Final Counter-Offer I-10 Blues: Wednesday, February 18th!

If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. -Toni Morrison, novelist, editor, professor, Nobel laureate (b. 18 Feb 1931)

 
Hi Patrick, Happy you are still able to report after accident on bike! And thank you for Garmin links, so I could locate you guys.

We are proceeding with travel plans. I have just had contact with a travel Agency here and got som advice and ideas. I have to make another family meeting about the priorities for at trip only 3 weeks long. So far the all over plan looks like 7 days on east coast visiting NY and Washington DC from July 21st . Flying to SF or Las Vegas around july 28. Making round trips in California and flying up to Vancouver and return to Denmark from Vancouver app. Aug 9th Las Vegas came into the picture as to visit Grand Canyon.
 

These are only preliminary plans. If you do have further ideas or info you are welcome to suggest .. it will all be helpful. I put the whole family cc. on this. A big hug from Margareta

Methinks you should learn about castor oil packs.... I used them to great effect when I was thrown off the horse... I use them frequently to mend all sorts of body parts. Be well! Be safe! (After all, the BC Interior will be much nicer than the rehab hospital...) Deborah          Hi Castor Oil Woman! Thanks for your kind advice! Internal or external? Ice-pack seems to be working so I might wait to see how long recovery takes before changing packs. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Thank you for the Valentine's Card, very thoughtful! I have been meaning to write you about my trip! I am nearing the end, but it has been very interesting. 

I just walked across an incredibly busy, 4 lane street, but there is actually no lanes and it is chaos, but no traffic tie ups due to accidents, I risked my life to cross this crazy street/highway to drink a lousy $10 glass of Indian white wine at the 5* Taj Badura Hotel. I am at a lovely 2* across the street, but they do not serve wine which is the case for many hotels and restaurants. Back to the traffic, the rickshaws, taxis, buses, cars and trucks all drive wherever there is an opening, I must say you do get used to it but it is nerve wracking trying to cross a street. - see pics below.

I have travelled with Maggie in Kerala and Goa. I left Maggie last Sunday to spend 2 days in Mumbai and 2 days in Hyderabad. I head home tomorrow.
I have had delicious Indian food, terrible Indian wine, good Kingfisher beer and lovely accommodations.

We stayed on lovely beaches, in an ashram and I stayed with a friend (I knew her in Saudi when she was 10 yrs old- her mom is my friend and she is Dinao's friend) in Mumbai. I am at the 2* hotel in Hyderabad but I am sight seeing with friends from AUC. Their apt. was too small to accommodate me.

Well that's it for now - I have to learn to write one letter and not individual emails. But you are special so I had to respond to the My Valentine's card- did you actually send it? Say hi to Corrine! Traffic in Hyderabad


Logomaniacs, recovery room with a pool: [From Giggster. Another example of a daily posting!] P, let us know how you are recovering. Looks like you have a suitable place to heal. I had a nice ride down the island lasterday and was thinking about you as I more cautiously descended the many hills. Glad you got to Joshua Tree. I always enjoyed that park -- did many a hike there with the chilluns. 

Safe travels. Fond regards to C and the crew, W Amira and I north island in the canoe and sunset 

From Giggster. Another example of a daily posting! 

Hi Dave, Here’s the signed docs. Ayn

Hi Ayn, et al! Thanks, once again, for being our Office-on-the-Road, Ayn! Certainly much appreciated.

Back home without any trouble to find Winston wagging his tail furiously, once we were inside. Your Mom took him for a walk almost right away and I stayed here as I wanted to make myself a mug of Armenian mustache java! Going down rather nicely with dollops of Speculoos Cookie Butter as I scribe!
 

With respect to crock-pot, it was off when we arrived so we've put it on high and will monitor it carefully, especially after Carbon-Deficient Coriandre almost burnt down house in Palm Desert broiling bacon!

I'll put your oil-tarp down in your spot, far enough back so that I can load my bike tomorrow morning without you having to move your car until we are ready to leave. I assume we will be up reasonably early, for drive to Redding, and you will probably be taking JR for his morning constitutional around same time. At any rate, we can refine details this evening.
 

Will talk anon. Wags from Winstonian. Great baby gate, maximum security/solitary confinement cell , (Apparently Winston has already lodged a complaint with both the ACLU, Jack Russell Terrier Chapter, and Amnesty International, as reported on Twitter, Snapchat and Anderson Cooper 360!), and fierce pirate tag, by the way! Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

Pics: Bacon fiasco, last Thursday; Adiós Casa Sombra Lago! Hallmark Temp Secretary; David Brown at Reception; comatose JR; The Cage; The Wall; The Pirate! 

