Day 46, Post-Op 45th Champs Motor Inn Halloween Anniversary Blues: Monday, October 31st!

Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed. -Natalie Clifford Barney, poet, playwright, and novelist (31 Oct 1876-1972)

Duke, The Halloween Cat, on the prowl!

Hi Gayle and Derek! Thanks for the wonderful Halloween card! Have been meaning to send along greetings for ages. Trust you are both well. Busy here with all sorts of activities and social engagements.

[Great pic Happy Halloween!!]

We are going to hear Matt Andersen at The Dream Café this evening. It is a fund-raiser for the restaurant/live music venue which has been struggling for years, [Hope it can keep going as it is a wonderfully intimate space and an amazing array of musicians/singers have appeared over the years of operation.], as well as being the anniversary of when we first met in a pub, Champs Motor Inn, on Osborne, in Winnipeg, 45 years ago! Will be dispensing treats at our front door until it is time for us to leave.  Happy Halloween to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!

All Hallows' Eve Greetings from Etta and Duke, Burns St Scaredy Cats, and their overwhelmed owners, Lady Dar and Patrizzio!  

Thanks for thinking of me.
I have just finished my fitness class in which we exercised to Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, Batman, Rocky Horror Mountain Picture Show music. For cool down the lights were dimmed and the leader told a ghost story. Hi Bev! Great costume! Lady Dar was at her yoga class this morning. She'll be quite amused to hear about your "scary" fitness session. Happy Halloween to you, Bev. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Happy Halloween to you too as well - are you saying that Duke is stuck on a tree again? ;) 

Hi Henryk! No, in fact, not a tree this time but up on the patio louvres! Lady Dar re-arranged the patio furniture yesterday afternoon, getting ready for winter. We moved the table beside the end of the garage and against the fence. Duke quickly figured out that he could now hop onto the top of the fence and proceeded to tight-rope walk its entire length. He is so agile that this is a piece of cake!

Earlier this morning, sitting at my desk, I noticed him, walking along the fence again so decided to snap a few shots of the "cat burglar". He continued past the rain barrel and then turned around, perching on one of the post caps, for a moment before leaping, effortlessly onto the louvres! When I saw him perched there I knew what was going through his curious mind but also knew that he probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to get down again!

Matthew...

[Hi Agneta! I guess there won't be any trick or treaters at their place tonight! Happy Halloween to you, Agneta! Cheers, Patrizzio!]


Lady Dar was at yoga so I knew I might have difficulty with aluminum ladder. I waited for five minutes or so to see what might happen. He would pop his head over edge when I called and looked fairly unhappy with his situation. Etta was fussed, looking at her brother from below, both of they crying pitilessly! Anyway, decided I'd try the step-ladder so took it outside, placing it next to the rain barrel and fence. Standing on top rung, I was able to be in a comfortable, "safe" position to be able to grab him. However, when I was in place he decided he wanted to stay and went under the part of the eave that protrudes over the start of the louvres!
 

[Glad you are enjoying Penticton and what it has to offer. Let me know about The Accountant" as we were given show vouchers and I want to use them on a good movie! Kian helped us out by giving out Halloween candy at the door. He went next door for his one and trick or treating. The Mom gave him a big handful of candies which he promptly put in her son's bag. Next year he will get the message I'm sure but this year he thought it was a celebration to give away candy. It was so much fun watching as he was just thrilled by the costumes and would have left in a second to tag along with any group of them! Always something comes up to make us second guess our budgeting. We had to buy a new computer as my iMac will no longer upload photos from our newer devices. Drat! Hope everything checks out with the surgeon. Hello Unintended New Computer Owner! Sorry to hear about your computer replacement blues! Nothing in life is certain except taxes and new technology!!! Hard to believe Kian is so big already! Does he have a paper route yet? Cute kid indeed! Thanks for best wishes on my rehab. Cheers, Patrizzio!]

[From Maya!! Their cat Naam guarding candy!!]


What a dope! What to do? Thought I'd try to lure him back to the edge so I stepped down one rung and started to scratch the ledge. Of course, he couldn't resist and when he was close enough I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and tried to pull him off louvres. Instinctively, he tried to wedge himself against the ridges, [Just like he sunk his claws into the tree trunk when you were trying to bring him down.], but I finally managed to pry him loose, his claws scrabbling on the metal. Put him on the top of the ladder as soon as I was sure of my own balance and he jumped down onto the patio. Hope he has learned Lesson Number 2! Happy Halloween to you and Louise. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Fence-walker Duke!

Hi Mr Grizzle! Have been meaning to send along greetings for ages. Trust you and Janice are both well. Heard a brief clip of you on CBC this morning. Gather you played some part of recycling project that had to do with the material collected on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I knew your voice immediately! I'm off to Vancouver on Wednesday. I'd like to try to arrange a visit but am, unfortunately, too pressed for time on this run. Happy Halloween to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Dear Patrick and Corinne, Thank you for the Halloween card! I hope your young cats have settled in and are enjoying naps in front of the wood-burning fire! How are you? How is Chloe? How is Penticton life? Have you had any snow yet? Hope you are keeping cozy and enjoying a balance of quiet time and wild entertainment. Have you been on any hikes recently? Read any juicy novels?

Matthew and I are well. We recently received some very happy news - we are expecting twins, due early April. I have been in pretty good health, all things considered. And Matthew is very excited of course.

Do you have any Halloween plans? We heard a lot of fireworks around us but didn't see any (it is pouring rain today). I am planning to distribute some candy today at work, but have not made any effort to dress up for the occasion. It's really the last festive moment between now and Christmas, and tomorrow shops and media will be filled with Christmas things...Hope you are both well, and if you are ever in Vancouver we would love to see you. Take care. Love, Zoe and Matthew Hi Zoe and Matthew! What wonderful news indeed! Congratulations to both of you!! Hip Hip Hooray! Once more, congratulations on your pregnancy! Happy Halloween to you and Matthew. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Photo: Caitriana Nicholson

[Xerophilic: Adapted to a very dry or desert environment]

Dear Corinne, Patrick and cats! Thank you for another fun e-card! Hope you are doing well. I am doing better, nursing my back and neck, excercising appropriately, hope to start working in near future. much love, Margareta Hi Margareta!What wonderful news that you are on the mend! Congratulations and Hip Hip Hooray!Once more, congratulations on your recovery, Margareta! Happy Halloween to you and the lads. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Margareta,, so glad that your neck and back are improving. I didn't realize that you were off work completely. How are the boys doing/? Can't believe that they are 16 already. We celebrated our 45 anniversary of when we met. Went to a concert with great singer, guitar player. Patrick is off to Vancouver on Wednesday for 6 week check up of his hip. I will keep the cats company as I just spent 8 days in Vancouver at the Writers Festival and seeing lots of friends. Take it easy, sending healing thoughts, Love Corinne Hello Steel Magnolia!
Trust your complete recovery continues! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks so much for the card, Patrick! I'll be back. Kjell Hello Salish Sea Woman and Gävle Man! Trust all goes well with both of you! When will you return? Cheer, Patrizzio!

Thanks. Happy Hanukkah to you and yours as well.  PS Have U heard from Erika about next summer? Hello Great Ronaldo Hi Andrea and The Great Ronaldo! Trust you are both well. No, I haven't heard a peep from Erika so not sure about anything that is or might be planned for next summer. I think I remember that something was bruited about regarding having a reunion at Grogg's summer place in Muskoka? I'm keen to know what might be in the offing as I'd love to see gang again, all other things being equal, travel schedules, timing, etc. Desperately seeking Erika! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Thanks Pat, very cute! Hi Sylvia! Glad you enjoyed the card. Happy Halloween to you and Raymond. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hey Patrizio! Thanks for the card. Hi Carlos! Great Jack-O'-Lantern! Happy Halloween to you and O Susannah! Cheers, Patrizzio! Our cat is waiting for the pumpkins to get carved. She will have a long snooze...Thank you for thinking of us on this sweet holiday!! Donna Florida and Cactus and Squeak Hi Mean Spirited Pumpkin Carver! I guess there won't be any/many trick or treaters at your place tonight! Happy Halloween to Squeak! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Happy Halloween... nice to hear from you... hope you are getting better... I guess we will see you on a hike in the spring... or perhaps a drink of wine or two before Christmas... cheers for now Joyce and Ken...Hi Bad Boy! Trust you and Joyce are doing well. Do hope we'll see you before spring, indeed! Pre-Christmas for sure! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thx again for your wishes - this time a happy Halloween - that goes from us to you and Colleen too. We miss the bridge nights and i miss the cycles with you Patrick. I have now met a few more bikers so not so bad. Went backpacking in Grand Canyon last week and got helicoptered out as my friend was very sick down there and it was 2 days hike out. See you in Feb luv to you both Gill

