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
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