Hi there you two, Could either of you call me asap when you get this email I have a new development in the sale of your place. Cheers Dave
 

Hi Dave! We don't have access to a phone. Ayn doesn't have a land-line! Can you let us know via email. She will be home around 7:00 pm and we could call then. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Ayn Thank you for your help with this. What’s funny is that I just did a Hallmark movie at the end of last year. The aurora teagarden mysteries….worlds collide. I attached the new offer for your parents to sign. Thank you again for the help. Cheers, Dave

Here’s the signed offer! Thanks Dave!!

Hello Freeloader-less People! Once again, many, many sincere and heartfelt thanks for your unstinting, ever generous hospitality, patience, kindness, forbearance, (I suffer from Logomania in case you didn't know!), and wonderful friendship!  

Marilyn-Pink

[MAISON AI and Revolver Gallery Beverly Hills are bringing an exhibition of over 80 original prints and paintings by Andy Warhol to Vancouver. WARHOL – A Different Idea of Love will be shown at 1280 Homer St. (a Yaletown warehouse) from March 1st to March 30th from 11am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday.] 

Easy trip to LA. [FYI we stopped at an ARCO just over I-10, (past Costco, dontcha' know!), before hitting freeway, and if one uses cash or debit card it is almost twenty cents cheaper per gallon than in PD, in case you are passing by, at some point.] Traffic moved very well all the way to LA with the exception of a small stretch part just just before one leaves I-10 for for I-210, near Redlands, where there was an accident so traffic backed up a bit. From what I could see, a vehicle travelling west must have smacked into the left rear of the car that was right off the freeway, up a fairly steep embankment, almost completely covered in fine red dust. Hence the name, for the area, I suppose.  

Again, traffic moved quickly all the way to Studio City and we were at Hallmark at just past 2:00 pm. Bit of excitement as we entered parkade as there was no attendant at kiosk so once I'd taken ticket form dispenser I wasn't quite sure where to park as visitor spots directly in front were full. I guess I didn't go far enough into parkade as next thing I knew it entry gate came down on end of my bike rack and part of gate fell off! Heard a shout about the same time and attendant came running out from somewhere. Fortunately, no damage done to either my bike or rack. Think gate is designed to fall off upon impact of any sort and even has a rubber pad on underside so I imagine this has happened before.  

At any rate, Ayn met us in Lobby and we signed papers there as she is right in the middle of a busy meeting schedule. Back home without any further trouble to find Winston wagging his tail furiously, once we were inside. Cora Lee took him for a walk almost right away and I stayed in apartment as I wanted to make myself a mug of Armenian mustache java! Going down rather nicely with dollops of Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream as I scribe!

Ayn had dinner organized, pasta sauce with meat, in a crock-pot, but she must have turned it off when she was home earlier to walk Winston. We put it on high and will monitor it carefully, especially after Carbon-Deficient Coriandre almost burnt down house in Palm Desert broiling bacon last Thursday! Was just about to go downstairs to bring my Trek up to lock onto railing on balcony, [Will leave all the rest of luggage in car overnight as underground parkade is as secure as one might wish, unless thieves are really determined, for one reason or another.], when we had a message from Dave, our agent. We now have another offer, $1,000 over asking price, so we have to drive back to Hallmark and go through same routine! Cross your fingers for us that this is the start of a bidding war as Dave will let first couple know about this recent development.

Must away. Wags from Winstonian and his dog-walker friend. Snaps show great baby gate, maximum security/solitary confinement cell , (Apparently Winston has already lodged a complaint with both the ACLU, Jack Russell Terrier Chapter, and Amnesty International, as reported on Twitter, Snapchat and Anderson Cooper 360! Quite early yesterday morning he was clambering over a sideboard, knocking two tall, glass ornaments to the carpet, fortunately not breaking either, and kitchen counter. Living room couch backs against it and he used that as a stepping stone to gain access and then managed to break a lovely cake stand Ayn used for fresh fruit, etc. Since then he has been confined to barracks, under house arrest, so to speak, whenever he is left alone.), and fierce pirate tag! Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Pics: Bleedin' Bacon fiasco, last Thursday; Adiós Casa Sombra Lago! Hallmark Temp Secretary; David Brown at Reception; comatose JR; The Cage; The Wall; The Pirate!

Greetings from Hyderabad Hi Thank you for the Valentine's Card, very thoughtful! I have been meaning to write you about my trip! I am nearing the end, but it has been very interesting. I just walked across an incredibly busy, 4 lane street, but there is actually no lanes and it is chaos, but no traffic tie ups due to accidents, I risked my life to cross this crazy street/highway to drink a lousy $10 glass of Indian white wine at the 5* Taj Badura Hotel. I am at a lovely 2* across the street, but they do not serve wine which is the case for many hotels and restaurants. Back to the traffic, the rickshaws, taxis, buses, cars and trucks all drive wherever there is an opening, I must say you do get used to it but it is nerve wracking trying to cross a street. - see pics below.
 

[Tricounty Tractor That s a big lobster Kenny. Caught off the coast of Yarmouth NS.

Patrick James Dunn When does the horror flick come out? Attack of the Killer Lobsters on Netflix! Guess you would need a 50 gallon drum and 25 lbs of butter for the boil and feast. Where do you buy the crackers to deal with those claws? Cheers from Tinsel Town!]

 

I have travelled with Maggie in Kerala and Goa. I left Maggie last Sunday to spend 2 days in Mumbai and 2 days in Hyderabad. I head home tomorrow.
I have had delicious Indian food, terrible Indian wine, good Kingfisher beer and lovely accommodations. We stayed on lovely beaches, in an ashram and I stayed with a friend (I knew her in Saudi when she was 10 yrs old- her mom is my friend and she is Dinao's friend) in Mumbai. I am at the 2* hotel in Hyderabad but I am sight seeing with friends from AUC. Their apt. was too small to accommodate me.  

Microscopic bdelloid rotifers who reproduce exclusively by parthenogenesis

Photo: Danelle Vivier

(Reproduction without fertilization) 

Well that's it for now - I have to learn to write one letter and not individual emails. But you are special so I had to respond to the My Valentine's card- did you actually send it?  Say hi to Corrine! Traffic in Hyderabad

Hi Jet-Setter and Lousy Indian White Wine Drinker!
Trust all goes well with you and The Great Ronaldo and your busy lives.  Fondestos from Cora Lee, (watching The Young and the Restless!), to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio

Hello Snow-Bound People!

Trust all goes well with you two. Any thaw in sight?  

Pat, The housing market is evidently very strong at the moment in Vancouver, probably due to the low Canadian dollar. A house a couple of blocks down from here is on for 4 million plus Doesn't do much for us as Sylvia and I are very happy at this address. Hope you receive a good SP for your apartment. Managed some exercise and gardening today. I have broad beans in and most of the garden is dug over and composted.
 

The article from the Irish coach is a typical 'building-up' of the opposition in advance. It should be a very good game a week on Sunday with both teams quite evenly matched I think. Jim Brownlee is off to Spain this weekend. Like you, he needs some sunshine, and time away from the UK in winter. Hope you have recovered from your fall. Ray 

Hi Constant Gardener! Trust all goes well with you and Sylvia and your busy tutoring schedule, Raymondo.  Best Wishes from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick and Corinne, Wow, congrats on the new offer. That's great news.
We're just home from a Naramatian dinner party in La Quinta. 11 people total, all from The Naramata. Lots of good gossip. Safe travels, Hugs all round, Peter

 
HI Patrick, Happy you are still able to report after accident on bike! And thank you for Garmin links, so I could locate you guys.

We are proceeding with travel plans. I have just had contact with a travel Agency here and got som advice and ideas. I have to make another family meeting about the priorities for at trip only 3 weeks long.
 
So far the all over plan looks like 7 days on east coast visiting NY and WAshington DC from july 21st . Flying to SF or Las Vegas around july 28. Making round trips in California and flying up to Vancouver and return to Denmark from Vancouver app. aug 9th . Las Vegas came into the picture as to visit Grand Canyon.

These are only preliminary plans. If you ohave further ideas or info you are welcome to suggest .. it will all be helpful. I put the whole family cc. on this.
A big hug from Margareta 

Thanks Pat You are wonderful to remember us Mary and Terry

Hi Patricio, I am so sorry to hear about your wipe out on the bike but glad that you are relatively unscathed! I guess when you put on the miles that you do sooner or later something is bound to happen. Otherwise it looks like you're having a great time down there. I certainly would love to be Basking in such luxurious surroundings myself! it sounds like you're having lots of fun and gourmet meals as usual and I wouldn't be in any rush to get back although having said that the weather here has been absolutely amazing up to 16 degrees while the rest of the country wallows in severe winter conditions the daffodils are coming up already and it is simply glorious.

