Yasou Ti kanis Poly Kala Blues: Sunday, August 28th!

Words are not created by academics in universities and suchlike, rather it is the man in the street who does so. Dictionary compilers almost always recognise them too late and embalm them in alphabetical order, in many cases when they have lost their original meaning. -Gabriel García Márquez, novelist and journalist, Nobel laureate (1927-2014)

Didn't stumble out of bed until about 8:30 am as had had quite a difficult night. When Lady Dar went to bed I stayed up to watch another episode of The Bridge so didn't hit my pillow until 11:30 pm. Fell asleep quite quickly as it had been a busy day and ride had tired me out as well. An hour later a banging, of some sort, woke me up and I knew, with a deep sigh, that The Constant Gardener, after watering that evening, had not latched the front gate, next to the water cistern. Sighing deeply and thinking dark thoughts I struggled out of bed,  shrugged on a pair of shorts and went outside to properly latch the gate. 

[Just got these today. How do they look. Send money Dad says. (They look great...Grandpa will sleep well in them after he eats breakfast!!)

Hello Falcon Lake Fontainebleu! No wonder you live in a French Palace with chairs like those! Tell Dusty he's sitting on millions and he's the one who needs to send cash!!! Trust everyone is well or at least as well as can be expected, given both your on-going health issues! With respect to my coming surgery, all going well, I'm hoping to be home by Friday, September 16th. Obviously, unable to tell, at this point, if events will unfold this way but I trust I will experience the same wonderful result as in 2010!
Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both, Clara and Dusty, and to rest of gang, of course. Chat soon, one way or another. Must away as we are having two couples, both from hiking group, (Vittoria and Jake Snyder and Jack Rabbit Slims and The Toothless Wonder, aka Gill and Phil Ronson), for dinner this evening and much to do to help Lady Dar prepare the Greek fare.  In fact, do an endless number of dishes!!! Cheers to my Favourite-in-Laws, Patrizzio! Pic: Jake, in middle, at Farmer's Market this past Saturday. PPS: Had a call, earlier this morning, from Ruth Chang, in Dallas. She is leaving Ganderman! Long, long story so I'll let you talk to Lady Dar about all the gory details!!! Adrian is moving to LA, for work related reasons, and Ruth and Miranda plan to help him with the move so we might cross paths there if we drive down for Christmas/New Year's. Need to wait and see how hip recovery goes. I'm hoping, of course, that all will be very well by then but nothing is guaranteed, as you both well know.]
   
Back in bed I couldn't drift off so after tossing and turning for 20 minutes or so, I decided I'd watch a few more episodes of The Bridge until I was so sleepy I'd fall asleep again. Forced myself to stay awake until 2:30 am and then I did drift off, only to be awoken when The Thundering Herds started their galloping routine. Must be seen and heard to be believed. Lady Dar was up by 7:00 am so she very kindly turned on my bedside radio. The broadcast helped to mask the ear-drum shattering paw-beats and I was able to fall into a fitful sleep for almost two hours. Such is the life of a man married to a wind-tunnel snorer in denial and two hyper-active felines! 

Hello West Vancouverites! Trust you are both well! Have been meaning to send along these snapolas ever since you visited! No excuses but plenty of reasons! Wonderful to see you both, it goes without saying. You neglected to take along the beer, Ross! Homeless along Penticton Creek send their thanks!!!

Given that I'm to have my left-hip replaced on September 14th I won't be able to volunteer at the Studio 1398 bar this year. Lady Dar is hoping you, Julia, will share that responsibility with her. If you are interested, Kathryn would like you to update your volunteer registration to reflect this. For my part, I will be selling tickets at Studio 1398 as I can sit down for duration of my shifts, as well as keep a weather eye on you both! Anyway, let us know what you think about VWF, Julia. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Visit of the Red Racers! 

Hello Card Sharks! Queen of Diamonds, Josinta Dronkers, has very kindly offered to host the next bridge gathering, nibbles and wine to be served. Start time between 6:30-7:00 pm. So far, Little John Pam, Penticton Patrizzio and Lady Dar will be playing. All others welcome, of course, but let us know so that we can plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Patrick! I'd like to attend! Shall we carpool? Pam Hi Spumoni! Welcome back! How was Cathedral? Keen to hear all about the camping adventure. Naramata Pam had offered to chauffeur. Why don't you drive to our place for around 6:20 pm and we can all go together. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Mr Fjord and Vittorino! Trust you are both well! Wanted to let you know that the date for my left hip-replacement has been assigned and confirmed. Surgery will take place on Wednesday, September 14th, at UBC. As I'm sure you can appreciate, if I'm going to have the operation, the sooner the better, in spite of social calendar. All going well, I'm hoping to be home by Friday, September 16th. Obviously, unable to tell, at this point, if events will unfold this way but I wanted to let you both know as this may well change your plans to visit. I trust it won't as you are still more than welcome but, unfortunately, no biking or hiking for me, just malt tasting! Anyway, let me know your thoughts and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Chat soon, one way or another. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Ragin'! Trust you are well or at least as well as can be expected, given your on-going health issues! Relative to your proposed visit and our own "full dance card", the only time, pre-surgery, for us, would be on or after Labour Day, September 5th. We are off to Little Shushwap to spend a few days with Squamoids, Ruthless and Ricardo, at their cabin there, returning to stop in Kelowna on Monday to visit Myra Canyon Trestles. Trees around trestles are getting to be so high, according to a number of friends from hiking group, that if one wants an unimpeded view of stunning canyons, etc, one needs to visit this Fall as by next year the route will likely be a virtual tunnel. Given my coming surgery and logistics, long-weekend presents best opportunity, at least for me, on all front.  

Chloë is coming to Penticton this Tuesday to kitten-sit while we are away. If you are still interested/available, you are more than welcome to come up that day or next, whichever suits but you may well be otherwise engaged. If you can see your way to visit it would certainly be much appreciated as there are at least two or three projects, [Simple shelving, (plans already drawn!), in living room for stereo equipment; small platform at the north end of garage for standing upon when hanging clothes, and such, on a washing line; some very basic storage lockers on sheltered side, (north), of house for bikes and other garden tools. Even if we only accomplished first this would allow me to further slowly and carefully "decant" garage over the course of my three month rehabilitation.

Of course, I know you are juggling your own medical schedule so please don't worry if timing is off. If, on the other hand, you came up some time in mid-October, I should be reasonably mobile but of no help in terms of lifting, bending, etc. Most of the material will not be that heavy and Lady Dar can certainly go to the lumber yard with you and help with heavier parts of assembly, etc., while I supervise! If you do think you might drive up for most of the week of the 5th-9th/10th, please let me know as soon as possible as I will begin to dismantle large lockers on south side of house as I would like to use much of the sheeting for more fittingly sized lockers mentioned above, unless you might have other, informed suggestions. Furthermore, I could begin to stockpile other material so it is on hand when you arrive, should this transpire. Anyway, let me know your thoughts and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Branko. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Patriçio! Are they going to do a remake of that TV series, “The 6 Million Dollar Man”? Perhaps they should rename it “The 6 Million $ Cyclist”. Let’s make sure we touch bases when you are in the big city for the bio-upgrade. I’ll visit you in the hospital and bring you some chicken soup.

Now, back to freeloading. Thanx for your email. I was about to touch bases, but my scheduling woes are so oppressive that I would instantly start to fibrillate just thinking about it. Now, hearing your schedule, … well … it’s worst. I have a number of medical appointments and a potential commitment to a home <> away exchange with a friend in Seattle. I may have some other appointments imposed on me. I am hosting the MNT game (Men’s National Team - FIFA qualifier on TSN) this Friday and the home game @BC Place, which we’ve all put up $66.25 for, is next Tuesday. Other than that, I don’t mind missing a Whitecaps game, but …

My Dad is in the hospital (again) and I have no idea - well I lie, I have a pretty good idea - of what level of care he will need when he is released. I need to put some thought into that. The kids are all saying “keep him at home”. Well, guess who is holding the bag on that one. I am thinking care home, involving a bit of research … details to all this over an 18 year old whiskey. So the bottom line is, assuming things get under control in September, I have a decent window from October 8th. Hopefully, that’s before snow tire season, if not, it will have to be in the spring after STS. ANYWAY, let’s touch bases during your op … I should have more solid info then. Cheers, from the socially deprived, yet overwhelmingly duty bound//bjp Branimir  
 
Hi Patrick I am sure you are being very hard on Corinne, at the moment I would probably feel like joining her! As I am having a bit of a sad time at the moment as my mum has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. She is quite ok at the moment, weak, with laboured breathing at times, but putting on a brave face. I have put in place lots of help as she insists on staying at home, she has carers every day to help with showers, medication etc, and a domestic 3 hours per week. She has a permanent drain in place, which is drained every week. It is very hard talking to her about her estate, home, shares, banking etc, but it has to be done! Trevor is being absolutely wonderful, he has a strong shoulder to lay my head on. Unfortunately Donald was away in Portugal on holiday whilst all of this was happening, but he has picked up the slack since he has arrived back home. I am sending you a big warm Teens type hug from us, we will be thinking of you on the 14th. Hope dinner was a roaring success! Loved the photos and report of your last hike. Lots of love Teens xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Teens! Just a very quick note to say how distressed we were to learn of your Mom's recent diagnosis. Cannot believe how much the poor thing has already been through and yet continues to bear up so remarkably well. Please give her our heartfelt love and same to you and Don, in this more than terribly difficult time. Love, Corinne and Patrick!

Hi Spumoni! Welcome back! How was Cathedral? Keen to hear all about the camping adventure. Naramata Pam had offered to chauffeur. Why don't you drive to our place for around 6:20 pm and we can all go together. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Patrick! Gill and Phil (and Helmi, Ron and Laurie) put me through the wringer up there! It was beautiful but the first day hike went on for 16km, 7.5 hours and 800 meters in elevation gain! I took it easy the second day when the A team went on an even more strenuous hike and then the third day we backpacked out: another 19km, with 1000m down (7hours this time). My knee suffered a bit and is still swollen. Now I'm just back from handling sweaty challenge athletes at the finish line! It was fun to be part of the action without doing any running etc.  Yes, I'll join you at 6:20, thanks. I'll probably get there a bit earlier. See you on tomorrow's hike? Pam 

Hi Kathryn: I have talked to Patrick and Corinne and am happy to work with Corinne at the bar. I have sent in my application and indicated food and beverage as one option. I am available at all times indicated-almost the whole festival and am happy to take extra shifts. Looking forward to it. Julia 

Balsamic Bliss But No Show Blues: Saturday, August 27th!

