Stanchion Man Marilyn Blues: Thursday, April 30th!

Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you. -Annie Dillard, author (b. 30 Apr 1945) 

A teacher who is attempting to teach, without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn, is hammering on a cold iron. -Horace Mann, educational reformer (4 May 1796-1859)

Herewith the Parisian oracle - soon to be joined by the recently anointed Junior Master Nendick who no doubt will concur The answer to your "Chez slam" conundrum is not 42. That will be 5 Euros each - sent post haste. Pauper in Paris 2 over 1 The oracle What a relief for us all to know this - & just in time for the May Day Parades. An infinite opportunity minus 42 - from the ever wise Oracle. Robert will be especially delighted. 2/1 Forever! Blessings to Anne - and to the success of Miliband in England regaining our 12thC French territories in a Labour Revolution. Coda awaits your pleasure on the Bridge Deck. David

Dear Pip, (C)oracle of Cappelletti et al: As Harry used to sing, "It was clear as mud but it covered the ground/The Confusion made me head go round!" I can only assume that your square bread, slathered in Marmite, recently purchased at Epicerie Anglaise, has turned you into a blockhead, a grasping one at that! (Perhaps you should stick to snails and garlic.) Your scandalous €5 prophesy is not worth a fig, let alone a centime! That being said, I trust all goes well in the City of Lights. Fond regards to Anne. Must away as packing calls. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Corinne Durston‎ Randall Nadeau Happy Birthday from your Vancouver family, Much love Corinne & Patrick James Dunn

Hi Kids: Here is a shot of one the four chairs. See you later this evening. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hola Patricio, It sounds that under the stern direction of Cruella Coriandre you are going to have a well-organized move. You will be quite welcome to bring us more valuables. We did quite well with the first batch at the Big Naramata Yard Sale last weekend. Unfortunately I won’t be here on the 14th. I’m travelling to Cuba May 8 to 16 – a long time for a relatively simple site visit. Anyway, I’ll organize a space for you in one of the garages and Lynnie will be here to supervise. She will also welcome your company for the night or as long as you want to stay. You will be forced to drink the newly bottled 2014 Two Petes Riesling, which might shorten your desire to stay longer!

I’m busy building new raised garden beds this week, in between golf and consulting engineering. Gail Nixon and I had a good result, 3rd last Wednesday night at duplicate, and will try again tomorrow. Cheers, happy packing and have a good bridge night on the 1st. Peter

Dear Dom Duplicado and Lonely Lynne! Congratulations on your latest bridge results! As well, so pleased to learn that your booth at the Big Naramata Yard Sale was such a financial success! At this rate we won't have to move anything so thanks for showing such entrepreneurial initiative!

Have chatted with Ruthless and Ricardo and they will go up to Little Shushwap, late on Thursday, May 14th, so that will work out nicely for us to spend the night with Lynne, if that still works. (Disappointed that you will not be there, DD. Guess there really isn't room in any valley for the two of us as you seem to be avoiding me if last two visits are any indication!), Cora Lee is more than eager to see about starting another oven fire so hopes that Lynne will have purchased some extra fatty bacon!
 

I assume, all going well, that we will leave city between 9:00 am-10:00 pm to put us at your place around 3:00 pm. If we have any room in the car, I'd like to stop at Orofino en route but will see on the day. We have a few errands, (City Hall and cell phone related), we could do if Lynne is away at hot yoga or an extended luncheon! Otherwise we could discharge them on Friday. Let us know what works best and we'll plan accordingly.

Must away as we are about to go next door to The Annexe to finish moving the large pieces of furniture, (Murphy bed, TV, cedar chest, etc.,), over here. Lease expires today. 

Not quite sure where we will put everything but we are not called The Islay Inn Storage and Moving Company for nothing! Will require Sarge's help for the freezer and bed but Mme Coriandre and I can manage most of rest. Must away as Cora Lee is wailing The Packing Tape Blues! Fondestos from Cruella, (Love the name, Dom Pedro!), with broken nails and raw fingers, moaning, mumbling and grizzling, as I scribe, to you both. Cheers, Choc-a-Block Patrizzio! 

Invitazzione: Dearest Friends and Family! The Management and Staff of the Islay Inn would like to invite you to a Farewell Bash, Saturday, May 23rd, from 5:00 pm until the neighbours call the cops! Both a Pot-Luck and a BYOB gathering, we hope, finally, to turn the tables on all the Freeloaders we have come to know and love over these past wonderful 16 years! No tears allowed but plenty of laughs, (and hootch), expected! Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio!  

