Hello Old Oak!
Terrific that you've finally broken radio silence! We are delighted to have you stay with us for dates you mention, or even longer, should that suit. See how you like the accommo first! In fact, your bed will still be warm as Lynne and Peter are here for two nights, starting today.
After my ride, I was looking forward to a hot, hot shower before dinner. Cora Lee put on a crock-pot stew that afternoon and aroma was driving Maggie crazy. Her internal clock told her that it was an hour past her regular dinner time and she wasn't amused! Watched Masterpiece Contemporary, Page 8, with Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Tom Hughes, Felicity Jones, Ewen Bremner and Judy Davis. Quite a cast! Wonderful, wonderful stuff, dazzling script/dialogue as only the Brits can do.
Just returned from taking Chloë to Mount St Joseph to have her tonsils out! SHe's been suffering from constant throat infections over last few years and finally convinced our doctor to send her to a specialist. Once this woman saw her records, etc., set up surgery. Current medical opinion, I gather, is that this is not something that most doctors want adults to undergo. Anyway, Chloë is pleased to have it done, although a tad nervous as I drove her to hospital. Apparently, she'll be off work for at least a week. She will miss two evening classes and so has been working feverishly on assignments this past week as she felt she might not be in any shape to concentrate for a bit.
Time to start preparing lamb shanks for slow cooker. Let me know your airline, flight #, time of arrival, (should you actually have passports by then!), and I'm happy to chauffeur you to the Island Inn. Limousine Service is included in weekly rate! Fondestos to you both from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizio!
Dear Patrick,
Many thanks to all who returned their name tags and feedback forms from our 2011 festival.
Grand Prize draws and consolation prize draws took place at the end of our Volunteer Party last Friday Nov 4th.
Winner of the Feedback Form Grand Prize, two tickets to a Tasting Session at the 2012 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, was Front of House volunteer Janet Hall.
Winer of the Name Tag Grand Prize, two tickets to an upcoming Ballet BC performance, was Front of House volunteer Janice Bosnick.
Consolation prize winners of $50 Plum Clothing gift certificates were Paddy Aiken, Consuelo Cuyugan, Nancy Kisby and Pascal Milelli.
Congratulations to all! And many thanks again to everyone for their time and hard work during the 2011 Festival. Details about volunteering for our 25th anniversary festival next October should be on our Festival website by mid-August next year.
Until then, Happy Reading!
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn!
Thanks so much for Festivale Fabuloso! Congratulations to the lucky winners! Terrific party as well, it goes without saying. More thanks to everyone for the wonderful way to end the VIWF, until next year! Sorry we couldn't stay longer but did enjoy The Penelopiad. Quite liked Atwood's feminist take on the story. However, I didn't feel that the songs which convey the plight and fate of Penelope's handmaidens were as powerful as they needed to be to illustrate, to do dramatic justice to the terrible situation, basically slavery, that was forced upon these women. Of course, this is a potent, disturbing and more than legitimate metaphor for the condition of most of the world's female population, both historically and, dispiritingly, contemporarily. For my part, I think I like the book better, although I do believe the adaptation for the stage could be just as powerful, given reworked music/lyrics. Not that I could do better myself, of course, but it seems to me that the basic plot and perspective which Atwood has decided to deal with is fraught with so many highly charged, gripping dramatic possibilities that it is a time bomb, of nuclear proportions, just waiting to be detonated. Even from my sympathetic perspective, this production didn't begin to realize that awesome potential. Still, being reasonably familiar with the Odyssey, I certainly enjoyed seeing it through Penelope's eyes and had to rethink my take on her husband, in particular, and patriarchal society, in general. The Sisterhood never sleeps!!!
Really looking forward to Wade Davis on Thursday. Thanks again!!! Will you be there? Cheers, Patrizio!
Classic Freeloader Ploy!
Hi Giggster!
Great idea about snacks and drinks beforehand. Cora Lee doesn't have a ticket and am not sure if she is free that evening. If tickets are available and she is interested we'll try to pick one up. We can chat about that this evening but thanks for invitazzione!
With respect to tonight, here is a copy of latest exchange with Flamin':
HI all
Diane is in town and when i mentioned it to Patrick on Friday he says she can come tonight for dinner. Is this okay? Do you need me to bring anything??
Hi Flamin'!
