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Hi Gaelen!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated indeed!
Look forward to seeing you and Gian Paolo over hols if you can arrange something with Chloë Until then, Happy Christmas and a Grand New Year to you and JP and your family. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Happy Birthday Patrizio!!
I would love to join in today but I'm tied up with stuff, tomorrow's
looking good weatherwise though and I would like to get out if you or
anybody else is available. See attached bicycle enhancement package
proposition I put together for you! Have a great day. Cheers, Al
Hi Fabienne, Host Daughter #1!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated indeed! Look forward to seeing you when you are back in Vancouver! Until then, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and Ursula and your wonderful parents, Renate and Rolando, from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Cheers, Patrizio, Cruelest of Cruel Host Fathers!!
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Patrick my dear friend From all my heart I wish you all the best to your birthday!!!!! Good luck, success, happiness and sunshine and especially good health shall be with you. Take good care. Marco |
Hi Marco!
Simply wonderful to hear from you! How are you? Where are you? What are you doing? Look forward to seeing you in Vancouver! Until then, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and your family from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Greetings from Nanoose!
Cimcky &; family wish you a very Happy Birthday. Some vintage wines await you.. All the Best!! Grog, Lurch & Cimcky
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Dear Patrtick . Happy birthday on Tuesday - wanted to be a little ahead of time not to forget you! I hope you are well, and Corinne too. We are fine, busy in some ways, sports , school, and I changed job AGAIN in October and I now work in af trainee-position (?) in Child and Adolescent psychiatriy in Risskov. Things developed in to unfortunate circumstances in the municipality, head doctor's position cut down, other boss messed the budget intensively, people were to be fired, I feared for my job and applied elsewhere. But I am under-dog again, and will use some time to consider whether I should take a new speciality (added to my General Physician degree) never the less I am comfortable in my new jop which is multidisciplinary, and I like that. Boys are fine, mostly Peter, Johan still has outbursts of anger and irritability, probably linked to his constant feelings of stress and sorrow due to divorce and a father who is more and more often showing his angry side towards boys, too. ... At christmas we will be travelling to Cecilia's in Copenhagen, and there will be a nice party there with my mother , Aage and more. Have a nice Birthday on Dec 6th, and say hello to Corinne , af big hug from Margareta |
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated!! Trust that things are settling down at your new work place. Holiday at Cecilia's in Copenhagen sounds wonderful indeed. Please pass along Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year from all of us here at The Island Inn to everyone at the celebration. We will be having Christmas dinner with Clan Sutherland downstairs this year. Not yet sure what plans are for New Year's Eve.
Sorry that it has taken me a bit to reply but this past week has been rather a whirlwind of activity, to say the least! On Monday evening I did a volunteer shift helping to sell Christmas trees at Aunt Leah's lot in Burnaby, on Royal Oak and Rumble. They have expanded from two lots, (first was/is on Granville and 59th), to four this year, one in North Van, the other in Coquitlam. Very Pleased for their fund raising effort as this non-profit does some very good work with youth. From their website:
We provide safe, secure housing and programs that give young people the practical skills they need to make a successful transition to adulthood and independence. In addition, we provide young moms with housing and support in learning how to care for themselves and their babies.
We work with very vulnerable and marginalized young people such as:
Teen aboriginal moms
14 to 19-year-olds who are in foster care
19 to 28-year-olds who have been in foster care
Homeless moms who are being discharged from the BC Women’s Hospital Fir Square Ward--a dedicated pre-natal and post-natal care ward for moms recovering from alcohol and drug addiction
Friend, Ragin' Bull, was along, (He volunteered last year as well.), and although it was cool and crisp it was dry so it was fun helping families select their trees. Brought home a 6' Noble Fir for our place. After I dropped Branko off at Spruce Harbour Marina, where his boat is moored, just five minutes from our place, I drove home and parked in the outside lot as I knew I couldn't clear gate with tree on the top of my car. Went in to ask Dusty to help me carry the tree up the stairs to our patio and had it untied by the time he joined me. We took it off the roof together and when I made to take one end he simply grabbed the tree in a bear hug and marched off with it up the stairs, telling me, over his shoulder, to park the car! So much for an 86 year old!
Next day, Tuesday, December 6th, was my birthday, (as you obviously know!), and I started it off by going on a glorious ride around Stanley Park with regular riding mate, Whirlygig. It was reasonably foggy/misty, but not particularly cold, and city looked absolutely wonderful, shrouded as it was, sounds seemingly muffled. Giorgio left me at Macdonald and Point Grey as he had errands to run to get ready for his coming ski trip to Rossland. I continued on out to UBC and along Marine Drive to 41st, making my way towards Arbutus and Dino, my barber, owner of Economy Barbershop on corner of 41st and West Boulevard. Had to do a bit of dipsy-doodling around some of the Kerrsidale streets beforehand as I had decided I'd ride 64K to celebrate my birthday. Stopped with 64.64K on the odometer so that was my first birthday present to myself!
After being shorn by Dino, wished him a Happy Christmas and made my way back towards home, down Macdonald and then east on 2nd, stopping at 2nd and Burrard, at Modern Nails, for a pedicure! Enjoyed a delicious back/shoulder/neck pummeling in the massage chair while I was having my feet pampered. My second birthday present to myself! By the time pedicure was finished it was just after 5:00pm so I raced home to have a quick shower as I needed to be ready to curl with Flamin' and Sarge at 6:15pm. They collected me and we made our way to VCC, now in the facility built for the Olympic/Para-Olympic events.
We had a great game, managing to steal one point every end, often just a squeaker, for the first five ends. On the sixth, the opposition scored their first point but clock had run out so we shook hands and repaired to the bar. It was our mini-Christmas Party with pizza and beer. League fees cover costs for such food and one pitcher of draft per team. Pizza came from Camy's Pizza and they were divine, particularly the Butter Chicken! I had ordered a large cake from Costco and after everyone had feasted on the delicious pizza I gave a couple of "Attenzziones" and then thanked Team Johnson for allowing us to win on my birthday. Then I proceeded to lead the gang in a boisterous round of For He's A Jolly Good Fellow! My third birthday present to myself! Everyone enjoyed the short sing along and the cake and so it was loads of fun, celebrating my 64th with 64, (16 teams in our Granville Island League), curling friends.
Back home, Flamin' and Sarge came up to have a birthday drink and I opened a number of presents. Everyone was most impressed with the magnificent, enormous Christmas cake Robo Ray, another regular riding mate, had left for me day before my birthday, and I mentioned that he'd been keeping us abreast of recipe and shopping for ingredients over rides during November. Whirlygig had left two very nice bottles of wine and a book on our patio, just before our ride that morning. Flamin' and Sarge gave me a super malt, Arran, The Amarone Cask Finish, 50%, spice and warmth in the mouth, extremely well balanced with a most satisfying Amarone finish, so we needed a couple of snorts to make sure it was as good as we thought it was! Cora Lee presented me with a Sirius Satellite Radio so that I can listen to commercial-free music, talk and comedy on our road travels. Basically it's really a present for her so that she can read without having me interrupt her, continually asking her to look for a static-free station of play a certain selection on the iPod!
For her part, Chloë claimed she wanted to to prolong the gift giving so she was planning to give me my present from her on the weekend, while Maggie promised not to wake us up before 8:00am for a month! This, plus all the wonderful wishes, cards and email, from friends near and far, and I certainly counted myself a very fortunate Birthday Senior, (if not Boy), indeed!
On Wednesday, I went for a swim at the Aquatic Centre and was pleased to do two miles, (magic number 64 again, 64 lengths), of non-stop crawl so I think I will be able to reach my 3 mile target before Christmas. Shoulder felt very comfortable. I gave it a massage in hot tub before and after swim. Look forward to that part the most!
Back home to run a few errands and then to get house ready for Kathleen and Steve, arriving from Melbourne/LA. I was to collect them from airport but Zoe, their daughter, called to say she would fetch her parents. Glad she did as flight was supposed to arrive at 3:30pm and I wasn't looking forward to rush hour traffic, let me tell you. Once released from chauffeur duty, I drove to GIB to collect four plastic milk crates. Cora Lee and Dusty had put up the tree on Tuesday morning, after I'd left for my ride, but by that night Die Direktoren had decided she wanted it raised! Had thought of building a small platform, on which to place the tree stand, out of scrap lumber but realized that the multiple milk crate approach was simpler. The Brewery takes delivery of some dairy products for the food service operation in the Tap Room and Chloë knew that there were scads of empty crates in one of the storerooms there. She phoned ahead and arranged to have four waiting for me.
