Papal Bull Blues: Thursday, March 26th!

When two opposite points of view are expressed with equal intensity, the truth does not necessarily lie exactly halfway between them. It is possible for one side to be simply wrong. -Richard Dawkins, biologist and author (b. 26 Mar 1941)

 

Detail of the leaden seal, referred to as the “bull”; it features images of St. Paul and St. Peter. Credit: Don Erhardt

Where does the time go?? With the days getting longer and sunnier it seems are days are getting shorter in terms of trying to accomplish everything one sets out to do! I hope you are both keeping well. I suspect you are up to your ears getting organised for the move in May. It was great that you managed to find a place to your liking in Penticton so quickly. I am sure you will find the move from the busyness of a large city a refreshing change.
 

[Granny and Tris at Marwell Zoo Southampton]
 I have been tackling a large list of things that need to be done before summer arrives. The garden needed a lot of attention after the winter since weeds and brambles never stopped growing because of the mild weather we had. It is now looking pretty good so hopefully we can now keep on top of it. I finally installed the wrought iron gate to the garden and have been busy sanding down and repainting the sun loungers (hoping for a sunny and warm summer!). I need to install some new fencing over the next couple of weeks and re paint the porch so lots to be getting on with! Gayle spent a week in Southampton looking after Tris since he came down with chicken pox but he had a very mild case so it meant he and granny could still get out and about and it didn't seem to quell his energy!
 

[My new gate] Marnie, Tris and the dog will be here for a week after Easter so that she can continue writing her Thesis. It seems to work quite well for here since she doesn't have to worry about being interrupted and can put her head down for several hours a day while we entertain the little one. I have to say though that by the time they leave we are pretty exhausted! I don't know how some gran parents can babysit their grandchildren on a daily basis. Apart from chores, the odd restaurant visit and catching up with people life is pretty much the same here. We have been dragged in to help at the National Trust Trellisick Estate over Easter with the children's Easter egg hunt!

[Spring has arrived in Cornwall] It's a beautiful day today so we plan on doing a walk at Mylor to the Pandora Inn. We should reach Pandora around lunch time so will probably stop for a pint and nibble! Meeting the gang at the Duchy Hotel in Falmouth on Sunday for lunch. Brian has not been too well of late because of persistent chest infections which aggregates his emphysema. However, the doctors changed his medication so he seems to be doing much better and can now take short walks.
Gayle has just finished the ironing so I think we will be away on our walk! Cant make the bed since Spuddy, as usual, managed to commandeer it! We think he has some arthritis since he has been doing a lot of limping. Certainly nothing in his paw to explain the limp so will need a trip to the vet. Probably the sign of old age.
 

[St Petroc's Cross. Took this when we walked over the dunes to the lost church, Perranporth. (6th century church ruin that was buried by the sand and presently being uncovered and protected. One of the oldest Christian churches in the Country)] Take care and I trust all your preparations will go smoothly. I guess Chloe must have mixed feelings about your move although it really is only a five hour drive from Vancouver I should think. Gayle sends her regards to all Derek

Hello Easter Egg Hunt Volunteer People! Lovely to hear from you. You sound even busier than we are and we are the ones supposed to be getting ready to move! Sorry to hear about Brian's chest infections/emphysema. Can barely imagine having to struggle for each breath. After my tumble in Palm Desert I experienced temporary shortness of breath, at times, for a number of weeks, given my bruised ribs. As well, hope vet can help Spudnik's limp. Today I had a luncheon date, the Annual UBC Retired Librarians Lunch, so it was lovely to visit with former colleagues, (One couple, Jocelyn, [Library School classmate of Corinne's], and Jim, will be holidaying in Naramata in July. This makes the second set of friends who will be there that month, not counting two groups of overseas visitors, so list is growing rather quickly!), and listen to an update, by present University Librarian, Ingrid Parent, on current happenings in the organization.

An added treat was a talk by Dr Richard Pollard, of the History Department, a specialist in early medieval European history, in particular intellectual and literary history. He talked about a Papal bull recently acquired by the Library. "The medieval document, written in 1245, is likely the oldest of its kind in Canada. This extraordinary Papal document, nearly 800 years old, is a legal decree issued in Latin by Pope Innocent IV to the Italian convent of San Michele in Trento. It features the signatures of the Pope and 13 cardinals (including future pope Nicholas III). While there are other Papal bulls elsewhere in Canada, most are from the 15th century or later."

Simply fascinating to hear about the social and political events of the time and the reasons, (As ever, power struggles between church and state!), surrounding the issuance of the bull, acquired for approximately $15,000, (A "steal" according to Dr Pollard and seller later realized it had been undervalued!), last May from Bernard Quaritch Ltd., an antiquarian book and manuscript seller in London, England. Bull had been brought from the vault in Special Collections and was on display, in  locked, glass case, so everyone had an opportunity to take a close look at it. Photographs were allowed so I took a number.

