Arrivederci 2015 Blues: Thursday, December 31st

The most important discoveries will provide answers to questions that we do not yet know how to ask and will concern objects we have not yet imagined. -John N. Bahcall, astrophysicist (30 Dec 1935-2005) 

Dearest Janet! Thanks so much for your lovely Christmas card, marvellous letter and  New Year's wishes, which just arrived, most fittingly, this morning! At any rate, I wanted to thank you again, for making India such a wondrous, wondrous experience. As you mentioned in your note, we certainly want to have an extended palaver about our adventures so hope this will take place in the not too, too distant future.
 

[Margareta Maunsbach Enjoyed this very nice wine with a couple of friends this evening. Only drops brought back from okanagan but fully worth it HAPPY NEW YEAR!! XO Margareta Patrick James Dunn Hello Dottore! Buona Fortuna and Healthy, Exciting New Year, from Lady Dar. Glad you enjoyed the Ice Wine. Stay well, dear friend. Love to you and the Lads! Cheers, Patrizzio!]

There will just be the two of us this evening, to bring in the New Year. Not that we mind as we plan to eat and drink our way to midnight and not have to worry about driving anywhere. Earlier this morning I reminded Lady Dar of a similar New Year's Eve, back in the early 2000's, when we drove back from California, after spending Christmas with Ayn and Los Horridos. We thought we might bring in the New Year with good friends in Portland but somehow wires managed to become crossed and they were not at home when we knocked on their door! Since it was early afternoon we decided we'd just continue on to Vancouver. Thought we'd be home by around 8:00pm as I5 was clear and dry. However, hadn't counted on border being as unbelievably busy as it was. I suppose scads of Americans were heading to Canada to bring in the New Year. 

[George and Barb came for supper at seven then went home Cody and Dustin coming out tomorrow. Love Mum]
 
At any rate, we pulled into The Islay Inn around 10:00 pm and set about preparing our late dinner. Had plenty of California wine from the trip so we were well set on that account. I think we had a few steaks in the freezer and while they thawed we made a salad and ate appetizers, toasting each other and pleased that we had decided to celebrate at home. Mom lived next door at the time but she and Fernando, (Alfred/Alfreddo, actually but I liked to tease him!), had been invited, for the evening, to a friend from bridge/church so we phoned to wish them well. Brought in the New Year watching events in Times Square and elsewhere around the globe. Plan to do much the same this evening. What are your plans? 

Just before I started this message I put our "bubbly" on ice. Actually, in a small snowbank on our back patio! Neighbour across the way, Terry, gave it to us at our Boxing Day Open House. It's a 2011 Noble Ridge One, a very tasty sparkling wine we've had a number of times before, although not this vintage.

Not sure if Chloë has been in touch yet but I asked her to deliver, (either to you or to a branch library), the adapter plug, (which we used every day), and 2 ₹ten notes, (Managed to spend rest of our rupees at Duty Free in Delhi!), along with a small present/souvenir from our trip, as a tiny thank-you for everything. Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Janet, and family, from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you here in Penticton, very early in 2016 I trust! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Pics: Lady Dar in her easy chair, in her slippers, in front of the fireplace, waiting to be served a spot of tea; "Champers" beneath the watchful eye of Angel Frida Kahlo! She doesn't seem to feel the cold. Guess she's been poundin' heavenly hootch already!!!

Hello Brisbanites! Thanks so much for your New Year's wishes! Seems as if Father Time works his ways in the Southern Hemisphere as well as the in the North as there will just be the two of us "oldies" this evening, to bring in the New Year. Not that we mind as we plan to eat and drink our way to midnight and not have to worry about driving anywhere, unlike you, I gather, up at 6:00 am or earlier! Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Claire de Lune and Grievous Angel Grogg, and family, from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you here in Penticton, in the not too, too distant future, we trust! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello to the snow belt! Thanks for the email. We returned to Cornwall on Dec 28th after spending a great Christmas in Southampton. It was a bonus having Krissy and Mark here as well. Mark flew in on Dec 23rd.  His sister picked him up from Gatwick airport and they drove back to Tanya's place in Winborne. We pass Winborne on the way to Southampton so picked Mark up on the way up to Marnie's. Mark returned to Winborne on Christmas Eve to have a 'German" Christmas with his folks, who were spending the holidays with Tanya and Charles, then returned to Marnie's early Christmas morning to spend Christmas day and boxing day with us. 

We had a great time and, of course, Tristan adored having all the family around apart from Ant's mum who is still very poorly and couldn't make it for dinner.  We returned to Cornwall on the 28th and Krissy and Mark went off to Scotland. On route they stayed a day with their friends in London then took the train to Glasgow to spend a couple of days with Rhona and Laurie (who you have met). They are off to Edinburgh today for Scotland's Hogmanay New Years street party celebrations and returning to Southampton on Jan 3rd. They have such good times together but I'm still not sure what their future plans are. Kids eh?! We will also be going up to Southampton for a couple of days to see them off. Krissy has her flight booked on the 5th and Mark on the 6th. Fortunately there are direct trains from Southampton into Gatwick airport so we don't need to worry about driving them.


Ant, Mark and me  went to see Star Wars at the 3D IMAX in Southampton on boxing day. Certainly put the screen at our local cinema here in Truro to shame! Everyone else went for a walk at Lyndhurst and we joined them later for plenty of leftovers from the Christmas feast!

Marnie, Ant Tris and the dog were supposed to have joined us for New Years but Ant's mum was taken into hospital yesterday so that won't be happening. She is getting frailer by the day unfortunately. Because of the hectic Christmas, Gayle and I have decided not to join the other revellers here on New Years Eve and will go to our favourite Italian restaurant for an early dinner and back home to open a bottle of champers and chill in front of the fire. It is highly unlikely we will still be awake when the midnight hour approaches!
 

Unlike yourselves this is the mildest winter I can remember. We have daffodils blooming already and I have even seen some spring blossoms on the trees. Our shrub roses are still throwing up flowers! Looking across at the field opposite as I write I see the sheep munching on the lush grass. They have had a very easy winter so far. Although we have had some wet weather we have missed the very heavy persistent rainfalls they have been experiencing up north where there has been substantial flooding. I do feel for the hundreds of people who's homes have been inundated with flood water.

Our new neighbour, Stella, moved in some weeks a go. She is a very charming 76 year old living by herself with her 19 year old cat! Her son (a retired police officer) and daughter in law live near Perranporth. They will be selling there house and looking for a place in the south of France. Stella has been cat sitting for us a couple of times and she will again when we go up to Southampton on the 3rd. When we are away this summer we have some friends from Stoke on Trent house sitting for us so they will look after Spud. We didn't want to impose on her good nature for extended periods.
 