Once I'd collected them Dusty came over and tied them together with some strong plastic twine. After he was satisfied with the arrangement, we picked up the tree, water-filled stand and all, and Chloë positioned the platform under the stand. Woiked poifectly and Coriandre was more than delighted when she returned from a VPL Board Meeting to see our handiwork. Higher positioning really shows off the tree and makes it easier to water, not to mention making more room for more presents under its boughs!!!
As things turned out, the United flight was almost six hours late! We had invited Flamin' and Sarge for dinner so we went ahead with meal as Zoe had called to inform us of new ETA. Nevertheless, had a grand visit when they finally made it, just after 10:00pm, exhausted though they were.
On Thursday evening Cora Lee and I went to the Christmas Dinner for the board members of the Friends of VPL. It was held at the Waldorf, on East Hastings. I'd been there in mid-October for the VIFF Volunteer Lunch so was quite looking to the evening. It was a relatively small gathering, about twelve or thirteen people, and we all sat at a long table. However, some of us moved around between courses to chat with people at one end or the other so visiting worked well. Food was wonderful. Cora Lee and I shared a fried halloumi/tomatoe appetizer, followed by a delicious hearts of palm salad and then a scrumptious dish of Chorizo sausages on a bed of polenta. Couple of bottles of Los Moras Tannat and their Garnacha, shared with those not drinking beer, and we had plenty of quaffable hootch with which to toast the Christmas season.
Chloë had dropped us off at the hotel so we took a cab home. Once back at The Island Inn we took Kathleen and Steve next door to visit with Clarisse and Dusty as they'd not really had a chance to chat since arriving. Loads of fun catching up and then we came back to our place to sit around fireplace until just before midnight. Said goodnight to our guests then as as we had a reasonably early morning coming up. I was to drive Coriandre to Mount St Joseph's by 7:45am for her scheduled toe surgery.
In fact, I woke up at 6:00am on Friday morning and read in bed until after Cora Lee had her last plastic garbage bag free shower for a few weeks! Dropped her off at hospital and wished her well. Back home to make breakfast of a some yummy turkey/chicken sausages for demanding house guests. Kathleen was in charge of making toast: Terra Breads' whole grain loaf! I cleared up while the Ozzites readied themselves for a walk along Seawall and then I donned my cycling togs. Had arranged to Meet Whirlygig adn Robo Ray at noon just outside our building and when lads arrived we made for Science World to rendezvous with Marcus Aurelius who had taken Sky Train in from Burnaby.
Still pretty nippy even with a clear blue sky and sun beaming down upon us. Had to be a careful as pathway was covered with frost wherever warming rays were blocked by a building or a fence or trees. Closer we came to Stanley Park itself there were fewer and fewer icy patches so we sailed along, reveling in the sunshine, drinking in the mountains and the freighters in English Bay.
Towards the end of the ride I invited lads home to have a java and some of Clara's fantabulous home-made oatmeal shortbread. Unfortunately, Raymundo had to decline as he had a number of tutoring sessions. For his part, Whirlissimo was running behind in his packing for his Christmas ski holiday. He was leaving quite early the next day and since he was to be gone for more than two weeks he had innumerable things to do before setting off. Just to make sure that they were making for their respective residences we accompanied them to just beyond Kits Pool, waved goodbye, and returned to the Heartbreak Hotel.
Marcus made directly for our patio while I hitched my steed in the garage. (But a paltry 37.33K on the odometer, Dear Reader, but the lack of distance was more than offset by the jocular banter and the stupendous sunlight drenched scenery!) By the time I was inside he had already introduced himself to Kathleen and Stefano and was amiably chatting away. Chloë was home on her lunch break and informed me that I was to collect her mother at 2:45pm. It was just after 2:00pm at this point so I put on a fresh pot of java and served up the wonder shortbread. Didn't take long for the assembled company to gang up on me, engaging in a completely uncalled for "Patrick Bashing " session, so vitriolic and hurtful, in fact, that I had to remove myself from the withering verbal abuse by making a quick exit to pick up Coriandre at Mount St Joseph's! Pleased to report that surgery went extremely well, (slightly more than two hours under the scalpel!), and the Canadian Patient has been relatively pain-free ever since coming home.
It is more comfortable for her to sleep on couch in living room, her right leg raised on some enormous pillows, a comforter keeping her cosy, along with Maggie, purring like a 50hpr outboard, atop her tummy. I am rather chagrined to have to acknowledge that so far she has been a model patient, both undemanding and courteous to her caregivers. Whether this will last after her pain medication prescription is exhausted remains to be seen!
