Heraldo Donna Maria Blues: Monday, March 23rd!

The successful revolutionary is a statesman, the unsuccessful one a criminal. -Erich Fromm, psychoanalyst and author (23 Mar 1900-1980)

Sounds like you have a good group tonight, unfortunately I won't be able to make it, somethings come up.  Sarge:  John can't make it now. Are you in? Let me know. Cheers, Patrizzio! I am in if making six. W Hi Sarge! I think we will need you. I'll call Byron as he said he'd drive if raining. Will let you know as soon as I do. Probably around 5:45 pm to catch lift in parking lot. Cheers, Patrizzio! 10-4 Confirmed, Byron will collect us at 5:45 pm! Gentlemen For the record I have attached the 7 Rotation spreadsheet so that all have a copy if the situation arises. 2 over 1 Byron My plane is delayed so cannot make Bridge tonight sorry! MrT

Hi, Patrick: Great photo of you and Chloë - thanks! I am off on Mondays, so that's a possibility -- is there an upcoming Monday evening that would work for you?  Once we have a date, we can sort out details.  Hope we can manage it -- I can hardly begin to imagine how frenetic it must be, packing up and moving to Okanagan.   But exciting, too!

Leon's memorial event was quite powerful and moving.  Attended by an eclectic group of people, mainly from the homeless/vulnerable and faith communities.  Leon was well-known among the latter, as he frequently attended community meals at local churches.  There was a slide show, prayer, sharing of memories, refreshments.   Also, stacks of prints of photos of him.  I think they were provided mainly as a keepsake for his fellow travellers in the homeless community, but I took one of each too. Everyone who spoke (including me) acknowledged his warmth and generosity of spirit.  I do feel that his life was honoured, and also, that despite his destitution, he was rich in ways that matter greatly.   

There was another death just this weekend -- Karen's father-in-law, Vincent, who had been ailing for a long time.  He was 93, so he had good innings -- but I feel for Mario, who was an only child, and who does not handle these profoundly difficult but inevitable facts of life -- illness and death --  well.  I didn't know Vincent well, and he was a bit difficult to communicate with, both due to hearing loss and limited English.  But he was a dear, dear man, and there is no doubt that he loved his family and that they loved him.  Well, now we are waiting to hear details of his memorial service.  Mario's mother died in 2008, just a few months after Karen and Mario got married.  I recall her "send-off" very well -- a protracted event, with an evening open-casket service, another service the following day, interment at the ceremony, and a reception.  All in the company of Mario's very large extended family.  I guess we'll find out what's planned for Vincent.
 

Anyhow, Patrick, please let me know if there is an upcoming Monday evening that you and Corinne might be able to take a break from your moving flurry.  I have a guidebook to give you, by the way -- I ordered it through the library months and months ago, and it didn't arrive.  So I acquired it through Amazon instead.  And then it did turn up at the library.  I don't need two, so one is for you! Bye for now, Janet
 
Hi Janet! Hope you are well on the mend. From the sound of your last message, you probably are. Leon's service sounded fitting so pleased he wasn't forgotten. Condolences on the death of Vincent. From what you say, I gather the family is European, open-casket, etc.

[David Kessler For the many who have been receiving copies of my annual Thanksgiving graces year by year, here is a chance to truly wallow in them. Nancy tells me that they are interesting! Actually I must thank her for making this happen. Enjoy, those of you who are brave!!!

· 

Patrick James Dunn Congratulations! One with each loaf of bread or bag lunch?

David Kessler The cover photo is of a family quilt made by Nancy's grandmother; the photo (and the exciting author photo within the book!) were taken by Wendy Leyden, our neighbor!

Patrick James Dunn When does the book tour start? When will you be at the VWF?]

Thanks for suggesting Mondays. Since I have been playing bridge each Monday, I am wondering if we might be bale to do a lunch date? If so, the following dates are free: March 30th, April 6th, (Easter Monday so that might not work for you.), 20th and 27th. Let us know what you think when you have a moment. Let us know about possibility of lunch. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

 Hi Raymond! Great to bump into you, if only briefly! Don't think we've actually seen one another since before we left for California. At any rate, once back home I sent off a message to our friends in Berkeley mentioning game. I gather it was a pretty exciting match, down to the wire!