I do look forward to you guys getting back so we can get together and go for a little jaunt. Enjoy the rest of your time, be safe and we will talk to you soon.
Take care!! Fondestos to you and the rest of the desertonians. Cheers, Al 

Patrick, You are probably on the road still - hopefully your trip is going smoothly and your ribs don’t hurt too much. We are very sad that you are actually going to move from Vancouver. Sounds like your home will sell without too much trouble and you will be off to Penticton. Next time we are down we want to hear the details of course. So many changes.

We are home and wading through a month’s mail, messages etc. I have been working at my desk most of the day. Despite the huge snowfall here the roads are bare and the only evidence of snow is the piles of it in empty lots etc. I gather it has rained and rained and rained since the snow. Drive safely. Dawn 

Thanks for the card.  I hear your weather is wonderful, our sucks as we are under a large amount of snow that just doesn't stop, ug! Anne Hello Snow-Bound People! Trust all goes well with you two. Any thaw in sight? Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hi Patrick Thanks for your email, it made very interesting reading and is possibly the longest email I have ever received ! I don't know how you do it. You obviously have a great gift for writing and one of these days I'm sure I will see a novel penned by you.
 
Sorry to hear about your accident and I trust that you are fully recovered.
The weather here is fantastic, waste of money going to Palm desert to get some sun! I played golf the last two days in glorious sunshine , cool to start but shirtsleeve temperatures most of the round. Today I am letting my knees recover, but will have to mow the lawn later. I bumped into Ted at the golf course and he seems to be enjoying retirement. We both agreed that we do not want you and Corinne to abandon your friends in vancouver and we both expressed amazement at your bold decision. When do you get back to Vancouver? Cheers Mick

PS thanks for the birthday e-card, my birthday party was a lot of fun and I'm sorry that you and Corinne missed it. Hobbsy dressed as a vicar did the famous sermon from beyond the fringe, for old times sake. Brenda played her ukulele and Deb sang a calypso , which of course mocked me, to the tune of "don't worry be happy". 

Hello Golfers, Rugby Enthusiasts and Such! Thanks for your kind words, Mick, about not wanting us to "abandon" our friends in Vancouver but look at our possible departure from the perspective of not losing a bridge/dinner forum but rather as gaining a holiday home in wine country! Glad to hear that weather in Vancouver has improved. We've become quite enamoured of the "guaranteed" sunshine of late, so not really looking forward to undergo re-integration to rain just yet. I gathered, from Polly, that your birthday party was more than a hoot. Would certainly have loved to have seen Sir Andrew as Vicar. Music and song sounded chortle-worthy as well.

Must away to prepare salad for dinner as well as open wine: 2012 Soda Rock, (winery is located in the Alexander Valley), Gewürztraminer, (fruit from Dry Creek Valley), 14.1%, and a 2008 Noceto, (Amador County, Shenandoah Valley, northeast of Plymouth), Mistura, 14.1%, a red blend from Amador fruit. Best Wishes and Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, busy online, scoping properties in the Okanagan! Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: This rugby 'bit" is from one of the lads in bridge group, most are Brits, that I have played with a number of times. Trust it has some meaning for the cognoscenti!

Les Kiss has warned that George Ford’s “scary relationship” with Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson could derail Ireland’s efforts to retain Six Nations title. Defence specialist Kiss has admitted that Ireland’s coaches were shocked by England’s new-found attacking fluency when preparing for the pivotal Six Nations game in Dublin on 1 March. Ireland and England are the only remaining unbeaten sides, but Kiss denied that the winners at the Aviva Stadium will cruise to the title – and spoke of his concern about England’s bullish back row and the cameo threat of fly-half Danny Cipriani. “Our preparation starts with the analysis and that’s been pretty scary with what they can do,” said Kiss. “If you look at that scary relationship in midfield with George Ford, and he has a relationship already with Watson and Joseph, those types of combinations seem to be coming through for them nicely. “I think also their back row has been brilliant, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola are big threats and Chris Robshaw is excellent. The momentum that they give them is critical for them and they can take the ball deep and still make yards.” The Bath fly-half Ford will win just his ninth cap if he faces Ireland in Dublin, but the 21-year-old looks increasingly composed. Joseph is already being likened to Jeremy Guscott, while Watson’s trickery has added guile out wide, completing a threatening Bath trio. Sale fly-half Cipriani climbed off the bench to score a try in his first Twickenham Test appearance in seven years in Saturday’s 47-17 victory over Italy, while the Wasps flanker Haskell is another rejuvenated England star. Kiss believes Joe Schmidt’s side face a tall order to contain Stuart Lancaster’s increasingly-confident team in a match that could define this year’s Six Nations.

Hi Don't Worry Be Happy Mick! Trust all goes well with you and Polly and your busy lives. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio