IIDD, July 2nd

Hello Duhlink!

How are you? Haven't heard from you in ages! Trust this note finds you well. Did you celebrate Canada Day? Follow the link below to view some snaps of the Harbour Terrace BBQ! Gathering was a blast and I think the people who attended were more than delighted to meet their neighbours. Particularly a number of couples very new to building. Ironically, and somewhat sadly, of course, for those of us here for sometime, they had the opportunity to meet many people we have been living beside for years, literally, and had never really met or even knew each other by name!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150240906095857.315729.679205856&l=5d6a2272c9

Will be spending the summer here for first time in two years. Looking forward to it if it ever warms up! Nancy and David, from Berkeley, arrive on July 6th for two weeks. Will spend the weekend, 8th-11th, in Okanagan, wine tasting, along with Flamin' and Sarge. Following weekend is Vancouver Folk Festival and all six of us will attend. Mid-week, N/D will take ferry to Nanaimo to spend a few days with Lurchesca and Grogg in Parksville. WE will house/cat sit for them the first week in September when they are back to Europe for a six week cruise, starting in Stockholm, then on to St Petersburg, finally ending in Portugal! Only $27,000 so just spare change for The Millionaires!!!

In early August, two former Swiss boarders, sisters, Fabienne and Ursula, together with a friend we've never met, will stay for a week. In between, we are trying to paint our patio deck and refinish some of lawn furniture Sharktooth Annie is now in a wheelchair most of the time. I take her for strolls around Granville Island. She is in pretty good shape, aside for almost no meaningful speech, given that she will be 98 in September! Chloë is staying in the Annexe, courtesy of her grandparents, while they are in Falcon, but Cora Lee is determined that she have her own place come November! She has been living with us for almost two years, in guest bedroom when not next door. For my part, I have been urging de-de-nesting for years, as you know!

Went to see Hairpsray on Thursday night. (Had a wonderful dinner, beforehand, at Sutherland's, (bbq's lamb chops done to poifection by Sarge; lovely roasted spuds, fresh asparagus and Greek salad by Flamin', with a more than delicioso raspberry torte by her for dessert), washed down with The Spaniard, a 2004 Twisted Oak, Calaveras County, blend, (65% Tempranillo, 31% Cabbage, 4% Petit Verdot), 14.3%, flavours of blackberries and nutmeg, black currants and clove, with enough tannin to balance explosion of fruit.) Musical comedy, (In case you don't know plot, (I didn't!), it features a number of teenagers who are part of a Baltimore TV show, set in 1962.), was simply fab. Had us held in its musical, non-stop, whirlwind grip from start to finale! Numbers, music and lyrics made everyone want to dance, to Twist and Shout, in our seats, in the aisles; delivery was exceptional, by each and every member of the considerable cast, powerful and moving, by turns, and deliciously infectious; choreography was right out of Dick Clark's American Bandstand or Grease; costumes were almost better than anything else, so, so colourful, dazzling ans sexy and ever so cool. How or why did Goth black ever become so popular? Question of race integration is at core of musical so it isn't just fluff. What wonderful entertainment. We were in front row and I had to keep Cora Lee from joining cast on stage. She was literally levitating in her seat whole time!! Left theatre with smiles permanently in place and light, carefree hearts!


Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
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