Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the human heart can hold. -Zelda Fitzgerald, novelist (1900-1948)
Sam Weller
Illustrator: Kyd (Joseph Clayton Clarke) (1856-1937)
wellerism
An expression involving a familiar
proverb or quotation and its facetious sequel. It usually comprises
three parts: statement, speaker, situation. After Sam Weller and his father, characters known for such utterances in
Charles Dickens's novel Pickwick Papers. Earliest documented use: 1839.
"We'll have to rehearse that," said the undertaker as the coffin fell out of the car.
"Prevention is better than cure," said the pig when it ran away from the butcher.
"Shall I sit awhile?" says the parasite before becoming a permanent dweller.
"So far, so good," said the escapee as he looked at the prison in the distance.
"Beauty is only skin deep," said the woman as she received a Botox injection.
P,
All your buddies at the PCO send fond
regards. They wonder why you don’t come back to visit: Gord & Cici,
Mike Oliver, Gary J., and many others. Your writings, Bartleby The Scrivener, were
being passed around. The Pepperoni kid was found chortling away as he read the piece
– only correcting a few of the scores and calls as you might expect. You
should tag along next time we go.
A good time was had by all and the finals
of the Women’s, Mixed and Men’s Open were unbelievable. Charlie and
I ended up in the Consolation Finals of both the Dive 1 and 50’s, winning
the former and losing the latter to Ruth C. and Kathy Brown.
Let me know if you are riding this week. I
cannot go Tuesday but would like to ride any other days if the weather improves
as they are forecasting.
I thought you would make good use of this
word, wellerism - below.
Hope all is well with you and the gals and
that fierce some guard cat. W
Congrats on the doubles showing! Would they let you across the border with all the hardware? Just curious about which scrivening was being read? In fact, I'd really like to come along on to one of the tourneys. Cora Lee would certainly appreciate a chance to shop without sales tax! As well, we could probably fit in some wine tasting!!! Given our coming trip, probably have to wait until next Fall but let's keep it in mind.
With respect to the Island Inn Rehab Ward, as Manservant to her Liege Ladyship, I still have a heavy number of unpaid chauffeuring commitments to discharge, even though Her Ladyship was able to start weight bearing this past Friday! Unfortunately, for me, she now has use of the Royal Cane with which to beat me soundly about my hunched shoulders/withers! Nevertheless, my imposed obligations are still fairly onerous and she keeps finding ways to order me about with but the flick of a royal finger, the practiced ease of a haughty aristocrat! (Parenthetically, on my sorely begrudged half-day off saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, US version, on Thursday afternoon, with Glasgow, and enjoyed it immensely. Still like the Swedish films but feel that this remake is very, very good. Not something that I had expected, to tell you the truth.)
My swimming continues to go well. Last Wednesday I was able to do 3.25 miles and did shave off a few minutes for each mile so was pleased to see that my form seems to be improving, even if slowly. Still, this exercise seems to be helping my shoulder so am grateful for that. Doesn't seem to ache quite as much on longer rides, per esempio. Hit the pool again, this afternoon, and was able to log 3.25 miles so am delighted with my progress. Only thing I really need to do is to start my swim earlier in the day. When I was still working at UBC and weather premitted, I'd cycle in to pool for 7:30am, before starting at Library. Need to become more disciplined now so that I can do somewhat the same at the Aquatic Centre. If I arrive there around 7:00am I would be able to log my three miles, (my benchmark for now), before noon and then have more of the day to devote to other activities. I might even be able to entertain stopping for lunch with Ragin' in Steveston!
On that front, Robo Ray and I did our usual Stanley Park jaunt on Friday, meeting Kjell, on the West Van side of Lions Gate. (As you know, he is probably an inch or so taller than you, if that, and is quite uncomfortable about riding over LG, fearing, so he says, of being blown over railing!) At any rate, we made our way to Travers and Marine Drive and then back to his place, near Tatlow and Marine. Kjell has not been riding much of late so he didn't want to attempt Seymour, as I had first suggested when we rendezvoused. At any rate, after we waved goodbye, Raymundo and I made our back towards LG and discovered a very pleasant, freshly surfaced bike trail which we followed back to the bridge. At some point it skirts the Capilano Reserve of the Squamish First Nation. Not sure how far it goes to the east but will investigate on our next ride in this vicinity. From looking a some cycling maps, think that it might go as far along the north side of Welch Street and West 1st Street from Pemberton Avenue to MacKay Avenue. Eventually, I gather, "The Spirit Trail will be a unique, waterfront-oriented, multi-use and fully accessible greenway that will provide pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters and people with wheeled mobility aids access across the North Shore, from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove."
