kelowna, just after 9:00 am, to stop at Costco before we delivered her to the gorgeous home of Lael and Jacque Andre, (They rented Bree's/Mark's home, in Adelaide, when on sabbatical, a number of years ago.), where we were treated to a tasty lunch of sourdough bread, a wonderfully creamy Goat Brie, a sharp Blue, delish paté and home-made sushi Finished with a high octane espresso, just right for the drive back to Penticton. Thanking Teen for a lovely, lovely visit, and Jacque Andre for his hospitality, we hit 97, stopping at Sumac Ridge, just before Summerland, as we'd not been there since 2011 and Dusty wanted some white wine. He's taken more than a liking to the local product and our diminishing cellar is testament to this! 

Was quite surprised to find that they no longer make a Pinot Blanc and was disappointed as I found there Reserve PB much to my liking. Also discovered that the restaurant there has been closed since we were there. Had thought we might take Rosita and Dusty there for lunch as we'd been very impressed when we'd eaten there. Chap behind the tasting counter was the chef and he said he the business was for a young person and he was tired after many years in the demanding business. Picked up a bottle of Pinot Grigio and one of Zin which was surprisingly tasty. Not as lush as those from California but still an interesting tak eon this varietal. Outside, we were treated to a stunning rainbow, arcing across Okanagan Lake, nature's birthday card for Rosita's 91st!

Back home to unload groceries and then change into my working clothes and Dusty and I drilled some holes in the stair risers to allow us to connect the garden hose to the water faucet which will be under the stairs once the planking is in place. By the time this was done it was starting to get dark so we couldn't really work outside. Inside we assembled the "gadget" The Dustman had designed to allow us to bring our planters in and out of the house, in the fall/spring, with a minimum of effort. It consists of a flexible "bridge" which we can place over the garage door sills and a small wheeled platform which will carry the planters. This way we will only have to lift each planter on and off the platform, saving our aging backs from undue stress.

This done, we called it quits for the day and joined The Sisterhood in the living room to begin celebrating Rosita's 91st. Mme Coriandre had prepared two scrumptious pizzas, (She's discovered gluten-free crusts at Costco.), and we had a lovely meal, enjoying the food and wine and crackling fire. After Rosie opened her gifts, (2011 Molly Dooker, Two Left Feet, 15.5%; 2012 Colomé Malbec, 14.5%; 2013 1865, Carmenère, 14.5%), and a shawl from Inja, I cleared the table and we played two rubbers of bridge. Sad to say that The Lads won both a slow and quick rubber even though it was Clarisse's birthday! After that The Riveter was more than happy to return to her chair, close to the fire, and read while Dusty watched the news and Lady Dar and I went to the Rumpus Room for the latest episode of The Blacklist. Busy day so we were in bed shortly after 11:00 pm. Full day on the morrow as we hope to finish installing the patio stairs and JT and Sarge are to arrive for weekend, just before dinner. Lower Mainlander Freeloaders, worst kind!

Swedish Oil Blues: Wednesday, January 27th!

A fellow of mediocre talent will remain a mediocrity, whether he travels or not; but one of superior talent (which without impiety I cannot deny that I possess) will go to seed if he always remains in the same place. -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer and musician (27 Jan 1756-1791) 

Pat, My Richmond firefighters' t-shirt is still in very good condition and at least good for another 10. Good thing to do the snowshoeing, I'm sure. Great exercise and a way to meet new people. I met a fellow when I was at dinner at Mike and Pauline's home who had done exactly the same when they moved here from Ottawa to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Ironically, they live in False Creek.

Very busy time for me with mid-term exams but I am keeping up regular gym activity but nothing on the bike. Hopefully, I'll start again in the spring. Sylvia has joined a walking group on Sundays as practice for the Sun Run, although I'm not sure that she intends to do it.

Met up with a couple I knew at UBC in the early 70's last week. I had not seen Susan since that time and had only seen Tom once. We spent a very enjoyable evening together. They presently live in Kelowna.
 
