IIDD, May 9th

Hi Roma and Leonard!

Lovely to hear from you! Enjoyed hearing about your travels. Sounded wonderful.  Sorry to hear about your Mother but glad to learn that she seems to be recovering well with the help and care of your brothers.

For our part, we are staying fairly close to home this summer, if it ever arrives! We will have a number of friends, (Berkeley, Sweden, Japan, so far), so looking forward to seeing them. With Nancy and David, from Berkeley, we will take a trip to the Okanagan to taste wine as we usually do the same with them in Sonoma/Napa when in California. We are currently planning a fairly major trip to Australia, in March 2012, with our friends Michele/Wayne, (aka Flamin'/Sarge), couple we traveled with in France, last September. Have not yet decided when we will fly, (they have booked for March 15th), but will probably leave mid-February to spend two weeks, or so, with Clara and Dusty, Corinne's parents, in Hawaii, en route. Then on to Fiji, perhaps, for at least a few days, as we've only ever stopped for an hour to refuel. Not only do we want to break up the fairly long flight but also want to see more of the islands in the Pacific. If we can manage things, Cora Lee would like to return via Japan/Hong Kong as we have never been to the Orient, other than an overnight stop in Singapore, en route to Perth in 2003. Loads to arrange so will let you know when we are closer to a confirmed itinerary!

Of late, have been quite busy attending a number of literary and musical events, as well as cycling around the city. Really enjoyed listening to Bernhardt Schlink, (The Reader), two Mondays ago, at VIWF Incite Series at VPL Central. (Easy finding street parking as everyone was watching Canucks game on TV somewhere.) He read from his latest, The Weekend, (both in German, one of sponsors was Goethe Institute!), and English, about a terrorist who has just been released from prison. His sister invites a number of old friends to her place to spend the weekend with him. Bit like Peter's Friends with a dash of Molotov, Baader-Meinhof cocktail! (Cora Lee is reading one of VPL's copies as I compose!) He is wonderfully articulate and it was fascinating to hear his take on contemporary German society as well as his answers to many interesting questions about his work from the floor.

Following day went for a pretty grueling ride, all things considered, at least for me. Friend Ray cycled to our place, close to 9:00am, and we took off around Seawall, over Lions Gate and then along 1st Avenue, more or less, through North Van to foot of Lilloet, up past Capilano College to Seymour Demonstration Forest and then back down via Lynn Canyon Headwaters Trail, Lynn Valley Road/Keith Road to Marine and 1st Avenue, over Lions Gate and down through Stanley Park. Returned to Kits over Burrard Bridge as Ray had to be home by noonish. (Although a retired elementary school teacher, he is in constant demand to tutor.) I continued on out to UBC, along Spanish Banks, bucking a reasonably strong headwind, of course, out Marine to Dunbar and back to retrace my steps home. 103K by time I made it to Harbour Terrace and I'll tell you I was pleased as punch that wind was pushing me along on return leg! I now plan to ride to Brantford before the end of the summer!!!

At the end of the week, on Saturday, Flamin' and Sarge had invited us for a wonderful lamb dinner, (Prince Valiant, Nicolina, Sutherlands children, and Marvin, Nicole's boyfriend, were at table as well and we had, among other topics, a heated discussion about "adult" children still at home!), before taking us to the Stanley to see Hairspray, their present to us on the occasion of our 35th. When we arrived, by cab, we discovered the performance had been cancelled as result of the male lead having suffered a mild stroke earlier in week. Cora Lee had read about this in paper but article mentioned that the stand-in would allow musical to continue. Apparently, replacement was not ready. Seems role is pretty demanding and we suppose individual didn't have enough time to learn part to degree necessary. Only took a minute or so to understand what was happening so we actually piled back into same cab, (I asked him to wait as soon as I overheard, from a number of the people employed by theatre, out on the sidewalk in front of the box office, there to deal with ticket holders), and made our way home again. Poor Sarge had walked, (not enough room for all of us in one cab), and he arrived just after we left, lost to us in the scrum on the other side of the box office. It was really pouring by then but fortunately he had an umbrella!

