IIDS, GD: Tuesday, August 7th

When I feed the hungry, they call me a saint. When I ask why people are hungry, they call me a communist. -Helder Camara, archbishop (1909-1999)

Alvina, Dusty's former secretary at the Hydro in Steinbach. Her son has a cabin on the South Shore.

 Hello Patrick and Corinne,

Trust you are both well and enjoying the Canadian summer in beautiful Vancouver!

Weather here is pretty good at the moment – still a wee bit chilly of a morning but daytime temps are getting towards the 20C mark.

Not too much has happened since you folks left us – Tina had a successful trip to Cambodia (the humidity almost did her in!) and I have almost finished the renovations on the kitchen side of the house; just a bit of paving and a few cosmetic additions to the pergola and it’s over to Tina for plants etc - looks pretty damn good!

How is Annie? Our old folks (Tina’s mum and my mum and dad) are in various stages of physical and mental ill health. Dad’s mind is slowly slipping away and consequently he is needing more and more care which mum is trying desperately to give him but is coming to the realisation that she can no longer do it; we are going to put the wheels in motion for a day or two of respite care for dad – hopefully when mum realises that he is ok in respite we can maybe consider full time care for him. Tina’s mum’s body is starting to give out on her causing her lots of pain and frustration. As a good friend of ours from Kamloops says ‘Growing old isn’t for sissies!’.

 Little Jade started school 2 weeks ago so that has brought our 7 years of child minding to a shuddering halt! She’s taken to school like a duck to water – having big sister there to look out for you no doubt makes a big difference.

We’ve just booked our ski holiday again for 2013 (Yes  - skiing again!); I’ll be over on the 18^th January – Tina on about the 14^th February (after spending a few days with Ayn again) and we’ll go home together on the 8^th March. A little bit longer this time – not sure yet whether or not we’ll ski the whole time or maybe do a bit of sight seeing for a few days – will work it all out later.

Don and Anne are off to Europe on Tuesday – they’ll be away for 5 weeks; doing a river cruise ending up in Paris before hopping over to England to catch up with rellies in London and Liverpool.

It’s Tina’s 65^th in a couple of weeks time so I am planning an afternoon tea for family and close friends for the Sunday immediately following her birthday – yourselves, Sarge and Michelle are most welcome to attend if you can make it!

Well – the Olympics coverage beckons so I’ll say Goodnight – stay well – love to all.

Ooroo for now, Tina and Trevor

 Hi TNT!

Sorry that I have not replied sooner but it has a been a very busy time on the road ever since we left Vancouver, on Sunday, July 29th, as you can well imagine! So, in fact, we are enjoying the Canadian summer in beautiful Falcon Lake. Rosita and Dusty send your their fond regards!

Glad that your landscaping has gone so well and is almost completed. Dusty's garden is magnificent again, flowers and vegetables We had beets, beet greens, new potatoes and zucchini last night, with George and Barb in the tent yesterday evening. Steak dinner! Earlier that afternoon, Cora Lee and I cycled over to Betty's place. All her children and most of her grandchildren came to Falcon to celebrate her 90th birthday. I'd never met Joan, Ann's sister, and her husband, Gary, who live in Switzerland. After we visited, many of us watched the Women's Soccer. Very proud of our squad. Losing as they did was more than a heartbreak but their effort was simply remarkable. My cycling mate, Raymondo, is from Newcastle and insists that the coach, a Geordie, is responsible for the team's Olympic success. In fact, it is probably true. Whether the refereeing was questionable will be argued for years, I'm sure. The call on our goal keeper which led to the penalty kick was not consistently applied throughout the game, according to some more knowledgeable than me. Nevertheless a wonderfully exciting, nail-biting match right down to the very last few seconds of overtime as I'm sure you will agree if you watched the battle. Bravo Team Canada!

Sorry to hear about the deteriorating health of your Dad and Tina's Mom. Annie is still plugging away but her moments of relative lucidity are fewer and fewer. I try to visit shortly before/after lunch or dinner as staff have her up in a wheel-chair then. Much of the rest of the day is spent in bed. She continues to have a good appetite and I usually give her a drink over the course of any visits. We hope we will have a small celebration for her 99th once we are back. In fact birthday cake will be more for the rest of the residents. Nevertheless, she still smiles and grips one's hand tightly when she is awake.

Doesn't take grandchildren long to grow up, does it? Are you on olive grove duty while Anne and Don are away? Great that you will be back in 2013. Not sure if we will be there when you are in Jan/Feb as we are thinking about going to Panama around that time. Cora Lee is pushing for Mexico again but I'd like to explore another country. Don't think Clara and Dusty will join us. Think such travel is not what they can entertain now, given their respective health problems. They will be at The Island Inn to welcome you if were are away. Will be back in March so let's plan on something, Portland and/or Seattle, perhaps.

Poor Clara has been suffering from gout in her right foot ever since returning from Vancouver. Managed to put on a pair of sandals for the first time since painful condition surfaced yesterday. For his part, Dusty is suffering from a nasty swollen left elbow. Believe he overdid things putting in a new floor in their bedroom, over the past month or so. Of course, nobody could tell him to take it easy. At any rate, he went to the doctor a day or so after we arrived and had a large amount of fluid removed from the joint. On the mend and much more comfortable, he tripped over a stake in the garden, (getting aforementioned beets!), yesterday morning. The blinds in the bay window were closed and the air conditioning on, so nobody saw him fall or heard his shouts of distress. George had a shift as a marshal at the golf course so he wasn't about and Barb was doing something in the kitchen so she was well away from any window that might have allowed a view of garden. Anyway, he couldn't get up for about ten minutes, or more, (At the end of a long day of working on the floor in the bedroom he had to ask Clara to help him get up off his knees as he was just too stiff and sore to do it himself!), and when nobody heard his cries for help, he crawled to the pathway and managed to find something to hang on to to get himself up off the ground. Naturally, he landed on his injured elbow and also managed to bang his "thick" skull! Fortunately he only has a bit of a sore bump.

We think he needs to go back to the doctor, here in town, to make sure his elbow isn't infected as it was still somewhat inflamed, even before the latest incident. Unfortunately, it is difficult to persuade him to ice the joint or keep it wrap it with a tensor bandage as he won't sit still! Even after dinner last night, he was back in the bedroom fitting trim in spite of Corinne's pleas for him to rest his arm! He claimed he just wanted to get some pieces ready for gluing the next morning! No wonder Cora Lee, Ayn and Chloë are so stubborn. Obviously a Durston rather than a Dunn gene!!!

Nevertheless, in spite of worrying about Dusty, we've had a lovely time, here at Falcon, ever since arriving, week ago today. Weather has been fab, 28º C  or more and NO BUGS! Not kidding. It has been very pleasant. (A spectacular wind/rain storm one night with marvellous lightning flashes.) 

Would love to celebrate Tina's 65th but we'll probably be en route home to be back in Vancouver to welcome Bev and Kevin, (and their Cane Toad Pug), from Perth. They arrive on August 31st for two weeks. Flamin' and Sarge, together with Beckster and Kid Chelene will be in California wine-tasting so we'll all have to toast Teens with either California or Okanagan wine!  Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Island Inn!

Hope you are all well.

Time for some travel notes from the wilds of the BC Interior, in this "Special Edition" that also includes some of Eastern Washington.

http://wordfrombob.blogspot.ca/2012/07/road-trip-part-1-july7-to-july-18.html

http://wordfrombob.blogspot.ca/2012/07/road-trip-part-2-july7-to-july-18.html

Best Wishes, bob
 

Zircon takes time off from packing!

Hi Bob!

Sorry that I have not replied sooner but it has a been a very busy time on the road ever since we left Vancouver, on Sunday, July 29th, as you can well imagine! Enjoyed the snaps from your latest camping trip and your descriptions of friends, landscapes, camping, etc. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Kurt:

This is a test message! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi again, Kurt!

Sorry that I have not been in touch sooner but it has a been a very busy time on the road ever since we left Vancouver, on Sunday, July 29th, as you can well imagine! With respect to your house in Panama, I couldn't find the site. Could you send me the web address so that we can have a look at the property. Much appreciated. Time for my ride. Hope to log over 100K today. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Kids!

Here are some of the snaps from War Eagle! Can hardly wait for our bonfire! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi again, Kids!

Rest of snapolas! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Zircon!

Sorry that I have not written sooner to thank you for your wonderful hospitality but it has a been a very busy time on the road ever since we left you, as you can well imagine!  Fondestos from Cora Lee to you! Cheers, Patrizzio!

 Hello Famiglia Gray!

Sorry that I have not written sooner to thank you for your wonderful hospitality, even if you weren't home, but it has a been a very busy time on the road ever since we left you, as you can well imagine!

We will be heading into Winnipeg on the morning of August 14th. We have a dinner date on Wednesday, August 15th, but after that we are "free", at least as of this writing. If you folks are interested in coming to Winnipeg next week let me now and we'll try to coordinate everyone's busy lives. I chatted with Filmer earlier today, (New wonder drug he is on seems to be making his life much more livable so that is certainly a blessing.), and told him about the possibility of your visit. Don't worry if you can't make trip but if you decide on a bit of a break I'm sure Sally, et al would love to see everyone. Once again, let me know, if coming, which days so that we can plan a bbq or some other sort of get together. We can be reached at Falcon at 1-204-349-2634 or in Winnipeg at 1-204-256-0718.

Looks like we will be back in Vancouver, probably around the 24th of this month so will confirm, in plenty of time, so that you can move out again!  Fondestos from Cora Lee to everyone, except Rocky!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!

                             Pics: Rocky being a bad dog and Daisy being loving!
 

Hello Wildwood Park!

Great to chat today, Filmer. Again as I mentioned, we will be heading into Winnipeg on the morning of August 14th. We have a dinner date on Wednesday, August 15th, but after that we are "free", at least as of this writing. I sent a message to the Grays saying that if they were interested in coming to Winnipeg next week to let me know and we'll try to coordinate everyone's busy lives. Once again, let me know, once you have a better idea of your commitments, which day(s) might work so that we can plan a bbq or some other sort of get together. Again, we can be reached at Falcon at 1-204-349-2634 or in Winnipeg at 1-204-256-0718.

Looks like we will be back in Vancouver, probably around the 24th of this month so will confirm, in plenty of time, so that if we can't get together earlier, we can try for that week. Fondestos from Cora Lee to everyone!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!

An old prospector shuffled into a town in Northern Ontario leading a tired old mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat.

He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, "Hey old man, can you dance?"

The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said,

"No son, I don't dance... never really wanted to"

A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, "Well, you old fool, you're gonna dance now!" and started shooting at the old man's feet.

The old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet.
Everybody standing around was laughing.. When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing,holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.

The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped laughing immediately.The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly.The silence was deafening.

The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin 12 gauge barrels.The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man's hands, as he quietly said;

"Son, have you ever kissed a mule's ass?"

The gunslinger swallowed hard and said,

"No sir... but.... I've always wanted to"

There are a few lessons for all of us here:

*Don't be arrogant.
*Don't waste ammunition.
*Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.
*Always make sure you know who is in control...
*And finally, Don't screw around with old folks; they didn't get old by being stupid....

Hi Spumoni!

I sent two messages earlier today but they were rejected as being too large. Hope these latest went through. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi P&C, hope you reached your fav. liquour store in Calgary with a
thirst, full pocketbook and time to savour.  See any blonde grizzlies?

I was deeply warmed to see K again, she collected me on time and we
drove to OO.  A clear cloudless freeway.

She's tamed the garden lions, the bonfire rises high, chooks are
laying daily, and I should stop before I ruin the doggeral with a
rhyme for the second trimetre.

I've painted since returning - needed to finish the northside pergola,
and a kitchen wall that had served three squares for termites much of
last year.  'Course you don't just paint one wall do you?  And the
paint has to be retinted.

All up the kitchen has received a reasonable reno - I even detailed
the cooker that Kath is comfortable with ... "Welll it still works OK,
and I don't see why we need to get another one just becuz its old".
So  after a  6-hour makeover works the same but makes a better
foreground for the fresh satin walls.

Yesterday my power steering groaned.  Took it to Al - rats, again.
We've provided no fewer than five rat banquets in our vehicles in the
past year - at around $100 a time ... rat off.

From the land of rodents and white ants, but tame chooks arrivadercci ...

Hi Stefano!

Wonderful to know you are back home and all goes well. Retirement was meant for you!!!
Fondestos from Cora Lee to you and Kathleen! Cheers, Patrizzio! Which one is the turkey/chook?

Hi Kathleen!

Feel badly that you have not been part of the latest e-conversations so thought I'd send along an entry from the so-called Goldilocks Diaries and an account of my ride along Trans Canada #1, for your reading pleasure, should you have any masochistic tendencies!

Pleased to learn that you are keeping Mr Fixit gainfully employed. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you, Stefano and neighbours!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Pat and family and Kevin and Bev.

 I hope this quick note finds everyone well and busily making travel plans.

Juhli and I would like to greet Kevin and Bev when they arrive in Vancouver for the last two weeks of their holiday.

Pat, in an earlier email from K and B, they indicated they would be staying at your place in False Creek. Have you heard anything more definite for their arrival?

Give us some information and we’ll do our best to be in Vancouver at the same time.

Hope to hear from you (Pat, I hope this email address is current.) Fred and Juhli.

 

Hi Federico, Bev/Kev!

Grand to hear from you, Frederick! Famiglia Wittwer is arriving in Vancouver on August 31st, at around 1:00pm, from Toronto. I plan to collect them from YVR. I gather that they are busy that evening, Friday, with friends who are leaving the next day. I am planning a bbq/ get-together with friends such as yourself and have asked those I have contacted or will ask those I have yet to contact, what date(s) might be best. Once Bev/Kev are here, (or via email, sooner, if possible), we'll try to tie down a firm date. Since you are the first to reply, let me know what seems best for your schedule.

All goes well with both Corinne and myself. We arrived in Falcon last Tuesday after leaving Vancouver early Sunday morning, by car. Cheers, Patrizzio/Il Conduttore!