Bye Bye Island/Islay Inn Blues: Tuesday, February 24th!

When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen. -Samuel Lover, songwriter, composer, novelist, and artist (24 Feb 1797-1868) 

The 27-Letter Alphabet
From the book The Dixie Primer, for the Little Folks, 1863

Photo: UNC Chapel Hill

per se:

MEANING:

adverb: In or by itself; intrinsically.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin per se, translation of Greek kath auto. Earliest documented use: 1505. Perse is something different.

NOTES:

Today’s term makes an appearance in the word ampersand which is a corruption of “and per se and”. What does it mean? Earlier the & symbol was considered the 27th letter of the alphabet. Yes, they used to say “A to ampersand” instead of “A to Z”. It’d be awkward to recite the alphabet as “... X Y Z &” (and what?), so schoolchildren reciting the alphabet would end it with “& per se and”, meaning the symbol &, by itself, is the word “and”.
Where did the symbol & come from? It’s a corruption of “et”, the Latin word for “and”. That explains why sometimes “etc.” is written as “&c”. 

Hi Sun Worshippers! Last transfer came through so thanks. According to my records, $117.51, remains, given my calculations. Obviously, I'm not fussed but check my figures and let me know what you think. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, now going on about house-boats! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Casa Vicentians! (You, other than The Goils, are first to know! Read On O Ye of Little Attention Span!) Trust you are well. I do apologize for not dashing off a note sooner. Glad you liked the unattainable  chocs, Lady Mary II. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, now going on about house-boats! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Bye Bye Winston; Shasta snapped by Cora Lee just before Redding; Jack's; pool-no-more at Americana Lodge; faded glory; others in photo-journalista's Shasta series; hootch stop; Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Blues with Marilyn and Michaelo; penitent; first crocus!

Wow, can't believe you are actually going to move out....and that we've had our last stay on Granville. Well, best of luck in finding a place in the wine country. I hope you are healing up from your crash. Best to Mme. C. And Chloe. Wow. Cactus

hi patrick,welcome back.sounds like you had a nice road trip.congrats on selling the house.hope to meet up soon;matt
 
Hi Glasgow! Thanks for the best wishes. Be great to go for a ride in next little while if your schedule allows. Trust you are well. Let me know when you might wish to ride. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Gil, our condo sold yesterday and we could like to see more places in Penticton and Summerland next week. Would Friday March 6 and 7 work for you. I will send a list of course. Cheers Corinne

Sure I'll go Hi Goils! Tickets in hand! Managed a 5% discount for Tweeting event! We will take Aquabus and walk to VanCity. Do you want to meet us there or park here and come along. We should leave about 6:15 pm from The Islay Inn. Let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! 

Dearest Peggster! Trust you are well. I do apologize for not being in touch sooner. It was with great dismay that we learned of Wayne's serious accident and the resulting, very, very nasty injuries, by the sound of it. Flamin' was hosting an Oscar party this year and it was there that we learned of the snowmobile crash. Please pass along our best wishes to Mr Fixit and tell him we are pulling for him. You as well, of course, as I'm sure you are beside yourself with worry and concern. Seems as if the Two Waynes have had their share of life-threatening situations of late. Only pray that Mr Fixit makes as full and as speedy a recovery as did Sarge.

Completed the condo sale last night! Once we know where we will be will let you know and perhaps you two can come to the Okanagan to let Mr Fixit recuperate! Play bridge and drink wine. How does that sound? Fondestos from Mme Coriandre to you both. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Friday night in Portland, with Marilyn and Michaelo, after being away, mostly in California, for three weeks; Ash "Wednesday" Sunday penitent; first crocus outside The Islay Inn!

Hi Patrick It is good to hear from you.  Thanks for your concern about Wayne.  He is doing very well and is a great patient.  We were surprised to hear about your move.  Michele and Wayne will certainly miss you and Corinne, I'm sure.  Take care and keep us updated on your move.   Love Peggy

 
Well hello , Patrick. Thank you so much for the greetings and the get well card. No doubt it's been a rough ride the past few days. Now it's down to a wait and heal. It will be a couple of weeks before I have another assessment done. The surgeon put a full cast on it yesterday (pink of course) and wants to hold everything in place and allow the swelling to go down. My daughter, Heather, put together the following synopsis for the fam after my visit yesterday. It covers pretty much all scenarios: 

Doctor would have admitted Dad if he didn't feel he could manage it at home. Dad felt he could so he is just settled in at home. Chose to try crutches instead of the walker. Not going to let this disable him. Doctor put a fibre glass cast on today and is seeing him in two weeks to replace cast with a brace. The ligaments on the exterior of the leg are not damaged so no acute surgery needed. In most injuries like Dad's those ligaments are damaged so this is rare. After 6 weeks in the brace he will reassess to see whether surgery is even needed!!! However he did say that as far as this type of injury goes it is pretty severe. Therefore, it is likely he will need surgery. He also said he is not one to sugar coat so he said upfront his knee will never be the same.

