The living language is like a cow-path: it is the creation of the cows
themselves, who, having created it, follow it or depart from it
according to their whims or their needs. From daily use, the path
undergoes change. A cow is under no obligation to stay.
-E.B.White, writer (1899-1985)
A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. -Henry Adams, historian and teacher (16 Feb 1838-1918)
Hello Peopleages! Trust you made drive back to Palm Desert without incident last night after you were so rudely given the bum's rush! I wanted you to stay so that we could have had a couple of rubbers of bridge but Peter was more interested in the SNL 40th Anniversary Special to care about Big Big Joe and Heather. Not at all easy being a Freeloader with the Lighthalls, as you can now tell!
At any rate, terrific that we could have such a grand visit. Most enjoyable indeed. I know that both Lynne and Peter were delighted to meet you both and it was fun to have been able to connect while on our relatively brief, (not according to Jugos Dom Pedro, however), stay.
Believe we are off on a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park today so am looking forward to seeing the spectacular scenery there. Enjoy the rest of your time here and will look forward to seeing you back in Vancouver or Kamloops. Fondestos from the still sleeping inhospitables. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Fire-pit; toe-warmer people; juice-heads; star-gazers; dinner table; Freeloaders leaving before paying!
Good Morning All! Thank you for your great hospitality last night. We had a fabulous time. It was very nice to meet Peter and Lynne. Great to see the pictures Patrick. Patrick and Corinne we will see you soon in Kamloops or Vancouver and Peter hopefully we will get that game of golf in. Joe and Heather
Hi again, Heather and Joe! Had a more than magnificent day today. I gather Pedrito already has a gold date with you. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Jo-Anne! Pleased to hear that rain has let up and sun is out. Buona Fortuna with mending bones. Speaking of things Swedish, there is what looks like a very interesting Swedish film, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, ("Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann", original title), coming to a Vancouver Foreign Film Society showing on Sunday, February 22nd, at The Cinematheque, 2:00 pm, if you might be interested.
Fondestos from the still sleeping Mme Coriandre. Hear shower noises from the master bedroom so I will set about doing wine glasses from last night's feast: bbq'd pork loin, twice-baked cauliflower, mixed green salad with Valentine's Day chocs for dessert! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Jugos Dom Pedro prepared a scrumptious breakfast of eggs, easy-over, and fried, mashed kartofellage with some of the twice-baked cauliflower from last night's meal and we enjoyed our repast on the patio. After we cleared up he sliced some pork loin and cheese, some crackers and pita, filled small Ziploc bag with mixed nuts and put food and four soft drinks into our small cooler, (One we bought with Sarge and Flamin' in Melbourne in 2012!), to take for a picnic lunch. We loaded ourselves into the car around 11:00 am and made for I-10, heading east towards Indio. After about 27 miles from Indio we took the Cottonwood Springs Road exit towards the Cottonwood Visitor Center for Joshua Tree National Park. Soon there we went into the Center to pay the enrty fee only to discover that it was free today, Presidents' Day! Saved about $40 so that was most agreeable.
While there we watched a very well done, informative video on the park itself, flora, fauna, geology, topography, climate, and the like. With a much better idea of what lay ahead we followed Pinto Basin Road, past Octollio Patch. Had not known what the many plantings of this species, used in the landscaping of the house we are in, and in many other commercial or residential complexes we've seen hereabouts, was called, until we saw it named in the video. While not a true cactus, for much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, but upon closer examination the stems often display partly green leaf stalks. Apparently, these leaf stalks harden into blunt spines and they are very, very nasty, let me tell you. Interestingly enough most of the Ocotillo we saw in JTNP were incredibly green as opposed to ones around the house.
On to the Cholla Cactus Garden with a short, quarter mile walk through the natural garden, just off the road. Posted signs warned us that they are known for "their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, and clothing", so we made very sure we stayed out of harm's way as we strolled, on the marked path, through the stands, often called cholla gardens or cholla forests. Some quite striking views back down the valley we had climbed out of on route to the higher elevation needed for the Joshua Tree to thrive. After driving through Wilson Canyon we were presented with a truly remarkable landscape, giant boulders and stupendous outcroppings from the surrounding hills, formed millions of years ago and exposed by millennia of weathering. Added to these fantastical formations were ever increasing numbers of Joshua Trees, some massive. Best way I can describe them is to say that they seem almost a crazy cross between a deciduous tree, a typical palm and what I know as a monkey tree.
As we continued towards Keys View, the highest point, (1,581 metres, up from 939 metres at Cottonwood), one can reach in the park, by car, we saw increasing numbers of these wonderful trees, spreading in all directions across Hidden Valley. from the lookout we had a stunning view of the San Brernadino Mountains below and beyond to the Coachella Valley. Although we could not see Palm Springs we could locate it as it is at the base of magnificent San Jacinto Peak, (3,302 m). Absolutely delighted that we had made the effort to visit this stunning eco-system, we made our way, descending through Hidden Valley to the West Entrance Station and then into the community of Yucca Valley. Shortly thereafter Twentynine Palms Highway drops quite steeply into the Morongo Valley and we were soon driving through a sci/fi landscape of the huge wind farm there, a white forest of gigantic, three propped windmills churning away, almost as far as the eye could see.
