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| The Paired Down Twits! |
From: Jenne Roberts Sent: October-11-12 9:38 PM
To: Patrick Dunn
Subject: RE: Greetings from the JR Bullet Train!
HI Patrick
How are you both? It was great to hear about how your trip progressed
Jenne
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Dunn Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2012 3:26 PM
To: Jenne Roberts
Subject: Greetings from the JR Bullet Train!
Hi Jenne and Saveeta!
How lovely to hear from you! I trust that you and Saveeta are both well. I must apologize for not writing sooner. I had hoped to send along many of the pictures I took when in Darwin. You know from the message sent while in Japan that we had a simply marvellous time there, almost as good as in Darwin!!!
I don't think that we mentioned, while in Darwin, that my mother had suffered a heart attack at the beginning of May. We were contemplating cutting our trip short but in conversation with Chloë, (our youngest daughter living in Vancouver), we decided that there was not much we could do in any event. Due to her advanced age and increasing dementia it was difficult to know if Mother actually knew those around her. Furthermore, Chloë assured us that she was perfectly capable of dealing with Mom's death if that should happen to be the outcome. As things turned out, Mom made a very strong recovery, quite surprising her doctor who had told Chloë to expect the worst.
We returned to Vancouver at the end of May and were more than pleased to find that Mother was doing very well indeed. Of course she needed to be fed at meal times and spent an increasing amount of time, during the day, sleeping. Given that she was almost 99 she was in remarkable physical condition and suffered from nothing other than advanced old age. As a result she took almost no medication to speak of and her appetite remained strong. She always possessed a friendly, easy-going personality and this remained a constant in spite of her dementia.We had planned a short driving trip to Winnipeg to visit friends and relatives there. Corinne's parents live at Falcon Lake, about 175K east of the city, and wanted us to visit as they are planning to sell their place there in the next few years. Both are in their late 80's and it is time for them to think about a much smaller residence. In all likelihood they will move to Vancouver to stay, full-time, in the apartment they rent, immediately next door to us. (In fact, Mom lived there before she required assisted living.) Given Mom's seeming "robustness" we decided we could take the three weeks or so that we had originally planned and spent a wonderful time, visiting other friends and relatives across the country.
I visited her there and in discussion with doctor we agreed that it was best to return her to Broadway Lodge. He said he couldn't say for sure but he didn't think she would last more than a few days, if that. I visited her again, in the early afternoon as I had asked to be phoned when she arrived back in her room. I came home around 4:30pm to pick up a few things to read while I sat with her and held her hand. While her breathing was extremely laboured, her grip was very firm. On a slightly lighter note, I told her that she looked like Mother Teresa when I walked into her room. The staff had wrapped her up as she was shivering when she was delivered by ambulance. Coriandre came with me when I went back and she dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth while I cut her nails.
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| Cassandra |
I spent about three hours at her bedside on Tuesday morning/afternoon and was very pleased that I was able to spoon her all of her protein shake and a full glass of thickened juice. Her blood pressure had gone up from the night before when Chloë visited so that was a good sign. Her breathing was still laboured but she seem comfortable when sleeping. Cora Lee hosted a Friends of VPL bbq that evening and it was a lovely affair. We went downstairs afterwards to say hello to Flamin' and Sarge, (friends we traveled with in Australia before coming to Darwin), just back from California that afternoon. Chloë came down after visiting Mom, at the end her evening shift, and reported that her blood pressure was holding in spite of her difficult respiration. Everyone was heartened and we all went to bed not dreading a call in the middle of the night.
Sad to report, however, that Mom died the next day around 1:00pm. It was a bit of a shock inasmuch as Corinne and I went over in the morning to see her and staff reported that she was very much improved. She had eaten most of a bowl of porridge, (one of her favourite foods), and downed a full glass of juice. Delighted with the news, we went to see her but the staff were changing her so we decided to deliver Vancouver Writers Festival programs on Granville Island, (one of our volunteer duties), before coming back. Finished around 12:30pm and came home for a bite of lunch and shortly thereafter we received a call to inform us that she was slipping away. We dropped everything and hurried over to find that she has stopped breathing moments before we arrived. Staff were very considerate and left us to sit with Mom after they had changed her gown. Even though we knew things might well happen like this, at any time, it is still tough, as I'm sure you can appreciate. Just very glad that we were home to be with her for even a few days.
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| Jeremiah |
We spent most of the next day removing all her possessions from her room. Simpler to use a large dolly to wheel all the cartons from the Lodge to our place, but a block away. The so-called "Annexe", (where Corinne's parents stay), is now filled with boxes of pictures and ornaments that we will need to sift through when we have time. (Bev/Kevin Wittwer, from Perth, arrived the next day and Greg, my brother-in-law from Winnipeg, here on business, left the night before. After we had finished packing and moving, Chloë and Corinne took four large boxes/bags to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on 4th and Mom's TV to their outlet on Broadway and 12th. Corinne had saved some of the nicer items of clothing and jewelry to give to Dodie, Mom's friend at Broadway Lodge. Once home, I was on the phone to Affordable Crematorium & Burial Ltd., the funeral home nominated by the Memorial Society, Canada Service, Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board, to make all the necessary arrangements, cancellation notices for pensions, etc. All of the service personnel I dealt with were extremely considerate, efficient and helpful so I have managed to accomplish much of the needed paperwork.
Given all of the above and the Wittwer's visit, (which was an unmitigated delight), we never really seemed to have a moment to catch our collective breath, after they left on the 14th, as we had promised to house/cat sit for friends on Vancouver Island from September 15th to the 26th. Weather there was wonderful, an Indian Summer, and we were able to relax in their more than comfortable home right on the ocean. However, once back, I was a volunteer for the Van Int Film Festival, from the 27th to October 12th. My second year as a volunteer and I was able to see many wonderful, wonderful films.
That weekend, Sunday, the 14th, we held Mom's Memorial Service at Trinity United, the church Mom had attended ever since she moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver in 1989. Everything went off very well so quite pleased with the Service itself as well as the gathering at the church afterward and then the Wake at our place. We will have a graveside service in Winnipeg next summer as it was Mom's wish to be buried beside her husband. My Dad died in 1966. Given that Mom died but three weeks or so short of her 99th birthday, she had an amazingly long, full, exciting and adventuresome life and I choose to celebrate that rather than the fact of her death.
Few days later, the Van Writers Festival started and both Corinne and I were volunteers. We've done if for quite some time and this year we were once again in charge of the bar at Studio 1398, one of the smaller venues on Granville Island where most of the events take place. Since we live but three minutes from GI it is very, very convenient for us to be volunteers. The duties are not particularly onerous, indeed, more fun than anything else, and, of course, we were able, as volunteers, to attend any events that are not completely sold out. (Same is true for VIFF.) In fact, we were able to go to every reading that we wished to hear in spite of the fact that this year's festival was the best ever, in terms of overall attendance. Listened to some remarkable, remarkable authors so feel a bit guilty as we feel we hardly did anything for such a wonderful privilege.
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| Thelonious Monk |
Pics show how Whirlygig and I spend our time when not cycling! Very, very pleasant Macallan tasting, (Free, of all things!), last Tuesday evening at the Eclectic Howl, (Electric Owl), on Main, within an easy bike ride of our place. Babes just flocked to our table, even before the smart young men joined the grizzled brigade! Funnily enough, Mike, beside Giorgio, is the accountant at GIB and knows Chloë very well as she works there also. We were chatting before being seated and discovered connection!
On the malt front, just picked up two bottles of the "Shackleton" malt last Wednesday. In case you haven't heard about it:
Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt is a meticulous re-creation of the original malt whisky shipped to Antarctica in 1907 by the explorer Ernest Shackleton to fortify his 'Nimrod' expedition. The story of how several wooden crates of this precious whisky were abandoned to the Antarctic winter in early 1909, then rediscovered over a century later, is one that celebrates the enduring spirit of both man and malt.
We plan to be in Cornwall in July/August of 2013. Dates not set in stone yet. Greg knew about this house exchange and he mentioned that he and Claire might connect with us as she has relatives in Cornwall. I believe they are planning a round-the-world trip. It would be more than a delight to see them both there, if it works out! This past Sunday evening we hosted a dinner for the neighbours of the couple we will be doing house exchange with. Gudrun and Stephen, (Cornish neighbours), are here visiting their son, Mark, the husband of Krissy, of Gayle and Derek, (house exchange people), and that night was only time we could all get together. Flamin' and Sarge were up as well so it was a very jolly time!
Will say goodbye for now. Signing off as Patrizzio, "The Perfect Son"! Mom actually squeezed my hand when I said those words when I first saw her after our return from Japan. Whether by coincidence or not one cannot say, of course. However, it would be wonderful to think that she could hear and understand a few things. A number of years ago, at the dinner table, this is how she referred to me, causing quite a furor, as you can well imagine, among those friends and relatives at the table, engendering particularly hostile responses from Cora Lee and Chloë!
Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Madroña Manor!
I trust that you are both well. I must apologize for not writing sooner. Had wanted to thank you again for coming to Mom's Memorial Service and performing the wonderful, wonderful ballad. Really, really appreciated that so thanks ever so much!
As you might recall, a few days later, the Van Writers Festival started and both Corinne and I were volunteers. We've done if for quite some time, as you know, and this year we were once again in charge of the bar at Studio 1398, one of the smaller venues on Granville Island where most of the events take place. Since we live but three minutes from GI it is very, very convenient for us to be volunteers. The duties are not particularly onerous, indeed, more fun than anything else, and, of course, we were able, as volunteers, to attend any events that are not completely sold out. (Same is true for VIFF.) In fact, we were able to go to every reading that we wished to hear in spite of the fact that this year's festival was the best ever, in terms of overall attendance. Listened to some remarkable, remarkable authors so feel a bit guilty as we feel we hardly did anything for such a wonderful privilege.
Corinne's/Kathleen's, was in town during the VWF and came over one night for drinks after our bar shift was over, about 8:30pm. We enjoyed catching up and hope to see him and Patricia, his wife, when we are down in December as they live in Oakland. She knows David from Berkeley as she was a librarian there! We plan to leave Vancouver around December 14th and mosey our way south, to arrive in LA around December 21st or so. (Before I forget, did you contact Cactus?) We may stop in Fresno, as well, to see close friends there, before making for Los Horridos Land.
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| Xav as a young Thelonious Monk |
As I think you know, at one point we thought that we might spend six weeks or so in Panama and had tentatively arranged to rent a house there. However, chap we were planning to rent from, (neighbour in our building), had another offer from a friend there who wanted house for a year. We told him to go ahead as were not fully committed to the trip, at least in terms of staying in one spot for the entire time. From what we have subsequently learned it seems that spending a week or so in each of the five or six different regions of the country is a better way to see and enjoy the distinct geographical and cultural differences therein. We are now planning to continue driving south and east after celebrating the New Year with Ayn, with a mind to seeing New Orleans, as one goal. I'd like to visit some bourbon distilleries in Tennessee and Kentucky but whether this transpires or not, remains to be decided. We hope to see Randy and Ruth, now in Dallas, en route to New Orleans.
Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë to you both. Regards to The Range Rider when next you chat. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Aloha from Kihei.
Thanks for the email, and photos.
We enjoyed doing the ballad a lot, and it was a great celebration of life!
Great weather so far, with nice trade winds, blue skies and about 85 degrees.
Already made it to Costco, with the usual haul of well priced wines, especially USA.
Can you send us David's email address?
Thought we had it, but we do not.
Will send your best to the Range Rider-just talked yesterday, and she seems fine.
Your upcoming travels sound very interesting! Cheers, G&F
Hi Donna Florida and Cactus!
I trust that you are both well. I must apologize for not writing sooner. Have been rather busy of late. Amos Lakos was in town during the VWF and came over one night for drinks after our bar shift was over, about 8:30pm. We enjoyed catching up and hope to see him and Patricia when we are down in December. We plan to leave Vancouver around December 14th and mosey our way south, to arrive in LA around December 21st or so. Any room at Villa Vicente beforehand? If any dates are better than others let us know as we are pretty flexible about when and where we will be traveling. (Before I forget, did Grogg contact you. They will be landing in SF on way back from Hawaii and were hoping that they could connect somewhere in Napa/Sonoma as they will be driving to wine country upon arrival, or at least that is the plan to date.) For example, we may stop in Fresno to see close friends there, before making for Los Horridos Land.
Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Patrick thanks for the account of Annie's memorial. It would have been something to have been there, but of course, not possible. Anyway, she had a life both good and interesting, and obviously long. Looks like the cards mostly got dealt kindly for her...and to have such a wonderful son! Well now, who could ask for more???
Truly I am being a bit playful, but I really mean it in that you have devoted so many years to keeping by her side and dutifully seeing to her happiness and welfare. That means a lot...
ANYWAY....
We are looking forward to seeing you; you can write your own ticket in terms of nights. We have not heard from Gregg and Francesca, but we'll be game for whatever works out. We hope to go to L.A. for a week ourselves in early December, and my brother and girlfriend Maile are coming out later in December, but the 20-21 range is fine...Miss you! Cheers! Cactus
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