Hi Jack Rabbit Slims! Lovely to hear from you but sorry to learn about your friend's illness, serious by the sound of it! I certainly miss riding with you, Gilliana, but glad to hear you have met some fellow cyclists. I'm up to 40 minutes, per stationary bike session, so pleased about that and how I feel.
Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you and Phillipo. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Happy anniversary of your first meeting with Lady Dar! I have decided to try to tweet out info I think is important for Alzheimer's. If you are not on Twitter you can still see what I am up to by googling Jane doe@Mycrankpots If you feel like spreading the Twitter address I would appreciate it. Hi Crackpot Woman! I'm on Twitter, although I don't use it that often, preferring email to few characters available on former! Thanks for congratulations. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you Bev. Cheers, Patrizzio! Glad you are so upbeat.

Dear LD and P--Pretty cute alright. Thanks for the greeting ... and the reminder that I should lock the doors against ghosties and goblins and such tonight.
Cheers, L and (in absentia) DP Dearest Corinne and Patrick—Many, many happy wishes for a wonderful anniversary day. Pretty impressive number there! Good on youse. Enjoy your evening out at the Dream Cafe. (I thought it had closed down permanently. Is this a special “opening”?) Cheers. Lynnie XOXO Hi Lynne and In Absentia Man! Trust you were not invaded by too, too many ghosties and goblins! As well, thanks for congratulations. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patrick, It's very sad to see that you have your cat out soliciting tricks at such a young age. Thank you for informing me of your perfidy. Yours truly, Peter
Morality Squad Dear Morality Polizei! Interesting that you are so concerned about cat burglars, when you turn a blind eye to Demon Rum! Thanks, nevertheless, for obtaining guest spot to malt tasting. Let me know what the damage is and we can settle up. Cheers, Contrite, But Not Overly So, Patrizzio!
Patrick, I think you will be contacted directly if there is a guest spot available, one week prior to the event. Cheers from Denver Peter Hi Denver Bronco! I have already been contacted so that is how I know about attending tasting. Thanks! Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Patriçio, Thank you for the Revers Bucket List warning. Fortunately, I have already done most of those adventures and have just last week booked my flight to Norway. Also, further investigation into my inability to read your eCards resulted in discovering that the Flash settings in my Safari extensions needed a tweek. I can explain the technical details over dinner. As for your visit, kindly inform me of the following: Are you coming by Bus or Private jet? Do you need a pick-up? What’s a good dinner time - 6-ish Ok? Also, please select a dining option from the choices below: Menu for Wednesday

Option 1) Peripherals: Parthenon specialty humus & pita w/ selection of olives
Greek salad with (probably sheep, maybe goat) feta
Main course: Baked or BBQ’d fillet of Wild Sockeye, in a special Trader Joe’s marinade server with Trader Joe’s Basmati rice medley,& lightly steamed vegetables
Desert: Ice cream or Sherbet covered with a mixed berry medley
Trader Joe’s Organic French Dark Roast coffee
Option 2) MacDonald’s take out See you Wednesday! cheers//bjp

Hello Chef at Il Palazzo di Perić! Not to cast any aspersions on your culinary skills but I opt for Option 2! More time for knocking back hootch if you are not slaving over a hot stove, in bare feet with an erection! 6-ish sounds fabuloso! Thanks as well for offer to collect me somewhere but I will be driving the new Marriagemobile so will have my own set of official Officiant wheels. Any weddings you might wish to have performed now that you have solved all your Flash settings? A fjord wedding in Norway might work although I don't think Lady Dar is comfortable with heights! Trust you were not invaded by too, too many ghosties and goblins, other than the demons rolling around in your more than fevered brain!  Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you Chef, busy preparing parsnip soup as I scribe. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thank you: http://www.trendingly.com/ray-villafane-pumpkins