Of course we'll be there, especially since there will be Guinness! Charlie & Susan  you re a riot T&M  Love to come, esp. after the invite! Artists in our midst is that weekend so I'm not sure how late I'll stay. Address? [Hi Lynn! Have attached directions. Bring an artist and stay tell the riot squad arrives! See you next week. Looking forward to it. Cheers, Patrizzio!]  David and I will be there! Grazie!

Hi Pat, Thanks for the invitation, but we have to send our regret as we will be out of the country from the first week of May returning to the first week of June. Finally the family accepted the fact that one day they may have to travel to the old continent to see the old man's village and the mad roofed peasant architectured place of abode. Reem is open to any idea except fears snakes or any disease. 

Selam is excited at the possibility of riding a camel- go figure, I have never thought of that. Will keep you posted when we return. [Hi Eyob! How wonderful to be taking the family back to your village! What an incredible opportunity. We both wish you safe travels and please keep in touch once back. You are always welcome anytime you happen to be in Penticton. Cheers, Patrizzio!]

Thanks, Pat. Sylvia will be in England but I'll try and make it. Ray Sorry but I will be in Merry Olde Englande visiting Jenny. i will be thinking of you as you embark on the next phase in your life. Happy move! Maybe see you this summer on our way through to Kimberley. love Sylvia 

Hi Pat and Corinne, Thank you!! We'd love to come. Sad that you are going (but we'll try not to cry) but glad to participate in a your send-off party. Thanks, Sara and Dermot Hi Sara and Dermot! Glad you'll be able to attend the Farewell All the best from Cruella, flexing her packing whip whip as I scribe! Cheers, Patrizzio!

I'll be there to wish you well on your latest journey. Al Soroka 

we won’t even be able to parachute in to the Grand Final Party as we will be flying home from New York that night.oh whow is me. have a great evening/wee hour bash. matt Hi Patrick, Unfortunately, we are engaged that weekend. Hopefully, we meet in other future occasions. Warm wishes Moe Hi Moe! Sorry we won't see you before we move to Penticton but look forward to hosting the Book Club there! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Guys and Gals, Tragically we will be a no show due to insurmountable distances and a distinct lack of cubic dollars to over come these issues. However we hope you have great time and enjoy your new location for the holiday inn. Cheers from Greg and Claire from down town St Malo in Brittany  

Hello Downtown St Malo! Sorry we won't see you before we move to Penticton but look forward to you visiting, staying and cycling with us there! Trust all goes well with you and jet-setter lives! Cora Lee and Chloë send along fond regards to you both. 

Interesting that your last missive was sent from St Malo. I have just finished reading Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See, the incredible story of a blind French teenager and a young German soldier. The central setting is your walled port city of St-Malo! Simply could not put the book down and stayed up until the wee smalls, a couple of nights running, until I was finished. A must read as far as I'm concerned! Otherwise, fairly busy packing hereEnjoy Europe and travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio
 

Hi, Patrick! Thank you for the invitation!! I sincerely wish that I could come to Island Inn... It's unbelievable that you are moving from there...Hope to visit you this year or next. Thank you always for lovely card and sorry it takes longer to reply. Please hello to Corinne and Chloe! My mom says hello to all of you!! Love always, Toshiko 

Hi Toshi! Sorry we won't see you before we move to Penticton but look forward to you visiting and staying with us there! Trust all goes well with you and your mother. Cora Lee and Chloë send along fond regards to you both. Fairly busy packing here Much love to you and your wonderful Mother, Toshi! Cheers, Patrizzo!
 

Yes to celebrating, till the cops come. bob  Hi Guys: Wish we could be there, will be thinking of you on the day, hope all goes well with you both. Luv Kev and Bev xx Thanks Pat for the kind invite.. Alas, I will be in beautiful downtown Montreal on May 23 to 31. Good luck again wuth the move and hugs and best wishes to you all...Regrets, but hope it all goes swell! Deborah Greetings!
Thanks for the invite.....however, must decline. If we lived closer, like a few provinces closer, we'd love to come. Best Wishes with your party and best wishes as you settle into your new abode. Roma & Leonard Patrick and Corinne, It is with a great deal of sadness that we won't be able to come to your farewell event. We know it will be lots of fun and are devestated to miss it. Cheers, Dawn and Gerry 

First, Happy Birthday. I could have said Happy First Birthday but figured someone had kicked that ball to you. Would love to join you that day but I'll probably be in Adelaide. Never mind we'll see y'all in June. Love and best wishes. S

I wish so much I could be there! Will threaten to show up at your new place instead. Coming over to BC on June 30. Staying for three months. / All the best to you and Corinne // Kjell  Hi Patrizio & Mme Coriandre, Merci infiniment for the invite on the 23rd. Unfortunately, we will be house hunting on the island while we house sit for my girlfriend in Parksville. Bonne chance with the move! By the way, why did you choose Pentiction, besides the fact that it is wine country, lol! Fondly, Maggie & Frank Hi Maggie! Disappointed that you and Frank won't be able to attend the Farewell Bash! Understand, of course, and Buona Fortuna with house hunting! Cheers, Patrizzio!