For the present, however, it makes a wonderful addition to our North Shore ride and we had logged almost 40km by the time we were headed back over LG. Weather was superb and sun even graced us by peeking out from behind the clouds as we made our way downhill from Prospect Point. At bottom, I asked Robo Ray if he fancied another loop of the Seawall but he declined. He, as well, has not been riding much since snow and nasty weather have prevented much sustained cycling and felt his legs were tired. This being the case, I accompanied him to Macdonald and Point Grey and then, waving goodbye, made my way back towards Science World. I wanted to stop at Tru-Value Optical on Ash and Broadway to collect another receipt for new glasses I had purchased last August. (Couldn't seem to find original and needed it to submit a claim to our Pacific Blue Cross plan, along with physio charges I'd amassed last fall before seeing shoulder specialist. Had waited to submit former as our vision allowance didn't kick in until 2012.) Was pleased to pull up to storefront with 75.33km on my trusty odometre!!!
Home by just before 4:00pm so it was a pretty lengthy ride, chronologically speaking, as we left Harbour Terrace at 11:00am. Slow but sure!! Still, I was delighted to have been able to enjoy the wonderful day. The temperature was truly pleasant and I didn't realize until I took off my cycling togs that I hadn't been wearing the vest that I usually put on for extra warmth/wind protection, over my two long-sleeved undershirts. Had fully intended to wear it as forecast indicated that it was to be cool and windy. Not so at all. (As an aside, I had a brief telephone chat with my brother-in-law, George, in Manitoba, yesterday afternoon, and he harangued me, as he is wont to do, about how inexpensive it is to live at Falcon Lake, property values/taxes, etc., compared to Vancouver. I just laughed at him and asked if he could cycle in January, dressed as I had been, without even socks!)
After a quick java, (not an accursed latte!), I went over to Broadway Lodge to give Mom her dinner so wasn't back until close to 6:00pm. She is spending much of her time sleeping now so meal times really are the best way to visit with her. Told her that your Dad likes Henkell Trocken and she said: "That's good!" Obviously, she saves her words for what she wants to hear!!!
Forecast looks promising for Wednesday so am wondering if you are still interested/available, as per your last message, for a ride. Not sure which other Riders of the Purple Sage might wish to join the peleton. Notwithstanding, let me know and we'll plan accordingly. We could explore more of Spirit Trail. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrice,
Thanks for the update, I'm pleased you had a pleasant ride the other day and
I would have liked to join in as It would've helped get the mind off of
unpleasant tasks of late. Had a two hour meeting with the lawyer and my
cousin Andrea on Saturday and got a lot of stuff ironed out and gave us some
direction. I'm hopeful it will all sort itself out before too long but I
still have to try and deal with a couple somewhat difficult people as in My
cousins brother Joe as he and Andrea are estranged and have not spoken in a
couple of years now. I will email him and try and smooth things over so we
can get through this without his protestations at Andrea being involved.
Also Oz being a hoarder will need to be pushed to deal with his hoard and
figure out a new place to live in fairly short order as we agreed to give
him three months to find a new place to live.
All that aside I had a fun time at our friends house out in Boundary bay on
Saturday night as they had a combination house warming for their newly
constructed home built on the lot they've owned for 16 years and a birthday
celebration for myself and three other friends whose birthdays are on the
28th and mine on the 29th. Yesterday Colleen surprised me with a stay at the
River rock casino resort, Her and the boys drove me out yesterday and we had
a nice swim in their pool and a couple nice meals last night and this
morning as well as a few drinks at the casino. All in all it was a much
needed break and I feel rejuvenated .
I was thinking again about that project that you wanted to do with your
shelving / book cases etc. .If you are still thinking about doing that I
thought of someone who would be perfect for the job. He's a guy I've known
through film 15 years or so and is a meticulous finishing carpenter but
also well rounded in other aspects of construction and fabrication. It's
unfortunate that Glen thought it was a little out of his realm but I know
Dave would be a good fit so let me know if you'd like to pursue that.
I would like to get out for a ride but not sure about a time and will have a
better idea once I take care of a few things today.
Hi Big Al!
Foist and foremeost, Belated Happy Boithday! For He's A Jolly Good Fellow....Hip Hip Hooray! Glad you and Coleen and Lads celebrated in style! Lives of the Rich and Famous at the River Rock. Will never think of it the same way when we cycle past, en route to Iona!!!
Glad that legal matters seem to be unfolding positively. Buona Fortuna with The Hoarder! Thanks very much for thinking about our shelving and mentioning Dave. I know we are interested but also know it is only realistic, financially speaking, to think about such a project once we are back from our upcoming trip. Perhaps we could arrange to meet Dave over the summer and take things from there. Again, thanks for keeping this in mind.
Understand Collen phoned while I was swimming yesterday afternoon. I gather we will be seeing you on February 18th so looking forward to that. Also heard that Heraldo underwent surgery on one of his hands. He's had quite a spell of operations of late. Perhaps he should buy shares in Vancouver Coastal Health! Hope all went well! Between the two of you, you could both hang out your legal and medical shingles. Too, too bad you didn't live in Dodge in the mid 1800's. You could even pull teeth and use coke for an anaesthetic. (Just read this in The Sisters Brothers. ["The novel follows the siblings – Eli and Charlie – as they wend their way toward San Francisco through the boomtowns and detritus of the gold rush. They’ve been commissioned by the mysterious Commodore to kill Hermann Warm, a prospector who has wronged him in some undetermined way. They’ve killed for less."] No wonder there were so many gun fights!
Forecast looks promising for Wednesday so am wondering if you are interested/available for a ride. Not sure which other Riders of the Purple Sage, other than Whirlygig, might wish to join the peleton. Notwithstanding, let me know and we'll plan accordingly. We could explore more of Spirit Trail if anyone is interested.
Here is a jaunt of another sort:
You are on quite a ride ..... turn up the sound. It's not over till it asks if you want to view again.
This clever piece originated in Australia . It is so very well done most folks don't realize how much info he is sharing! Just click on the link below..... Speakers on. Photos by NASA.
Enjoy your journey!
Click here: http://dingo.care2.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf
Cheers, Patrizzio!
Yes I too was presently surprised by the US version of Tattoo. Looking forward to next.
I just ordered the Kobo version of The Tiger. I see it's one of the non-fiction selections for the panel of Canada Reads. Do you know if this discussion is on the radio at all?
I.m just reading Believingthe Lie by George that I'm enjoying and am enthralled with Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic. What a great winter!
Hi Brenda Louise!
We read The Tiger a few books ago in our Book Club. I found it simply fascinating and most of my sympathies rest with those incredible animals. Not that life isn't harsh and bleak for the humans. Just read this in The Sisters Brothers. Enjoyed it immensely. Am currently reading An Impartial Witness, third in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford Mysteries:
"Tending to the soldiers in the trenches of France during the First World War, battlefield nurse Bess Crawford is sent back to England in the early summer of 1917 with a convoy of severely burned men. One of her patients, a young pilot, has clung to a photograph of his wife since his plane went down, and Bess can’t help but notice the photo every time she tends to him. After the patients are transferred to a clinic in Hampshire, Bess is ready for her two-day leave, planning to return to her flat in London to catch up on some much-needed rest. But at the railway station, in a mob of troops leaving for the front, Bess catches a glimpse of a familiar face. Could that be the pilot’s wife? And why is she bidding a very emotional farewell to a soldier who is not her husband?
Back in France, Bess discovers an old newspaper with a drawing of the woman’s face on the front page. Accompanying the drawing is a plea from Scotland Yard looking for information from anyone who has seen her. The woman was murdered-the very day Bess saw her at the terminal. Granted leave to visit Scotland Yard to report what she knows, Bess soon finds herself on the search for a devious and very dangerous killer-a search that will put her own life in jeopardy."
Same time period as latest Downton Abbey, of course. Not quite as hard-boiled as I'd like but enjoy the female protagonist and her nursing perspective. Brilliant literary detective device, of course.
Pretty sure most of Canada Reads will be covered:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2012/watchlisten.html
Forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the group travel shorts! Sent them along to our travel agents. We are playing bridge with them this coming Friday so will ask for a discount on our next flight!!!
Cheers, Patrizzio!
No comments:
Post a Comment