A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his
hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands
and his brain and his heart is an artist. -Louis Nizer, lawyer (6 Feb
1902-1994)
Greetings from Tinsel Town! Thank you again, for the more than wonderful stay, fantabulous meals and scrumptious lunches, not to mention the scintillating company and endless hootch! Must admit that leaving articles of clothing behind was a premeditated move inasmuch as we'll need to stay for a week on way north!
At any rate, it would be much appreciated if you could mail the jacket to Palm Desert. Ayn believes it will be far less expensive, within the US, from past experience sending "stuff" to Vancouver. Unfortunately, our clever hosts in Palm Desert have not yet seen fit to give us their address there, as of this writing, even though we have requested same a number of times. Ayn assumes they are more than worried that we might appear on their doorstep earlier than wanted, with our hands out, freeloading from the get-go!
I will dash off an urgent plea for Palm Desert house address as soon as I've sent this message and will be in touch, I trust, with holiday address shortly. The orange jacket, of whatever shade, should crumple into a fairly light package so not to worry about belt or shorts, should the latter indeed turn out to belong to me. Now that Casa Vicente no longer holds any Canadian hootch we need another excuse to stop by on future visits!
Had a very safe trip south. Traffic was reasonably heavy until after we past Livermore but once we actually turned south, semis thinned out and we sped along. Enjoyed your fabulous sandwich, (filling for Mme Coriandre, so thanks for that extra thoughtfulness), when we stopped for gas and a washroom break around 1:00 pm or thereabouts. Once we were about 60 miles from LA, near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, I made for Hwy 126, off I-5, to Filmore. I had taken this route a year or so ago when I was headed for Simi Valley. It is a gorgeous drive through endless orange groves and vegetable fields covering the valley floor and up the hillsides. Climb out of Filmore is spectacular but very upsetting for Lady Mary I as she hates the steep, nay precipitous, drops and hairpin curves!
One ends in Moorpark and after I made a couple of wrong turns we took a scenic tour of Moorpark College campus before finding our way back to Hwy 118 and Simi Valley. Took the Rocky Point exit to get on to Santa Susannah Pass Road, (one of my favourite bike routes), which leads into the San Fernando Valley at Topanga Canyon Road. Once here we next took Nordhoff through Northridge, eventually making our way to where Ayn lives on Woodman. Enjoyed the surface streets even though quite busy with local rush-hour traffic as I find the sights far more interesting than freeway afforded views.
Cora Lee went to let Ayn know we had arrived and I actually gained access to underground parkade before The Sisterhood came downstairs as another tenant had opened the gate for me. Once we had unloaded the car I had a quick shower and shortly thereafter Ayn fed us a lovely dinner, (delicious mixed salad and wonderful chili with quite a bit of heat!), washed down with a 2013 Coffaro Sauvignon Blanc, 14.4% and a 2011 Soda Rock Primitivo, 16.2%. We visited until about 10:00 pm when we repaired upstairs to Ayn's bedroom, (Unlike some of our Northern California hosts, she gave us her bed while she slept on the couch!), to watch a recorded episode of The Blacklist we'd missed at home before we left. Ultra comfy bed so we slept like babes.
Hi All Just wanted to let you know this sad sad news. Poor dear Pamela struggled for so long. I loved her dearly and wish that her health and life could have been so different. Some things can be so so cruel. Jo-Anne
Greetings to all, I hope this message travels to all who would wish to know of Pamela's passing. I apologize for the delay; I sent the previous message to immediate family and friends I had available in my directory, and am just now searching Pamela's contacts in hopes of reaching those she would want to be informed. Please pass along news to any and all contacts I may have missed with my apologies.
Pamela had suffered with her complicated physical condition for so many years, that I think she did not see the end coming as clearly as others observed. Her keen mind was intact to the end, and I think she saw the weakening lungs as just another bump in the road, and was willing to fight on. But, the end of the road did, indeed, arrive and at the end there was the peace and serenity she desperately hoped for.
We are working on plans for a small gathering in the "party room" of Mom's building in a couple weeks, and will soon have memory sites available for sharing.
Mom is attempting to stoically move through the motions of helping me manage everything one must do after a loved one's death, but, the void is huge, and she vacillates between grief and joy with each new memory. I hope each of you is comforted by your unique memories...please feel free to share them with us, as it is truly uplifting. Love, Karen
Hello, dear ones, Pamela is no longer suffering in her earthly body. She succumbed to respiratory failure at about 1:30 AM this morning (Friday, Feb. 6th) after a valiant battle. She died at home with Mom and I present, along with wonderful friend and care giver, and, her cat, Blackie, on her bed. Her amazing GP also joined us to lend his support.
We will contemplate plans and contact all when we know more of what our immediate future holds. We have been so blessed to have the tremendous support of so many throughout her journey, and would welcome and appreciate any suggestions for appropriate tributes for this amazingly strong lady. With love and sadness, Karen
Hello I am currently away with a broken ankle complicated by a fractured femur. My return to work is indefinite. I will be able to check email but sporadically. Thanks Jo-Anne Naslund Education Library
Seems like there’s quite a delay in declaring last night’s scores....I wonder why that is, Byron? Good pie and scotch! Thanks! C Dear Byron Many thanks for another absolutely brilliant evening - great Bridge and excellent pies. All Best
David
Mr Stewart is probably still in a daze from this morning’s duplicate where, under my guidance, we were able to achieve first overall (scoresheet attached). A triumph for common sense over one bidding. Light blue touch paper and stand clear. Cheers, Roger Sobriety can bring about amazing results! Well done Roger and Byron. I'm looking forward to your guidance in Palm Desert Roger. Peter
Who says I was sober? Ask Roger how we bid to 6NT I will tell you Byron 20 pts opens 1 heart - unbalanced hand Roger with 11 pts and 6 cd suit replies 2 S (jump shift = 17 - 19 pts indicated) I think he thought he was bidding a weak 2 opener. Byron calls 4NT - RKC. Roger looks a bit agitated at this point. Roger replies 5 spades - indicates 2 or 5 key cards plus queen of spades. (he has one key card being the king spades and queen of spades) Having established all 5 key cards Byron replies 5 NT asking for kings Roger replies 5 Clubs - no kings - in fact he has 2 - and from his 5 spades bid Byron had to assume that he had to have the K of spades - never mind that the 5S bid was somewhat flawed Byron bids 6 NT and makes. Top Board Who was sober and who was not??? 2 over 1 Cheers Byron
PS And the scores from Wed night were: Byron MrT 6,570, Clive/Roger 6,630 After a disasterous start Byron and Mr T fought back to lead by 20 pts before Roger and Clive pipped them and then refused a final hand even though it was only 10:30 pm. 2 over 1
There is a modicum of truth in Mr. Stewart’s comments on that particular hand, but he ignores the bigger picture. A gutsy double, by yours truly, of the opponents 3 clubs with only one point in my hand laid the cornerstone of our success. This, and several bids that threw our opponents off their game was the true reason for our triumph. Cheers to all. Roger Hilarious. Did anyone call for the Director? Well done Byron/Roger but can underdogs England beat Wales today - unconventionally?
Hola Corinne and Pat, Your trip sounds like it is off to a great start!! How was your ride over the Golden Gate Pat? I would be nervous!! You are missing a week if rain. Huge amounts in the last few days! I am on my way to George's for the long weekend.
Just had a scare. The bus broke down and I thought I might not make it to Tswassen but luckily another came by to get us. Three articulated buses are en route to the terminal. Rainy but not cold luckily. Have a lovely trip. The place you are staying in looks gorgeous!! Hope you get loads of sunshine!! Happy trails!! Jane
We are back, did you stop by?...........Dave thanks patrick .brings back many happy memories.please say hi to nancy and david and of course corrine;an other pineapple monsoon has arrived. off to vanc.int.film centre to night;take care matt
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