Back at Harbour Terrace the cabbie pulled in under slight overhang to entrance to garage and as we were paying fare, (He only charged us $5 for trip back. First ride was $7 something and Cora Lee had given him $10), car behind honked to hurry up. We scrambled out, muttering that it was probably somebody in building who was grumpy at us for all the noisy parties we host. When cab pulled away and gate opened we discovered it was Joanne Trueman who lives on 4th floor. I had met her in hallway, a number of years ago, and each subsequent time we bumped into one another I had invited her for a drink, if we were having a gathering, at the time. She had never turned up so when I recognized her after she rolled her window down, I invited her to come for a drink, once again. Found out that she had gotten to know Flamin' not that long ago so it wasn't but a few minutes before she was knocking on our door, supposing that I must not be a freak if I knew Michele. Little did she know! Anyway, Sarge came upstairs after he dried himself off and we had a couple of bottles of wine and got to know Joanne. She is keen to be part of the Block Party we are planning on July 1st, Canada Day. Lovely end to a lovely evening in spite of cancelled show.

Last night Cora Lee and I attended a concert, Michael Kaeshammer and Jill Barber, at the Vogue, downtown. I knew Jill's work more so than Michael's and really wanted to see her in a live performance. Vogue is a terrific venue, not so large that one needs a telescope to see the performers. In fact, quite intimate, just the size for me if I am going to enjoy such an event. Jill opened and she really is a remarkable chanteuse. Trust her career continues to develop as she certainly deserves attention. Her material evokes the torch songs and romantic ballads of the '40's and early '50's. Far, far more appealing to me than the work of today's current slate of stars, at least the ones I've heard, from time to time, more by accident than choice, I must admit. Most seem rather harsh and un-melodic to my ear and I simply can't be bothered to listen to their whining laments! Her back-up band, (piano, violin/oboe or clarinet, I'm not sure, drums, guitar and double bass), were terrific, a pure delight and a perfect accompaniment to her singular voice, never overpowering it, simply supporting and emphasizing her extraordinary phrasing.

Knew very little about Michael Kaeshammer and would not have purchased tickets if he had been on bill alone. However, certainly more than glad that Jill's appearance drew us to concert as he is a truly exciting, amazing performer. First and foremost he is an unbelievable pianist. I don't think I've ever been so taken with the piano before. I gather he is steeped in the New Orleans jazz tradition/scene and his pyrotechnic playing confirms this heritage. His band were just as accomplished and riveting on their individual instruments, (trombone, saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar/double bass, and drums), as he was on piano/electric keyboard. Jill opened and after Michael's set they both returned to stage to do a duet: Moon River. He played and she crooned and it was a simply marvelous way to end the thrilling evening of live music and song. Keep forgetting how exciting it is to see and listen to artists such as these two. As Chloë said, when we returned, "you need to go out more often, Dad!"

With respect to Mom, she seems fine, such as her age and condition allow. I've been putting some Arnica Gel on the bruises on her arms and hands, (her skin is so fragile that she seems to suffer from the slightest knock), for last few weeks and am pleased to say that her recovery is very noticeable. She holds my hand while I apply lotion and yesterday said " You are cute" and "I love you!" We bought her a number of changes of adaptive wear, a month or so ago, that make it easier for staff to dress her now that she is in a wheelchair. They do walk her twice a day but she really requires a wheelchair to be moved around, whether to meals or other activities or to our place. Still, she beams at everyone and seems far more comfortable, psychologically and emotionally than most of the other lonely souls in residence.

Have meant to call Greys in Kenton to hear just how they are faring. I think that both Rivers and Kenton are high enough that the towns and surrounding farms would not flood, but I don't know that for certain. I'll let you know once I've made contact. Don't know where time goes as I've thought about calling ever since flood threat developed! Time to get ready for today's ride so will say goodbye for now! All the best. Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizio!