No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this
self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind.
-Miguel de Cervantes, novelist (29 Sep 1547-1616)
Well, I guess your account was a fine prelude to the photos of the stitches! NOT TO BE MISSED! Thank
you for the lively account. I tuned in especially keenly each time you
mentioned the suspected blood clots and other setbacks, but the fact
that you were writing the message gave me a bit
of reassurance that you were not going to die from any of these. Thank
Goodness!
At
first I thought, what an amazing mass of coincidences that Patrick has
chanced upon all these acquaintances at the hospital and everywhere he
went; but then I reminded myself that Canada is
not overpopulated, and beside that, that Patrick knows most of the
people in the country or their cousin, ex-girlfriend or common
bartender. So really, no surprises there.
We do
hope at some point to make it up for a visit. Sounds like we will have
to apply for a slot however. Maybe next spring? We are all set to
hunker down for the winter. We are hoping it's
not a Trumpian winter, I should add, or travel plans may be moved up.
There is so much class between your esteemed leader (although our
Libertarian standard bearer could not even come up with his name, so we
have two candidates running who are whacko idiots)
and our current president that it leaves me speechless to think of how
deep the chasm would be should our proto-Fascist come to power. (An
excellent book review of Ulrich's new biography of Hitler read point by
point like a description of Trump's persona
and campaign). While I think of books, I do plan to read the Whitehead
book soon, but would also recommend to you Viet Tranh Nguyen's
The Sympathizer. Extremely well-written and a marvelous story as well.
I hope
you are able to resume the activities you love (I mean the ones you
seem to have halted for the moment, obviously malt and vino are not a
problem) and I'm glad you are being thoughtful
about the opiates. Nancy and I
send you our love and best wishes, and love and regards to Corinne, Chloe and the rest of the crew. Glad to hear news of Nicolina and hope the rest of the Squamoids are similarly thriving....HUGS and toasts (both sorts!) to your health! Cactus
Hello Hunkered Down Berkeloids! Lovely
to hear from you and receive your ever witty, if, at times, obviously
politically melancholic/pessimistic, (understandably so), missive. You
may well be aware of the following work, David Cay Johnston's, The Making of Donald Trump, but in case not, I'm sure you should seek it out. I listened to him interviewed this morning on CBC's The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti. He is a "Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist with a few decades' worth of insights about how Trump — the businessman — operates. Johnston is an expert in U.S. economics and tax law and his new book
looks into whether Trump's touted "golden touch" could prove
his Achilles' heel in this race for the White House." I simply cannot
believe that Trump isn't doing hard time on the rock pile somewhere
given the years of documented corrupt practices. I think you both should
think of moving no matter who wins the election as the fact that so
many Americans favour him is deeply unsettling, to say the least.
Thank you for suggesting Nguyen's
The Sympathizer. I have a vague memory of hearing something about
it, perhaps on one of CBC's "book" programs, so appreciate the
recommendation. Lady Dar is back outside, painting the fence, supervised
by both Etta and Duke. They delight in being "free" but we still feel
we need to keep them leashed as we are worried they might wander too far
afield at this point. Swelling on my thigh is almost completely gone,
am pleased to report. Plan to go for a reasonably long walk down Main
today as I need to hit the bank and do a number of other errands.
Weather has turned a bit more coolish but still sunny and bright so very
pleasant.
Quite
disappointed to relate that I decided, yesterday, after much
soul-searching, that I will not volunteer at the VWF this year. I had
already been assigned my shifts, selling tickets at Studio 1398, [Lady
Dar will bus to Vancouver as she will be in charge of the bar at the
same venue.], so that I could sit down for duration of each shift. I'm
hoping to begin my physio next week and leaving town for ten days or so
will interrupt that process. Given the minor setbacks I've already
experienced, I really do wish to concentrate on becoming as mobile as
possible before we head to Tinsel Town for Christmas.