I have finished the base for my new greenhouse and waiting for it to be installed which I hope will be in January ready for seed planting in February. Very much looking forward to growing my own heirloom tomatoes etc this summer. Gayle and I wish you a very happy New Year.

Pics: All of us at Christmas dinner, yours truly and Krissy, Spud trying to be helpful!, Sheep grazing in field opposite, flowers still blooming in the garden!and, base for my greenhouse  [Pics didn't come through!] 

Hello Daffodil, Early to Bed People! Thanks so much for your wonderfully informative Christmas account, Green-House Man! [I'm jealous. I hope to have some raised garden beds this spring but  I can only dream about my own greenhouse!!!] Sounds like a veritable whirlwind of social activity. Can't argue with your plans for this evening. Best wishes, again, for a Healthy New Year to Gayle, Derek and Spudnik, from both Mme Coriandre and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Gaudeamus!

great to hear from you guys, we are in Sedona, since Nov 17th, after staying with Kelsey, our daughter, in Pocatello for 6 days on our drive down. Kelsey, her boyfriend and new puppy dog came Dec 20th and she's here till Jan 9th. Her boyfriend has another friend staying here for a few days before the 2 of them leave to visit Grande canyon and other national parks. Kelsey too busy with her studying to go and also tent camping too cold for her at this time. The puppy is adorable and extremely well behaved.

We drive back to Penticton around mid Feb but won't decide exact dates till the last minute as it will depend on weather conditions. We fly out of Kelowna to New Zealand/OZ Feb 24th and not back from there till April 27th. May be able to see you before we fly to NZ but depend on when we get back.
 

Weather here has been mostly sunny, temps a bit colder recently and have had a little snow but usually melts by next day. I've got a new second hand road bike and already done well over 1000 miles so it's been good for biking. Only problem here is that hardly anyone bikes except for extreme mountain biking but have got 1 friend who lives close by so good for this year. She's from Alaska and only here this year.

Anyway all is good healthwise for us both and hope same for you. Look forward to seeing you both. Take care, keep having fun and a very happy new year to you, Cora Lee and Chloe hugs form Gill and Phil

Hello Sedona Folk! Thanks so much for your last update. I thought you might have been off to NZ from Sedona but do hope we'll see you in February. I'm really jealous of your cycling miles, Giliana, as I can only dream about logging such distances, given our weather! Best wishes, again, for a Healthy New Year to you Giliana and Filippo, from both Mme Coriandre and I. See you, here in  Feb, we trust, so we can ride the KVR together, I dearly hope! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Pic: Aarturo popped by this morning to drop off the "surprise birthday cake" for Jos' 65th on the 2nd. We are to bring it over so she doesn't suspect anything.
Hi Aarturo! Great to see you this morning! Best wishes, again, for a Healthy New Year to you, Aarturo, and my udderly favourite Jos, from both Mme Coriandre and I. See you soon in 2016, we trust! Cheers, Patrizzio! 
Dear Dunns, Thank you for fulfilling your social obligation by sending us your progress report from the Knockyournoggin. Thanks also for the standing invitation to visit you all out there in Fruitville.

Here's a photo of us, taken on Christmas day by our gracious and gregarious next door neighbour, Caitlin Whitmore, who captured the Canon moment. from left to right: Scott, Kaitlyn's sweetheart, looking as tough as a viking berserker, which he well might be. Koda, their rescue mutt, who I believe suffers from a form of canine ADHD. Travis, strong and confident as ever, wearing his thousand dollar expedition parka. Sally, laughing behind her colour-matched scarf. Me, being held up by 2 of my women. Kaitlyn, wearing her turquoise toque, the only bright colour in the pic. Gotta' go now and decide what to do with over left toirkey. Happy New Year! Filmer and Sally 

Hello Parka People! Thanks so much for your group photo and New Year's wishes! Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Sally and Toikey Man, Clan Hubble, et al, from both Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Lady Dar in her easy chair, in her slippers, in front of the fireplace, waiting to be served a spot of tea or a slug of Old Monk rum; "Champers" in snowbank, beneath the watchful eye of Angel Frida Kahlo!

Hello Kentonites! Have you moved again without letting us know? Haven't heard  squeak for ages.  What are your plans for tonight? Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Judy, Kimbo, Caitlyn, Alejandro, Conspiracy Bill and Peachman from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you, here in Fruitvale, in the not too, too distant future, we trust, so we can knockyournoggins with wine bottles! Cheers, Patrizzio! Picture from Clan Hubble, commentary by Filmer

Hey Patrick and Coriander have a happy New Years evening sounds very pleasant we on the other hand are going to a social tonight which will be less relaxing but should be ok going with a good friend of ours and her new man.

The social is for a girl that grew up with Alexander and the friend we are going with is her aunt. Alexander and the Hurricane are going as well so we will see them there. Kimbo and Chris are the only children at home Katy has to work tonight she is living and working at Wawanesa Katy passed her Lpn course and got a permanent position at Wawanesa.

We have started renovating the basement Chris has been helping I have very much enjoyed them being here we are both very fond of Chris and he is glad to help, but with some of the things he says I feel that I and the Pig Islander have been less of a positive influence on him. He is the son of the local Penticostal minister so we have turned him into a heathen , I don't think he minds. Thank you for the many greetings from India hope you enjoyed it though it sounded a bit sketchy at times. Must sign off as dinner is calling talk soon will send pics of new dog Maggie and basement.

Pics as promised Kimbo and fiancé Christopher (God boy) Maggie new puppy black as a boot a perfect angel like me and my children. Explanation might be required to explain Maggie our previous dog Addy had always had some issues with the occasional seizure but with a strict diet and tlc seemed to be okay for a long time then all of a sudden he started having seizures on continuous basis so I had to put him down it was a sad day because he had finally settled in and wasn't so insecure. Who knows what went wrong anyhow decided to give the dog thing one last try so we adopted Maggie even though Alex said that this is where other people's pets go to die. Other pics are the basement renos west wall ready to tape and paint north wall half done and east wall not yet deconstructed (remanents of Bill and Norma) 

Hi Renno People! No word for aeons and then messages galore! Great snaps. Keep up good work and when all is finished head west. We need cheap, (aka "free"), skilled labour, here on Burns Street! Have to go but just wanted to send along more wishes for a Healthy, Exciting New Year, from Lady Dar, busy in the kitchen, preparing a feast, and I, tending the fire and the keyboard, sipping on a 2014 Township 7 Un-oaked Chardonnay, 12.8%, the first bottle to be cracked this long winter's evening! Stay well, dear, dear cousins. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Harbour Terrace, Newfoundland et al! Great that you will be staying at the end of January, Flamin' and Sarge! Trust everyone is well. Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you, Flamin' and Sarge, and rest of Clan Sutherland/Darrow/Mercado and to Connors/Trueman/Woodbury/Traugutt families, from both Mme Coriandre and I. See all of you, here in Penticton, in the not too, too distant future. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Pics: Lady Dar in her easy chair, in her slippers, in front of the fireplace, waiting to be served a spot of tea or a slug of Old Monk rum, from India; Friend, Aarturo, from hiking group, popped by this morning to drop off this wife's "surprise birthday cake" for Jos' 65th on the 2nd. We are to bring it over so she doesn't suspect anything; Tonight's "Champers" in snowbank, beneath the watchful eye of Angel Frida Kahlo! She doesn't seem to feel the cold. Guess she's been poundin' heavenly hootch already!!! Welcome plaque awaits Freeloaders!!!

Hi again, Kurt! Sorry to hear about your cold but wonderful to learn that you will be a Pirate in the Caribbean soon. Envy you New Orleans! Travel safely and send us a few updates from your various ports of call. Buona Fortuna, Bon Voyage and a Healthy, Exciting New Year, from Lady Dar, busy in the kitchen, preparing a feast, and I, tending the fire and the keyboard, sipping on a 2014 Township 7 Un-oaked Chardonnay, 12.8%, the first bottle to be cracked this long winter's evening! Stay well, my friend. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Above mentioned Chardonnay and the 2013 Township 7 NBO, (Blend of Cabbage and Merlot from Blue Terrace Vineyard, North Bench Oliver), 13.1%, to go with our grilled lamb chops, later this evening. Cheese is a Baby Grey from Upper Bench, to be devoured as soon as I send this messagio! 

Hello Dear, Dear Friends! Trust everyone is well. Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to one and all, from both Mme Coriandre/Lady Darjeeling, and I. See everyone, here in Penticton, in the not too, too distant future, we trust. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Murielle Merveilleuse! Trust you are well. Thanks for the stunning pictures! Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you, Murielle, from both Mme Coriandre/Lady Darjeeling! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dearest Floridian and Cactoosian, Quasi-Ukrainians! Thanks so much for your lovely, lovely Christmas card, marvellous insert and  New Year's wishes, which just arrived, most fittingly, this morning! At any rate, I want to thank you again, for reminding me of part of my Iro-Ukrainian background! Glad the concert was so special. Trust you are both well. Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you, Naughty Nancy and you, Flour Man, from both Mme Coriandre/Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dearest Island Folk! Trust everyone is well. Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to all four of you, from both Mme Coriandre and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!   

Hello Dottore! Glad you enjoyed the Ice Wine. Stay well, dear friend. Love to you and the Lads! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to a great year and wish the same for you. I would love to be there with you to drink the bubbly but only for a minute after I look at your snow!!  Went out to buy a ham for tomorrow's dinner for the kids and now tucked in with Netflix.  Enjoy! Hi Netflix Woman! Come on up and I'll endeavour to keep you warm!  Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

Hi Patrick, Happy New Year to you two! Tell Corinne that we adaptable Aussies are able to sleep anywhere even on blow up beds(Ayn’s), or in windowless dens(the Sutherlands) so a swag on the veranda will be poifect! My plan is to be at your place any time between25/26/27th January so I will not take up any space reserved for free loading rellies and friends!!! We are still sweltering in 38C every day with air conditioner going full blast.

Last night we went to Semaphore to watch the fireworks, along with many thousands of others, it was a typical balmy Adelaide summers night. The fireworks were spectacular.

I should take a photo of Trevor’s reorganised garage, which he calls his shed as we have never parked any vehicles in it. He has done a major decluttering of much stuff, 4 weeks of full rubbish bins, recycling bins and many trips to the Op shop later and he has space in the middle. He then decided to get rid of the dusty, rusty shelves and purchased closed in cabinets, this means when he is doing wood working jobs then the sawdust will not attach itself to everything! It is now looking very schmick! Must go and have some brekkie. Cheers, Tina 

Hi again, Sweltering Adelaide! Soak up the sun, Teens, as you'll be in a snowbank, with a thin blanket! Congrats on garage, Trevor! My hero!!! Stay well, dear friends until next we meet. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Alberta! Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you both, dear, dear friends Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello Snobby Bobby! Thanks for the wonderful, wonderful card! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Patrick, We are really happy to welcome you to Beer Crafty. Once a week we will send you reviews of great locally brewed beers and news about craft beer events happening in BC. Rest assured that we will never sell or share your email address with anyone and we won’t send you anything that isn’t about beer. Beer Crafty will be at as many local craft beer events as we can and hope to meet you in person soon. Thank you for joining us. Cheers, Robert French Chief cook and bottle washer The Beer Crafty Team.

Hi Crafty Man! Can hardly wait for first posting! Buona Fortuna with new venture and may all your hands be openers! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi again, Joan! Meant to send this along earlier when I happened to come across it. Still trying to "tidy" up my email. A year later!!! How time flies!!! Cheers and Happy New Year, Patrizzio!

Hi Pat! Thanks for the email and the newsy info on the bike ride and the movie..  I am going to forward your pics on to my brother Murray just to make him jealous of us here in Vancouver while he is in Saskatoon! So,  Joanne and I made it to Indio and the time share ..  she is a great driver and of course I know my scintillating company was enjoyed by her.. tee hee.
 

I only drove for about an hour , if that, I chickened out at the entrance to the freeway into LA..  Night time and several lanes of highway going to god knows where..So kuddos to Joanne! The date is now Dec. 23rd and I have just arrived back today from Palm Springs where the sun was shining in 80 degree weather…  Oh well..  we have some too. Merry Xmas to you and Cora Lee and I hope to see you around in the near future! Joan
 

Thanks for the email from last year! I almost didn’t recognize the details on our trip to the states.. how time flies!! Great pictures of your home and the bubbly out in the snow!!! Purrrfekt place for it! Am ensconced here at my place tonight and hope to be awake at midnight.. for the New Year. All the Best! Joan (spoke to Merna yesterday.. she is well and her new hip is healing nicely) 

Late night as we didn't go to bed until around 3:00 am! After we had enjoyed our salad and then the remarkably tasty lamb chops, broiled to poifection by Mme Coriandre, along with grilled haricots verts and fresh carrots, it was close to midnight so we popped the cork on our Noble Ridge One and toasted each other and the New Year, watching some of the coverage from New York. The highlight for me, in terms of entertainment, was a clip of Jimmy Buffet singing Wasted Away in Margaritaville, on stage somewhere in Brooklyn, I believe. I still own his third album, an LP, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean! Another terrific clip was Stephen Colbert singing, along with James Taylor, on guitar, a deadly, curare tipped skewering of today's culture to the most cleverly, wittily changed lyrics of Fire and Rain.