Even in the worm that crawls in the earth there glows a divine spark. When you slaughter a creature, you slaughter God. -Isaac Bashevis Singer, Writer, Nobel laureate (1904-1991)

Hi Dearest Donna Maria and Handsome Heraldo! Must apologize but we've been meaning, for some time, to send along a message inquiring about just what we might have that you are able to eat comfortably when you come for dinner. We'd like to offer as many things, if at all possible, that you can consume so please let us know what might be appropriate. We know you had been on liquids for a goodly part of your treatment but wonder if that has changed somewhat now.

At any rate, we are certainly looking forward to seeing you both, although Duke and Etta are even more excited about your visit! They can hardly wait and are sharpening their claws in gleeful anticipation. We are off to the Farmer's Market shortly. Bit cooler here, today, so far. Funnily enough, one begins to look forward to rain when living here, especially when there are a number of wildfires, (small, thankfully, so far at least!), fairly close by: Kaleden, Peachland and West Bank, now West Kelowna but I knew it as former!

Again, let us know about your food group needs and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Duke and Etta lurking with Lady Dar on the patio!

Patrick I didn't see your email until after I called. Thank you to Corinne and yourself for asking about food. I am still on Ensure despite wanting to eat real food SO BADLY. Food tastes awful and it sticks to my mouth due to my saliva glands being compromised.

Saw the doctor, oncology dentist and nutritionist this past week and they said the healing was going as expected. I will have a PET Scan at the end of October and a follow up with the the doctor two weeks later to find out if the treatment worked or not. Corinne said you are off to get a new hip mid September. That seems fairly quick which is nice. You are amazing considering all you do on your bike and hiking despite a poor hip. We trust it will be as successful as your first one. We were truly sorry we didn't get to visit. Cheers, Dawn

Patrick, we expect to leave here around 0900 Monday. We'll call you tomorrow anyway. Here is Gramma's # We're keen to swim and walk, and visit. Incidentally we plan to catch up w friends Nancy and Les too. Lovely day at Dan n Leslie's cabin @ Roberts Creek yesterday. Look forward to relaxing w you all. S@K Hello Naramatia! This is the latest. Will let you know more after we talk to them domani. Off to The Farmer's Market now! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Strolled down to the Farmer's Market around 11:00 am this morning and enjoyed chatting with many of the vendors we've come to know. Also saw Jake flogging his books. [He and Vittoria are also volunteering for Challenge.] While on Front Street we stopped in at The Dream Café to book a table for September 8th. Chloë, our daughter who lives in Vancouver, will be back up and we'll see Harpdog Brown & the Travelin' Blues Show. Really looking forward to show as I am a fan of the harmonica. At any rate, after market, on the way home, we popped by to see Guillermo and Nancy, his wife, also a Flatlander. Guillermo has very kindly agreed to help me bring back the stationary bike which Famiglia Dronkers has very generously offered me for my post-hip replacement rehab. His pick-up is undergoing repairs at the moment but he expects to have it back on Monday.

Then home to have a delicious nap for an hour. Hard to have an undisturbed sleep with Kittens from Hell thundering around our bedroom from 6:00 am on! Woke up just as Under the Influence started so I remained stretched out until the program was over. I am much taken with Terry O'Reilly and his approach. One of my absolute favourites on CBC. Once Terry signed off I started to ready myself for the coming ride. Needed to recharge my camel-pack and water bottle so once they were both filled I put on my sun-block and UV shirt, the one with the tattered and torn left sleeve. Have not worn it since my fall a week ago so I crossed my fingers that it wouldn't bring bad luck today!
 
Was ready to ride by 2:30 pm and since the windsock in the neighbour's yard indicated the wind was out of the south I decided to head to OK Falls, preferring to fight a head wind at the outset. [Little did I know that when I set out the wind gods were already conspiring against me as the direction was in the process of shifting, around 2:00 pm, from 18 kph SSE to 9 kph W, to settle at 19 kph WNW at 3:00 pm, gusting to 31 kph, then at 4:00 pm, 24 kph NW, gusting to 43 kph!] I knew something was wrong as soon as I'd made the PTC loop and, once back up Ellis, was heading down Government. Had expected the wind to be in my face but it wasn't!

Nothing to be done so I continued down Eastside, taking McClean Creek into OK Falls. Did a quick dipsy-doodle to the beach front before heading out Maple to hit Oliver Ranch. Made for Blue Mountain before doing the Stag's Hollow loop and then another beach loop before back on Eastside. Quite protected there until one is past turn-off to Blasted Church and then I was forcefully blasted myself, immediately reminding me how much I dislike fighting a fierce headwind home. Quite a grind but I persevered, cursing Aeolus all the way along Eastside and then up South Main. Was happy to keep my AVG at 21.4 kph, under the circumstances, and also pleased that I have now calibrated this particular 61 km ride for future reference. Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1324226044#.V8I5ixWT0Lk.email

Trust all goes well with Challenge tomorrow and you can tell me all about it on Monday. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Aart has come up with a great suggestion to do Vaseux bluffs again. We did it last in February (I missed it). So we will meet at Home Hardware in Penticton at 9 am and Summerlanders can carpool at 8:40 am at the IGA parking lot. Pam 

Yes…its all good no matter where you ride Patrick. Friday Rob and I volunteered on the Challenge mountain bike ride through the 3 blind mice course. We arrived just in time to see the competitors coming down through the rocky course but the good news only one serious injury near the end of the race where a middle age rider crashed and injured his elbow. We got him out OK using ATV assistance then onto the ambulance. I rode the downhill part to my location then the rest of the way out after the competition. I was likely the slowest on the course and definitely the oldest!

Tomorrow we first aid on the Challenge Road race for a good part of the day or until its done…….are you going in the Challenge Road Race? If so let me know your bib number so I can watch for you. I will most likely be driving the sex machine Miata with a medical sign of some sort attached and touring the course looking for possible injuries. I’m also planning to hike with OF group on Monday……………..Cheers, Kilian

Hi Everyone, This particular list of our travel club subscribers may have been hacked from someone. We received a couple of emails this a.m. from our readers. Please ignore anything coming from us with any email other than  regular address. Unfortunately these things happen. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to rectify the situation. Thanks, Charlie

Hello Little White and Irascible Ricardo! Trust you are both well. Has been a busy summer, probably the same for you, I'm sure. Thanks again for the wonderful invitation to cabin. With respect to the long-weekend, Chloë will be coming back up to cat-sit, [New kittens, Etta and Duke, from SPCA, a day or so after August long-weekend!], while we are with you folk. As of this point, not sure when she will arrive, (Imagine/hope it will be Thursday.), but in any event, I don't think we'll leave until Friday. We are also planning to meet Chloë in Kelowna on our way back from "Paradise" as we'd like to visit the Myra Canyon Trestles. I'll ride, The Sisterhood will walk. This means that we will probably leave after a reasonably early breakfast on Sunday morning, unless Chloë will be staying later that coming week. Details to follow as soon as more dates are confirmed.

I just hung up the phone, talking to Oasis, at UBC/VGH, to confirm the date for my left hip-replacement, September 14th. Trees around trestles are getting to be so high, according to a number of friends from hiking group, that if one wants an unimpeded view of stunning canyons, etc, one needs to visit this Fall as by next year the route will likely be a virtual tunnel. Given my coming surgery and logistics, long-weekend presents best opportunity, at least for me, on all fronts. At any rate, as I mentioned it has been a wonderful, wonderful summer.  Cheers, from an Older but not necessarily Wiser Patrizzio!

 

Lady Dar Lowers the Boom on Office Clean-up Blues: Friday, August 26th!

I call architecture frozen music. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) 

If you do not manage to get a pick-up, I can lean on friendship to get one!
H&K's for Darlene & Kricpat Hello Mover Man With a Big Heart and a Weak Knee! Just had a phone call from Guillermo. He and Nancy were away for a couple of weeks, in Mexico, Mayan Riviera, and then busy when back. He is happy to collect cycle BUT his truck is in the garage at the moment. He might have it back today, Monday afternoon at the latest. Do you know about a hike on Monday? If there is one, and particularly out of Summerland, perhaps we could drop by your place afterwards and load it then. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Sara Jane McGillivray Hey Pat, great to hear about all your cycling adventures. All that mileage on a bad hip - you will riding further and faster with the new hip!!

Patrick James Dunn Hi Wonder Woman! How goes your own cycling? I thought you were coming up to visit and ride the KVR with me while Dermot and Lady Dar visit wineries! I'm hoping to have a Kevlar skin coating applied when my hip is replaced!!! Sara Jane McGillivray Phew, where did the summer go? Can we come up next summer for cycling and sipping? I've had a bit of a bad hip so haven't been doing many long rides, unfortunately. Patrick James Dunn Sorry to hear that your hip is bothering you! Perhaps we should have surgery together to get a better deal! Next summer would be wonderful but don't wait too long as Lady and The Sisterhood are always on the Wine Trail! Bench 1775 last Saturday, per esempio. Cheers!Sara Jane McGillivray Hi Corinne Durston !! This looks so wonderful and fun.

Patrick James Dunn Just another day in Paradise, according to Lady Dar, doing the Downward Facing Cat, (We are now the proud owners of two kittens, Etta and Duke), at her favourite yoga studio just down the street!

Patrick, You’re in good (or maybe bad) company.. http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/richard-branson-almost-killed-after-horror-bike-crash-which-leaves-him-covered-in-blood/ar-BBw5cFR?li=AAadgLE ocid=spartandhp#image=2

Hi Jugos! Quite a spill, indeed! I'm going to send him a note to try some of your  jalapeño peppers and garlic. Guaranteed to effect a quick recovery! Just had both, fried in olive oil with some overleft stew. I might ride to Vancouver and back and be home in time for dinner! I gather you know The Aussies have a vehicle so I suppose we await further details. Fondestos from Lady Dar, doing the Downward Facing Cat, (for Etta and Duke, leashed on the back patio), at her favourite yoga studio just down the street! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi St Kilian! Glad you enjoyed the account and snaps of Wild Horse/Rattlesnake. Fabulous outing so thanks again! See you soon, I trust. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi OF'ies, Does anybody have an idea for a hike on Monday? I know you all are full of good ideas. Please respond, would be nice to have some options. Thanks!
Cheers, Aart Dear Patrick & Corinne, Tried calling you, but realized your old number in Vancouver didn't follow you. Are you guys at home? In the U.S.? We are going to Napa/Sonoma next week Sept 2-5. Send me your new number. I'll call. Love, Ruth Hello Texas Tornadoes! Lovely to hear from you! Trust you are both well. Here is our home number. Why bother with Sonoma/Napa? Visit us in The Okanagan! You won't be disappointed and with your $US everything is almost free! Cheers, Patrizzio!

• Maggie Carr Headed to Yuma Oct 27 via AB. Have rented out our place from Oct 1- end March. In AZ for Christmas.
  
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  Patrick James Dunn Any plans to head through the Okanagan on your way to Alberta? If so, let us know and, if so, we'd love to see you. However, we will be in Vancouver, volunteering for the VWF, October 17th-23rd. Cheers.
  
• 
  

  Maggie Carr Sorry Frank says it's a longer trip so we avoid the Okanagan. Too bad!! If we did go, we even have a place to stay as my brother kept the house he inherited from our Aunt & Uncle who died 3 years ago. They lived on Killwinning. Patrick James Dunn Too bad! Perhaps we'll see you in Yuma as we may well drive to LA for Christmas and then head east to see friends in Dallas and then on to Florida. Travel safely. Cheers! Patrick James Dunn If all goes as planned, we probably won't leave LA until mid-January. At any rate, will be in touch beforehand to fine-tune details. Cheers, Patrizzio! Snap was taken at Farmer's Market. Jake Synder, in middle, went to United!
  

Hi friends, From Thursday, 1 September I will be taking on the challenge of completing 10,000 steps a day, for the entire month of Steptember to raise vital funds for Cerebral Palsy Alliance. The average office worker only takes around 3,000 steps per day, so 10,000 steps a day is going to be quite the challenge.

But it’s for a very worthy cause.

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. One in two people with cerebral palsy are in chronic pain due to the tightening of their muscles. Many will never be able to take a single step without assistance.

If you’re not sure where to start, a donation of $20 could support research actively preventing CP in newborn babies

You can donate to my fundraising page: (https://event.steptember.org.au/donate/onbehalfof?id=97dbde75-5431-491a-93e4-8b59d65879e3)

Any amount you contribute would make a huge difference to children and adults living with cerebral palsy and of course encourage me to complete my 10,000 steps per day! Thank you so much, Christina Tassell P.S. You’ll receive an automated receipt as every donation over $2 is tax deductible.

Hi Teens! Buona Fortuna with your Step Challenge! In a show of solidarity, Lady Dar is taking the Sipping Challenge, 10,000 sips of wine a day for all of September! She doesn't expect much difficulty. If you flew back to Penticton you could log all your steps, and more, with our hiking group. Everyone asks about you! Hello and Fondestos to Trevorino. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Latest hike below! 

 

Time For a Long Ride Blues: Thursday, August 25th

A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind. -John Neal, author and critic (25 Aug 1793-1876

Patrizio! Very good as always to hear from you! Sorry to hear you can’t oversee Studio 1398 this year but FABULOUS news that Corrine and Julia are interested. I am sure they wouldn’t have to do ALL the shifts, and with luck let’s hope the set-up is easier this year, supplies more ready etc. 

Sitting down, you could tell tix at the door for Studio 1398 events. Let me know if you have any interest in doing that. This year we are changing our box office ticketing….using the same system as the Fringe, i.e. Theatre Wire. The vols process ticket orders using iPads. If you can handle that, let me know, sooner rather than later, and/or sign up for Studio 1398 box office shifts.

Also very sorry to hear about your biking calamity last Friday. Funnily enough, last weekend I was in Kaleden for a family wedding and I had ‘misadventure’ ending up in abrasions to my leg, to say nothing of demolished dignity. Believe it or not I fell into a small pond only 2.5 feet deep and only about 2.5 wide, although maybe 4 fee long, went under and hit my leg on a rock, somehow managing to avoid slamming my head into a rock lining the pond. This was all in the dark while I was carrying a glass of white wine in my right hand and my phone in my left. Apparently I looked like a drowned rat afterwards. The B&B landlord said something about Faulty Towers and my new daughter-in-law yelled out, “But we’re all sober!” I didn’t take any photos, be assured.

Hope things are well and that you recover completely and that we hear back from you and Cora soon about the extent and nature of volunteering you can take on this year!

Kaleden Katzenjammer Klutz and VWF 2016! Hello Big Fish in a Small Pond Woman! Sorry to hear about your accident, Drowned Rat! Glad to hear that injuries were not serious. I think we should go on a road show as the Traveling Thomson and Thompson Twins. We seem ti have the credentials for all the pratfalls! Lady Dar wants to know if you spilled your wine! She would have sacrificed her I-phone for wine, without question!

I'm delighted to sell tickets at the door of Studio 1398, [Can I use an I-abacus?] and Lady Dar is more than fine to look after the bar. She'll send Julia a message to let her know about slight change. I'm sure she'll be keen to sell hootch as she polished off the dregs last year! Cora Lee and I will both complete the volunteer profile shortly. Thank you for your good wishes. Starting to feel stronger and not as stiff. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

YES tell Lady Dar I did spill my wine. I heard the glass break as I went under. It would be great if you could sell tickets at Studio 1398. You cannot use an Abacus! You will have to be comfortable using an iPAD. Can we count on you for that? I look forward to your shift sign-ups/bids. Please tell Corinne to sign up/bid for 1398 host shifts as she sees fit. It would be great to have her and Julia on the same shifts. She doesn’t have to do the marathon as in years past. There are other people now “trained” or at least “shadowed” in the role.

My better half grew up in Summerland so I am familiar with Trout Creek. Also my sister lives in Penticton and my mother lived in the South OK for years (Sage Mesa, nr the West Bench, Kaleden and then finally on Manor Park Road near the arts centre). Will bid you a fond adieu. Please update your registration ASAP and sign up/bid for shifts as you can!! Kathryn 

Hi again, Kathryn! Lady Dar said she will give you lessons, during the VWF, on how to keep your wine glass aloft, under every possible circumstance! Furthermore, given your strong connection to The Okanagan, why have you not yet visited us?

At any rate, we both updated our registration so you should have that information. [I'm sure you'll let us know what we've done wrong!!!] I assume I will receive a bit of instruction on ticketing with the iPad since you won't allow an abacus! Have not yet worked out when we will hit town but certainly the weekend before the Festival begins. On the other hand, we will be in Vancouver for a few days before my operation on September 14th. Perhaps I could pop by and have an initial overview session. I have used an iPad and owned two before I gave them to our daughters! Anyway, let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Had imagined that I'd be up reasonably early this morning but didn't manage to clamber out of bed until 8:30 am! Readied a quick mug of java and then phoned Michelle at Oasis to talk about the surgical date, September 14th, for my left ip replacement. She is very helpful and friendly so was pleased with everything when I hung up the phone. Unless something changes I will have my two pre-op session on September 13th so we'll have to decide when we are heading into Vancouver and where we'll stay until I go into hospital. 

Once that was settled I had a delicious bowl of Greek yogurt with some of the grapes Peggy had brought for Book Club last week. They have remained very crisp as I've kept them in the fridge. Then I suited and lubed up and set out about 10:50 am. Again, I knew I would have to deal with fairly strong wind 15-20 kph N so I opted, yet again to ride into it at the outset. Therefore made for PTC, Lakeshore and Riverside. Then it was three loops of Red Wing East so I had almost a quarter of my ride under my belt when I turned off 97 onto Wharf Road.

From past rides I know most of the distances between various points at Trout Creek so I decided I'd engage in extendo dipsy-doodleage between Wharf Road and the RV Campground. (4.5-5 km), just before the new bike/pedestrian path on 97. Did about seven of these loops, plus three shorter ones from the RV park back to Landry Crescent, (2 km), before heading to Crescent Beach itself. Had about 64 km on the clock when I hit the bike path so I knew I'd have about 83-84 km on my odometre when I was finished the Crescent Beach loop, (6.5 km each way). By th etime I was back on 97, heading south I had logged 88 km
 so I knew I was in good shape. However, didn't make up as much speed as I had hoped so was only cruising at an AVG of 23.3 kph when I was back on Riverside. [Didn't need to do any loops at Red Wing West as my distance was just what I wanted it to be by then.

However, ran into a bit of a road block when back on Lakeshore as the streets were starting to be readied for the different Challenge Penticton event which would take place at 4:00 pm. Had to retrace my steps and snake through various side streets before I was back on Ellis and making for White. Lost a bit of speed doing this but managed to keep my AVG at 23.1 kph so was grateful for that indeed. Quite a way to try to avoid the worst of a nasty head-wind. Hope it will blow out of the south over the next few days as I'd like to hit Black Sage Road, not having ridden there in a month or more. Still, pleased as punch to have pushed the distance over 100 km, especially after my sandpapering and wrenched shoulder of last Friday! Hip Hip Hooray! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1321171530#.V793pDNcKL4.email  

Thank you Corinne and Patrick for the delicious pizza and salad. Great door prizes and a good game of bridge as well. Next week, my house, just bridge and nibbles, and maybe a glass of wine for the wine lovers in our group😉 Cheers,. Jos

Hello Josinta and Pearly Whites! Lovely evening indeed so thanks for everything. I'll send out a message about bridge and nibblage at your place next Tuesday., 6:30 pm-7:00 pm start. Ok? Thanks for hosting.

I was just about to send along a message about the stationary bike as I've now received final confirmation of the date for my left hip replacement, September 14th. This being the case, I'm wondering when would be the best time to come and collect it. I've left a message for Guillermo as I'd like to ask him if he will take me to your place in his pick-up. If he is not around or available do you think it will fit into our vehicle? The back seats go down and we have hauled quite a few large items in the past. Anyway, let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patriziozo, You missed a great ride from Penticton to the end of Vasseux Lake (+/- 60k) and back. Not clear why you did not come. At least your dutch friends missed you. Anyways, anytime you want to pick up the cyclomotoromagnetico is fine with us, but it has to be before September 4, after that we're off camping for 2 weeks. It may be tight in your car. It is high 136cm, and wide 60cm. You have to lift it with 2 grown-ups. We are super eager to read your story and see your pictures of the folk-fest AND the Wild horse/Rattlesnake Mtn hike!! Don't slack off now ... Talk soon, Aartissimo and Jollyboob

Hi Dear Dutch Friends! Sounds as if I did miss a wonderful ride indeed, especially if you rode to the end of Vaseux. I've never done the stretch beyond OK Falls so I need to hear about directions, etc. Haven't heard from Guillermo so I wonder if he is out of town. I'll have to see if I can rustle up another pick-up. Have a couple of calls I can make but I'm pretty sure I should be able to come up with something before September 4th.

For my part I wanted to go for a fairly longish ride although I had contemplated joining you folk. Will be in touch as soon as I've found a pick-up. Fondestos from Lady Dar, knitting with Michelle Dunn, at her place, as I scribe. Will start editing Rattlesnake snapolas as soon as I've posted this messagio! Folk Fest, I hope, to work on this weekend! Cheque's in the mail. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Two of the reasons I'm behind on my Field Reports!!!

Hello again, Digitale and Fingare! Have good friends here, Pam and Bill Webster, (She is part of hiking/bridge group), who will be visiting Portland in the middle of October and  would like to know the name of reasonably priced hotels in downtown Portland, as well as sights that they should take in during visit. Since we have always enjoyed your lavish hospitality, I'm at a loss as to where they might look. Any suggestions for both hotels and sight-seeing tips? [Squash and wine-tasting are all I know!] Hints much appreciated. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thank you for hosting next week Jos. I'll bring wine. Patrick and Corinne I will drive. Pam Patrick, Thank you for the photos😊 would like to know the name of reasonably priced hotels in downtown Portland, as well as sights that we should take in during a visit to Portland. I hope that you had no upsets on your bike ride😊 Regards, Pam 

Hello again, Pamela! Have yet to hear from good friends, Marilyn and Mike Oliver, in Portland but will let you know when I do. Since we have always enjoyed their lavish hospitality, I'm at a loss as to where you might look, as far as sight-seeing is concerned: squash and wine-tasting were all I knew!

Thank you for agreeing to be the chauffeur next week. Much appreciated.I didn't manage Black Sage yesterday but I enjoyed a fairly longish ride today. 
Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio! Patrick, Sounds like a great ride today. I too will be snaking through the streets to get to work on Sunday. I am anticipating that it will be a challenge 😀 to cross Government St. To get to the VQA store. Not sure what east west route is available on Sunday. Have a great weekend! Pam

Words Of Wisdom Hi Jake! I always knew you were The Fount of All Wisdom! Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hi Pat and Corinne,   Sorry to hear about your fall, but we hope you mend well.
We are thrilled about the arrival of your new kittens and look forward to meeting them in the future, however, the puppies are a bit nervous. We look forward to seeing you for however long or short your stay will be at the lake.
We are just happy to have you visit knowing very well that you have a hectic schedule of visitors while living in your Pentiction Paradise. See you soon! Ruth 

Hi Ruth, so we will be arriving on Friday and leaving Monday. If that works. What can we bring? Do you want us to do a brunch and one supper? or we can do 2 suppers. Of course we will bring wine etc. Looking forward to the visit,

Love Chloe Hi Corinne, We would love to do the dinners for you, but if you'd like to do breakfast/brunch that would be great! Ruth Hi Ruth, I will do breakfast/brunch on Sat. Sun. and Monday Looking forward to seeing you guys, Love Corinne Hi Corinne,  We will be going up on Thursday night after work

so we can have dinner ready and waiting for you on Friday. Ruth Thanks so much, looking forward to it all, Corinne

The Loneliness of the Constant Vacuumer Blues: Wednesday, August 24th!

How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism? -Howard Zinn, historian, playwright, and social activist (24 Aug 1922-2010) 

Patrick and Corinne, Thank you for dinner and Bridge last night. I had a really fun evening. Corinne mentioned last night that you had visited Portland. Bill and I are planning a short trip to Portland in the middle of October. I would like to stay in very reasonably priced accommodation, close to everything. Do you have any accommodation suggestions based on your experience visiting Portland? Many thanks. Pam 

Hi Pamela and Jos! Thanks again for the lovely wine and succulent peaches! We enjoyed the evening immensely so glad we were able to field a table.

With respect to Portland, we have always stayed with good friends but there is a hotel close to most everything that I will get the name of for you. Many of my fellow doubles squash players used to stay there when we were down for various tournaments. I'll also ask for the names of other reasonably priced hotels that might fit the bill.

Funnily enough, I just had a message, yesterday, from friends in Portland. They live about 30 minutes west of the city, on twenty acres, [A reasonably large elk herd, 10 or so individuals, I believe, living in the ravine below their home is a nuisance as they want to eat their gorgeous flowers!], not far from the northern start of the wonderful Willamette Valley wine region. Loads of wineries BUT price, not only due to $US but also non-refundable tasting fees, (even with purchase), at some of the hoity-toity wineries, is an issue. That being said, there are more than enough other wineries with wonderful product, with no such policy, that merit attention, if interested.

Before you make the trip, if you'd like, we should spend some time, over a bottle or two, chatting about city and environs. Lady Dar knows the downtown core quite well as she would spend much of her time there while I was playing squash. Fabulous, fabulous  bookstore, Powell's, 1005 W Burnside St, well worth wondering the multi-levels and scads of restaurants, of all sorts, nearbye. Anyway, we'll chat, at some point, I'm sure. Fondestos from Lady Dar, out with The Flatlanders to have lunch afterwards at Dirty Laundry! For my part I'm planning to head out to Oliver and Black Sage Road shortly. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Bridge with kittens and incredible bridge prizes!

Patrick, This is what “another spill” looks like in the real world. Peter http://www.mining.com/major-tailings-burst-reported-in-china/ Hello Jugos! I take it that the dam which failed in China was the one you certified on your last trip there! Probably one of the villagers from Luoyang who lost all of his cows in the red mud slide was driving the car which collided with you in Kazakhstan. A planned hit that you somehow managed to avoid!

With respect to coming visit from Kathleen and Stefano, just want to confirm/clarify things. As we understand it, they will be arriving on Monday to stay with you for the nights of the 29th and 30th, with dinner, Chez Lighthall, on the 29th and Pushy Pentictonites to piggy-back at Laughing Stock tasting on the 30th. On the 31st we'll collect them from your place or you'll chauffeur them to Burns Street for their two nights here. Which night is best for dinner, together, at our place?  Let us know and we'll plan accordingly.

Had a grand time with bridge last evening. Pam brought along a C.C. Jentsch Cellars 2013 The Chase, (Cabernet Franc 32.5%, Cabernet Sauvignon 32.5%, Merlot 30%, Petit Verdot 3%, Malbec 2%), which was absolutely delicious. Regularly around $20 but on sale at the moment at the BC VQA Wine Shop where she's been working for last little while, for $18. Terrific value and taste indeed. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patrick, Nice bridge harem you have. Lynne is suggesting we try to schedule tasting at Laughing Stock first thing on Aug 31, and we could do the handover of the visitors at that time. You could then go on your super-tour of the southern Okanagan. How are Steve and Kathleen traveling? Do they need airport or bus station pickup? Lynne will have to be consulted re dinner at your place, thanks kindly. Will get back to you. Peter

Hi again, Jugos! One of the main reasons I was pleased that you had a golf engagement last night! Tasting at Laughing Stock on Wednesday, 31st is fine. You know as much as I do about how the Aussies are travelling to get here. I somehow assumed that it was by car, whether a rental or from family. [How are Steve and Kathleen traveling? Do they need airport or bus station pickup?] However, this is why I have included them to ask about any arrangements that might need to be made. Over to you Kathleen and Stefano! [Hi, we have a car.  More arrival details later. S] 

I'll let Lynne and Lady Dar decide which night at our place works best for one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio! My Dear Lady Dar—Wednesday the 31st works best for me and Dom Pedro for dinner at Burns St. with Kathleen and Steve … if that also works for your schedule. If not, we do not have to be included another time as we will have had a good visit with them already. Cheers, Lynnie Hi All—We are confirmed for an appointment at Laughing Stock on the 31st at 11:00 a.m. I was hoping for something a little earlier but this is the earliest they do tastings. The upside is that it means we can have more of a lie-in in Naramata if we wish or go for a walk or …. before heading out to Laughing Stock. I don’t know how long their tastings last but it shouldn’t be more than 30 or 40 minutes, which still leaves lots of the day to do other fun and interesting things. I’m looking forward to this visit. Cheers for now, Lynnie Hi All, Wednesday here is great! We can talk about details later, Best Corinne

Hi Patrick and Corinne, We just arrived home after a long sojourn at the lake with various people coming and going. We are thrilled that you can make it to the lake and will try to come up on Thursday, but certainly Friday night at the latest. Rick is madly catching up on work while I deal with our home, garden and puppies. He will know better about our time frame once he's been back at work for another week so I'll re-confirm our arrival time next week. Looking forward to seeing you both and hearing about your summer! Ruth

Hello Little White and Irascible Ricardo! Trust you are both well. Has been a busy summer, probably the same for you, I'm sure. Thanks again for the wonderful invitation to cabin. With respect to the long-weekend, Chloë will be coming back up to cat-sit, [New kittens, Etta and Duke, from SPCA, a day or so after August long-weekend!], while we are with you folk. As of this point, not sure when she will arrive, (Imagine/hope it will be Thursday.), but in any event, I don't think we'll leave until Friday. We are also planning to meet Chloë in Kelowna on our way back from "Paradise" as we'd like to visit the Myra Canyon Trestles. I'll ride, The Sisterhood will walk. This means that we will probably leave after a reasonably early breakfast on Sunday morning, unless Chloë will be staying later that coming week. Details to follow as soon as more dates are confirmed.
 
I just talked to Oasis, at UBC/VGH, to confirm the date for my left hip-replacement, September 14th. Trees around trestles are getting to be so high, according to a number of friends from hiking group, that if one wants an unimpeded view of stunning canyons, etc, one needs to visit this Fall as by next year the route will likely be a virtual tunnel. Given my coming surgery and logistics, long-weekend presents best opportunity, at least for me, on all fronts.

So that is all the news that's fit to print for now. Let us know what you think about what I've outlined for long-weekend and we'll plan accordingly, menu and details to be confirmed, of course. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Pat and Corinne, Sorry to hear about your fall, but we hope you mend well.
We are thrilled about the arrival of your new kittens and look forward to meeting them in the future, however, the puppies are a bit nervous. We look forward to seeing you for however long or short your stay will be at the lake.
We are just happy to have you visit knowing very well that you have a hectic schedule of visitors while living in your Pentiction Paradise. See you soon! Ruth 


Hi Ruth, so we will be arriving on Friday and leaving Monday. If that works. What can we bring? Do you want us to do a brunch and one supper? or we can do 2 suppers. Of course we will bring wine etc. Looking forward to the visit, Love, Cora Lee Hi Corinne, We would love to do the dinners for you, but if you'd like to do breakfast/brunch that would be great! Ruth

Still felt a tad sore and stiff today so I spent most of my time puttering around the house, (making guest beds, tidying towel closet), and in the garage, (vacuuming the patio and then inflating tires on my Brodie, Lady Dar's bike and the ones on the moving cart), so that by the time Cora Lee was back from her Flatlander's walk on KVR, out of Summerland, followed by luncheon at Dirty Laundry, it was close to 3:00 pm and I'd not suited up. Once home Cora Lee announced she'd like to go to see Florence Foster Jenkins: In the 1940s, New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, (Meryl Streep), dreams of becoming a great opera singer. Unfortunately, her ambition far exceeds her talent. The voice Florence hears in her head is beautiful, but to everyone else it is quite lousy. Her husband St. Clair, (Hugh Grant), goes to extreme lengths to make sure his wife never finds out how awful she truly is. When Florence announces her plans for a concert at Carnegie Hall, St. Clair soon realizes that he's facing his greatest challenge yet. In fact, Florence was quite moving as Streep played her character very sympathetically, so a most enjoyable, if basically, light-hearted film all around.