At
least that is the plan, as of this writing, so we may well be
"squatting" in your, or one of your like-minded "Trump dodger"
neighbours', empty home, in mid-December. You can house/cat sit,
[Another consideration, albeit a secondary one, involving not leaving in
October.], for us while we are away until you find a place to stay in
Naramata, close to one of the many wineries where you will be in charge
of the Tasting Rooms, in between shifts on the Reference Desk at the
Penticton Public Library! You'll love the pool at the Community Centre,
(laps all day), and I've already told the lifeguards about your
sandwiches! Terrific delicatessen, Il Vecchio, but
a few blocks away so you won't have to worry about sandwich meat! Donna
Florida can do luncheon with the ladies in The Flatlanders so she'll be
kept busy as well! KVR to walk or ride so you'll both be able to get
the exercise you'd otherwise have climbing your Vicente Everest
driveway! Also, time for you to re-discover snow. Paradise indeed!
Bit of a respite from Freeloaders until this Sunday when Maya's Mom, Lynette, will be staying overnight. She will been visiting relatives in Vernon and will overnight en route to Vancouver. Time for my yogurt and fresh peaches before I have a quick shower so that I'm smelling like roses on my walkabout downtown. [Never know who one might bump into!] Will look for The Sympathizer at The Book Shop, an incredible used book store you'd both delight in. Yet another reason to move! Fondestos from Lady Kahlo, to you both, dabbing away at the fence in between efforts to herd lil' doggie felines. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: I suggested Lady Kahlo use Duke's tail as a paint brush! Please make your holiday reservations at Villa Vicente in timely fashion, although as yet there are no competitive offers! Cactus!
Hi again, Vincenzo! Pleased to
think that you believe The Trumpster Charlatan will not be the next
Regent. Will send along menu and wine list for our stay once I've
consulted with Lady Dar about her gluten-free needs and other
gastronomic desires. In any event, I thought that Canadian Freeloaders
"trumped", so to speak, any and all other reservations! Cheers, Il
Conduttore! No Message Oops..I was writing to say how honored we are that you've chosen to spend more time healing for Tinsel Town...we know how much you enjoy the writer's festival xoxo Hi Tinsel Town Healing Spa! I look
forward to being pampered when in LA, it goes without saying, but you
should know that our visit has more to do with Etta and Duke wishing to
visit their canine cousin that the VWF. I trust Winston reciprocates the
offer of paws across the border! Cheers, Cat Ambassador Dunn!
Hello. Not 100% sure of my plans or departure time on Sunday; as yet.
Probably be arriving in Penticton somewhere between 4-6. I can let you
know Sunday morning. If you have time or interest I thought we could do a
walk Monday morning then I can
take you out for lunch before heading to Vancouver.
Talk soon. Hi Lynette! Lovely to hear from you but don't worry about arrival time. We'll have dinner whenever you turn up. Lots to do so we won't be twiddling our thumbs so enjoy your visit with family. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Quick reply. So busy preparing for tenant, arriving Sat a.m. Then, back to AB. South Oct 27, Yuma Nov 1. Not good with pain. Hoping down time will be quick. Won't be for at least a year or longer. Want to get back to Pickleball & being able to walk 18 holes even with a few hilly parts. For now, 9 holes on a flat course is my max. Same Park but different lot. Cheers & hi to you both, Maggie💜 Hi Maggie! Lovely to hear from you but sympathize with you and packing! Always more to do than one thinks, at least in our experience. Thanks for Yuma info. Obviously, will be in touch, well beforehand if we are passing through. Fondestos from
Lady Dar, to you, Mover Woman. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Crazy busy preparing for our tenants who arrive Saturday morning!!
Worse than a move!! Of course, we've only had three days to get ready.
One day left!!😳
Just back Tuesday late aft from AB visiting
the family with Frank's sister from UK. She was with us for 10 days.