May you have many treats! Hi Brenda "Pumpkin Woman" Louise! Fabulous sculptures indeed! All the best to you and Wally and Picasso. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Presume you have found suitable accommodation for your visit -Complete with required bathroom tables ect. If you would like a bridge game organized we could try to oblige!  Hope all goes well with your new body part.  Mick and Polly Hi Polly and Mick! Yes, I did find other, far more suitable accommodation, given the fact that we did not receive confirmation regarding deficiencies that needed attention, noted on last stay evaluation form! However, an evening of bridge would be de-loverly. However, not sure what you have in mind as I'm in town, solo, sans Lady Dar, staying at home to cat sit! I'm having dinner with Branko on Wednesday evening, 6:00ish, so perhaps you two could stroll over to his place later, and we could have a couple of rubbers there. If you imagined a larger gathering it would probably need to be at your place. Anyway, thanks for the offer. Let me know what you think and we'll take it from there. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patrick, Such a newsy email. You are living a very busy life. I hope we can get together but we have some challenges. First on Wednesday we meet with our lawyer at 2:00 re our wills and hopefully that will be less than an hour but not sure when we will be done. Thursday am we are okay to meet but you have an appointment. Thursday afternoon we meet with the oncologist and so we aren't available. Friday am would work if you can fit us in prior to leaving. Life is too complicated. Let us know if any of the times will work for you. Hope we can get a visit in. We just returned from a nice dinner and visit at Stacee and Sean's. They had 60 trick or treaters, mostly very young children with parents who often were dressed up too. Look forward to hearing from you Cheers, Dawn�� Always a treat to receive a card from the Burns St. crew. Trust you were good to all the Trick or Treaters calling on you. Dawn

Hi Donna Maria and Heraldo! Talk about busy schedules! In the first instance, I would like to meet with you and your lawyer in order to protect my own particular interests. I still feel I have a significant claim on your considerable assets ever since those days when I flew up to Terrace. I still have PTSD as a result of the inordinately boozy Friday evenings forced upon me! My shrink says that this cruel and unusual punishment is certainly the root cause of my dipsomania!

That being said, if you do not wish to have me present, [Selfish folk that you are!], how about meeting after you leave me out of the will? Where will you be? I was planning to visit with Sarge, at Harbour Terrace, when I hit town, around 2:00 pm if all goes well with traffic, etc. I will be staying upstairs from them, at another friend's place, [Lady Dar stayed with Joanne over the course of the VWF and Joanne is away, in Phoenix, now, visiting a daughter and family.] We could go somewhere on Granville Island or meet elsewhere, if more convenient.

For our part we had a wonderful, wonderful evening earlier. We started off here, celebrating the 45th anniversary of our meeting, with Josinta and Aarturo. [Funnily enough, it was also the 45th anniversary of their meeting as well, although they first met in February of that year.] We toasted on one another with a tasty bottle of 8th Generation Integrity, (Frizzante style Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Koerner), 13.1% and visited until it was time to leave for The Dream Café where we were to have dinner and see Matt Andersen perform. Only had one set of costumed treat or treaters before Lady Dar took our bowl of candy next door to have our neighbour, Amanda, dole out treats.
 

Event was a fund raiser and included a buffet dinner as well as tickets for show. We had first seen Matt at the VFF, at least seven years ago now, and had been very impressed with him then. Had heard him, off and on, played on CBC, over the intervening years and when I heard that he would be here, for four appearances, I immediately bought tickets and learned, subsequently that Aarturo had done so as well. He is a terrific performer, humourously engaging the audience, always self-deprecating. Thrilling to observe his stunningly accomplished guitar playing but his voice is an even more incredible instrument. Can only describe him as the Pavarotti of blues! Probably the same bulk as well, as Matt is a big, big boy! 

At any rate, a wonderful way to celebrate both anniversaries. Let me know what you'd like to do about meeting. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Halloween fare and appetizers; The Babes, 45 years later! Cow Man with Heidi! Matt! The Sisterhood up close! More Matt!

Have booked house below for wedding. Comes to $270 approx. per person. On beach looks large enough for us all. Corinne Looks nice, do you want us to send money now?  Pat 

Because of the low cloud cover we went to White Lake for plan B! We managed to do a short hike, ably lead by Tony. Here are a few photos from Dorothy! Hi Everyone, Thanks to Pam you received the group hike photo with the first eight of us as Spiderman, but after the hike guess who went out "trick or treating!" I knew you would want to see one of our mascots dressed up for Halloween fun last night, (sent by Tony and Heather!) So adorable, Dorothy

Because of the low cloud cover we went to White Lake for plan B! We managed to do a short hike, ably lead by Tony. Here are a few photos from Dorothy! Dear Mr. D, These are amazing!!!!

Happy Halloween to the both of you fine folks  and all the best. Take care and God Bless, Olly Hi everyone, these are simply amazing! so I'm sending them on,  hugs, Olly Hi Olga Pumpkin Polga! Thanks for the stunning pumpkin faces!
Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you and Craig. See you at Lee's. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Members of the 45 year Club!  Thanks for the wonderful evening together last night. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Burns Street and The Dream. 