You didn't say why you chose Penticton. Who are two gorgeous young women in the middle of the 4th photo? Hi again, Maggie! The move to the Okanagan is simply next adventure in our lives. Nothing complicated just a desire to see more of our wonderful globe! Aside from that our condo is on leased land. We had paid-up until 2040 but closer to that date the more difficult place becomes to sell. Have been in Vancouver for over 40 years so that alone means time for a change. Penticton is still a relatively small place, weather and proximity to fab wine producing regions don't hurt either. Babes are Colleen, Al's wife, and Patrizzia, neighbour in building. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks so much for the lovely invite! We look forward to seeing you at that time. Can only imagine all that you have to do. Cheers for now, Jo-Anne and Colin Hi Jo-Anne and Colin! Glad you'll be able to attend the Farewell Bash!  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patrizzio and Cora Lee. Wonderful to receive your e card and invitation. Sounds absolutely great. If we can get a standby, otherwise you will be very much in our thoughts.Sad to leave after all these years, but it will be a new adventure for you.I shall phone over weekend. So much news to relate. Sorry not been in touch for a while. Sir James and Lady Patrizzia.  Hi Sir James and Lady Patrizzia!

Disappointed that you won't be able to attend the Farewell Bash! Understand, of course, Standby is always so unpredictable! All the best from Cruella, flexing her whip as I scribe, to you both! Look forward to your call. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Almost-ex Islay Inn-ers--Despite any contraindications you might have inferred from Dom Pedro's continuing absences in your appearances chez nous in Naramata, I'm looking forward to having your fine company on May 14th. The guest room will even have had a cleaning after an overnight stay from the Corses this coming Sunday! I will be out in the a.m. at my spin class followed by a quick appointment at 11:30. If all goes as usual for a Thursday morning, I'll be home noon-ish and ready for your arrival mid-afternoon and subsequent revelries. Cheers for now, Lynnie XOXO 

Thanks Lynnie, I'm glad at least one of the Naramations are happy to see us. Look forward to visiting you on the 14th, Hugs Corinne 

Hi Patrick and Corinne, We send our regrets that we won't be at the final hurrah for the Island Inn. We're going to save ourselves for the Okanagan welcome party. I'm sure the demise of the Island Inn will be a great blowout and a turning point in the lives of so many who have enjoyed your hospitality over the years. Have a great party. Peter and Lynne Hi Loyal Lynne and Absentee Landlord! Disappointed that you won't be able to attend the Farewell Bash! Understand, of course, but look forward to your more than delightful company, Lynne, even though your jet-setting husband will be globe-trotting. Thanks for providing your schedule for May 7th, Lynne, and please pass along best wishes to Famiglia Corse. Look forward to catching up. Cheers, Patrizzio!

oh, would be so much fun to go, but unfortunately ONLY because of my sisters celebration of her 50th Birthdag that particular day, we are not able to attend ;-) Dear Corinne and Patrick I wish you all the best for your new life chapter in Okanagan (well you owe me an explanation for leaving Vancouver , though!) and we are looking very much forward to seeing you in August. We have just celebrated (church) confirmation, which is a very big event for the kids here. I held a party last weekend and the church ceremony was yesterday. I'll send some photos Take care and don't stress yourself too much in the moving processs Much Love, Margareta

Hi Dottore! Disappointed that you three won't be able to attend the Farewell Bash! Understand completely, of course. One trip to Canada is expensive enough, let alone two! Happy 50th to your sister! Which one? 

Congratulations on church confirmation ceremony. Look forward to pictures when you have a moment. The move to the Okanagan is simply next adventure stage in our lives. Nothing complicated just a desire to see more of our wonderful globe! All the best from Cora Lee to you three! Look forward to your visit when I can "explain", face à face. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick and Corinne, Well the time has come to say goodbye to all things Vancouver and hello Penticton!! I suppose our air tickets are in the mailJ We need lots of photos of your new place! BTW Trevor has difficulty accessing your blog, have you changed log in details? Love Tina

Hi TNT! Trust all goes well with you folk. Grand that you will be able to join us for the Farewell Bash. Couriered the tickets a week ago so they should have arrived by now! Don't worry about any comestibles, (potables will be fine!), as we would simply be delighted with your presence after your long trip!Can never really figure out what happens to address for my blog but as far as I can tell, it should be available here: http://isalyinnroadtripblues.blogspot.ca/      Cruella sends along her best wishes to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Had a wonderful evening last night with close friends, Big Al and Colleen, as well as Flamin' and Sarge. Big Al will drive the 26' U Haul when we move. Clara and Dusty had four kitchen chairs which they took for their cabin in Sunshine Valley, (In September we may well pop in there, with Penny and Madcap, on drive to Vancouver as it is just off highway, near Hope.), and when Big Al and I were loading them into his truck, before dinner, happened to bump into neighbour, Greg, coming home from work. Invited him in for a drink and he and his wife, Patrizzia, from Chile, ended up joining us for dinner.

Cora Lee did fabulous chicken on bbq, cooked both sides then wrapped in Prosciutto and topped with Mozzarella, to be broiled after, until cheese melted. Gluten-free gnocchi and fresh asparagus with a lovely spring green salad, topped with pecans fried in butter and Feta, drizzled with a raspberry vinaigrette. Fresh raspberries for dessert with a spectacular 2013 Frambosie, 16%, from Elephant Isle Orchard Wines, (A great fruit winery in Naramata which we can visit, if P/M are interested, along with many others, of course!), to round things off. Plenty of other hootch as well. 

One red, in particular, was much appreciated by one and all, a 2009 Warrabilla, Limited Release, Parola's Durif, weighing in at a whopping 18.0%! From Rutherglen, one of our favourite wine regions in Australia. Last visited in 2012 with Flamin' and Sarge. Flamin' was beside herself as she managed to identify wine. I'd "socked" it before everyone arrived to see if they could guess varietal. Anyway, loads of fun. 

After we bade all our guests goodnight I finished cleaning up and putting away the few overlefts remaining. Not many, I can tell you! Cora Lee was fast asleep by the time I was ready for bed myself and as it was just past 1:00 am, I was too, too sleepy, after brushing and flossing, to read so turned out the light and joined her in Dreamsville! 

 

Randy Bennett Blues: Wednesday, April 29th!

A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking. -Jerry Seinfeld, comedian (b. 29 Apr 1954)

Longtime Canadian swim coach Randy Bennett, who helped Victoria's Ryan Cochrane reach the podium at the last two Summer Olympics, has died. Swimming Canada says he passed away Monday night at the age of 51. Bennett was recently diagnosed with metastatic malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.


The Victoria native served as national team coach at the London Olympics and has coached Canada's top senior teams at every major international competition since 2009. He has been with the High Performance Centre-Victoria since 2008 and worked with Cochrane, 2013 world championship medallist Hilary Caldwell and 2012 Olympian Alec Page. Over the years, Bennett had also worked with Marianne Limpert, Rick Say, Julia Wilkinson and Mike Mintenko.

Black Widow Winery Spring Wine Club Shipment: We are happy to offer our Club members first choice of our 9 fantastic new wines being released May 1st! Many of these wines are produced in small lots and are available winery direct only. Our own winemaker's selection for the Spring 2015 shipment is as follows: 2014 Pinot Gris, 2 bottles @ $21 each; 2014 Gewurztraminer, 1 bottle @ $22; 2014 Schonburger, 1 bottle @ $25; 2014 Oasis, 2 bottles @ $22 each; 2014 Muscat, 1 bottle @ $25; 2014 Syrah Rose, 1 bottle @ $23;2013 Phobia, 2 bottles @ $27 each; 2013 Red Back, 1 bottle @ $32;2013 Pinot Noir, 1 bottle @ $30

Dear Black Widow Winery! I must apologize for not contacting you sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons! The long and short of it is that my wife and I are moving to Penticton on May 29th and we have been swamped getting ready to leave. Since we will be living but 20 minutes away, if Spring shipment has not yet been sent, please hold it and we will collect case ourselves. We will be coming up to Naramata on May 14th/15th so perhaps we could pop by the winery if you will be open. Otherwise our friends there could pick up case when someone is in Tasting Room.

Hi Patrick – no worries, hope the move goes smoothly. We will adjust your order and send a revised confirmation. We won’t likely have the orders ready until around May 15th in any event, and can certainly hold it here for pickup. All the best! Dick

Hi Dick! Thanks very much for quick reply and good wishes for move. Given what you mentioned, we'll probably drop by the winery in early June, once we've had a chance to unpack our wine glasses. Will need a few bottles of your wonderful wine to de-compress, I'm sure. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Some of the possessions ready to go!

Here is another ride Pat!! Fyi!!! Jane Hi Calamity, Pile Drivin' Man and Broom(Mor)hilda! Quite funny to receive your note about ride, (Thanks but I'm already planning a longish outing to Iona to see if I can see Needle-Toothed Morita from the end of the outflow pier, chewing on a Killer Whale!), as I was just thinking about sending along a message. See below but quite a long preamble so pour yourself a large glass of wine or tumbler of malt and proceed to the end, in one sitting! Given that you have followed my earlier instructions to the very letter of the law, you are now entitled to refill your glass and tipple away to your heart's content. 