A friend has offered me a ticket for the Sevens, so hopefully I will be able to attend on March 12. Not sure about summer plans. I have a friend over from England in August/September and we might do some of the KV ride. Not sure about his present fitness, so we'll see. Might go to Kimberley during that time as well or instead of. Please pass my regards to Corinne. Ray

Hello my Darling Jean! Thank you for your lovely letter of January 14th. I do apologize for not replying sooner but have been pretty busy ever since Cora Lee's parents arrived on the 12th. Dusty is simply amazing and I'm hard pressed to keep up with him, although he's 91 and I'm a Saggitarian, as you remarked! He designed more shelving for the garage and we spent a fair bit of time installing that. Pretty much finished with this project and now we are working on the steps to the back patio. I might have mentioned that we had a sliding door installed this past summer and were using large rounds of firewood for temporary steps. Dusty made all the cuts for the risers yesterday and today we put everything in place to see that things fit as he had planned. All well on this count so we put wood preservative on all the risers and other planking and will assemble the stairs tomorrow, weather permitting. 

Next project is for shelving in our living room, primarily to house our stereo equipment. Have already looked at the material with Lady Dar but will take Dusty to Rona on Friday to see what he thinks about our choice, given design he has already come up with. At the moment we have our close friend, Tina, visiting from Adelaide, via Sun Punks, an hour or so north of Kamloops. She and Trevor, her husband, have been skiing there every year for the past 19 years. Trev is still at Sun Peaks but Tina wanted to visit us, particularly since Clara and Dusty are here. She and Trevor have even visited them at Falcon but first met when we lived at Granville Island. Anyway, we are driving her to Kelowna tomorrow to stay with friends for a few days before she buses back to Sun Peaks.

She joined me on my hike on Monday and enjoyed herself immensely. Last night Tina took us to dinner at Theos, a wonderful Greek restaurant but a few blocks from our house, although we drove as it is a bit of a stretch for Rosita. (She celebrates her 91st birthday on Thursday and has taken charge of the fireplace since she arrived!) Teens and I had the rabbit which was simply delicious. Cora Lee opted for the lamb and we even have plenty of overlefts as the portions were more than generous. Enjoyed a bottle of 2014 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc and a 2012 Cabernet Franc from Tinhorn Creek with our food so a most convivial meal.

TNT joined Mme Coriandre on her Flatlanders walk, (10 km), this morning and after they returned they planted our live Christmas tree in the front yard. Great to have house guests with such skills! Flamin' and Sarge, (Freeloaders, in the extreme, as they only drink wine when here!), will be staying overnight this Saturday. Not sure if another friend, Jo-anne, from the building, will join them or not. Think it has to do with their respective schedules. Before we left for India, this past October, we stayed in Jo-anne's gorgeous apartment as she was visiting one of her daughters in Phoenix. Following weekend, Ayn and Chloë will fly up on Thursday, for rest of the weekend as they both want to see their grandparents. So, a pretty busy social schedule.

Very, very pleased to learn that you are writing again. Couldn't agree with you more about the exhilaration of putting one's thoughts into words. However, I simply cannot accept the fact that you, Jean, with your myriad, unbelievable creative endeavours, (pewter, painting, phenomenal garden, baking/cooking/entertaining, to mention but a few), should worry about vision or lack of confidence. I'd give almost anything to do just one of those things as well and as wonderfully as you are able to. We have a number of your divine pewter pieces in our guest bathroom, on the window ledge, and I am thrilled every time I look at your delightful, charming, whimsical creatures. Onward! Fight!!


With respect to our next travel plans I don't think we will be able to make VI before the early summer. (Already have our first booking for early June!) We intend to be in Vancouver over the 11th/12/th/13th of March for Cuffed, the first Vancouver International Crime Fiction Festival and Cora Lee will bus down at the end of February, for a few days, to attend her Book Club. At any rate, we certainly want to see you and John so will be in touch once we know a bit more about how we expect to organize such a visit. Of course, you are more than welcome to take the plunge, so to speak, and visit us. We can have a wine-tasting re-union, of sorts, in reverse, going north instead of south!

