IIDD, May 25th

Hi Brenda Louise!

Was wondering about you so pleased to have heard from you. Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond but seem to have been rather busy of late. Sounds like a fairly major home improvement undertaking! Do hope you will be pleased with results once you've had a chance to live with new flooring. Cora Lee can hardly wait to come to see it!!!

As I mentioned, has been quite a busy last few weeks. One of the highlights was a concert on Wednesday of last week. Cora Lee and I took in 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, as you might know, 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!"

On the cycling front, have been putting in some fairly lengthy rides and am pleased with distances in question. Last Friday set off from The Island Inn at 7:30am to rendezvous with friend Ray, at his place, and then met Peter, another cycling chum, at Cypress and Marine to cycle out to Steveston. We returned via #6 Road, Cambie Sky Train Bridge and Heather. Lads went their separate ways around 33rd and McKenzie and I headed out to UBC. By the time I was on Marine Drive I was ready to call it quits as I felt like I was struggling all the while, head wind not helping matters much either. However, I cajoled myself into grinding up 16th to Blanca and then back down to Marine. By the time I was at the Spanish Banks Hill I had 72K on the odometer so I knew I had a probable 85K by time I was home. Breeze at my back, sun shining, I somehow caught a second wind and by dipsy-doodling around Kits Point I upped count to 88K and then it was 91K as I sailed past Harbour Terrace and I was away to Science World and then Cambie Bridge where I turned around and made for home. Not pedaling very quickly around Seawall, (or UBC for that matter!), more taking in the sights and other biker/pedestrian traffic than speeding along but felt quite comfortable so was pleased with 101K total. Quite a marked difference from day before when I was literally pelted with hail!

Managed to put 112K on odometer today. My longest ride to date. Ray and I went over Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver and up to the Seymour Demonstration Forest and then back down, over Second Narrows Bridge and then to Granville Island. Ray made for home and I continued along Spanish Banks out to UBC and around Marine Drive to Dunbar and then back home again. Am currently seeing a physio for my right shoulder. Results of MRI indicated I have little if any cartilage in joint and am on a waiting list to see a specialist to determine if some surgery is required. Exercises physio has suggested seem to be helping with both increased range of motion and some pain reduction. Marginal but am optimistic. One baby step at a time!

Fond regards from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio!

> Hi:
> Congrats on your self-publishing!  Great idea!
> Sorry I haven't got back to you but you know how I love my projects! We replaced the flooring on the entire main floor.  That entailed moving everything either upstairs or into the garage and moving to a motel for a few days so Pic wouldn't suffer from the glue.  I think it's an improvement but don't know whether I'm really thrilled about it.  We decided because of wet areas involved (laundry, dishwasher etc) and having to wash around Pic's cage that we'd use Armstrong vinyl plank in a black walnut. Pic would eat cork and because the humidity is so variable here they find flooring manufacturers won't honour their warranties for hardwood and bamboo because they shrink and expand too much.  "Rain on a desert's dusty face" (Omar)is great for desert blooms and not too good for flooring.
> What was the outcome of your tests?
> Love
> B