Mme Coriandre just returned from lunch with Sandra Singh, City Librarian, a small thank-you for all her Friends of VPL work, and a Costco run. Big AL and Colleen are coming for dinner tomorrow eve, along with Flamin' and Sarge, so we needed some baloney and white bread for dinner! She now wants to watch her very favourite fluff, The Young-and-the-Rest-of-Us, so she commands I leave for either a ride or the gym. She doesn't even want me to pack so you can tell how badly addicted she has become! Fondestos from The Soap Fiend to you three. Cheers, Banished but not Broken, Patrizzio!

Pics: While waiting for Aquabus, what should I spy but this svelte rum-runner, trailing oodles of dope smoke, making for the open seas! Snaps taken on stroll to closed gallery and back to pond!

Stats for ellipticizer: 3.5 milos over 70 minuten to burn 1,157 calorifics and climb 15,067 verticales!


Dear Friends, Hot News!!

An update on the Conservatory of Music Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour May 9^th & 10th Remember tickets for the garden tour can be purchased on line for the ten homes Children Free.  Adults $5.00 for a ‘Single Drop In’ garden if you are only attending one garden Your ticket can purchased at our gate 2551 MacDonald Dr.

As you enter our mystical garden through massive wrought iron gates here your world will begin to change.  Stroll Gardens are pleasure gardens that date back centuries

You will be at first overwhelmed with the profusion of color as Rhododendrons and Azaleas will  be ablaze with bright red, pinks & whites symbolizing their fragile and ephemeral beauty and chosen for their esthetic appeal. When you first step onto large stepping stones you must begin to walk slowly and with purpose in order to observe the beauty around you of carefully composed landscapes mixed with different elements.  Stone, Pebbles, River Rocks representing serpentine Rivers are used everywhere as Stones are a symbol of the forces of nature that anchor the garden to the ground.

As you continue to stroll along the large stepping stones that lead to the side of our home you will descent down a long smooth stone path and to the right you will observe Red Bamboo fencing that is a frame work for bamboo and large irregular stones that flow down the side of the path symbolizing a Mountain with cascading pea gravel creatively placed symbolizing Water. Here you must begin to use your imagination the primary element of Japanese Stroll gardens are designed to symbolize something larger in nature, a compilation of metaphors.

Stepping stones lead you to the entrance of our Enchanted Forest and beauty is all around you with magnificent Red Japanese Maples –‘ Acer Palmatum Inabe Shidare’ in full bloom that frames each picture.  

A canopy of magnificent trees sheltering shade plants are mesmerizing as you begin to walk along a maze of pea gravel paths edged with soft velvet green moss The paths wind their way through beautiful picturesque garden beds of rocks, flowering Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Japanese Boxwood, Hosta, Ferns, Sedge & Heavenly Bamboo are just a few, all creatively placed to create an ideal nature. Carefully shaped Boxwoods are metaphors symbolizing Hills & Azaleas symbolizing Clouds, the garden is designed to stimulate all our sensory qualities like three dimensional paintings and the eye is to wonder and explore.  Each plant, each Japanese Maple each rock is specifically chosen for its aesthetic appeal to create an elegant picture..

There our rock gardens everywhere you look and in order to comprehend the beauty of a Japanese Garden one must understand the beauty of stones shaped by nature until you can feel, or keenly feel that stones have character, have tones and value until then the whole artistic meaning of a Japanese garden cannot be revealed to you.  Every stone is chosen with a view in its expressionless form. As you continue to stroll along the paths you must always be mindful to stay on the path as you begin to sense the crunching of the stones beneath your feet. Ahead is a huge & expansive ridge of rock marked by a large Fuji Lantern to guide you and a Red Bench for you to stop, reflect & admire the beautiful scenes and settings revealed. Paths lead to beds of flowering Hellebores nestled in velvety moss & you will feel the wind rustling through beautiful Bamboo groves

The garden soon reveals that Rocks, Lanterns and Bridges are symbols that tell a story and the path leads you to large stepping stones.   Along its sides of the path our huge hundred pound boulders on a Dry Rock River Bed that is an expression of Nature & a symbol of the Sea.  These huge boulders support a magnificent sixteen foot Red Japanese Bridge that is totally in harmony with nature as Red represents a Life Force and the Bridge is a metaphor, symbolizing crossing from One World onto the next, Paradise. The Fuji Lantern at the foot of the bridge guides your journey and another magnificent Red Japanese Maple, ‘Acer Palmatum Inabe Shidare’ frames the picture. On this beautiful Red bridge you must stand, pause, look out and reflect on a journey you have taken through our stroll garden that can arouse emotional instincts, feelings, for you have embarked on a Walking Meditation your immutable timeless bond with nature.