Home by shortly after 4:00 pm and after I made myself a Keurig java I repaired to our bedroom to lie down as my side felt a bit sore. Propped myself up in bed with an ice-pack and dropped off to sleep listening to Anderson Cooper. Had a wonderful nap and returned to consciousness just after 6:00 pm. Supper preparation was well underway so I had a quick shower and then returned to help out where I could. Sat down to another magnificent meal: broiled slamon, stuffed with crab meat, steamed fresh broccoli and carrots with a cherry tasty tomatoe/celery salad. Peter had picked up a 2012 River Road, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay, 13.7%, 2012, when he and Lynne had walked to the local store for a few dinner fixings. We contributed a 2012 Coffaro Aglianico, 15.6% so everything went down well indeed.
Finished the simply divine meal jsut after 8:00 pm and we had told Lynne and Peter that the first two episodes of Better Call Saul were on before the third one at 10:00 pm. They were keen to see the start so they sat down to watch episodes we'd seen in LA while we cleared up. That done, I started to digitate, trying to capture the day's events while still fresh. Must away,as I want to brush and floss before the third episode starts.
Dear Pat, Very sorry to hear about your fall. Must have been very scary. So glad you don't have any major injuries. The wonderful food shots are making me hungry! Your place looks lovely and relaxing. All that sunshine is a real gift too! We had make your own sushi, Mochi mango ice cream with fresh mangoes and some Segura Viudas for Valentine's dinner. Was delish! Next time we'll send along a few pics.
Yesterday was gorgeous. It really felt like spring here. I am hoping the sunshine will linger for a while. Hi to Corinne and your pals. Take good care! Jane
P, alarmed about your crash. Let us know you are really unscathed but for some bruises. I have passed along your story to Cobby to see if he has ever heard of such a thing happening with the fender. Be well, ride safe. Fond regards you all. W
Hi Kids! Thanks for your solicitous inquiries. I think I'm okay but still pretty sore. Not really any obvious bruising but my right side is very tender, getting in and out of car today and same when going to bed, rising next morning, etc. Ice pack seems to help somewhat but I think it will simply take more time than I'd imagined might be the case. Age and my poor, accident plagued, right side have taken their own particular tolls but I'm reluctant to complain, given what certainly, so easily, might otherwise have transpired.
I plan to send account to Westpoint, along with snaps to see what they might have to say, as well as take bike in when back. Be curious to hear Cobbster's view on matter. Must away, as I want to brush and floss before heading to the Land of Nod. Fondestos from all the gang. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Joshua Tree excursion, some selected snaps.
Hi Goils! Trust everyone is well. Fondestos, Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!
Hello Phoenix and North Van! Trust everyone is well and enjoying their respective busy lives. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Dear all, Below is part of a message I received from Bev concerning the memorial service for Dan. She is concerned that the information get to those who may want to attend the service. Nadine
Hi Nadine What is concerning me right now is to let all who might want to come to his service know about it in time. Dan died on Feb 12 2015. His memorial service will be at 10 am at First Memorial at 602 Kingsway on Sat Feb 28th.
I intend to get an obit into The Sun for this Friday and Sat papers.
Feel free to include my email address into the lib emeriti email particularly since I'm on the Shaw server rather than the UBC server. Many thanks Bev
Dear colleagues, We are sad to share the news that Dan Heino, a long-time UBC Librarian, passed away on February 12th. Dan started with the Library in April 1989 and was the Pharmacy Liaison Librarian with Woodward Library at the time of his retirement in 2005. Kathy Hornby, a long-time colleague of Dan?s wrote that "I shared an office with Dan for many years and feel very fortunate to have known him. He was smart, kind, and extremely funny - a wonderful person."
Dan's Obituary was in the Vancouver Sun this weekend and reads:
Dan enjoyed much in life despite being unwell for 10 years. Always supportive and life affirming, Dan obtained his BSC in biology from McGill and his MLS from UBC. Dan is survived by his wife, Beverley, his sister Bonnie, his brothers Carl and Paul, as well as his devoted niece Angela, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, Janet and Ken. Dan truly cared about the UBC Library and his colleagues. Dan loved music, animals, and nature. He was a peacemaker who defended all who were unfairly treated. Dan had a quirky sense of humour and an intelligence that encompassed science, spirituality and the humanities. Dan was well cared for by Elisa, Doug, Norm, Windermere and Fair Haven.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday February 28th at First Memorial at 602 Kingsway at 10 a.m. The family has indicated that donations can be made to any animal rights group.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=dan-heino&pid=174201085
Chrissy Johnson, CHRP, HR Coordinator, Library HR
Thanks Patrick. I am surprised to experience how much greetings from you and others help.
No comments:
Post a Comment