She spent a very good night and even fed Maggie the following morning. Her only complaint, post-surgery, is that her affected toes are extremely itchy although she is quite proud of the pins sticking out of the ones operated upon, capped with tiny, yellow plastic Smiley Faces! Her own private construction site! She takes every opportunity to show them off to friends and family, even complete strangers passing on the sidewalk outside our patio, waving them in with a crutch! I gather she intends to offer viewings, on the half hour, over the holiday season, starting with the Open House we are having this afternoon!
Theme is Greek and Clarisse is doing lemon potatoes. Dusty will grill chicken on wooden skewers, interlaced with cherry tomatoes and pieces of red/yellow/green peppers. Can hardly wait to smell the kebabs on the bbq. They are presently marinating in a lemon pepper/olive oil/seasoning salt/garlic concoction, recipe from Pamela, Cora Lee's youngest sister. Chloë is making two large deep dishes of tofu spanakopita, (for the vegetarians!), and I'll make a number of Greek salads, plus numerous houmous/tzatziki dips with pita bread. Clara has made two Angel Food, (one of my favourites!), cakes for my birthday cake so I'm very pleased, as you can imagine!
Well, time to start moving furniture around, do a bit of vacuuming and other clean-up chores, in readiness for 5:30pm arrival of guests. Should be about 25-30 people, over the course of the afternoon/evening, so quite a manageable crowd. Fondestos to you and Johan and Peter from all of us. Wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love and Cheers, Patrizio!
Hello Patrick
In case I don't get a chance to contact you on the 6th, just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday on Tuesday and hope you will enjoy it in the manner to which you have become accustomed!
Much love and promise to catch up soon. Penny xx
Gaol time
Hearing Patrick tell of the the time he spent a single day in gaol brought to mind these lines from the Ballad of Headingly Gaol:
I know not whether Laws be right, Or whether Laws be wrong;
All that we know who lie in gaol
Is that the wall is strong;
And that each day is like a year, A year whose days are long.
Thanks again for hosting Patrick. Guy
Hi Lads!
Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to everyone's gracious messages. Enjoyed the Ballad of Headingly Goal immensely, Guy. Just wondering if you know the lyrics to the The Island Inn Blues. I'd appreciate hearing them as I am currently living them!
On Friday afternoon I picked up Coriandre at Mount St Joseph's after her operation on her right foot. Pleased to report that surgery went extremely well, (slightly more than two hours under the scalpel!), and the Canadian Patient has been relatively pain-free ever since coming home.
It is more comfortable for her to sleep on couch in living room, for now, her right leg raised on some enormous pillows, a comforter keeping her cosy, along with Maggie, purring like a 50hpr outboard, atop her tummy. I am rather chagrined to have to acknowledge that so far she has been a model patient, both undemanding and courteous to her caregivers. Whether this will last after her pain medication prescription is exhausted remains to be seen!
She spent a very good first night and even fed Maggie the following morning. Her only complaint, post-surgery, is that her affected toes are extremely itchy although she is quite proud of the pins sticking out of the ones operated upon, capped with tiny, yellow plastic Smiley Faces! Her own private construction site! She takes every opportunity to show them off to friends and family, even complete strangers passing on the sidewalk outside our patio, waving them in with a crutch! I gather she intends to offer viewings, on the half hour, over the holiday season!
Thanks again to everyone for the very kind words and lovely offerings, (Moe's pastries, Marcus' inspired obstreperousness!), surrounding the last gathering. I am more than delighted to host and am certainly pleased that everyone seems to enjoy themselves. For those of you I might well not see before the next meeting of the NRBC, I wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and/or a Healthy New Year! Cheers from the Management, Staff and Guard Cat at The Island Inn! Il Conduttore/Patrizio!!!
Pat, thanks again for your generous hostility at the Island Inn last night.
The next meeting will be Sunday, 15th January, 2012. Venue TBC -- subject to the availability of the Island Inn.
The book is The Botany of Desire (Michael Pollan) (Mark) Milton has recommended Heart of Darkness (Conrad) to follow the Pollan. Misha and Moe to choose the next book(s) to follow the Conrad. |
Guy may pre-empt the dispute and give us his pick if one of them does not provide a recommendation in a timely fashion. Hi Patrick, Thanks for the lovely evening and lively discussion. Cheers. Moe Mark, Gents, etc, Here is a link to the info about the PBS doc on Botany of Desire that I mentioned the other evening. A lesson plan, even, for the pedagogically minded. Guy http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/ |
Another book that's worth reading is Empire of Illusion, by former NY Times reporter Chris Hedges.
Hear CBC's podcast interview with Hedges:
Writer Chris Hedges argues that North American culture is dying because it has become transfixed by illusions about literacy, love, wisdom, happiness and democracy. Jim Brown explores Hedges' ideas about the mechanisms that keep us diverted from confronting the collapse around us.
Hi Gents,
we may like to consider this video show
http://ipac3.vpl.ca/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13A31B6728M82.4631&profile=pac&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!1948455~!5&ri=4&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=The+Botany+of+Desire&index=.TW&uindex=&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ri=4
Patrick thank you to your hospitality yesterday and all for the interesting discussion (and the opportunity for me to rotate maybe somewhat rusty already 'wheels of physics knowledge' in my head).
Have a good week, Misha
Ruby Tuesday
All the best on your 64th Pat. Which day ? I have a present for you. Sorry but can't make it tomorrow - body needs a week off I think and I'm having trouble keeping the extremities warm on the bike.
Would you mind passing along a few recent best mystery book titles for a friend. Can't remember what I've read exactly and not able to access my history at the library. Ray
Happy Birthday
Have a great one tomorrow. I don't trust my memory enough to wait until tomorrow. I have to do everything as I think of it. That comes from being older than you are. Cheers B
Hi Flash!
First kick is absolutely poifect! Thanks so much from everyone at The Island Inn! Will see you a week today. Cheers, Patrizio!
Excellent - Glad to be of service. See you on Sunday. Regards -Alastair.
Hi Goils!
Doctored photo from Flash for Durston's Xmas card! Cheers, Patrizio!
What a fab shot this is!!
Happy Birthday Greetings from Sydney.
Hello Tiny Tim!
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!
P,
I will start where you start. Let me know the departure time. G
Happy Boithday to you, Happy Boithday to you, Happy Boithday dear Patrick, Happy Boithday to you!
Lots of love Trevor and Tina
Happy Birthday Patricio! xo
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes from Emma the Turkey!!!!
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Hey you sexy thing!
I want to wish you a VERY happy day. I hope all your senses are satisfied today (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Enjoy all the pleasures life brings to you today and know that you are loved by many around the world.
All the very best to you on your special day!!!
One of your biggest fans, Love (hugs & kisses included) Elinora
Hello Cruellest of Cruel Host Daughters!
Hi Laura!
Hi Patrick,
Hi Linda!
Hi Juliette!
Hi Cruel Host Daughter, #2!
XMAS PARTY
Hello Cruellest of Cruel Host Daughters!
Thank you so much for the lovely birthday wishes!Look forward to seeing if we can Skype over the hols if we can mesh our busy schedules. Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and your family Dearest Nadienka, from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty, Your Cruel Host Father and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Patrick, happy happy Birthday today! I wish you a fabulous day and a great kick off to the holiday season. You know it’s St. Nikolaus day in Germany today, right? I forgot to polish my boots last night though, and therefore didn’t find any presents in them – at least there were no sticks in them either. I will see you all in the New Year! Love, Laura :)
Hi Laura!
Trust all goes well with your trip. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated indeed! Thanks, as well, for the two bottles of wine and card. Disappointed that we couldn't see you before you left. Look forward to seeing you when you are back in Vancouver whenever we can mesh our busy schedules. Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and your Mom, Henning, Tommy and Min from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Patrick,
I too would like to add my words of thanks for hosting an awesome event on the weekend. I look forward to out get together in the new year.
Merry Christmas everyone. And of course, here's to a great New Year...D
Happy Birthday Patrick, Hope you have a great day!!
Hi Linda!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated indeed! Look forward to seeing you back in Vancouver! Until then, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and family from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Happy Birthday Patrick!
Hi Juliette!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Look forward to seeing you back in Vancouver! Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Cruel Host Daughter, #2!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Look forward to seeing you back in Vancouver! Until then, Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you and Fabienne and your parents Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
PS: I have almost finished the red curry paste!
XMAS PARTYSorry I have no fancy invitation.....
We are having an Xmas Open House Saturday Dec 17/11
5 pm - whenever
Try to drop by and share in the holiday spirit with us!
Please RSVP so I have some idea of how many to expect.
Happy Holidays Everyone....Hope to see you here!
Love The Waldrons
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