The journey ends on a lush lawn symbolizing the Sea & the round gardens surrounding the lawn symbolize Islands that represent Immortal and Everlasting Happiness for you cannot have a Sea without Islands. These gardens are a metaphor for Islands & shaped like Tortoises for their longevity, two beautiful life size Bronze Tortoise Sculptures created by Sculptor Paul Harder are displayed on the lawn as if moving towards the islands.  Glorious Music, instrumental & singing performed by talented Young Children & Young Adults  from the Conservatory of Music echoes throughout the garden. My vibrant acrylic paintings of Red Oriental Poppies & Pandas displayed for your viewing. In our picturesque Japanese Stroll Garden my goal was to design a garden that exudes Tranquility and Beauty allowing you to experience a Spiritual & profound sense of Peace, Harmony and Serenity. A place where our Souls could find nourishment.

Thank you to:

Plant Specialist Juliann owner of Kimoff Nursery for her beautiful Japanese plants.

Creative & Skilled Carpenter, Krystoph Dwornik for designing and building our most Exquisite Red Japanese Bridge Engineering student Ben Arscott who gardened part time in the summer to help form my creation in the moving of Rock, Stone, Earth Our skilled Dutch Gardener Anthony Van Winden -who created beautiful stone work & tirelessly worked to help complete all my garden projects.

Talented International acclaimed Wild Life Bronze Sculptor Paul Harder for displaying his beautiful life size Wild Life Sculptures in  our garden

Giant Tortoise  three ft. long x twenty four in. wide  displayed on the lawn with with African Tortoises

Female Cougar  five ft. long lounging on our ridge of rock 

Arapaima Amazon River Giant Fish  five ft. long displayed on a bed of river rock 
All a must see they are so beautiful.

Pop Art Blues: Tuesday, April 28th!

"Don't think of it as dying," said Death. "Just think of it as leaving early to avoid the rush." -Terry Pratchett, novelist (Apr 28 1948-2015)

Hola Patricio, It sounds that under the stern direction of Cruella Coriandre you are going to have a well-organized move. You will be quite welcome to bring us more valuables. We did quite well with the first batch at the Big Naramata Yard Sale last weekend. Unfortunately I won’t be here on the 14th. I’m travelling to Cuba May 8 to 16 – a long time for a relatively simple site visit. 

 Anyway, I’ll organize a space for you in one of the garages and Lynnie will be here to supervise. She will also welcome your company for the night or as long as you want to stay. You will be forced to drink the newly bottled 2014 Two Petes Riesling, which might shorten your desire to stay longer!

I’m busy building new raised garden beds this week, in between golf and consulting engineering. Gail Nixon and I had a good result, 3rd last Wednesday night at duplicate, and will try again tomorrow. Cheers, happy packing and have a good bridge night on the 1st. Peter

Hi Ruthless! Delighted that you will be able to make our Farewell Blast! Just the beginning of a new start, a la your decamping to Squamish!

Just heard back from friends in Naramata and everything works as far as dropping off our next load of boxes and tubs/overnighting. This being the case, when will you and Super Grump be arriving at the cabin.? If Friday, we will probably head up to the Okanagan on Thursday, spend the night and then continue to your place. We can certainly adjust our schedule to suit yours so let us know and we'll plan accordingly.

[Chloe Alexis Dunn "Round Here" with Robbie — at Orpheum. Joanne McCuaig Are you at a counting crows concert?!?!?! Chloe Alexis Dunn We are! Patrick James Dunn Nice life! We are huddled around our small screen TV watching House of Cards, through a magnifying glass, dreaming of going to live concerts! Oh to be young and have plenty of disposable income unlike your Mother who has to pay the taxman! But please don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Had a wonderful dinner as I just enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich with some dry bread that your grandparents left with us a week ago and Nana brought me a glass of water so all is well. Enjoy the evening and have a few drinks for us but certainly don't feel guilty, at all costs, on our account!


[Chloe Alexis Dunn Robbie and "Mr. Jones" Patrick James Dunn Look Ma, no cavities! Chloe Alexis Dunn Patrick James Dunn simmer down, draw yourself closer to the malt cabinet and know that people like Robbie and I can't feel guilt Robbie Romu Patrick James Dunn I didn't realize you were so hard done by...Patrick James Dunn I've been weeping oceans of tears and "sanging" my broken heart out knowing that you and Robertito can't even begin to feel even a modiucum of redemptive guilt or nagging remorse for your careworn parents!] 