Oct 1st is a month earlier than we intended to lease our place. Timing
sucked!! Don't think our place has ever been
this clean/organized. I'm pretty anal about housekeeping, too. We will
be ready, but hard to believe that now!😜
Happy to hear you decided against
volunteering. Rehab is more NB right now. Good luck with speedy
recovery. Will be interested in hearing how well you recover & get
back to regular activity. Right now, for me, sitting & lying in
bed are the worst!! Rolling over is damn near impossible! Frank says he
needs a hoist & I only weigh 130. Actually, he was talking about a
horse harness, lol! 😖😬😜 Ciao!!�� Maggie Hello Horse Harness Woman! Sounds like you really need a hip replacement as I experienced much of
the discomfort you desribe before I had my right hip replaced in 2010. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Guys, Here is the story of my move to the West coast (our second transcontinental move, and hopefully the last). I was pulling an 18 foot trailer fully loaded with our furniture and boxes. God are books heavy!
I left La Pocatière early in the afternoon on September 8, in the rain, and had a minor mechanical problem (broken brake line) wen I arrived in Quebec, so I spent the first night in the Walmart parking lot, 125 km from home! The next day, a Good Samaritan helped me out to fix the brake line so I drove to the Walmart in St Jérome, North of Montreal and 250 km further (note the exponential progress!) after the two rear tires exploded on my pickup, near Trois-Rivières. Tires looked good but were old so they overheated. Luckily I had two spares. It felt like Quebec was sending me parting shots! It has lost 600,000 people over the last ten years, so the bleeding must stop.
Saturday morning I had to buy tires (Michelins, enough silliness already!)
and I drove all afternoon, first in the magnificent Laurentides then through the La Verendrye national park, and slept on the other side of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, on a cold, rainy and windy night. Distance covered, 500 km, so at this exponential rate, I will arrive on time said I ;-) Saturday afternoon I had also purchased an anti-sway hitch at an RV dealership, as a precaution because my trailer had already tried to kiss the ditch :-O.
Sunday, under a cold but bright sunshine, I started by installing my hitch on the side of the road, using power for my drill from a gravel yard. Then I crossed Northern Ontario feeling much safer, following Transcanada hwy 11 mostly used by trucks (Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Hearst, where agriculture ends and boreal forest begins, Longlac, Geraldton, Nipigon, where I stopped for the night. Beautiful pavement all along with no traffic except trucks. Monday morning early I left Nipigon and made it to Claude Lord's piece of paradise near Vermilion Bay, ON then on to La Broquerie to sleep at Ti-Pierre and Nicole's. My trailer tires were wearing down fast because they were underrated for the load, so I bought four HD 8 ply tires in Steinbach (that was an excellent move).
My brother in France was worried sick when he found out I was travelling overloaded. I told him operating overloaded farm equipement for years has groomed me for this challenge. I left on Tuesday afternoon from Steinbach, flew past Winnipeg with regret, as no time left, and slept in Wolseley, two hours before Regina. Wednesday, obligatory stop at Balgonie for cheap fuel, the a wonderful drive of 1200 km across the Prairies, through Wainwright, just to take on more scenery and abuse the truck transmission in the hills, and laid down my bed in Hinton, withing sight of the Rockies. Thursday morning I undertook to cross the Rockies through Jasper and the wide Northern valleys, then past Kamloops through the well named Hell's Gate in the canyon of the Fraser (that road hanging over cliffs I won't take again!). And I managed to catch the last ferry to the Island on Thursday evening at 10:40! (Thank you St Christophe). It is said that to die with no regrets, one must live an eventful life, I can check that!
So eight days on the road, without major problems, during which I saw
beautiful landscapes. The leaves had not yet changed colors in Abitibi. In the Prairies, harvest was in full swing, and in the Rockies, there were tourists but not enough to slow me down. Oh, and I slept in my truck the whole way (except one night in Manitoba), having bought a comfy sleeping bag at Canadian Tire with my Canadian Tire money ;-) Our rancher house is small (1100 ft2) but much to our liking, with towering trees on the East and South sides. Carol has already turned this place into a comfortable nest with her personal touch :-) --
Bruno Do you mean second transcontinental move this summer? Cause I count more than that! Cheers everyone! Sure Chooch! Kick a good man when he's down! Cheers, Patrizzio! Sorry! Couldn't resist! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Dear Coureur de Macadam Goudronné! Glad you made it to
Qualicum in one piece, Brunello! We had heard of some of your initial
misfortunes, from Chooch, the lovely evening we spent with Famiglia
Waldron. However, reading about your cross-country saga
was most exciting and entertaining. I can hardly wait for the movie!