After we said goodnight to Vacuum Land, we sat on the couch, side-by-each, in front of a blazing fire, enjoying both its warmth and the spectacle of flame and ruby coals, the crackle of logs and the whiff of wood smoke when adding another piece of fir to the inferno. Sipping our very, very tasty Noble Ridge sparkling, we talked, at length, about our move to Penticton and our hopes/plans for the coming year. All in all, an extremely pleasurable way to welcome 2016. Now, all we have to do is act on on thoughts and dreams! Onward!! Fight!!! 

Great to hear from you. I'm polishing off the tail end of the Roederer Champagne which we uncorked after our Golden State Warriors won short-handed in Houston, and have the DeLoach Chard that I watched the game with waiting for me to finish off when the bubbly is gone.  We are also planning to have a quiet evening at home (and a roisterous party up near Wildcat Canyon tomorrow afternoon) but we will settle for celebrating New Year's in New York or perhaps Chicago before tucking it in. 

[My scarf from India matches my top perfectly...thank you xoxo!! Here is to 2016 and all it will bring! Love to all, Ayn Gorgeous!!!!]

I hear Ms. Nancy upstairs lecturing her miscreant brother (not husband) Dave on the phone, he is no doubt plastered (*not like her husband a sober citizen if ever there were one).  The sad news for us is that tomorrow morning I will be driving our "Chinese daughter" Lin, who has been here most of the holiday, to SFO where she takes off for Chapel Hill to resume her day job as a visiting scholar.  Our home will feel empty after she abandons our guest room.  She did research here on Ferlinghetti 8 years ago.  She was to meet her husband in Honolulu, he's a chemist in Chengdu, but his visa did not come through. That sounds terrible, but her love for him is pretty much gone (they have a 12 year old boy) and she is looking forward to seeing an old crush of hers back in the South. She is also contemplating a conversion to Christianity, although those two impulses don't seem a good combination.  In any event, we love her and will feel like empty nesters when she's gone. 
 

Our adventures this holiday included Asian Arts Museum (Japan and West, special show) the DeYoung (Art of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition), the fabulous play "Disgraced" and thanks to Lin, "Three Idiots," a sensational Bollywood film that I heartily recommend.  Not sure what distresses me more, Nancy dealing with her brother's recurrent relapses into drunken disorder or the sounds of Lin packing.  Luckily, there is Mozart to mollify the tortured soul....

Glad to hear you are swimming again and I hope the arms are working.  Time to recount our physical woes to each other next time we deprive a Zin bottle of its contents.  Also delighted that you enjoyed the idea of the Ukrainian concert-wish you could have been there as it was just an amazing and unique event. As for your snow, you are welcome to it, although Berkeley has been colder than we can remember (almost) so I've even had to abandon my shorts and sandals. Happy New Year, we will be thinking of you and I raise my champagne flute in your collective honor even as my fingers roll over the keyboard on Nancy's I-Pad.  Love to Chloe as well! Cactus

Thank you and Corrinne for your friendship in 2015, we have enjoyed every moment with you and look forward to many more in 2016 & beyond! Happy New Year and ... indeed ... see you soon! Aart & Jos  Hello Aarturo! Looking forward to seeing you both in 2016! I've signed up for the Monday Boot Camp with Big Al! Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

 

Bright Blue Sky No Snow Blues: Wednesday, December 30th!

The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all. -Pablo Casals, cellist, conductor, and composer (29 Dec 1876-1973) 

Trying to plan. We were thinking of being there for Sat the 30th of Jan if that works. Wayne That would be great! Would you be able to stay for the 31 as well? Happy all most New Year! Corinne We have to go back on Sunday as Michele has to work and we are going to pick up Ryan in Merritt. Wayne

Hello Ruthless and Randolph! Thanks for the lovely, newsy letter, Ruth. Sounds as if you folk have been on much the same family whirlwind as your Canadian counterparts. Delighted, simply delighted, to hear all goes so swimmingly for one and all, if not, exhaustingly, at times, as you note, with respect to commute between Taiwan and Texas. Fondest regards to Adrian and Miranda and assure them that there will always be a "crash pad" at The Burns Street Gin Joint and Hot Sheets Hotel!!! Congratulations on your new role at AT&T, Ruth. Can hardly wait until you are the CEO! Next month? Onward! Fight!! We'd love to visit you in Vail as we've never been to that part of the country before. We have always wanted to drive south, from here, crossing at Osoyoos, into Okanogan County, in Washington, and then make our way east  through Spokane or south past Walla Walla, (We haven't tasted here in years and have friends there as well.), to hit Salt Lake City, again, another place we've only seen from the airport when we flew to Chile in 2008!

Speaking of that trip, Grogg and Lurch were with us, as you might recall, with Clarisse and Dusty, Flamin' and Sarge. The latter will spend New Year's at Madroña Manor. We spoke to Grogg and Lurch over Christmas and Gregg seems to be doing extremely well, adapting positively to his changed medical situation. Just heard from F/S and they will stay overnight on January 30th. They are driving Ryan to Merritt and want to visit with Clara and Dusty as well, so no shortage of visitors, even in the winter!  

In this vein, first morning in almost two weeks that I've not had to shovel or sweep sidewalks and back driveway. Still need to split kindling, however, as Lady Darjeeling insists on living in a sauna. She's busy putting away Christmas ornaments. I plan to make a start on rearranging the shelves in the garage, the better able to find a whole host of things, household and personal, that seemed to have vanished into thin air since we moved. Once that is done and I have more room to manoeuvre I will work on putting up a  number of shelves in the the Rumpus Room storage cabinets. The existing ones are far too deep so right now one must pile/balance cutting boards, platters and turkey roasters, per esempio, one atop the other. Terribly inefficient and makes using things difficult and most frustrating. Will be able to use my new "chop" saw so needed cuts should go smoothly and quickly.

Anyway, must away to put another log on the fire. Do let's try to plan a time when best for everyone to visit. We think we might take a run to LA sometime in the spring so perhaps we could dovetail a visit to Vail, depending on road conditions in that part of the world, your schedules, etc. If not then, for wahtever reasons, perhaps you might think of coming north from there, adding on to one of your trips to Colorado. Fondestos to the Texas Tornadoes, (Did you hear about last night's earthquake in Vancouver? Big jolt at magnitude 4.3 on Richter Scale. Chloë certainly felt it but fortunately no loss of life or property damage, at least according to reports to date.), from Lady Dar and best wishes for a Healthy New Year from both of us. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Lady Dar and Chloë just before we left for airport this past Monday; light dusting of snow yesterday; Christmas tree waiting for spring! Blue Sky for a change!

Hello Sun Worshiping San Franciscans! Already working on your favour, Bad Boy! Have to wear my sunglasses in my study as the sun is streaming in through the window! Continue to enjoy the museums and streets of SF. Again, best wishes for a Healthy New Year from both of us. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Now.. Patrick.. if you can also get on removing all the snow, and bring warm temp's to the Okanagan that would be great.. lol..  As us sun seekers also need a lot of warmth... We were at Golden Gate park yesterday and Haight & Ashbury.. a small pub on a corner... spent the early evening there enjoying the sites and seen of the area... still back in the 60's.. cheers talk with you later ... Ken & Joyce..  

Hello Dope Smokers! Will get around to snow removal tomorrow, if that is fine with you Sun Seekers! Great to hear that you are reliving your hippie past! Again, best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you Bad, Bad Boy, and patient, understanding Joyce, from both Mme Coriandre and I. See you, back here in snowless Penticton, in the not too, too distant future, we trust. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Snow Worshiping St Kilian! Had a note from Bad Boy Ken and he and Joyce seem to be having a wonderful time in SF! Continue to enjoy your downhill life. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello No Snow Antipodeans! What wonderful news that you will be visiting the Northern Hemisphere! It would be more than grand to host you and Gemma, (I apologize if I've managed to mis-remember and/or misspell her name!), if you have the opportunity to come to Penticton. I believe your sister lives somewhere in these parts. Is she still in the Interior? You can all stay if that is convenient, given time limitations, etc. Anyway, keep us posted and we'll plan accordingly.

Continue to enjoy your Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings. Funnily enough, there is a winery, Syncromesh, (Owner is a car fanatic, apparently!), just out of OK Falls, underneath Peach Cliff, and they produce about five different Rieslings, fruit sourced from various parts of the Okanagan. As well, Wild Goose, in OK Falls, off Oliver Ranch Road, does about four or five different styles of Riesling but, as I understand it, all, or most of the fruit is from their own vineyards. Almost like being back in Hunter but on right side of the road!!! Cheers, Pronto Patrizzio!

Hello Pearly Whites! Trust you are feeling better. Hope you don't have a relapse when you receive the whopping delivery bill! Continue to enjoy the Summerland Lives of the Rich and Famous! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

I am feeling a little better, but now Jos has stepped on board. It is just a cold though, with some love from you we will be fine. Thank for your sweety friend note, always fun to read what you're up to! Had no clue that Lady Dar wants to live in a sauna, that is very unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly. However, we still love her no matter what. I though your house looked really nice and cozy, so don't do too much, maybe in the garage.

Yes heard about Vancouver's earthquake,. Vancouver Island has small ones daily. But apparently this is the biggest they had in along time. You of course that it is bound to happen one of these days, i.e. the big one. Subduction zones are notoriously unstable. You need an insurance for this when you live on Van Island. Aren't we lucky in the Okanagan Valley. So far , nothing seems to e extreme her, except maybe the forest fires, but they happen mainly in the US and North of us.

Also from us, we wish you a very Healthy and Happy New Year with lots of great friendship (with the Dronkers' ... they are such nice and interesting people ...). Aart & Jos in the Valley of Heaven  

Hello Ansel! Thanks so much for the grand snapolas! Ones of snowshoe outing were simply magical, wondrous almost beyond belief. I assume your cold allowed you to work on your backlog. Great way to recover. Onward! Fight!! Cheers, Yousuf! Pics: Open House Freeloaders! Very nice pictalos. Thanks. On the last one that guy in the middle look horrible. Two good looking women is probably too much for him! Aarturo

Hey, it's good to hear from u..... Here all is peaceful, I have a cold, sniffle in, coughing, whining and feeling sorry for myself, getting tired of watching meaningless tv... But hope to get better as I'm off to New Orleans on the second to buy a sailboat to goof around the Caribbean for a spell.... Satisfactory sea trials that's all that's required so should be fun... Sun is out here, earthquakes keep us old fellows wondering if we still got it.... It's cold, some frost on the roof in the morn... Ah well no showed required... Keep in touch, only the best for the coming year, much laughter, love, happiness and good health, Kurt

Hello TNT! What wonderful news that you are readying your gear for Sun Peaks. Teens, you'll be there two days before Rosita and Picasso arrive in Penticton! Reservations are starting to pile up as Flamin' and Sarge will be here overnight on January 30th as they'd like to see the Falcon Lake Folk as well. Ayn and Chloë will be here over February 5th to 8th. If no room at the Inn Cora Lee wants you to sleep, in a swag, in a snowbank, on back patio, to seek revenge for forcing her to sleep in a tent on cold ground while crossing Nullarbor!

My how time flies! Hard to believe your goils are almost as tall as the Christmas tree! Unfortunately, keeps moving at the other end as well. Sorry to hear about Trevor's Dad's state. Upsetting at any time. Our hearts go out to him especially knowing how Annie deteriorated. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Sun Belt Cornwall! Thanks for your last message, Derek, a week or so before Christmas. Sorry that I've not been in touch sooner. My standard reply: No excuses but plenty of reasons! Trust you had a most enjoyable time, in spite of the obvious upset about Krissy and Mark. As I'm sure you might have suspected, we learned of the "marital difficulties" from Chloë shortly after Krissy flew back to England. I gather that Krissy, according to Mark, [They spent a bit of time together before he left, as well.], might wish to stay with Chloë when she returns to Vancouver. Tough time for them, obviously, but for you two, as well. Very hard to see one's children having to endure such emotional pain and uncertainty. Anyway, our thoughts and hopes are with them, and you, dear friends.

Anyway, must away to put another log on the fire, and more importantly, I need to pour myself a pint, (in a Cornish Chough Brewery glass), of Cannery Brewing, (our local pub), Paddles Up Pale Ale! Again, best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Derek, and Gayle, and family, from both Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Chloë and Cora Lee with rum and eggnog on Christmas Eve; St Nick pouring Prosecco and orange juice, Christmas morning; low-cal breakfast after opening presents; just before our walk, Christmas Day, (note my new camera strap); The Sisterhood on the KVR trail; Al, (one of hiking group), at Open House; Boxing Day ham; Lady Dar with Jos and Aarturo, more hikers. We are off to celebrate Jos's Surprise 65th on January 2nd. They live in Summerland so about 15 minutes away. Should be loads of fun; light dusting of snow yesterday with wood pile on front porch; finally, blue sky this morning! 