Must away, as I have to have a shower, to wash the sawdust out of my hair, before dinner. Lady Dar is baking a ham and Rosie-the-Riveter prepared her famous scalloped potatoes, one of my favourite dishes. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, reading the paper in front of the crackling fire. Cheers, Patrizzio.PS: See below for account of Monday's hike.

Pics: Patio steps; Master Gardeners. Teens had to use a hammer and crowbar to remove the large stone at their feet. Dusty applying preservative to risers. We hung the stained glass window a few days ago. Newly transplanted Blue Spruce! Priceless pewter! 

Good-morning everyone!! Just saying Hello and letting everyone know I'm alive and well here in SantaBarbara and managed to hike to this Inspiration point overlooking The Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara last Saturday!...Studio suite is complete and ready for tenants so looking forward to more leisure time on hikes and beaches!!..weather is in low 20's this week so warming up!! Hope everyone is staying warm and healthy!!! I sent them all as these were forwarded by Adelle and I don't know how to just select a couple!! Justice made it all the way to the top and he was just 5 last Dec.18 Presley will be 2 at the end of March Mima?? well let's just say she needs to do this more often to stay in shape!!!😃👍

INSPIRATION POINT

Remember Ghost - the Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze movie? Well this is like Ghost, except that the tragically deceased and much mourned Nina (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) isn't much like the soulful Swayze; rather, she turns up (and turns on) in bed when supermarket clerk Rob (Cian Barry) and his new girlfriend Holly (Abigail Hardingham) make love, oozing blood and demanding her piece of the pie. Perhaps surprisingly, after she gets over her initial shock, Holly determines to make the best of the situation, and an unusual menage-a-trois starts to develop...
This deliciously macabre Valentine from Britain's Blaine Brothers maybe sick and (literally) twisted, but it's also moving, funny and sexy as hell.
"Nina Forever is a superb horror movie in every respect... The Blaine brothers make the movie so much more than just a clever idea. It has the energy, tension and gore genre fans are likely looking for, but rather than spilling blood for the sake of spilling blood, the carnage actually facilitates character growth and enriches the story making Nina Forever a far more engaging and satisfying watch than most...” — Perri Nemiroff, Collider

Nina Forever

Final Push Garage Shelving Blues: Tuesday, January 26th!

Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one's mind. -William Somerset Maugham, writer (25 Jan 1874-1965)  

THEO∑

Hi Marian! Trust you and Timothy survived the White Lake Forced March! Tina spent over an hour in our tub as soon as we were home, and consumed three bottles of wine! Cora Lee had to put a life preserver on her after first bottle. Sorry we didn't join gang at Opus but I had to get home to continue helping Dusty with shelving we are installing.

At any rate, I apologize for not sending along a message last night. Unfortunately, it has been decided that, all things considered, we won't be able to accept your gracious invitation. Rosita and Cora Lee would love to join gathering, as would I, of course, but it is a bit more difficult with respect to Dusty, for a number of reasons I can go into at another time. However, we'd like to contribute to event so please put us down for two tickets and let me know how to we might make payment. At next Monday's torture session. per esempio?

Anyway, thanks again, for wishing to include us. Much appreciated. Lady Darjeeling is certainly interested in GFA so if you could send along details, etc., she thanks you, in advance. Have a wonderful time "Walking the Line" on Thursday, (Greetings to those we might know.), and see you soon. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, So sorry to hear that we'll have to eat all that turkey and other delicious food without you.  However, we certainly understand that things are usually more complicated than we would like.  That's life!  There will be many other opportunities.
 
Thank you for your very kind offer to buy tickets anyways. You can simply make a thirty dollar donation in lieu of the tickets and we can essentially sell them again, if that is okay with you?  Paying me at next Monday's "torture session" would be splendid or Corinne can make the donation at the February meeting.  If she gives her address as well,  the Grandmothers' organization will issue her a tax receipt.

Despite my disappointment at not having you join us on Thursday, I am very excited to hear that Corrine ( or is it Cora Lee?) is interested in joining the South Okanagan Grandmothers' Organization or the SOGOS, for short.  Our next meeting should be on February 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the Shatford Centre.  I would be happy to meet her there and introduce her to the wonderful people in our group.  We are always excited to get new members.  Actually, she will be in very good company as we have had several new members join in the last few months.  Have Corinne contact me, if she wishes, when it gets closer to the meeting date and we can meet out front of the Shatford Centre. See you next Monday! Cheers, Marian

White Lake Snow Crust Blues: Monday, January 25th!

Catch-and-release, that's like running down pedestrians in your car and then, when they get up and limp away, saying -- Off you go! That's fine. I just wanted to see if I could hit you. -Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, television host, and actress (b. 26 Jan 1958) 

Uphill Grind!

Hi all: Some of our Monday Boot Hikers expressed interest in going snow-shoeing this Th, if there would be a gentler and shorter hike than Rick's.
I intend to go, and instead of going solo, as I planned, I could use some company of a few Gentle Breeze souls. Let me know if you would be interested.
Al

White Lake, We made it!

Up at 6:45 am to make sandwiches and carrot sticks for today's boot hike. By the time I'd packed our lunches, cleaned the glass platen of the fireplace and unloaded the dishwasher it was almost 7:50 am and Teens the Teenager was still abed. This being the case, I poked my head into her room and suggested, to the sleepy head , that it was time to rise and shine. Made her a cup of java and quartered an orange for her and the light breakfast she'd requested the night before, was ready when she appeared. Lady Dar made an appearance a few minutes later and the two chatted while I readied my hiking gear. Saying goodbye to The Dustman, he was up at 8:30 am, and his daughter, we left the house at approximately 8:40 am.

Hello Ridiculously Happy Hikers! Thanks again, from both Teens and I, for the more than marvellous time! Especially to the leaders, but also to everyone who showed such care and concern for the Wild Australian. Tina spent over an hour in our tub as soon as we were home, and consumed three bottles of wine! Cora Lee had to put a life preserver on her after first bottle. Sorry we didn't join gang at Opus but I had to get home to continue helping Dusty with shelving we are installing. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Stats for hike: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1029117757#.Vqhyxp5XRkM.email

My musings on hike, if interested. (Please note that some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty!):

Spamela was waiting at the Home Hardware lot when we arrived so I introduced Teens to her and while they were chatting more people arrived so I continued the on-going round of introductions. Quite a large gathering, 22 in all. Since I had TNT in tow, I drove and Spumoni and Theodorakis carpooled with us. As we were to hike near White Lake, I pointed out parts of the GranFondo cycling route, to Christina, although we were covering it in reverse. Gang rendezvoused at the small parking lot off Fairview White Lake Road, a few kilometres south of the The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory.

From a cycling point of view, I'm always happy to reach this spot, heading north, as the toughest of the hills one encounters, out of Oliver, have already been tackled, although there are still a couple of decent climbs left before one passes St Andrew's by the Lake. At any rate, by the time we had unloaded and readied ourselves, it was close to 9:30 am and we set off, following, initially, much the same route as one of the hikes we'd taken this summer. This time, however, we were not going to climb as high, but rather hike around the knoll there. According to an earlier message Spamela sent out we understood the following: "Without snow this takes about 3 hours. With snow it could be more like 4 hours but it's easy, mostly flat." Famous last words indeed! 

Naturally, given past weather conditions, there was a decent amount of snow, with a fairly hard crust, so much of the walking was single file, aiming for the footsteps ahead. Generally speaking, this was more than fine, most of the time, although depending on where one happened to be, in line, the size of the made depressions and their distance apart could prove problematic. Especially for the visiting skier and her short stubby legs! Make no mistake, Tina enjoyed a simply wonderful, wonderful time. Without question, she found the winter scenery and atmospheric conditions simply spell-binding and remember, Dear Reader, she is used to seeing some pretty spectacular sights out of Sun Peaks. She continues to remark on the inviting welcome she received and how much she delighted in the group's camaraderie. 

However, as I'm sure I need not tell you trekking vets, skiing is not the same as boot hiking so when she had stretch her legs to reach footsteps out of sync with her own gait or break a new trail, through the icy crust, either for any prolonged length of time, she found such exertion tiring. That being said, everyone was most solicitous of her welfare, (with the exception of her so-called friend Patrizzio!), and kudos must be awarded to Tatyana and Martagnan, who helped her along the mountain goat trails of the canyon and kept her company for much of the hike as well. Truth be told, Aarturo must be highly, highly commended for riding shotgun over the last hour or so of the outing, never leaving Tina's side, making sure she crossed the slippery ladder bridge over the small creek without mishap, always offering encouragement, (When not lecturing Patrizzio about the low resolution of his digital pictures!), and witty remarks as they traversed the remaining kilometres. 

Still, these small tribulations pale against the grandeur and resplendence of the landscape we traversed. The monolithic cliff faces, anointed with sprinklings of snow, shrouded in mist, framed by towering pines, thrilled but simultaneously reminded us of our own puniness. Hanneke, motionless, on a crude dock, back-dropped by the mirror image of the surrounding forest on the rock still surface of the moss green tarn, snow demarcating its steep shore, says it all. Speaking of moss green, how fortunate we were to see so many regal trees wreathed in their organic version of ermine, one remarkable specimen, suffering from a broken heart, bleeding frozen resin, weeping silently while we ate our snacks and sipped our java.

And what of The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory itself? Though man-made, the rows of power poles seemed to "bleed" into the hills behind, absorbed, assimilated by the covering pines. The dish and ranks of troughs suggest nothing if not the cold of interstellar space, a more than appropriate sensation as one could feel the chill of the wind across the open grassland on the last leg of the hike. The loneliness of the four strand, cruelly barbed fence, (softened somewhat, by an irregular border of hardy sage), immediately brought to mind the uproariously funny scene in Fargo where Steve Buscemi's character, Carl, stops his car by the side of the highway to bury ransom money in a snowdrift. Everyone in the audience knows, (even if you are not from the Prairies or Mid-West), that he'll never be able to find the loot again. And then, to the west, bracketed by the slopes of the valley's hills, snow-covered to the south, exposed earth to the north, a shining eye of light, topped with low cloud, just to keep it in place. Still, a most fitting symbol for the mental and emotional picture I will carry of this otherworldly outing. Though certainly not "flat", and definitely not "easy" on TNT's wonky knee, we both thank our gifted trek leaders for such a scintillating slog. Bravo! Onward!! Fight!!!

Hi Patrick,So sorry to hear that we'll have to eat all that turkey and other delicious food without you. However, we certainly understand that things are usually more complicated than we would like. That's life! There will be many other opportunities.
 
Thank you for your very kind offer to buy tickets anyways. You can simply make a thirty dollar donation in lieu of the tickets and we can essentially sell them again, if that is okay with you? Paying me at next Monday's "torture session" would be splendid or Corinne can make the donation at the February meeting. If she gives her address as well, the Grandmothers' organization will issue her a tax receipt.

Despite my disappointment at not having you join us on Thursday, I am very excited to hear that Corrine ( or is it Cora Lee?) is interested in joining the South Okanagan Grandmothers' Organization or the SOGOS, for short. Our next meeting should be on February 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the Shatford Centre. I would be happy to meet her there and introduce her to the wonderful people in our group. We are always excited to get new members. Actually, she will be in very good company as we have had several new members join in the last few months. Have Corinne contact me, if she wishes, when it gets closer to the meeting date and we can meet out front of the Shatford Centre. See you next Monday! Cheers, Marian

TNT whirling Dervish Blues: Sunday, January 24th!

The trouble with words is that you never know whose mouths they’ve been in. -Dennis Potter, dramatist (1935-1994) 

Up at 8:30 am, even before The Dustman. Shortly thereafter, the telefono rang and it was Ms Tinsel Town on the other end, inquiring about the never-ending cycle of garage shelving! Gorgeous day here, with bright blue sky. It snowed a tad during the night but didn't stick on roads and sidewalks so no shoveling to interrupt work in progress!  

Hi Teens! Sorry I've not replied sooner! Will probably see you, face-to-face, before you next have connectivity! Will roll out red carpet, or at least Lady Dar will, as she will collect you from bus station. She is off to pray for my black soul, along with Rosita, at Oasis United, this morning. She is reading scripture so is even more self-righteous than usual.

Thank you/Lael, for the lovely invitation but it is Rosie-the-Riveter's 91st birthday on the 28th and we had planned to go out for dinner here in town to celebrate. This being the case, we must decline offer. However, depending on timing of drive to Kelowna, perhaps we could stay for a cup of coffee and/or six bottles of wine before we head back to Penticton! At any rate, we can chat about this once you are safely ensconced at Burns Street. Fondestos from The Gang of Three, and lowly builder's helper, to Trevor. See you soon. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dusty meditating in front of fireplace; Lady Dar's latest fashion statement!

Good Morning Pam! Glad you enjoyed snaps. Rosie-the-Riveter is coming to church with Cora Lee this morning so make sure Lady Darjeeling introduces her to you! Look forward to seeing you tomorrow for White Lake hike. Close friend, Tina Tassell, from Adelaide, will be arriving this afternoon, from Kamloops, (where she has been skiing at Sun Peaks, with her family), for four nights. She is keen to join us tomorrow so trust that is fine. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: We drove up to Sun Peaks, a week or so ago, to have a brief visit, with Trevor, and rest of family, as their schedule will not allow a trip to Penticton. Tina has a close friend in Kelowna and we'll drive her there this coming Thursday. 

Yes, that is totally fine to bring Tina along! Looking forward to meeting her and seeing you. Yes, I met Corinne's mom. She is old enough to have worked in the factories during the 2nd world war? Gosh she is doing well. Looks bright and chipper! Pam

Hi Donald. The Saturday Vancouver Sun (Jan.23,2016) had an obituary for a
Library colleague, Betty Misewich. I've put together an entry for the Newsletter IN MEMORIAM column using information from the obituary and some background documents I have. Since the obituary was in yesterday's paper, I'm assuming she died in 2016. There is no contact information in the obituary. Please publish this in the next possible issue of the Newsletter. Thank you,
Nadine Baldwin 

thanks for this ,patrick.say hi to all in penticton.we are off to ucluelett,then new york then \pender island then india.;we are well and visually intactus.;take care,matt 

Hi Cousin, Tim and I were wondering if you and Corinne ( and her parents, if they are still here) would care to join us for a potluck dinner at our house followed by an evening of entertainment at The Barking Parrot in Penticton on Thursday January the 28th? I am assuming that there are still tickets available at $15 per person for the entertainment, and have left a message with a fellow grandmother ( of the Grandmothers For Africa - Stephen Lewis Foundation) asking for such tickets. I hope I still have an online copy of the poster advertising the Johnny Cash tribute which we will attend after the potluck. If so, I will forward a copy of the poster as well. If you are interested and available on Thursday please let me know and I will send you more information. By the way, Art and Jos, Luxmi and hubby as well as another half dozen people will be here to add to the enjoyment. Cheers, Marian

Please see the poster below for details about our upcoming fundraiser.
Tickets will be available at the Lakeside front desk. Johhny Cash Tribute Show - Barking Parrot - Thurs. Jan 28 - $15


Good to hear your news and adventures.  We are having a relaxed time for the next couple of months.  Just a visit planned to Victoria this week .  Spent 6 weeks in England / Spain last October / November and are looking forward to some road trips this summer and Italy in September/ October.  Look forward to seeing you sometime in the summer and/ or if you come down to the rugby.  Polly

Work Bench Blues: Saturday, January 23rd!

He who is only just is cruel. Who on earth could live were all judged justly? -Lord Byron, poet (22 Jan 1788-1824)  

Hi Karl! Sorry that it has taken me a few days to answer your first message from this past Thursday. Glad to learn that you have been hiking regularly and thanks, as well, for lovely photo album of Friday's outing. As you mention, another great area for Monday's Boot Hikers.

You sound as if you have been extremely busy with your own renovations. Bathroom sounds terrific. For my part, I have been pretty involved, acting as a carpenter's helper to Dusty, my incredible, 91 year old Father-in-Law, here since January 12th, along with Clara, my equally marvellous Mother-in-Law, turning 91, herself, on the 28th of this month! They will return to Manitoba on February 10th. We have been busy installing storage shelving in the garage and are almost finished. Once last few things have been done here, (I trust by the day's end!), we will move outside, next week, to put in steps to patio from my "office". We had a sliding door installed there this past summer and had been using large rounds of firewood as temporary steps! Then storage units for bicycles on the sheltered side of the house. If time, energy and finances permit, we may well take a look at some shelving in the street-side corner of the living room as we need a unit there to house our stereo equipment, as well as more books shelves! Cora Lee wants me to divest myself of my books but I am holding firm to keeping them!!!

Didn't start working on the garage shelving until a about 11:00 am yesterday as I had to head back to the dottore's for a follow-up discussion, on my annual physical, the office having had my blood work results back. All seemingly well although my aging frame says otherwise! Did a bit of grocery shopping on way home and then had a delish brunch of overleft spaghetti and meatballs before joining The Dustman in the garage. He had cut and installed the three small shelves that we had decided we'd affix to the patio door end of the work table so when I joined the chain gang we worked at putting more of the finishing touches to the shelving we'd installed the day before. 

Garage is really starting to take shape so absolutely delighted about this, of course. Finally going to have enough space to sort through the boxes that I've spent more time moving from one place to another and back!

Thanks so very much for providing Dave's phone number. Great to have someone who comes well recommended, based on past work. Once the abovementioned, smaller projects are complete, our plans are to take a look at both a car-port and covering the house end of the back patio so I will certainly call Dave to see what he thinks about timing, cost, etc.

Must away as I 've to make a run to Rona for more building materials! Have included a few snaps of work in garage. One shows the fridge we bought from you. Have been really pleased with it, as I knew we would, ever since Henryk picked it up. It gives us much extra needed storage space and will be even more  useful/necessary in the baking heat of the summer as I'm sure you can appreciate. Please tell Patricia that we are glad that she didn't like it!!!

All the best and travel safely. Have a wonderful time in Mexico. Where are you headed? We have spent a fair bit of time on the west coast. First in Puerta Vallarta, back in the early 2000's, and then in 2009 we rented a wonderful house, north of there by an hour, in Guayabitos/La Penita. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Dusty working in garage, (Still in disarray until I have time to do more sorting/shifting.), new shelving and patio with stacked planking and temporary "steps", moved aside.

Time really does fly when you're having fun! In this new year, we've already participated in a wine event, racked and blended the 2015 vintage, and are now bottling the 2014 wines for release next month. We are writing about a few different newsworthy items, so be sure to read to the end of the email for all the thrilling details!

Hi Mick The Hearse, et al! Terrific to hear from you, Bionic Granfather, and learn about all your simply wonderful, wonderful news! Foist and foimost, Congratulations Extraordinaire on your new grandson! Hip Hip Hooray! Please pass along our best wishes to Nicole and Chris, as well, on the birth of their son, Carlos James, and relate how delighted I am that he has been blessed with my middle name! [Thank goodness for friends who are having grandchildren as Chloë had some difficulty this Fall but will be trying again next month so we are crossing our fingers!] Remind the new Papa that I might need a few more Richmond Fire Department T-shirts for cycling. Lady Darjeeling finally tore my 2010 Olympic, fabulous bamboo weave, [Luxury! Sheer Luxury!], volunteers' shirts up for rags. Very dismaying, indeed, as I could have worn them, a la Raymondo Banks, for the next ten years!

Furthermore, congrats on your 20/20 vision. Rosita could hardly stop chortling when she read about what you hilariously related about your drives "sailing into the woods!"For his part, Dusty had a similar eye operation, two years ago, this February, in Vancouver, and now he can read the label on a bottle of rum from 200 yards! Who performed the surgery? Mike Berman?

For my part, on the home front, I have been pretty involved, acting as a carpenter's helper to Dusty, still incredible at 91, here since January 12th, along with Rosita, turning 91, herself, on the 28th of this month! They will return to Manitoba on February 10th. We have been busy installing storage shelving in the garage and are almost finished. Once last few things have been done here, (I trust by the end of the weekend!), we will move outside to put in steps to patio from my "office". As you might remember, we had a sliding door installed there this past summer and had been using large rounds of firewood as temporary steps! Then storage units for bicycles on the sheltered side of the house. If time, energy and finances permit, we may well take a look at some shelving in the street-side corner of the living room as we need a unit there to house our stereo equipment, as well as more books shelves! Cora Lee wants me to divest myself of my books but I am holding firm to keeping them!!!

Made three runs to Rona for more building materials today! First was for lumber, second for another compost bin, [Like one we already own. I plan to have my own "organic" stall at the Farmer's Market this Spring/Summer. Desperately need a tax write-off with current $CDN!], as I was able to get it for 25% reduction, (Floor model and not much demand at this time of year but already assembled! Latter is almost more important than former as with first one Cora Lee and I almost came to life threatening blows!] Must away as we are to watch a recorded episode of Elementary in Rumpus Room shortly.

Have included a few snaps of work in garage. Will probably spend most of tomorrow re-arranging boxes and sorting through some of them, now that I have some usable space. Dusty's day off to watch football although I'm hoping he will cut the boards for the shelving under the window work table and help me hang a blind over the window with the stained glass. [The sun blazes into the garage through this window during the summer so with the blind we can better control the temperature.] Had it and its mate in our hallway at the Islay Inn and have finally been able to hang them. Other is now in the guest bedroom. Lady Dar wanted to hang the one that was there in the front hallway. [It came form my grandparent's house in Rivers!] Hope to do that tomorrow as I needed to buy a vice so that we can bend some L-brackets to accept the frame for ease of mounting/taking down. I will soon be the proud owner of all sorts of tools that I will probably never ever use again!

Before I sign off, please think about staying with us for a couple of nights before your Sandy Beach Lodge family gathering in June. We'd love to see you both, it goes without saying and if you are able to stay longer perhaps we can go riding on the KVR, and certainly more wine tasting. Anyway, think about it and we'll plan accordingly. Perhaps Sir Andrew, Theodarakis, Ricardo and Raymondo, avec far more likable spouses, might even consider joining us. Room for one and all even if Sir Andrew has to sleep on the couch beside the fire pit!

Speaking of same, have you made any progress with respect to advance tickets for the World Rugby Sevens, March 12th/3th? I'm keen to attend, as is Theodore. Not sure about Glasgow but I'm sure there might well be many others. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!

Pics: Patio with stacked planking and temporary "steps", moved aside. Stained glass window mounted this afternoon and one yet to be hung.


Hi Marilyn and Big Al! First and foremost, terribly sorry to learn about Ollie. Very sad, sad time for everyone, it goes without saying. Trust things are a tad better now. I still think so fondly of all the cats we have had and remembering them brings a tear to my eye. Still, one can relish the wonder and laughter that they injected into our lives. Fondestos from the rest of the Gang of Three. Cheers, Patrizzio!