The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it. -George
Marshall, US Army Chief, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Nobel
laureate (1880-1959)
So nice to receive your call last night! And right as we were enjoying cocktails with our kids at the Fleming's happy hour. So a quick review of what we covered briefly on the phone:
This was our third Christmas in Dallas, after Ruth's move here in Spring 2012. During that time, I've been the primary commuter - taking Megabus or driving with the dogs every Thursday night for a long weekend in Dallas - though Ruth comes down once a month to keep up with "Girls' Night Out" in San Antonio. I still have the garage apartment in San Antonio, which though it consists of one small room (with bed, kitchenette, two sofas, a TV and a stereo) is the envy of all my male friends. ESPN and potato chips, with a steady dose of Dave Mathews Band.
I had a bunch of great things happen to me in 2014: the publication of my third book (a textbook which I shamelessly force students to read, and buy!), and receiving a Fulbright (an award sponsored by the State Department representing American "soft diplomacy") - which I have carried out in Taiwan while on a leave of absence from Trinity. The program I have helped to design is a new International College in Taiwan, and its promising start has convinced the presidents of the two universities for me to spend each of three falls in Taiwan, with springs in Texas. Ruth and I miss each other, though, so we made a point to see each other once a month during my time away.
Our dogs Cassie and Max are our steady companions, and Ruth has benefitted from my being in Taiwan. The dogs love us unconditionally and go wherever we tell them to, unlike our ungrateful children.
Speaking of whom, Miranda turned 24 and after two years working in Houston she began a PhD program in Psychology at UT Austin. She won a Powers Presidential Scholarship and has a 4.0 GPA after her first semester, continuing her nearly flawless record from Rice. Adrian is a senior at Brown, majoring in Materials Sciences and Economics, and though he has struggled to get to 3.0, the Engineering major should make him competitive on the job market, which he will enter in earnest in the coming months. Last summer he did an internship for an airplane design and remodeling company, and they want him to come back - but he is keeping his options open (his girlfriend may influence his job setting decisions).
I am looking forward with eager anticipation to turning 60, but otherwise I'm sane and relatively healthy. My doctor is also my drinking buddy so he kind of keeps me in line. Ruth does not look a day over 40. Hope you all have fun activities planned for tonight (we are the first stop of a progressive dinner for some of Ruth's work-mates), and hope the world becomes a safer and more loving and accepting place in the coming year. Happy new year! Randy
Hi Patrizio! As always, thanks for the photos. Still recovering from the shock of possibly not seeing you again once you move away to Saskatchewan. However, good for you and we certainly will stay in touch. Happy New Year and all the best in your BIG MOVE in 2015. CC
Last ride of 2014! What a splendid day for an outing. Out to UBC, via Marine, and then did the Iona Loop. Huge orange sun setting as I rode past campus on way home and its last rays illuminated the windows of the city's buildings, turning them into golden jewels. The mountains were spectacular, cloaked in ermine and diamonds, snow and the lights of the ski runs. What an auspicious way to begin the countdown! Healthy New Year to one and all!
Hello Patrick and Corinne Thanks again so much for your call. Great to hear from you. Saturday January 3rd would be great and we wondered if you would like to come for dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. If dinner won't work then come for afternoon tea/happy hour 3:00-or thereabouts. Let us know what works for you. Would love to see you.
In the meantime enjoy a great New Year's Eve! As ever Hop along and side kick,
Jo-Anne and Colin
Hi Chester and Side-kick! Trust your ankle did not keep you from enjoying the countdown to 2015! Better your ankle than your elbow, some might say! Thank you for the lovely dinner invitation which we would be more than delighted to accept. We'd like to contribute to meal so please let us know what we might bring. Since Mme Coriandre is gluten, (and Patrizzio!), intolerant, perhaps a dessert she is able to eat, or some appetizers or a salad of some sort. Let us know. Your wish is our command! Time of 5:30 pm is perfect so thanks again.
One of main reasons I didn't send a reply sooner is that I didn't climb out of bed until 11:00 am this morning! Heavy poundage laster evening! After a hot bowl of Rosie's latest, delicious soup, ("Seaweed" according to ultra-picky Chloë!), I suited up and went for a ride. Had hoped to start earlier in day but better late than never so I set out, warmly dressed, for UBC, via Spanish Banks. Knew it was going to be the last ride of 2014 so I planned to make it a 100 km.
http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/661281342#.VKSo4MYCYNU.email
Suzanne Broughton Halpenny Well said Patrick- of course. Happy New Year!!
Rhoda Maccormick Sounds amazing - Happy New Year!
More importantly this will probably be the last New Year's Eve with Clara and Dusty, here in Vancouver, as they will be giving up the suite next door when they return to Winnipeg this April. They are beginning the process of thinking about selling their home at Falcon Lake and making plans to move into a suite in Winnipeg. Clara turns 90 this month so the upkeep of the large lake property is becoming more burdensome. Dusty celebrated his 90th this past May and he isn't as keen to tend his huge vegetable and flower garden to the same extent as in the past. He's now happier painting pictures rather than weeding and cutting grass!
Watched some of the various New Year's Eve programs on TV, bringing in 2015 in Times Square! Wished each other a Healthy New Year and then Clan Durston said goodnight. A bit of tidying up and then we sat on couch, sipping malt, (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Cask 33.63, 58.2%, a lovely drop, I must say and perfect for the occasion!), chatting in front of fireplace, about the proposed move and the possibilities that abound. Certainly a New Year ahead!
At any rate, look forward to seeing you both on Saturday. Let us know what you'd like us to bring and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: The Sisterhood Selfies and bridge last night!
Hi Patrick, It's been a while but hope you had good summer vacation in Manitoba (was it somewhere else? Sorry but I cannot remember) Anyway, it's super short notice but Colin and I are hosting the countdown party at our place from 9pm tonight. If you and your wife can join us, that'll be great. If you look for me on Facebook, then I'll send you the invite with details.
Our address is on West 7th Ave, between Pine and Burrard. Our unit is the west end corner which has own door, not through the main entrance. Anyway, hope to see you there!! Yumi Yamagami
Hi Yumi and Colin! Thank you for the lovely invitation to your "countdown" bash last evening. Sorry we were not able to accept as it would have been loads of fun, I'm sure. Sorry I didn't reply sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons! At any rate, look forward to seeing you both at some point in the not too, too distant future. Healthy New Year to one and all! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrizio! As always, thanks for the photos. Still recovering from the shock of possibly not seeing you again once you move away to Saskatchewan. However, good for you and we certainly will stay in touch. Happy New Year and all the best in your BIG MOVE in 2015. CC
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