Hi Ruthless! Delighted that you will be able to make our Farewell Blast! Just the beginning of a new start, a la your decamping to Squamish!

Just heard back from friends in Naramata and everything works as far as dropping off our next load of boxes and tubs/overnighting. This being the case, when will you and Super Grump be arriving at the cabin.? If Friday, we will probably head up to the Okanagan on Thursday, spend the night and then continue to your place. We can certainly adjust our schedule to suit yours so let us know and we'll plan accordingly.

Cruella Coriandre, Harsh Packing Task Mistress, gave me the night off, last evening, if only because she had Book Club, downstairs, with Flamin'. I played bridge with my regular group but for the second time in a row, my partner and I came up short. I'll be hosting next week so I plan to put some arsenic in the beer I serve to our opponents!

Anyway, let us know about the lake as soon as you have a moment. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, off to volunteer at Chloë's office, stuffing envelopes for next fund-raising campaign, and then to about seventeen more meetings! 
 

With rainy day, I plan to head over to FCCC to use ellipticizer and later this afternoon I will take Aquabus across False Creek to walk to Homer to take in an exhibition of 80 original prints by Andy Warhol at MAISON AI. The collection has travelled from California and it is the largest collection to have ever visited Canada, apparently. The Different Idea of Love exhibit is a collaboration between Revolver Gallery (out of Los Angeles) and the above-mentioned gallery. It is free, so even better! More money for malt! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Bridge last night. Sam is Robert's son, four years old. David and Winston, with beer, our cunning opponents!

Hello Strangers! Trust you are both well. Seems forever since we were last in contact. No excuses but plenty of reasons! Not sure if you might have heard, through the Agneta Grapevine or not, but we are moving to Penticton on May 29th! Long story so will wait until we have a chance to meet to provide details. Am hoping that we might see you over the coming Victoria Day weekend, if you will be around. We thought we might pop in, en route to Little Shushwap, to say hello and have a visit over rich coffee, fortified with 18 year old rum, home-baked cookies and cakes, topped with whipped cream and fresh berries, sprinkled with small diamonds and various other semi-precious jewels, before we take a doggy bag and continue on to Toews' cabin! Don't fuss, emeralds will be fine! 

At this point we don't know when our hosts at LS will be arriving there so thought I'd send along this message to see if you will even be at home, and if so, how best to juggle schedules. Be grand if we could see you, if only briefly. As I've already said, we will soon be your Okanagan neighbours so if this proposed visit doesn't transpire, trust there will plenty of other opportunities, in the not too, too distant future, to have a reunion. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. This past February we drove down to Palm Desert to spend a week with Lynne and Peter, staying with Ayn, in LA, coming and going. She is very well and hopes to drive up to Penticton this August so perhaps we could arrange a Guayabitos reunion! Fondestos from Mme Coriandre to you and Barb, Lynn. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Pics: Agneta's sons, Matt and Ezra, along with Ezra's wife, (They met in La Peñita!), and daughter, and Matt's daughter, came over from Roberts Creek, this past Saturday, to collect all the furniture and kitchen ware from Annexe that Clarisse and Dusty, or other family members, did not want. C/D left for Winnipeg mid-April. They will be looking for a place in Winnipeg once the sell their home at Falcon Lake but we hope they will continue to visit/stay with us in Penticton over some of the fall/winter months.

Dearest Friends and Family! The Management and Staff of the Islay Inn would like to invite you to a Farewell Bash, Saturday, May 23rd, from 3:00 pm until the neighbours call the cops! Both a Pot-Luck and a BYOB gathering, we hope, finally, to turn the tables on all the Freeloaders we have come to know and love over these past wonderful 16 years! No tears allowed but plenty of laughs, (and hootch), expected! Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio! [Draft only. Send your comments back.] Hey D, This looks great!!

I like it! Are you having a rave??? Hi Tinsel Town! Yes, the Rave is on. I plan to fly Xavierino in to be in charge of security, Alejandro emergency medical services. Does Winston do Ecstasy? If not  he could St Bernard bottles of water around dance floor! Know anyone with a strobe light? Groove on!!!

About time Hi Glasgow! Nice drop! Trust you are both well. I'll be hosting regular bridge gathering next week so I plan to put some arsenic in the hootch I serve to our opponents!

Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, off earlier to volunteer at Chloë's office, stuffing envelopes for next fund-raising campaign, and then to about seventeen more meetings! I'm heading out myself, shortly to take Aquabus across False Creek to walk to Homer to take in an exhibition of 80 original prints by Andy Warhol at MAISON AI. The collection has travelled from California and it is the largest collection to have ever visited Canada, apparently. The Different Idea of Love exhibit is a collaboration between Revolver Gallery (out of Los Angeles) and the above-mentioned gallery. It's free, so even better! More money for malt! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Exhausted Mme Coriandre relaxing with a book and a bottle of Poplar Grove Viognier, Sunday evening, before Game of Thrones! You are not the only one to self-medicate! thanks patrick

Although I had expected to go to the gym this afternoon, by the time I was ready to leave the weather seemed to have cleared up si I decided I'd run a few errands first to see if a ride was going to be possible. This being the case I strolled over to Cheap Thrills for a few groceries and much needed packing tape and scored three boxes, as well, poifect for books. back home I had quick shower and when changed, walked over to the VWF office to give the donation I had promised to kick-off new Volunteer Giving Program. had a pleasant visit with all of the permanent staff, except Hal, who was in a meeting.

Waved goodbye to The Gals and walked over to Aquabus dock and took fery to foot of Hornby to walk to Homer to Maison AI to take in the Warhol exhibit. Much to my dismay, it was over, according to sign posted on the door. Nothing to be done although I was rather annoyed at myself for not having made the effort earlier. Enjoyed the walk back to the Aquabus marveling at some of the tulips still in bloom, in front of some of the apartment buildings on Seymour Mews and fascinated by the huge construction project just underway between the various on/off ramps at the north end of the Granville Bridge.

While waiting at ferry dock, Hornby side, I chatted with a chap there and I mentioned closed gallery. As coincidence would have it, he had seen exhibition and spoke very highly of it. he mentioned he had been quite impressed with quite a few works that he'd never seen before. We continued to talk on the ferry and after we reached GI. When we parted I said that at least I'd met someone who had seen exhibit and we both laughed! Then made for Granville Island Brewery with high hopes, my earlier ones having been cruelly dashed! Had stopped in at GIB on my way out to ask if I could "steal" some empty wine boxes. 

I didn't know any of the staff on duty but one of them knew Chloë so she said she would stock the coolers in order to empty some containers and I could collect them later. Did just that, thanking everyone, and continued on across the wooden bridge by the pond. To my delight I noticed two turtles sunning themselves on a rock close tot he southwest bank so I walked to a spot which gave me an opportunity for a few close-up shots.  As I was clicking away I noticed two ducklings paddling past the turtles so enjoyed the sight of these tiny, still-fuzzy creatures. Almost immediately their two concerned parents zipped, over quacking noisily, letting me know not to interfere with their off-spring, I assume!  

What a lovely, peaceful tableau, almost right in the heart of a busy, noisy, construction-filled city! Collecting my boxes I returned home and checked the forecast. Showers were predicted until 4:00 pm so as it was only around 3:30 pm I decided to do a bit of packing to give sky time to clear. Ended up, I'm more than pleased to say, with managing to fill five boxes of books and then followed with two larger boxes of my clothes and most of my shoes, as well as a host of small ornaments, using patio cushions as fillers so as not to make containers too, too heavy.

By the time I had applied the last strip of tape it was close to 6:00 pm and sky looked pretty blue so I suited up and headed out, making for Science World. Knew I'd have until about 8:30 pm before sun set so just enough time for around 50 km. By now the Seawall wasn't overly busy so the Olympic Village to Granville Bridge loop was pretty empty, much to my relief. In between I introduced a slight variation to my regime by doing sprints in the Concord Pacific parking lot, cycling pretty much as quickly as I could manage on the relative straightaways. 31 kph was speed I opted to try to maintain over distance at my disposal. 

Would rest and catch my breath on the turns and wherever else I needed to circle to complete the large figure eight, more or less, that I described, looping the lot. This variation broke the monotony of simply going around in circles and I trust, will hold my legs and lungs in good stead, as far as strength and endurance are concerned.

Shortly after 8:00 pm I had logged the distance I knew I needed to reach my goal by the time I was back home so made my way towards Science World as the light was beginning to fade. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/759929287#.VUBTV5aXtHA.email 

Mme Coriandre returned a few minutes after I did and as she had eaten at her last meeting I took a shower before I made a salad for myself and re-heated some overlefts for my dinner. We proceeded to watch two episodes of House of Cards before it was time to read in bed. At Cora Lee's suggestion I'm now enjoying Linden MacIntyre's Punishment. Have not read any of his work before and must say, so far, I do like his style. He was here a few months ago at Incite, a VPL/ VWF event but we were not able to attend. I think we were in the Okanagan at the time, making our first foray into the housing market there, along with Rosie-the-Riveter and Coat-Hanger, NG, (Norman Glen, aka No Good), Durston! And now we are immersed in packing furiously to be ready to move to Penticton! Arrivederci!!!