Who do you have in mind for starring role? A younger
Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu? On the off chance that you are interested in my own personal post-op odyssey here is an account, more or less, to date! Fondestos from
Lady Kahlo, to you, Qualicum Folk.Enjoy your new abode and community. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hello Former Fellow Hospital Roommates! Trust you are both well
and speeding along the road to full recovery! Sorry that it has taken me
so long to send along greetings. No excuses but plenty of reasons! On the off chance that you are interested in my own personal
post-op
odyssey here is an account, more or less, to date! Give us a call, Barbara and Christian, as we'd love to see you both whenever it might suit, wherever it might suit. Travel safely to Nicaragua, Brad. Hope pregnancy and birth go exceedingly well. Cheers, Patrizzio!
At long last! Thanks to everyone at UBC and beyond who assisted in its production. I am told it will eventually be accessed through the catalogue, with the ability to search through key-word, but this version will afford at least an introductory overview. I hope you enjoy what you see.
Tom
UBC Library Communications and Marketing, in collaboration with emeritus Tom Shorthouse, are excited to announce the release of the Golden Scrapbook: The Centennial Update 1965-2015. Complimented by colour photographs of library employees, library spaces and events from the past 50 years, the scrapbook profiles the growth and development of the library over fifty years. Access the digital version of the scrapbook online. Library circulation copies of the scrapbook will be available in early October (more information to follow in the coming weeks). Explore full details of the project. Special thanks to Tom Shorthouse, George Tsiakos, Erwin Wodarczak and the Library Communications team for their contributions.
I have just skimmed through the Golden Scrapbook. I am extremely confident in saying, "What a tour de force!" Thank you so much for a highly readable historical document, that shows how important people are in the making of a great library. It is going to be hard not to stay up too late tonight, reading it carefully. Beverley Scott Hello Bev! Trust you are well.
I echo your feelings completely. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hello all and Tom: What a monumental project! Congratulations on your perseverance. I have yet to open up your project to see if Judy Thiele (the real Crane Librarian ) or I are included , since as Judy passed away in the 1990’s and we decided out of necessity and with your then committee’s agreement, to move Crane from the Library to Student Services and the Disability Resource Centre with it’s richer budget. Congratulations, Tom, you have truly lived up to your skills as researcher and project accomplisher. Best regards. Paul E. Thiele.
Congratulations, Tom. To lib-emeritus: I understand from Tom that a print version is not being planned (except in very limited quantity for library circulation [ 1 copy?]. Is this something we can do something about? I certainly would be willing to purchase a print copy. Anyone else interested in pursuing this? Regards, Margaret To Mr. Tom Shorthouse c/o UBC Library Communications and Marketing, I would also like to purchase a print copy of the Golden Scrapbook: the Centenial Update 1965-2015, when it will be available.
T. Gonnami Asian Library (1969-2002) Print version! Please!! Phyllis
Hello Patrick, That must have been scary yesterday, after showing off you buttocks to us, that looked so beautiful, I cannot imagine how ugly this metamorfosis yesterday would have looked like. Good acton from your side.
Luckily you have it all under control now, and please keep it this way. Let's see what the weather will do next week when we visit Orofino, and plan accordingly, very much looking forward to it. Maybe bridge at my house on Tuesday, I will check with Pam first, or fond a substitute, and wil let you know when confirmed. Cheers to you both, and take it easy my friend. Jos Hi Josinta! Thanks for your good wishes, my Darling! Back in the saddle again! Let us know about bridge and picnic as events come closer. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrick, Good to see that you are recovering really well and that nurse Corinne is looking after you! Well they might say “the last ones to leave South Australia turn off the lights” as that is just what happened on Wednesday at 3:30pm!! We had taken the caravans with Don/Anne to Leigh Creek to catch a glimpse of the wild flowers.
Monday was a lovely day and we arrived safely and took the cars out to Farina, an old town that is being renovated. Tuesday was windy and cool but we explored the region and ate and drank far too much. Wednesday we drove into Leigh Creek itself, a very sad empty town that the government/owners are closing down due to the mining of dirty coal!! As the wind had blown in and the trees were bending we spent an uncomfortable night and decided to drive home on Thursday. At 3:30pm the power was cut off, no lights etc all over the state. After cooking rump steak and chicken/pine nut sausages on gas bbq complemented with delish potato salad we huddled inside Don/Anne’s van with a few bottles of McGuigans red!!
Thursday saw us driving through horrendous winds, flooded roads and many large trees that had been uprooted due to water and wind. Trevor was worried that the water was so high we were driving through that it was over the step of the van, but all was OK! Arrived home at 6 pm to find all was ok and power had been restored. An adventure indeed. Much love Tina
Hello Tornado Adventurers! Sounded like quite an odyssey! Glad things turned out all right, in the
end. For my part, rehab continues apace. Must away as I'm going to have a spot of brunch. Cheers, "More Mobile, if not Richer", Patrizzio!
Reference Queries from NY Pub: An excerpt from Harper's January 2016 is attached. Did we ever keep any of ours? Hi Big Al! Trust you are well. I think the last question, ["Is this where I ask questions I can't get answers to?"] was asked of Trump, over and over again by Lester Holt throughout the first presidential debate! Cheers, Patrizzio! Yeah, everything is good except that I'm going to need my aortic valve repaired soon. The cardiologist says best to do it while I'm in relatively good
health. I'm more or less symptom free, no shortness of breath etc. but
when the experts say it must be done, I bend to their will. The surgeon will call me next week to set up a consultation. Now, "if I only had a brain!" Al
Hi Big Al! Buona Fortuna with
aortic valve repair! With respect to your comment, "Now, 'if I only had a
brain!'" snap below shows the mark on my forehead, inked by friend, a
couple of days before my hip surgery. Lady Dar wanted me to have a
lobotomy as opposed to a new hip! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Brain surgery!
Hi Vinnie! Enjoyed
my walkabout immensely. Stopped in at Freedom Bike Store to pick up
Marcus' email address, so I could send him album of pictures I'd taken at
Art and All That Jazz. [Hi Marcus! Here is the album from last Saturday. Fondestos to Ladybird Woman! Cheers, Patrizzio!] Then down Main to make an appointment with Mark
the Barber for a haircut next week. That done to the RBC ATM for cash as
I was hoping to pick up The Sympathizer. Chap at desk
knew about it but it's too new for them to have received any used copies
just yet. Found the third novel in Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q Series, A Conspiracy of Faith. We both really enjoyed the first two.
Then
to the drugstore to cash in my winning lottery tickets. Picked up $1!
Slightly disappointed, I caned my way to see Guillermo, hiking friend
who lives a block north of us, on the opposite side of Burns. He was
just coming out of his house when I arrived and we had a grand time
chatting, catching up in the warm, late afternoon sun. His wife, another
Naughty Nancy, has been in China with a number of other members of Lady
Dar's Flatlander group. Having a wonderful time according to all
reports.
Must away as I'm on deck for a mixed green salad. Please
tele-transport some of your fabulous dressing with next message!
Cheers, Wiser, if not Richer, Patrizzio! Pics: Lovely rose-hip
bush I passed on way home. Adoring and adorable siblings I encountered
when I entered house through garage this afternoon. Vampire Kitten!
Hello O Susannah and Champagne Charlie! Trust you are both well. Not sure how long we will be in Vancouver, in early November, but
perhaps we can arrange to play some bridge over the course of our visit,
if everyone's busy schedules allow. Let me know what you think and
we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers,
Patrizzio!
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