No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If
we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people
for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love
of power. -P.J. O'Rourke, writer (b. 1947)
Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax. -Arthur Schopenhauer,
philosopher (1788-1860)
Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.
-James Baldwin, writer (1924-1987)
Alan Waldron
While Colleen studies I have found something to keep me busy....look out patricio!
Patrick James Dunn
Hi Big Molly! I spit on Goren just so you know. Cheers, 7 No Trump Patrizzio!
Had a wonderful day at
Circle Craft's 41st Annual Christmas Market, at CC, Friday morning
and early afternoon. We parked at the CC, ($23!), so it was easier for
Clara and Dusty, in terms of not having to walk any great distance. Once
we'd bought our tickets I asked at the Info Booth if Paul Yard was
around. He is the Executive Director of the Market. We first came to
know him, back in the late '70's as he and Diane, his wife, and two
children, lived across the back lane from us on 12th and McKenzie. We
became good friends and saw much of each other until they moved to
Burnaby and we saw less and less of each other, unfortunately, as these
things often go. Since Circle Craft has a permanent store on GI we have
seen Paul from time to time, over the intervening years.
 |
| Seniors playing "Hide the Kubasa!" |
At any
rate, his assistant called Paul, (He is extremely busy as you can well
imagine.), and he came to see us. He was delighted to do so especially
since Rosita and Dusty were along as we had often all played bridge together when Durstons were in town. Had a lovely catch-up and then he
was off to put out more fires and we started to comb the exhibits, more
than 300 artisans, many local, of course, but also from coast to coast.
We soon split up, (Everyone had different interests and viewing
speeds!), agreeing to meet at the Bistro for lunch. I had a more than
delightful time chatting with numerous vendors. Here are but a few:
Jeanie Andronyk, from
Shaunavon, SK, a "Budding Artist", (Category for those new to show), who
does contemporary sci-fi jewellery. We both laughed about her being a
Franco-Ukrainian while I'm an Iro-Uke! Didn't get her name but the young
woman at The Hive Printing, (Their workplace is off Kent, near Main, so
I've been riding by it for some time!), told me about the "Square
reader", a fairly new, at least to me, device, one can plug into one's
smart phone to enable it to read a credit card. Seems like an ideal
service for small businesses as one only pays 2.75% of purchase price
per swipe. There is no monthly fee in addition to per transaction fee as
with most other credit card readers. Funnily enough, Cora Lee picked up
two free square readers at a small booth, near the Bistro, handing them
out. Was very taken with their tea towels and other other like products
which have extremely interesting logos, pictures, blueprints and maps
of different local neighbourhoods, many having to do with Vancouver's
history.
Yoshi Yamamoto, at English
Bay Gallery, had a particularly striking photograph, taken from Grouse
Mountain, which showed downtown Vancouver but, for me, perhaps, more
strikingly, YVR and beyond. Had never seen this particular perspective
before and I was very taken with it. Print was only $1,400 so I took
ten! Keith Kerrigan, a Haida artist, from Prince George, had some very,
very attractive painted bowls which were most arresting. Again, only
$400-$600 apiece so I took many for stocking stuffers! Had a wonderful
chat with James Steidle of Steidle Woodworking Co about mortise and
tenon/dovetail joints. His woodcraft is astonishingly attractive so I
trust he will make a very good go of it.
Finally, came across Pekar
Studios and was especially delighted by their leather-work, in
particular a couple of bike bottle holders made for wine! Could have gone on
forever but since I had to meet The Gang at the Bistro I had to break
off conversations and wend my way to lunch.
In fact, the Ukrainian
food supplied by the Bistro was very, very good and each of us enjoyed a
delicious, tasty lunch. (I told the owner that my Mom would have
greatly approved of the fare and was probably smiling down from Heaven
as we ate!) By chance, Diane, Paul's wife, was there with
Paul, who was himself there, refuelling, but as she was meeting another
friend for lunch later, she sat with us and visited while we ate. It was
wonderful to hear about what she and her family had been up to since we
last saw each other. Now that we have reconnected we certainly hope
that we can again see much more of each other.
Cora Lee had her regular
shift at the Bookmark so we dropped her off at VPL and then proceeded to
Costco as we had much we needed to purchase. After doing shopping there
I took Durstons home and we unloaded everything. Shortly thereafter I
headed out to Young Brothers for fruit and vegetables and as soon as I
was back I dropped off groceries headed downtown again to collect Cora
Lee. Picked her up on Hamilton and Robson and then we hightailed it
home. Joanne, friend and neighbour, was coming for dinner at 7:00 pm so we had a fair bit to do
before she arrived. Enjoyed a wonderful meal with her, (pork
tenderloin, boiled spuds, broccoli, and saladin. Dessert consisted of
cheese with some truly tasty grapes Rosita generously supplied. Since
The Goils were off to Bellingham at 6:00 am the next morn, (JT was
flying to Palm Springs), we said goodnight at shortly before 10:00 pm
and were abed and asleep not long thereafter.
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