First Sarge invites Ziggy Stardust and then Heike is in town as well, so she is included. Now Diane is here so she is next add on. (For your information, you never mentioned her to me on Friday! Furthermore, no fecking Ruby Cabernet or Gamay Noir, or else! Is this the same person who didn't want us to stay with them in Keremeos last July?) Just glad the Millionaires are in Hawaii or else there would be more than just the four of us! What about Daniel and Lorrie? I'm sure Carmen Miranda and Southside Johnny would like to come as well. Are Joe and Heather free? How about Kid Chelene and Beckster? Are they on shift? Could Prince Valiant catch the Concorde from Halifax? Bert and Bella and Jake? Corinne just phoned Samuel so he's on. Christmas is early this year! I guess if I invite Ragin' Bull nobody will come! Hang on a minute until I give him a call!!!
See you whenever you are ready to show your red face, you Black Darrow. Sarge is supposed to come around 5:00pm to play a few rounds of bridge. Don't you be telling me what to do or what to wear or how to act! Aaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooouuuuuuuu!
We'll need you to bring Molly for the bbq if we are going to feed everyone. With all the extra weight she is carrying, she should taste better than the shanks! Phone Cora Lee to ask her about vittles. Good Luck as her cell is here at home! Chloë reminded her, repeatedly, last night, to take it with her to First United as she was to pick her up from Mount St Joseph after her surgery to remove her tonsils. (Is Cora Lee having toe surgery or brain surgery in December?) Hospital just called and she's doing well but won't be released until 2:30pm. Do you think Diane would like breaded tonsils with Hoy Sin sauce for appetizers?
Can hardly wait until OZ! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
PS: On sober, second thought, have Diane come and YOU stay home with your mutt! (This last part was sent by Maggie!)
Hi Sarge!
Forgot to include you in first message!
Maybe it would be easier if we just came for dessert.
Hi Sarge!
Even easier if we came to The Cave for dinner and dessert! Any steaks left!
We have plenty of food and with your bottle of Amarone, we'll be fine with hootch supply as well!
See you at 5:00ish or thereabouts! Cheers, Patrizio!
P,
Thanks for joining the gals at the Lodge. They were quite pleased with how it went in spite of the disparaging comments from the cheap seats – fortunately laughable for the MT. They are looking forward to doing it again next weekend.
I expect to hear about your glorious ride yesterday -- in some detail.
Thought you would enjoy this little story -- below.
See you at 5PM. Let me know if you need me to bring anything.
Seven no,
W
Pretty Damn Seldom
J P McElroy
I remember when I was little how my mother used to say that a soft answer turneth away wrath, but I always thought that Father’s system – a gay answer – was better. Later I discovered the best system of all, and I don’t mean no answer; for you don’t get anywhere in married life not having an answer.
It was a Chinese traveller who evoked the magic formula which makes quarrelling almost impossible for my wife and me. One day, late for his train, he rushed over to the station baggage room, threw his check on the counter and demanded his bag. The attendant couldn’t find it. As precious minutes went by, the Chinese finally could stand it no longer. He pounded the counter with his fist and yelled: “Pretty damn seldom where my bag go. She no fly. You no more fit run station than god sake. That’s all I hope!”
Before hearing this, when anything of mine got mislaid, I used to scream like a banshee. But now I merely holler “Pretty damn seldom where my papers go!” In the old days my wife used to come back snappily with “If you put your papers where they belong, you’d know where to find them!” – which is sheer nonsense.
I found the only answer to such a remark was “You no more fit run house than god sake!” which put her in her place until she learned to retort, “That’s all I hope!” –stopping all argument dead.
In the silly old days I used to moan, “Why don’t you fill out your cheque stubs properly?” Now I just say, “Pretty damn seldom where my money go. She no fly.” And I get just as far as I ever did – which is nowhere.
As for the children, we never quarrel anymore about who is spoiling which. One of us merely looks at the other and says in a resigned way, “ you no more fit to run children than god sake!” which nobody can deny.
Well, there it is. Pretty damn seldom where your happiness go. She no fly. But if don’t try this next time instead of quarrelling, you no more fit run marriage than god sake. That’s all I hope.
Hi RingMaster!
Quite a hoot at the Lodge yesterday. The Peanut Gallery was in fine form. As I mentioned to Kerry, the heckling was perfect as Tia Maria needed such badgering in order to build up a thick skin for those future times she will be playing Honky Tonks, beer joints and other assorted dives where the drunks are giving the piano player a hard time. "Just what she should aspire to do", was her mother's ironic retort!
Liked the Chinese Proverb but thought, at first glance, that it was about marital sex!
I double your stinkin' bid! See you later. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
PS: When are you tendering your resignation from the NRBC?
P,
We have acquired tickets to see Wade Davis. If I recall correctly you and C. also have tickets. Would you like to come here for drinks and snacks before the reading?
Maybe we could bus downtown together from here? W
I will be away again on the 27th on an unexpected hardship posting to
Whistler.
Rather than struggle to find another date that is amenable to the
unreadership, I recommend the gathering go ahead on the 27th as planned. I
will endeavour to pay the hefty fine that will no doubt be levied against me
-- and will endure the requisite dressing down. G
Whistler.
Rather than struggle to find another date that is amenable to the
unreadership, I recommend the gathering go ahead on the 27th as planned. I
will endeavour to pay the hefty fine that will no doubt be levied against me
-- and will endure the requisite dressing down. G
George,
First squash, then skiing, eh! What's next, skeet shooting or scuba diving?
My pick for our next book is The Botany of Desire (Michael Pollan).
From somewhere on the net:
"Michael Pollan’s The Botany of Desire tells the story of four familiar plants—the apple, the tulip, the marijuana plant, and the potato—and the human desires that link their destinies to our own. Its broader subject is the complex reciprocal relationship between the human and natural worlds, as illustrated through the cultural history of plant domestication and gardening. Pollan writes in his introduction that his book is “as much about the human desires that connect us to those plants as it is about the plants themselves.” "
Of course this quote comes with the usual caveat, put best in following snippet of sagacity:
“The trouble with quotes on the internet is that it’s difficult to determine whether or not they are genuine”
- Abraham Lincoln
However, as Mark Twain said, "the quality of information on the world wide web is often better than it appears." Guy
I think he was talking specifically about statistics, no?
8^) cheers, Mark
Or Wagner, or something.
Great story about Big Al! LOL
Nana looks beautiful in her skinny jeans!
Hi Tinsel Mania!
You should see her without them on!!!
Ha ha ha! Love it!
Thanks for the update on Chloe...was sending her good thoughts this morning.
Hi again, Ayn!
Nana brought your sister home and hour ago and she didn't seem to be feeling too, too badly. Think she may still be "under the influence"!
Time to baste the lamb shanks we are having for dinner. Nana is too busy watching Victor! Love, Dad!
Pat,
Hope Chloe is doing well. Probably has to have clear soup and ice cream for a while.
Left a message with Ken this morning for Friday. Not even sure he's in town. 14 day trend non too promising. The only day that looks good is Thursday with sun and reasonable temperatures.
Ray
Hi Ray!
Thanks again for smashing ride! As I mentioned, had had the foresight to put my light on my handlebars before I left home as shortly after I left you dusk was falling and I needed to make sure I could be seen. Didn't even have to do any dipsy-doodling around Kits Point as I had plenty of kliks on the odometer by time I was close to home and had logged 72.33K, as my feet touched the ground for the first time, Dear Reader, since leaving the Harbour Terrace Heartbreak Parkade!
Was looking forward to a hot, hot shower before dinner. Cora Lee put on a crock-pot stew that afternoon and aroma was driving Maggie crazy. Her internal clock told her that it was an hour past her regular dinner time and she wasn't amused! Watched Masterpiece Contemporary, Page 8, with Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Tom Hughes, Felicity Jones, Ewen Bremner and Judy Davis. Quite a cast! Wonderful, wonderful stuff, dazzling script/dialogue as only the Brits can do.
Took Chloë to Mount St Joseph at 6:45am this morning. You will recall I mentioned that she's been suffering from constant throat infections over last few years and finally convinced our doctor to send her to a specialist. Once this woman saw her records, etc., she set up surgery. Current medical opinion, I gather, is that this is not something that most doctors want adults to undergo. Anyway, Chloë is pleased to have it done, although a tad nervous as I drove her to hospital. Apparently, she'll be off work for at least a week. She will miss two evening classes and so has been working feverishly on assignments this past week as she felt she might not be in any shape to concentrate for a bit.
Cora Lee brought her home about half an hour ago and she didn't seem to be feeling too, too badly. Think she may still be "under the influence"!
As you say, Thursday seems only bright spot on the horizon. Let's just see how forecast unfolds and plan accordingly. Time to baste the lamb shanks again! Cheers, Patrizio!
Thanks for the update Poppa...being a free-loader certainly has its
rewards if lamb is on the menu.
I had Alex and his friend Lamar over for dinner last night and grilled
rib-eyes, with fresh corn and fully loaded baked potatoes. They had
just returned from a fraternity retreat in Big Bear where it had been
snowing when they packed up to head back to the city.
Love to all!
Words, like flowers, have their colors too. -Ernest Rhys, author and editor (1859-1946)
No comments:
Post a Comment