Hello Dearest Gisela! Thanks for your Christmas greetings and New Year's wishes, Gisela, a week or so before Christmas. Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Gisela, (Please pass along the same to Lore.), from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you back in Penticton in 2016 I trust. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Ragin'! Thanks for your last message, a week or so before Christmas.  How did the soccer turn out? I've been too, too busy clearing walkways and driveways to follow such events! Trust you had a most enjoyable time, over Christmas, in spite of your cantankerous Dad. You should be used to dealing with him, just pretend you are playing doubles with me!

Speaking of partnerships, I'd like to book you for next round of shelving installation, post-Henryk. He did a wonderful job with what he erected but still more to do and since I do appreciate your skill and workmanship, not to mention your company, if you are still interested, anytime you feel so inclined, the wood and nails are waiting! I'm dead serious but realize you have a pretty full plate. At any rate, just wanted to let you think about a spring "working" holiday! 

While I'm being so pushy, thought I'd include another request. Do you happen to have an extra power adapter for a MacBook Air. Not a big deal but just thought I'd ask in case you have a drawer full of such things, given your Mac history. I know I can buy one but why not be a Freeloader if it is simply gathering dust somewhere. Let me know and we'll proceed accordingly!
Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Ragin', (Please pass along the same to Denisovitch.), from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you back in Penticton, very early in 2016 I trust! Take care of yourself, Brannimero. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!
  

Hello Dearest Giliana and Taciturn Filippo! Thanks for your newsy Christmas greetings. Where are you? In Sedona or back in Penticton before you leave for The Antipodes? If the latter, we'd love to see you both if your busy schedule allows. Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, Giliana, and Filippo, (Wherever you are!), from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you back in Penticton in 2016, if not before. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello to The Great Balzarini and His Long Suffering Wife! Thanks for your last, brief message, a week or so before Christmas. I guess you didn't know that we moved to Penticton at the end of May! Needed to be closer to wine country! Trust you had a most enjoyable time, over Christmas, in spite of your email problems! Best wishes for a Healthy New Year to you, David, and Janet, and family, from both Lady Darjeeling and I. See you here in Penticton, very early in 2016 I trust! Come and meet a host of artisanal winemakers such as yourself, David! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Wow, you guys really top the news charts!!  Had no idea you had moved to Penticton.  Great photos - looks as though life is treating you very well there.  David is out of town at the moment, but I will forward this to him and/or show it to him when he gets back.  All the best in the New Year!! Long Long Suffering Wife

Hello Long, Long Long Suffering Wife! Great to hear from you Janet! Trust everyone is well. Will just be the two of us to bring in the New Year, unlike some of the wonderful past celebrations at your place. Best wishes, for a Healthy New Year to you Janet, and David, and family, from both Mme Coriandre and I. See you, here in Penticton, in the not too, too distant future, we trust. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Patrick, Hope you all have a reasonably cold NYE rather than a freezing one. Its 35 degrees here (centigrade) so we are riding to a NYE at my daughters place and plan to be home again by 10 as you can see we are slipping into old age at a graceful pace as we have to pick up Claire’s daughter at the airport at 0600 tomorrow so can’t drink. Hope it all goes well for you all. Cheers Greg and Claire

Hi there Patrizzio! Thanks for the email and I hope you get into that community pool as you mentioned .. sounds like a good deal..We had our Quake last night, as you probably know.. just 4 seconds of moving living room and bldg.. but no after effects.. So onward and upward! Going to a dance in New West tonight, then a quiet at home New Year’s.. Hope you have a good time celebrating..! Sounds like your new home and the weather there agrees with both of you!
(back to winter?) ha ha ha! Be glad you’re out of that condo.. nightmare in progress..All the Best to You and your family! Missed you at Joanne’s party but saw your daughter there..Cheers! moi

Hi Joan! Meant to send this along earlier when I happened to come across it. Still trying to "tidy" up my email. A year later!!! How time flies!!! Cheers and Happy New Year, Patrizzio!

Hi Pat! Thanks for the email and the newsy info on the bike ride and the movie.. I am going to forward your pics on to my brother Murray just to make him jealous of us here in Vancouver while he is in Saskatoon!

So, Joanne and I made it to Indio and the time share .. she is a great driver and of course I know my scintillating company was enjoyed by her.. tee hee.
I only drove for about an hour , if that, I chickened out at the entrance to the freeway into LA.. Night time and several lanes of highway going to god knows where. So kuddos to Joanne!

The date is now Dec. 23rd and I have just arrived back today from Palm Springs where the sun was shining in 80 degree weather… Oh well.. we have some too. Merry Xmas to you and Cora Lee and I hope to see you around in the near future! Joan

Hi Patricio, Don't forget to pick up the cake at Wouda's Bakery at noon. All paid for by CC over the phone (CAD 28). Much appreciated. See you soon! Cheers,
Te amigo, Aarturo

These are incredible!!...worth a look!! A few didn't come through but most of them did!! Enjoy!!...Happy New Year's 2016...and may it be your most incredible year yet!!xo��🙏 Hugs, Elle (Murielle)
 

Hurry Hurry Hurry Sidewalk Sweeping Blues: Tuesday, December 29th!

In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you. -Mortimer J. Adler, philosopher, educator, and author (28 Dec 1902-2001) 

 
Hi Patrick, Great to hear from you in the snowy wilds. We are enjoying balmy weather in midtown Manhattan. On Christmas and Boxing days I was out without a jacket. Insane!! 

[Patrick James Dunn Had a message from a friend who is in New York, at the moment, and he was in shirtsleeves! Took our tree outside this morning. Hope to plant it in the spring. Healthy New Year Sylvaine!]

Peter showed us pix and videos of the India trip. It looks like you guys had a great time. Glad you are close to Cannery Brewing; I have never tried their beers (although they are available in the liquor stores) so I will do so soon. Have a great 2016. Cheers, Robert.

Hi again, Rolly Polga! Healthy New Year, RPOP. At least there will be lots of you to hug when you finally return. Lady Dar sends along best wishes. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Sun-drenched Manhattanites! Lady Darjeeling is most envious of you as she took her first trip to New York this past June and certainly would love to return, especially to get away from the cold! We thought that the snow had stopped but it is still coming down, albeit much more lightly than over last few days. Poor Peter will be having to clear his driveway from morning til night. He was away a week or more ago, to Mount Polley, and Lynne was stranded! Fortunately she was able to survive on wine! All the best. Continue to enjoy your stay. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Phuket, Dec.29, 2015 Hi Patrick, Thanks for your report on your Christmas Potluck and invitation to your Open House Party.Sorry that I couldn't make it, but nevertheless I'm sending you and Corinne my very best wishes for a Very Happy New Year.
 
Dream Hunter is on the hard here at Phuket Premier Boatyard and gets a new exterior paint job (paint roller and brush done myself with 2 workers). Since my helpers are Muslems and need constant supervision I did not participate in any Christmas holiday activities. At 35C it's too hot to think about drinking malt wine and eating Christmas goose or turkey. I expect to relaunch Dream Hunter at the end of January and then sail to Langkawi, Malaysia to renew my Thai visa before returning to Thailand. Since I have not seen much of Thailand yet, I will sail between Malaysia and Thailand for a couple of years, perhaps longer if Burma opens it's border to foreign yachts.
 
Tommy wrote me that this year the weather is very warm in Montreal so that my grandson cannot build a snowman but has to play with his new robot toy. Tough life being a kid these days! Are you still planing to visit India? Whereever you are stay Healthy and Happy! Cheers, Henning (aboard s/v Dream Hunter)

Hello Henning! How lovely to hear from you! Trust you are well. From the sound of it, you are fine. Wonderful news indeed. Thanks for the best wishes as well, of course! For our part we have already been to India. Left on October 27th, from Vancouver, and returned on December 10th, then drove back to Penticton next day. Quite a trip. Quite a country. Much to tell but need to wait until we are sharing a drink and a meal.Best wishes for a Healthy New Year, to you, Henning, from Lady Darjeeling and I. Take care of yourself and we certainly looking forward to seeing you, in the not too, too distant future back here in Penticton. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Dunbarites! Trust you are enjoying the "grey and the rain". I thought you Albertans were tougher than that!!! How lovely to hear about Ron and Colin's wonderful meal. (Fond regards to Di and Gaz next time you are in touch.) Pleased Eric will be with you for a reasonable length of time. Do say hello to him for us. Sorry to hear about your floor washing blues! What a drag. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Chloë asked to be remembered to you and wishes you well in 2016. Healthy New Year, to you, Jo-Anne, and Colin, from Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Happy holidays. The Education Library is closed. I am currently away until Dec. 29. I will be working from home Dec. 29, 30 and 31st. I will be checking my emails at that time. Best for the new year! Jo-Anne

Hello Minnie The Pug and Perth Humans! Pleased to hear everyone is well. Thanks for the Christmas greetings and New Year's wishes. Best wishes for a Healthy New Year, to you Bev, Lisa, Minnie the pug, and last but not least, Kev, from Cora Lee and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Yes....thanks Patrick....we also had great Christmas with one son and his family visiting with their daughter Holly a 3 yr old toddler which brought the average age down somewhat!
 
After return from Kauai have been skiing fairly regular but taking a couple of days off to rest and today am doing volunteer duty driving cancer patients to Kelowna (where I am waiting for them now) for their treatments then returning them to Penticton and Oliver. 

Also have new snowshoes and have tried them once......so far so good as I have snowshoes before but these are much smaller and lighter so hope to get out with OF gang in January. Of course I love the snow so not going to complain about that....just glad to have a snowblower for the big ones! Cheers and all the best in 2016 and onward Kilian

Gave them your name and phone number. Paid for it (whopping CAD28 for
the smallest ... I obviously must love Jos a lot!) Thank you very much for doing this. See you soon Aarturo 

Pronto Patrizio! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the family too! It is a shame to have missed the famous Boxing Day Open House - maybe next year; we have been talking about having a northern hemisphere Christmas...
We've had the Aussie family over for the week, so a house full with 7 adults and 2 toddlers has been keeping us rather busy and on our toes. It has been amazing weather; in the mid 20s, sunny and, surprising for Wellington, almost no wind, making it very pleasant. No snow to shovel down here ;)

I did see some of your Indian adventures on Facebook and did get one installment of the Maharaja Diaries. It sounds like a smashingly good time. We have certainly been enjoying some Sauvignon and Riesling (there is a great Marlborough winery that does Riesling in about 5-6 different styles that are all simply mahhhhhhhvellllllous.

We are tentatively planning a week or two in the motherland in July this coming year; will keep you posted and we can plan to swing through Penticton. All my best to the goils, and I will try to be a better emailer too! Happy New Year Pedrito & co   

Corinne and Patrick, Thanks for the Christmas phone call. It was great to hear from you. We had a very nice time with the family. Photos include: The Timbers championship scarves that Elizabeth bought; The fleece blankets Elizabeth designed on Snapfish website; Amanda and Paul wearing their Galapagos blankets; Katie, Milton, and Paul snoozing before the fireplace; Paul fiddling with the candle pyramid thing; MVZ preparing his roasted Brussel Sprouts dish; P&A checking out the Galapagos photo album; Milton; A pile of wrestling VanZantens; The paella that my sister and I cooked on the 26th. Seems we got no pictures of Mike or of me. Typical

Elizabeth has had a really tough 7 months. Although the area of her back where the implant was inserted to replace the damage disc crushing her nerve has pretty much recovered, she has developed chronic pain in her coccyx. No one seems to know why. She has had a variety of treatments: different shots to determine if an "ablation" would help. (no), 10 very painful shots into her sacrum (I thinks those are the 10 holes in the lower portion of her spine). They did not work. She has tried acupuncture, and she's resorted upon occasion to chewable medical marijuana.

She has gone to physical therapy. Both on land and in the water. The situation seems to be getting worse. The next treatment will be a shot in the coccyx (some time in January). After that, if there is no relief, they are recommending trying an electrical device implanted in her back which can be programmed to negate the pain impulses. That would be a last resort, and before she undergoes a "trial" of that therapy, she is having a consultation at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) for a second opinion. 

In the meantime, no one will prescribe any painkillers. Her primary care physician gave her a 10 day prescription for Vicodin and for a muscle relaxer to get through the plane ride and some of the activities in the Galapagos. She prescribed one more round two months ago, but will not prescribe more. Immediately following the surgery they put her on Oxycodone, which was not a good choice because altho' it alleviated the pain, it increased her depression. Last April (I think you know this part of the story), she quit her job and checked herself into an outpatient clinic at a local hospital for depression and pain management. A genome test showed that her body chemistry is such that it takes more than the recommended dose of oxycodone (and Vicodin for that matter) to be effective. Increasing dosage is not a permanent solution.
 

When we were in Vancouver two summers ago, we bought some of the codeine coated Tylenol that can be had in your pharmacies. The druggist suggested Acetaminophen plus caffeine and codeine. Altho' it doesn't completely alleviate the pain, it does have a slight beneficiary effect. He also sold her a muscle relaxer called Robomax (purple pill in purple packaging). The Robomax was sold over the counter in the regular aisle of the pharmacy. The Acetaminophen was behind the counter. He was willing to sell us an unlimited amount, altho' he pointed out that we theoretically could only take 30 pills back into the US. Since there were three of us, I reasoned we each could take 30. Of course no one stopped us to check luggage or anything. They were mostly interested in the documentation we had to take Paul and Amanda over the border (true both ways . . we had passports and notarized statements from the their parents).
 

So to make this long tale short. Elizabeth is not out of her Canadian stash. If you can mail us some, we would be so grateful. As much as you deem doable . . maybe you'll need to package it with some old underwear or tea towels. I'm sure you know all the customs requirements from sending packages to Ayn and her kids.

If there is a Tylenol w/o the caffeine, but with the codeine, that would be preferable. Frankly, I don't know the difference between Tylenol 3 and Tylenol 4. A couple of bottles of Robomax shouldn't be a problem since it is not a controlled substance. However, here it is not available over the counter. Let us know what you think . . and how much we owe you. I will mail you a check.  

And if you decide that you are uncomfortable with sending it, that's OK. We will muddle through. Happy New Year to you both. Hopefully we'll get up your way this summer. Would love to see the new place. Marilyn

Hello Digitale and Fingare! Terrific to chat. Thank you for the lovely Christmas snaps although we are both dismayed, of course, to hear more about Elizabeth's dire back trouble. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to her. Mme Coriandre will be out later this afternoon to see what she can procure and we'll let you know as soon as she has scoped situation. 
 

Must away as I need to pour myself another glass of Cannery Brewing Paddles Up Pale Ale! [We spit on Oregon micro-breweries here in The Okanagan!] Will be in touch anon but until then, best wishes for a Healthy New Year, to you both, Marilyn and Michaelo, and family, (particularly Elizabeth!), from Lady Darjeeling and I. Take good care of each other and we certainly look forward to seeing you, in the not too, too distant future, here in Penticton. Cheers, Patrizzio!         Hello Wisenheimer from Manisnowba! Quit whining about Winterpeg! I thought you Prairie Folk were tougher than that!!! How lovely your Greek brunch sounded. I trust it came off without a hitch.
 

Picked up two bottles of Old Monk, a delish rum from India, [Had been knocking it back over course of trip and developed quite a taste for it!], at Duty Free in Delhi so I hope you will come west to sample it, being the rum aficionado you happen to be! Best wishes for a Healthy New Year, to Famiglia Filmer, from Lady Darjeeling and I. Take care of yourselves and we certainly looking forward to seeing you, Sally and Filmer, in the not too, too distant future, here in Penticton. [Your Kenton Cousins made it this past summer so don't let the hayseeds better you Uptown People!] Paradise beckons so get out of pot-hole city and return to BC to bask on the shores of Okanagan Lake and/or tipple at all the wineries, distilleries and breweries that abound!! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Note local quail, on back fence, just managing to keep its tasseled head above snow line! 

Hi Raymond!  Trust you spent an enjoyable Christmas. Any cake left? Chloë, asked to be remembered to you and wishes you and Sylvia well in 2016. Best wishes for a Healthy New Year, to you and family, Raymond, from Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear OF'ies, Here they are the links:
 
Roddy Flats:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99264714@N02/23405062774/in/album-72157662771462731/

Cartwright Mountain picnic:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99264714@N02/23306162244/in/album-72157660399683773/

Winter Solstice:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99264714@N02/23921367262/in/album-72157660563059534/

3-Bears, Homecoming:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99264714@N02/24033074815/in/album-72157662737845232/
 
Enjoy! Cheers and ... if we do not see each other before hand, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Aarturo the low flying Dutch-now-Canadian-man "Cool" pics, Aart! Thanks for sharing. Happy 2016 to everyone! Vlado & Anna

Thanks Patrizzio! for the good wishes.. but I was wondering if you could  do me a favor.. and have all the snow gone before we get home... that would be much appreciated.. lol.. Sounds like you had a great trip to India... can't wait to hear about..  Yes we are looking forward to seeing all of you upon our return.. heading out to Golden Gate park to take in the museum and Height & Ashbury for a few beer today... cheers for now...  Ken & Joyce in Sunning San Francisco..

  

Dear Patrick, So good to get the updates! I was amazed at your travel to India, but more amazed at the snow country you now call home. How is replacing cycling with splitting wood and shoveling snow? Ah, in the summer time there is plenty of good wine within easy reach I hear ... Corinne looks great! I'm sure Chloe is still shifting between disapproval of her parents' move and attempt to accept the reality?
 

So Randy has spent the last 2 Fall semesters in Taiwan, helping a university to start an international college with focus on business and liberal art. While he has managed to come back to the US about once a month, often for a combination of business meetings/conferences and home visits, we are finding it too much time apart. So he will scale it back to minimesters of ~ 6 weeks in late Spring/early Summer.

Adrian has been working for about 4 months, having set up a small but swanky apartment by the hottest retail/restaurant urban neighborhood redeveloped from the old Pearl Brewery. The apartment complex sits by the river (remember Riverwalk?) across from S.A. Museum of Art. His girlfriend Andie still lives in Brooklyn (and works on her own art, and part time at Christie auction house in NYC) but comes to visit frequently. Adrian declared his plan to quit this job at one-year anniversary prior to his starting, but now may have softened a bit with the lure of rising bank account.

Miranda is in her 2nd year of psychology program and has started her "practicum" -- with 8 clients she sees regularly. Has a boyfriend, also a grad student at UT Austin, who came to the US as a teenager from Bulgaria. I am glad to report that Corinne need not be concerned with bulimia - she is into muscle building these days and is at least one dress size bigger than me!

I moved to a new role (still finance) within AT&T and now support our Digital Experience operations, which can be thought as our new sales channel. It used to be retail stores (i..e mobile phone) and call centers, but this on-line channel is the cheapest way if we can do it smartly. This is a much welcomed change as I was in the previous role for several years. Looking ahead, I'm only a year and a half from retirement eligible. So I have started dreaming about what to do next ...

We enjoy Vail very much and look for every opportunity to go. We plan to spend 6-8 weeks there in the summer (not continuously, but with us and kids coming and going), just like last summer. Dallas also proves to be a cheap route to and from Denver, so Randy and I will ski with 2 trips planned so far. It is rented in the winter via a property management company to subsidize the mortgage. Come see us in the summer!

We found out about Gregg's bladder cancer ordeal through their Christmas letter a couple of weeks ago. Tried calling, but didn't connect as they may have picked up their travel again. Do you two travel back to Vancouver much? Kids still can't believe they don't have a couch to crash on any longer!

I saw a photo posting of Dusty and Clara, and they look better than ever! Please tell them hi for us. We miss Clara's great cooking and Dusty's paintings! Love to you, Corinne! We get updates on the LA clan via Ayn's facebook. Love to Chloe!​​ Ruth