After event was over, dropped off a fellow attendee, (Linda Joe, former Head of the Asian Library), near Cambie and Broadway, and then returned home. Suited up, almost immediately as I wanted to take advantage of the sunny afternoon. Really only had time for a relatively short ride so dipsy-doodled and gerbalized my way around Olympic Village and Science World, three loops, as far as Granville Bridge, until I had the distance necessary to log 51 km by the time I was back. On one of my last loops who should I see, walking along the Seawall, with Matt and dog, but Krissy! She recognized me in my helmet tattered gear and we waved hello before I sped off! I gather, from Chloë, that Mark is quit enjoying life on the road. Hope it works out for them. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/729928229#.VRSw0MDKHN4.email

 

Mme was buying supplies at Costco when I returned and once she was back I helped stow groceries. She took off, shortly thereafter, to attend a Les Miz Sing-a-Long at Heartwood. I've been to others and while a certain amount of fun I just felt like a quiet evening at home. [Mme Coriandre just walked in the door and apparently the evening was a wonderful success. The keyboardist, Karen Lee Morlang, had invited a number of her friends who sing professionally and they did five or six numbers on their own, much to the delight of the audience.] Must away as we are in for another session of The Killing. Have to finish last season as we have scads of other Netflix series and movies we want to watch! Putting off the inevitable as we really should be doing more packing!

Fondestos from Mme Coriandre  to you both.  Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Papal bull; Anne Pitternick, retired Library School Professor, with Jim, Jocelyn's husband.Hi Derek! Just a short note. I forgot to mention that snaps you attached did not display. Not sure what the problem seems to be as this has happened before. Cheers, Patrizzio! (Gayle and Tris at the zoo; The new gate; Spring has arrived in Cornwall; Ganny's birthday cake!)

sounds like an interesting movie. are you sure that is mac & cheese .looked like a hearty quiche. take care matt Hi Mac & Cheese Doubter! Snap was of Monday's Frittata, not Rosie-the-Riveter's Mac & Cheese. Envy will not fill your tummy! Fondestos from Mme Coriandre to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello you feuding movers, Beautiful wicker bench – it looks very Penticton summertime. Cheers, Peter

Hi Favourite Naramatians!Just to set the record straight, JDP, we are not, and categorically so, "feuding movers" but rather "dueling domestic blissoids", a markedly different category of Pre-Move Traumatic Stress Syndrome sufferers!  That being said, I removed myself from the "fire-fight zone" yesterday to avoid any potential IED happenings! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Anne, Jim and I, taken by Linda.

Hi Patrick Thanks heaps for your email. And yes I would be happy to take your contribution to Pat's fundraiser. Will call later today so we can tee up something. Take care Jo-Anne
 

Hi Jo-Anne! Thanks for agreeing to take our contribution to Pat's fundraiser. Much appreciated. Will work out details over next little while. Wouldn't you know it, Chloë posted another fundraiser, this coming Sunday, but we are unable to attend as we had already organized a bridge evening with other friends who have played numerous times with Clara and Dusty. One of last such gatherings before we scatter, if not to the four corners of the world, at least to Penticton and Winnipeg! At least we will be able to send along a contribution with her as she plans to go. Will chat, anon, about where and when to get contribution into your hands. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both.  Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
Hi, Patrick: It looks as though Easter Monday is established as The Day, which is progress! Training session is 1 p.m., so I think later on will be the best plan.  As there is no bridge, would you like to come over early (3:30?), do the India-seminar thing, then stay for dinner?   I'm thinking that we would wind things up on the early side, in view of my work obligations the next day, and your undoubtedly almost endless "to-do" list in anticipation of the big move.
 

 I am off shortly to get a steroid shot in my compromised foot as part of my preparations for the Camino next month.   When I've had these shots before, they were extremely painful!  There is something in the injectable that reacts with blood chemistry in an uncomfortable way.  Fortunately, it only lasts a few minutes, and I'm hoping that it will be a real case of "gain for pain." Bye for now hope your day is goes well J 

Hi Steroid Woman! Trust your compromised foot is feeling better. Perhaps you will experience a miraculous, full recovery, after completing the Camino, on your knees! Timing for India seminar seems just fine. Thanks. Will be in touch, beforehand, of course, but for now, assume date is set. Will chat, anon, about Inja. Fondestos from Cora Lee.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Bicycle Accessory Woman! Lovely to see you and chat, if only briefly. Simply loved the seat flask! What a great "back-up chute" if my camel pack springs a leak! Must away as I want to go for a longer ride while weather holds. Again, I live in hope that we will ride together at some point. Will chat, anon, I trust. Cheers, Patrizzio!