Received this message from one of the bridge group/rugby lovers, so thought you might be interested to hear what other fans thought:

Dear Ollie: Many thanks for all this News. Ireland are very worthy and to me heartily, warmly welcome 6N Champions again - with my decade long grand time in the magical emerald isle of saints, poets and great craic. What a final match it proved to be in Edinburgh for O'Connell's side! Great Guns Ollie in this special year!

Wales played like Champions too in Rome on Saturday! Setting the Grandest 6N Super Saturday scene in utterly extraordinary style.

The England 55-35 France match - which I was memorably and sumptuously privileged to actually attend via MikeO's very generous hospitality at Twickenham - in all the glory of resounding Sweet Chariots - was a game of two Herculean Greek Champions and everything every rugby afficianado of every "tribe" could embrace and rejoice in forever.

Bring on the All Blacks to HQ at Twickers Cauldron in the autumn RWC2015, Sprngboks, Wallabies, Pumas too! We in Europe are ready and shall rise further and can again prevail as in 2003 and raise the Webb-Ellis!

This was the Greatest 6N Ever!! An enduring joy for England supporters and all lovers of rugby everywhere.
 

All power graciously to Champions Ireland, and to the champion play by Wales, France, Scotland & Italy in this most venerable rugby tournament.

I am glowing still as I take the E1 bus with my OAP pass to Heathrow and on today back to Vancouver. All Best David 
Hope we can arrange a ride at some point. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Last night's feast! 

Pat, Very wise to have the house inspection. There are usually deficiencies that most homeowners wouldn't pick up where the experts can and in spite if the inspection fee, will save you money in the end.
 
I watched the UBC match for about half an hour but after a steady fare of international competition from overseas, found it quite boring and left.

I've managed to stream in BBC from the computer to TV screen and I was able to watch Scotland and Ireland live before going to the Carters' to watch the England/France game, both of which were very entertaining. The Carters have been great hosts for the last 6 weeks or so. Also watched a BBC documentary on the 6 Nations tournament last night through the Hola program which went back decades right up to Saturday's matches. Extremely well done.

I'm having a problem in the garden. As the pea and broad bean shoots have come up, they have been nibbled off by some creature - rats, mice, squirrels, racoons? Most annoying. Ray 

Mr McGregor: So sorry to hear about your nibbled shoots! At least it isn't deer otherwise you'd need pretty substantial fencing like Dusty has at Falcon. Even then they eat as much as they can through gaps in the mesh! right in front of you without so much as batting an eye.

 Had a lovely lunch today with close friends, Dawn and Gerry Martin, (Not sure if you met them at our Open House this past December.), from Terrace, who have a terrific apartment on 2nd, above Kits Pool with an almost 270º spectacular view. Must away as I have to prepare a few hors d'oeuvres to take to regular bridge game Sarge and I involved with most Monday evenings. Good luck with Peter Rabbit and all his many friends! Cheers, Il COnduttore/Patrizzio! Pics: View from balcony and terrific lunch.

Dear Donna Maria and Chef Extraordinaire Herardo! Wonderful to see you both and thanks ever so much for such a de-lovely luncheon. Thanks, as well, for the introduction to Serendipity. Delish wine indeed! Hello to rest of famiglia when you see them. 

[As you know, Lady Mary's instructions to me, regarding packing, involve reducing number of my books. For her part, she bought three more pieces of furniture from Aunt Leah's this past weekend! We stopped by store, yesterday, before coming to your place for lunch, to collect couch. Managed to bring in wicker bench, once home, and were still talking, civilly, so all is right on the domestic front, for moment at least!] Thanks again for such a pleasant afternoon. Fondestos from Cora Lee, glued to the Y&R, in her study! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Your view, your creation, your salad, yourselves! And the militant, card carrying, aggressive  Pyromaniac/Shopaholic! Note severely singed towel in upper left-hand corner of snap showing wicker couch. Crown's evidence in case brought by the owners of the Spanish Villa in Penticton when Mme Coriandre put one of the hand towels in microwave to use as a bean bag. This, in addition, to flaming bacon fiasco in Palm Desert. "I think I'll have another glass of wine and watch the flames roaring out the oven door!" We are actually moving to Penticton simply because there are two, much needed, fire hydrants close to our front door, with lake as back-up!