And you're moving out of the Islay Inn. I'm shocked to hear the news. What prompted the move to the okanogan? Will you be holding on to the studio next door? Well it's a done deal now. Hopefully we will get out for a visit before too long. Nice to hear from you and hugs to the missus. Cheers,
Wayne

Hi Pink Cast Man and Nurse Hot Lips! Very pleased to learn you are doing so well except I really would have expected Mr Fixit to have put on his own cast! At any rate, all the best over the course of the recovery weeks.

Nothing is set in stone yet, as far as moving to the Okanagan is concerned, although we are certainly leaning towards Penticton! Ruling out Osoyoos as prime reason for move is to escape Sutherland Freeloaders and they are interested in recreational property there!

No, we will not be renewing lease on The Annexe. Rosie-the-Riveter and Coat-Hanger are planning to sell their place in Falcon Lake and move into a smaller, rental unit in Winnipeg. They are both 90 now and upkeep at lake, space, etc., is more than they wish to deal with at this stage of their otherwise healthy lives. We trust that they will continue to come west to escape prairie winters even though climate in the Okanagan, if we do relocate there, won't be as mild as on the coast.

In earlier message, I didn't want to compare my own puny aches and pains to your serious trauma but now that you are back home, stomping around the kitchen on crutches, I thought I'd share the rather nasty fall I had when in Palm Desert.

I guess we'd better try to arrange a get-together soon, otherwise it might have to take place in Okanagan wine country! Fondestos from Cora Lee! Cheers, Patrizzio "Casts are We"!

Pics: Catastrophic failure; Joe and Heather, in Palm Springs, over for dinner where we were staying with Lynne and Peter; Cactus Man at Joshua Tree National Park; Ayn, in LA, with her rescue Jack Russell, Winston; with Chloë at a fund-raiser. 

Hello Calamity and Giggster! Trust all goes well with you two and your busy lives. Non-readers are welcome to meet at The Islay Inn this coming Sunday. One of last few gatherings possible here, given sale. Let me know when you plan to hit town and if you might wish/have time to ride. Perhaps dinner here, on Saturday evening, if interested/available. Let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Patrizzia and The Grumpoid!! Trust all goes well with you two and your busy lives. Really enjoyed your Skillet Diaries, Dave! Didn't realize how serious burns and fall were. Makes my tumble seem like a walk in the park! Even though my ribs were very, very tender, I certainly never experienced the prolonged pain and discomfort you had to deal with Dave. No wonder you are so grumpy but perhaps you always have been, back pain and scars notwithstanding! Thanks for positive thoughts on condo sale/relocation, Patrizzia.

Cora Lee dropped me off at West Point today and no charges for any of the work that was deemed necessary so pleased about that. [Attached is the information you've requested from West Point Cycles - West 10th Ave.
Good afternoon Patrick, Your bike is complete and ready for pick up. Carried out safety inspection after accident. Checked frame and fork for damage. Only cosmetic scratching found. Removed existing fenders. Checked rear shifting concerns. Found derailleur gummed up and not keeping tension on chain. Removed rear derailleur and soaked in solvent tank. Cleaned and lubed derailleur. Aligned hanger. Reinstalled derailleur and adjusted shifting. Test ridden. Performing well. Thanks Allan Service Team at West Point Cycle

Hi Allan! Thanks for all your effort and hard work. Much appreciated! Cheers, Patrizzio!]


Went for the first ride, of any consequence, since my accident, afterwards, and was more than pleased at how I felt. I dipsy-doodled my way through and around campus and really enjoyed being back-in-the-saddle again. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/705446216#.VO1hy1u72gU.email
 

Mme Coriandre, sends along her fond regards! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi O Susannah and Champagne! Trust you two are both well. Better play bridge here soon. Now or Never! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Oh No! It really is happening. What are we going to do when you leave the Lower Mainland? What am I going to do with all the Bridge prizes? For sure, let’s play bridge here and your place. Set the dates in March or April, if you’re not travelling somewhere. Charlie