Rather Early Morning Blues: Monday, December 8th!

The real index of civilization is when people are kinder than they need to be. -Louis de Bernieres, novelist (b. 1954) 

Woke up at just after 3:00 am and although I tried, couldn't really get back to sleep so decided I'd pull a Cora Lee and go into living room to read. Need to have The Island of Crimea back at VPL by this Thursday so wanted to read a few more chapters. However, by the time I was there I felt I'd rather catch up on email so did that for an hour or so before enjoying a mug of freshly brewed java and a bowl of yogurt with sliced apple. Coloured lights on patio were left on before we went to bed and they look lovely through the window, as I scribe. Fairly heavy rain forecast for next few days so I suppose I'll be back at FCCC, ellipticizing! 

Hi Chloë! Glad you enjoyed the joke. I chortled myself. [Stop Racism! Green? Too, too cryptic for me! P, too funny. I was reading your email and Jane texted to ask which bread I wanted: black or green olive. I responded to your email instead of text. Still, you should still have known. W Hi Giggster! While I feel I know you "like the back of my hand" I'm nit a mind reader, yet! Just lucky that you didn't send Jane a text meant for one of the Swedish masseuses who eased our aching muscles on the past trip! Let us know about driving logistics and dinner numbers. Cheers, Patrizzio!] On another matter could you print the following snaps for your Grandfather. Three images are for a work Janet would like him to do. Rest are from Dauphin. Thanks again for wonderful presents and salad. George was by this afternoon and he wanted to steal T-shirt! We had some of your dressing on the salad, (bocconcini and tomatoe with fresh basil your Mom made for ham, scalloped potatoes and green beans next door), last night and it was even better!  Did you manage to staff tree lot? Love and Cheers, Dad! 

Happy birthday Patrick and sorry I didn't get message to you on time . Thanks for lovely invite - will chat to mike and get back .trailfinders recommended flying to van first then driving to Calgary as scenery more spectacular west to east. Is that right? Xx

Hi Penny! I'm not sure whether it really matters, driving from west to east. This past August, when we returned from Falcon, I enjoyed the scenery more than when we headed there in July. Have done the journey so many times that we are reasonably familiar with the sights but still find the mountains spectacular each time, east or west. Not sure how long you plan to stay in the area but if you did fly into Calgary you could drive to Banff and a bit beyond and then spend a couple of hours, or a day or so, driving back towards Banff and exploring some of the roads which go off from main highway. Obviously, doing this you are probably going to see more.

Thanks for the birthday wishes.  Apparently my endangered bottle of Laphroaig has been dispatched so you'll be able to start toasting me this coming week, or so, I assume! Cheers, Patrizzio!

i am glad it was a happy evening.unfortunately we were double booked.did some sleuthing via craigslist but not my bike.obviously long gone.however hope to pick up another on Tuesday after cruising the shops.take care, matt

Hi Glasgow! Good luck with finding a new bike! George popped by with his daughter, Amira, yesterday afternoon, so we had a pleasant visit. They were going to do a bit of Christmas shopping at GI Market. We plan to see them, along with Jane, this coming Sunday at a Christmas Singalong at St. Phillip's Anglican Church, 3737 West 27th. I think Jane knows some of the people in the choir. We have invited them for dinner afterwards so should be fun.

Off to the VAG tomorrow morning with Clara and Dusty to take in The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China's Emperors. Quite looking forward to it. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Corinne: Apologies for not getting back to you sooner.  We have a friend here from Seattle tonight and have tickets for Mary Poppins. So will miss your birthday celebration. Sorry to miss it. I hope we can see you before Christmas.
Ross and I are going to visit Jane and Sjell. My brother is coming to town and he wants to visit a friend in Union Bay, so we will all go over, go to the Rpyston Pub on Friday night where my brother Andrew's friend has a gig, then stay with Jane. Should be fun. Have a good time tonight and happy birthday to Patrick!
Love, Julia The latest pics. This is what has been taking all our time.

Chloe Alexis Dunn shared Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society's photo. A great gift idea!!!

Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society

Aunt Leah's & Wee Woollies have teamed up to support local mothers in care. This Christmas give a little baby in your life the comfort of Pure Merino and help mothers in need from losing custody of their children. http://auntleahs.org/aunt-leahs-wee-woollies-baby-clothing/ Patrick James Dunn Great for bikers too! Under the helmet cosy!

Hi Julia! Cora Lee passed along message with the snaps of your cabin. Place looks fabulous! Tell The Great White Hunter that I can hardly wait to join him on next cull! Thanks, as well, for birthday wishes. A grand time was had by all. Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Hello friends and your partners,How would you like to sing some traditional Christmas songs and share some Christmas cheer this weekend. I know it is a very busy time for everyone, but it would be fun to gather if it works!  Where: St. Phillip's Anglican Church, 3737 West 27th (Dunbar), hot chocolate and cookies to follow or we can raise a toast to the holidays somewhere close by! Let me know if you might be able to come. Thanks and have a terrific week! Cheers, Jane
 

Pat and Corinne, nice to see you today. Hope you can join us Sunday at St. Phillip's. As they say, all god's chilluns got a place in the choir. Would love to join you for dinner. Please let us know what we can bring to contribute. Maybe we can travel together. W 

Hi Choiristers All! Grand that we can raise a toast at the Islay Inn, post St Phillip's gig, to lubricate our taxed vocal chords, strained to the limit after belting out carols! Thanks for offer to bring something for dinner but Mme Coriandre insists that all dinner fare is arranged. [Personally, I'd very much appreciate it if you could leave your prodigious appetites for alcohol on Galiano!] Just let us know numbers.

With respect to car pooling, how many will be in your party? I think Clara would like to attend so that would only give us room for two more in our car. Anyway, let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dinner invitation: Friday, January 2, 5:30 pm, New Westminster

Hi All, Here is a dinner invitation. As you are heading back Kjell, early in January, and as you have to return to Salt Spring the next day Ellie, that leaves Friday, January 2 as an opportunity for a little conviviality, early in the new year.
 

Art: Leah Palmer Preiss

Ellie has suggested we have a leg of lamb. Would that be agreeable for all of you? Greek style roast potatoes and salad would seem a good match. This could also be paired with the robust flavour of retsina. :) Happy Holidays, bob

Hi Everyone, Jan. 2 works for us. We'd be happy to bring a Greek salad.
Have a great Christmas season. Advent greetings to all, Corinne  

Dear Convivalisti! Thanks for lovely dinner invitation, bob, (Are you in your e e cummings phase?), and as Cora Lee has already stated, we are more than delighted to attend. Menu sounds wonderful. Look forward to seeing everyone. Happy Christmas until then. Cheers, Patrizzio! Super! Thank you so much. Happy Holidays back, Kjell

Hi Trish and Dave! Trust all goes well. Clara and Dusty asked me to send along their Christmas Letter. I printed yours out for them. Ayn and our two grandsons, Pierre and Alexander, will be flying up from LA, to Bellingham, on December 20th, to spend Christmas with us. we'll pick them up there as it is but a short drive to Vancouver and much cheaper than flying in to YVR. Should be lots of fun over the week they will be here. Best wishes for a Happy Christmas to you and your family and a Healthy New Year too one and all. Fond regards, Corinne and Patrick!

Pics: Dusty's latest snowman for their suite door; Clara with friend/neighbour Sarge; Dusty and Ruth; Corinne with Rick, Ruth's husband, friends from Squamish; myself, applauding everyone singing Happy Birthday to me, this past Saturday!