Patrick and Corinne We really enjoyed our visit with you. Thank you for coming. After you left we remembered we had bought delicious raspberries at Granville Island and ice cream for dessert. Sorry we forgot as it would have been a good ending to go with coffee and tea. Good photos Patrick. Cheers, Dawn

Hi Raspberry Hoarders! Sorry to have missed such a wonderful dessert but to tell you the truth, the Frittata and salad were so delicious and filling that I'm not sure I could have enjoyed a bite more, of anything! That being said, we'll be over as soon as Cora Lee can change out of her pajamas to have raspberries and cream for a late night snack! 

Perhaps even a few snorts, or more, of single malt from Herardo's extensive collection. Can hardly wait, now that I think upon it. Looking forward to sampling his expensive, rare hootch even more so than berries!

Had a very good evening at bridge this evening. Sarge and I came out on top. We had some decent cards, at times, but to tell the truth, we probably managed our win, in large part, based on our defensive play. Managed, for much of the evening, to keep our various opponents from making their bids. Final tally, after 36 hands, below.Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Big Mac/Rob	Patrick/Wayne	Byron/Clive
2,620	4,050	2,610

A jolly good time was had by all. Cheers, R. You’re getting dangerous Patricio! Sorry to miss the fun but my Boeing 777 had a burnt out valve carrying happy Irishmen back from Dublin celebrations. MrT

Hi Robert et al! Just a quick note to thank you for hosting last night, Robert. The dinner and dessert were most tasty so certainly appreciated both. Thanks, as well, Byron, for chauffeur service. Cheers, Patrizzio! My pleasure!! 😃 Robert
Thanks for the great evening. Why didn't Clive play that ace? Cheers Byron
Yeah, Robert would have still made two overtricks but it would have put us in second place!! Duh!! Thanks for the hosting and nosh Robert – and the opportunity to play with Sam! OK, there was a glitch. I was about to close the scoring spreadsheet and I noticed a number in a shaded area of the sheet. The wrong declarer was in the Dec column. The result is that you have to take 90 points off mine and Dave's score and added it to Patrick and Wayne's, thus putting Clive and Byron in second place. Arrrgh! Sorry Dave. Cheers, R. Justice has been done! Clive As usual you cannot trust the scorer. The sorer always wins but not this time Hurragh! 2  over 1 Byron

Greetings to the Island Inn! It's odd to think that we won't be able to give that greeting for too much longer. Are you sad to be leaving? I'm sure that there is a part of you both that will be and that you will both really miss living there. Certainly you will have loads of wonderful memories. I know we do.

[Hi Corinne, We’re excited to have you at the The Farmer and The Chef meal with Ana-Luz and Jillian on Saturday, March 28. You have registered for 2 dinner guest(s). Below are all the important details.

Meal Location It's a duplex with a street/sidewalk entrance.

If you can’t find the location, please call your hobby chef. Dinner starts @ 6 pm sharp. Dress code is casual, jeans are totally acceptable. If you want to bring a host gift (flowers or chocolates from Whole Foods Market or maybe a hug) that would be very sweet but is certainly not an expectation.]

And, now for the next chapter and the chance to make wonderful memories in the Okanagan. I've driven (drifted) by your new place  in Penticton several times now. It looks really great from the outside. Not much yard work for which I think you will be thankful and for which I envy you. I also envy you the incredible location -- within walking distance of almost everything. When is your actual move-in date? I'm sure that Dom Pedro can arrange to be out-of-town then! ;-)

We'd love to have a visit with Kathleen and Steve when they are in Canada this year. Jugos has to go to the Yukon sometime in June and possibly to Greece in either May or June. We also are trying to get in our trip to Chicago that we missed last year. (I think our airline tickets have to be used by the end of June.) 

However, I think if we had some specific dates that Kathleen and Steve would or could be in the Okanagan, we could most likely work in a visit with them … as we would very much like to do. Let us know as plans develop.

We saw Mr. Turner last week as part of the Penticton Art Gallery's Kitchen Stove Series. This is a wonderful opportunity to see award-winning movies that are not quite main stream. The gallery folks have an agreement with the TIFF people to bring eight movies of note each year to Penticton. It's a fabulous deal and one of the perks that comes from gallery membership, which is very reasonable. 

The gallery also sponsors a couple of other events each year that are very worthwhile--a fund-raiser auction and BBQ in the summer and a "Soup Bowls Project" in the early spring. At the latter one purchases a hand-made soup bowl from one of a variety of local potters and then fills it up with a variety of luscious soups made by local restauranteurs. It was at this event that Peter and I rekindled our friendship with Hal Whyte and Hazel Fry, whom I think you know, yes?  

We haven't seen Ida yet, but suspect that it will be part of this coming year's art gallery series. We also watched Foxcatcher on pay-per-view the other night and found it to be excellent and worthy of its many Academy Award nominations. I hadn't even heard of it before the nominations were announced, but it was very good. I think we've now seen all the major AA nominees (and winners) except for Still Alice and The Theory of Everything. I guess we have another couple of nights watching PPV. Tomorrow we may go to see Colin Firth in Kingsman.  Tuesday is "cheap" night at the Penticton multi-screen theatre and one of our favourite nights out. Popcorn for dinner--yum-m-m!!

I trust that all is in order for now vis-a-vis our Indja sojourn. Please have Cora Lee let me know if there is anything else that we have to do right now. 

Petey is playing bridge online in preparation for a more serious outing on Wednesday night. The fireplace is crackling away and warming up the house, which still quickly cools off as soon as the sun sets …. even though today was beautifully sunny and quite warm. JDP finished off the pruning in the vineyard and now has to figure out how to get rid of all the clippings. Ah, the life of a farmer, eh? Cheers for now, and much love to you both. Lynnie

 P.S. How is Chloe taking your move to Penticton? What about Clara and Dusty? And Michelle and Wayne? Cheers to all of them too.
   
Hi Lovely Lynne and On-Line Jugos! Thank you for the most welcoming missive, Lynne! Yes, it does seem a tad strange to have the clock ticking on our 16 year stint here at the Islay Inn. However, that being said, once the decision was made to move, condo sold and property acquired in Penticton, new adventure chapter opened in the book of our lives so I think, if I might presume to speak for both of us, that we are more excited about moving to the Okanagan than sad to leave The islay Inn and Vancouver.

 Of course, significant implications for friends and family, it goes without saying, Chloë, in particular, as you might expect. However, even she seems to have "adjusted/accepted", to a large degree, at least for now. I have a feeling that we may well see even more of Flamin' and Sarge, given Kamloops connection as well as their interest in recreational property in the OKV, whether Osoyoos or West Kelowna, or elsewhere, should they follow through with purchase plans. Of course, day to day contact will cease but that is inevitable as you yourselves experienced with the friends you left in Vancouver. If their health continues to allow travel, I'm quite sure that Rosita and Dusty will still spend time with us and certainly look forward to having them do so, as you can well imagine.
 

Programming at Penticton Art Gallery looks grand so thanks for the outline. Certainly plan to join. You must have celluloid eyes and butter fingers from all the films, of late, and popcorn munched! Tomorrow I'm off to see Lauf Junge lauf, (Run Boy Run), the true story of Israeli Holocaust Survivor, Yoran Freidman, based on Uri Orlev's best selling novel. Screening is put on by Vancouver Foreign Film Society, quite a small organization, but one which brings in fascinating works. Meeting Woman is otherwise engaged, as you might expect. However, I think, whether she will admit it or not, that she is very much looking forward to the anonymity which the move to Penticton will bring, at least as far as volunteer commitments!

Will try to sort of details and dates for visit from Kathleen and Stefano once we have a better idea of their travel plans, etc. Funnily enough, this arrived from Old Oak yesterday:

You usually don’t notice the male cat jumping on and off the bed during the night.  Sometimes you wake up for an instant as he alights and settles just where you were going to turn over.

Last night about two I heard him leave then come back into the room romping, jumping, scratching the carpet, nudging the closet door.  He’ll get over it I dozed, it’s not playtime yet.  It flashed to me that he was playing with something, but I denied it. 

In five minutes that seemed like an hour of listening I awoke properly.   Rightio, bugger you, I better check.  Living in rural Australia you have to ask what if he has a snake?

I dimmed the bedlamp and rose carefully so he, or worse whatever he had, wouldn’t startle and take refuge under the bed.  He just rolled there murmuring with his own sort of pleasure, nothing in his claws, but there was a dark object nearby, I put on my glasses and picked up a shoe in case I had to despatch something.

I don’t know what elemental thoughts cause us to worry about unknowns in our bedrooms, but you get good evidence that they are primordial when you watch the terminal shrugs of a bat nearly under your bed, in the middle of the night.

When I reply, I'll ask them to see if they can provide a more detailed itinerary so that we can try, as best we can, to arrange to spend as much time with them as possible. On Inja front, Cora Lee will be in touch shortly. Briefly, copies of passports received and domestic flights booked. Unfortunately, we won't spending quite as much time in Delhi as you two, given departure dates. Not really a big deal, overall, I suspect.

Pleased to learn that Granjero Pedro has been busy pruning. This was very much in evidence, in many of the vineyards I cycled passed, both when we were up last time as well as when in California. You might recall that we witnessed a controlled burn, near the Village, that managed to get out of control on that same trip to find Burns Street property. Perhaps he could stockpile clippings and I'll use them for kindling! Fondestos from a very frustrated Cora Lee, [glued to the Y&R, in her study, when not working on church-related presentations!], unable to print document she needs for tonight's meeting. Must away to try and "walk" her through the steps she refuses to follow! Cheers, Patrizzio, Dangereux Dunn, aka Firefighter Oskar Werner in Fahrenheit 451, the Bridge Player who spits on online gaming as well as raging infernos! 

Pics: View; lunch; Donna Maria and Heraldo; unsuspecting rubes with card carrying Pyromaniac! Note severely singed towel in upper left-hand corner of snap showing wicker couch. Crown's evidence in case brought by the owners of the Spanish Villa in Penticton when Mme Coriandre put one of the hand towels in microwave to use as a bean bag. This, in addition, to flaming bacon fiasco in Palm Desert. (California lawsuit pending!) "I think I'll have another glass of wine and watch the flames roaring out the oven door!" We are actually moving to Penticton simply because there are two, much needed, fire hydrants close to our front door, with lake as back-up!

Hi Lynne! I inadvertently sent this to Lynn Copeland! [Hello Pat! You have the wrong Lynn(e)! But this is my excuse to finally send congrats to you and Corinne for making such a dramatic life change. Saw the photos and it looks like fun, though getting back into the world of household maintenance might not be fun. We should get together for a farewell meal before you go. All best. And hi to Lynne and Peter too! Lynn] Two Lynn(e)s with one wrong click! Cheers, Dangerous Dough-Head Patrizzio!

Hi Lynn! Sorry about mistake but at least it lets you know more about our coming move. Bit the same as Jane bumping into Joan and Paul at YVR! Do plan to arrange a gathering, as you suggest, before we head off into The Hinterland! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Lynne, thanks for the great email. I'm looking forward to joining the art gallery and attending all the great events offered. At the moment it is hard to think of all the new things to explore. There is so much to do here to get to Penticton but I know it will all come together.

Have started packing ornaments and winter coats together to prevent breakage. Have also been taking things to the thrift store mainly for mom and dad who are clearing out their things often just bringing it over here. Chloe seems ok she is already talking about coming to Penticton for Thanksgiving. And will drive up with me on our moving day. Patrick has started packing books not his of course but mine. He is very unrealistic about what books we can move.  

“Seismograph”

Photo: Tilo Driessen

Anyway it will all work out, It will be great to get together with Steve and Kathleen. Look forward to the visitors we are expecting this summer and early Fall. Thanks for the welcoming email, more later from us. I think the front of our house needs a couple of trees. But that will come. Hugs for now, Corinne               No time for riding today as I packed four boxes of books, not all of which were Cora Lee's as accused, once back from luncheon and before heading out to play bridge. A small start but a start, at least. Onward!!! 

Chloe Alexis Dunn shared AUUC Strathcona Ukrainian Hall & Performing Arts Society's event. Patrick James Dunn!! Our heritage!! Patrick James Dunn Sounds like fun!

Hello Batman & Robin! Quite a nocturnal nightmare! Our own cats used to leave headless mice as presents, once or twice a live, terrified bird. In both these cases we were able to rescue the terrified creatures and return them to the patio to fly away.

With respect to your coming sojourn in Vancouver and environs, had this message, a day or so ago, from Lynne. (See above) Same holds true, for us, as I mentioned in last message. If you are able to suggest a few dates that are possible from your perspective then perhaps we can "back-and-forth" until we manage to find times convenient to all. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre  to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!