Thanks for the greeting. 18 Days till retirement for me and 61 days until Kurt retires. We are in a very happy place these days. Have a great fall. Regards from Liverpool, Anne and Kurt  Hi Anne and Kurt! Lovely to hear from you!  Congratulations on your coming retirement. Hip Hip Hooray!!! Trust all will continue to go well with you two, especially after retiring. Cheers, Patrizzio! A very cute kitty cat card. Hope that you two expatriates will visit us soon in Vancouver. Love to all, Nancy  Hello, Patrizzio! Grazie for the card! A Happy Hallowe'en to all of you there in the Interior! Deborah Hi Deborah! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Keep your kitty cats close tonight as the goblins, I mean children, are already out! Thank you for the card. We will miss you if we ride tomorrow, miss you anyway! Colleen Hi Colonel Klink! Great to be missed! More than miss you and the rest of the troup! Say hello to one and all for me, when opportunity arises.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

I had not seen the Marriagemobile before. Really. Maybe I should convert my old Toyota into one?  I don't think Donna Florida will let me mess with her Honda. Why don't you just let these cats extract themselves from their own messes? I am confident that in the end they would find a way. Not on our time scale perhaps, but in the fullness of time....CactusHi Tough Feline Love from The Mean Streets of Berkeley Man! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thank you very much, Patrizzio and Lady Dar, I am enjoying that Halloween greeting very much, magic mice and all! I specially like the bats! Happy Halloween to you too! Anthea and Jim  Hi Anthea! Glad you enjoyed card. I was delighted by bats as well! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Aloha from Waikiki- arrived late last night, awoke to a beautiful morning, so a nice walk and swim, just about to return for another swim. Will see a favourite band here tonight on a lanai at the beach for sunset. Should be a festive Halloween here- they are huge for these festivities. Happy Halloween! Hope to see you soon. G&'F

Happy Halloween Hi All, Look how much you would save by not going out to-night, look for the last pic. Thanks for the card and your news.  Very cute and mischievous cats! Hi Agneta! How was Día de Muertos? Cheers, Patrizzio!Patrick, Thank you for your Hallowe'en message. I enjoyed the reference to scaredy cats in your messge. It made me smile. Pam Happy Halloween Hi All, Look how much you would save by not

going out to-night, look for the last pic. Thanks for the card and your news.  Very cute and mischievous cats! Hi Agneta! How was Día de Muertos? Cheers, Patrizzio!Patrick, Thank you for your Hallowe'en medsage. I enjoyed the reference to scaredy cats in your messsge. It made me smile. Pam

Hi Smiling Pamela! Pleased card mad you grin even if it was a nervous response!  Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for the lovely scaro-gram!. Happy Halloween as well to all of you scaredy cats! owoooo! Thank you Patrick. Hope you had lots of little gobblins at your door. Cheers from Hildi Hi Von Bingen! We only had a few goblins before we asked our neighbours to dole out candies as we were off to The Dream Café to see Matt Andersen with Josinta and Aarturo! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thank you Young Patrick for the lovely card. I had a nice Halloween with a few little trick or treaters at the door... some so cute! I looked on Brads Facebook. Have you seen what he is building??? Little hobbit huts with grass roofs.. I know he went to St Michael's, but didn't know his background... It looks like a recipe for disaster to me... I have been meaning to ask, if you remember Roger Young, a librarian who was at the club with me many years ago. I think he went to school with you. I lost touch with him many years ago and think of him often. I will write more later... Cheers.. Bill

Hi Wild Bill! We only had a few goblins before we asked our neighbours to dole out candies as we were off to The Dream Café to see Matt Andersen, [Do you know his music? He's from New Brunswick.], with friends, Josinta and Aarturo. Brad had mentioned his Hobbit Huts when we were in hospital. I didn't say anything as I think Lord of the Rings frenzy is over! I do remember Roger Young but I didn't know him all that well. If I recall, correctly, he was only at UBC for a couple of years.

Many thanks Patrick- I was working but the girls went trick or treating with Ma, Flynn and Archie xx Hello Working Girl! I thought that you had retired! [Who is "Ma"?] Fondestos, Patrizzio! Happy Halloween to you as well. Thanks for the card. Roma & Leonard Hi Roma and Leonard! Trust all is well with you two. Cheers, Patrizzio!

St. George’s, a hypogeal church in Ethiopia

Photo: Babak Fakhamzadeh

SOWTS Malt Whisky Tasting: Member's Name

	Peter Lighthall
Guest Taster #1	Patrick Dunn