Trust you and your family enjoyed Thanksgiving. For our part, we had a wonderful dinner with close friends, Nancy and David, along with another family friend, Laura. Went downstairs for drinks an hors d'oeuvres, at about 5:30pm, with Clan Sutherland. They had a large gang so we had decided, beforehand, to have separate meals. Great visit with friends Carmen Miranda and Southside Johnny, (they moved from north side of False Creek to Surrey, about a year ago), as well as Bella and Bert, (Marvin's parents), Aaron and Akiko, (Wayne's nephew and girlfriend), and Noelle, close school friend of Nicole's, now living and working in Kelowna, before coming back upstairs for our meal.
Had done an organic, free-range, hormone free, malt fed turkey in a cooker Cora Lee bought a number of years ago, and it was deliciously moist. Heaps of garlic mashed, pumpkin squash, Brussels sprouts with bacon, two dressings, (Chloë's vegetarian/corn bread and Cora Lee's minced pork), with cherry tomatoe/bocconcini salad so it was a plenteous feast indeed. Copious quantities of white wine and red so never an empty glass for toasts!
Given that there were only six of us at the table we had a chance to really visit with everyone. After lingering over second helpings we cleared table and repaired to living room to continue chatting and sipping. About 8:00pm, Downstairs Mob came for dessert. Coriandre had baked three pumpkin pies and Nancy had brought along a stupendously tasty carrot cake with simply killer icing. We had two dessert wines, both Elephant Island, Naramata, a crab apple and a framboise, that were almost dessert, in and of themselves! Of course, we needed a few snorts of malt, Aberlour a'bunadh, 60.2%, and a new acquisition, a Tullibardine, Banyuls Finnish, (Whatever that is! I just looked it up: ...a red wine finish, whiskey is matured in casks from the Coume del Mas in the Rousillon region of southern France, and previously housed Galeteo Banyuls.), but an "anaemic" 46%!
Newest member to Clan Sutherland's extended is a nine week old Bichon! Nicole and Marvin had presented him to Bella for her 58th birthday. Name has not yet been decided upon. Chloë and I favour "Snowy', after Tintin's pooch, but Nicole seems set on Jake. Nevertheless, a darling puppy. Poor Molly, however, is suffering from First Child Syndrome when Mom and Dad come home from the hospital with a new baby brother! Maggie was not amused either! Anyway, a lovely, lovely evening, for the human crowd, at least!
On the VIFF front saw Flirting with Heights last week. From the program:
There have been many breathtaking wildlife films, but few attain the sheer virtuosity and poetic force of Jean-Michel Bertrand's Flirting with Heights. This was a remarkable and highly personal project shot alone over the course of four years in the Swiss Alps, initially with the aid of Bourrique (a donkey) and then Mistral (a Pyrenean pony). Bertrand took his equipment to the highest peaks, in all seasons, and waited patiently, for hours, for days, for months, for years. His painstaking discretion allows his camera to capture astonishing images of virtually every living creature in what we come to see as a wonderland: from kestrels and vultures to stoats and mountain goats, from the athleticism of the chamois to the grace of the elusive European golden eagle. The crowning sequence arrives with the first ever shots of the eagles in their eyrie with two offspring which Bertrand observes from early days to first flight. His motto is "observation without interference," his gift to detect and reveal: "It is enough to push open the door, the magic is there, everywhere."
And his ally in this creative work is light, "this light which cloaks the world in magic." Bertrand's camerawork is exceptional, his patience monumental--three years alone to capture the images of the eyrie. Shots of trees in spring and autumn, of patterns in snow and of snowfall, of peaks at sunrise and sunset, in clear light and in mist, are the equal of the work of the most gifted artist. And throughout there runs, like the pure mountain streams we see, the perfectly synchronized score of Jacob Vinje. In answer to Cousteau's work under water, comes Bertrand's film from the mountains. As he exclaims at one magical moment: "Here at last are the longed for images."
The program notes are not, in the least, exaggerated. Bertrand, himself, is an immensely endearing individual, a self-deprecating philosopher photographer. His stunning film reminds us, with every single image, of the sheer wonder and incredible complexity of this alpine ecosystem, in particular, but all other environments as well and what we risk and lose, globally, by inference, when despoiling them. Humour abounds as well. The scene which captures chamois kids and parents as they "downhill ski" is simply unbelievable, a goat ballet on the side of sheer slope. A sequence showing Bertrand on skis as he attempts to negotiates a similar slope and then falls, flailing helplessly as he slides, a jumble of skis and poles and limbs, precedes the one showing the "whirling dervish'' chamois, as they twist and twirl and leap, not quite somersaulting, but almost, has him, a s narrator, disclaim, "Who says gravity is the same for all!" A must. See it with your young son!
At the very opposite of the emotional scale is The Turin Horse. from the program:
"In Turin on 3rd January, 1889, Friedrich Nietzsche steps out of the doorway of number six, Via Carlo Albert. Not far from him, the driver of a hansom cab is having trouble with a stubborn horse. Despite all his urging, the horse refuses to move, whereupon the driver loses his patience and takes his whip to it. Nietzsche comes up to the throng and puts an end to the brutal scene, throwing his arms around the horse's neck, sobbing. His landlord takes him home, he lies motionless and silent for two days on a divan until he mutters the obligatory last words, and lives for another ten years, silent and demented, cared for by his mother and sisters. We do not know what happened to the horse.”--screenplay, The Turin Horse
In Béla Tarr's swan song, a Beckettian masterpiece of gloom, doom and swooning sorrow, we sort of find out what happened to the horse (ably played by Ricsi). Tarr prefers to focus on its owner and his daughter, who live lives of quiet desperation, barely subsisting on boiled potatoes and palinka in their isolated hovel. A raging windstorm hints that the end of times is nigh, and as the days of the week count down, father and daughter repeat their actions, the wind gets stronger, the score reaches a crescendo, the lights go out. Brilliantly photographed in balletic, black-and-white long takes by Fred Kelemen, this is pure cinema about the heaviness of the human condition, laced with the darkest, driest wit. Ciao, Béla.
Without question, this is a very difficult, painful film, not only to watch, (It is ponderous, in the extreme, and many viewers left the theatre before the end.), but also to absorb, psychologically and emotionally. It certainly echoes Beckett. There is little dialogue, mainly the details of the crushing, grinding rhythm of daily life, such as it is. This is existence at its bleakest, its harshest, with no light at the end of the tunnel. Aside from any philosophical statements, it is a portrait of starvation visited upon those with few, if any, means to help themselves, with no social agencies to come to their aid, (whether during the terrible potatoe famines of Ireland, the Great Famine of the the Great Leap Forward, the dreadful famine that engulfed the Ukraine in 1932 or the Somalia Famine of today), and their inevitable end. Certainly not an easy film but perhaps a very necessary one.
On a cheerier note, last Saturday night we had been invited to Whirlygig's for dinner. Were treated to a lovely meal and then played bridge afterwards. Kerry, his significant other, is just learning so we spent much of the time helping her with bidding, etc. Other friends, Gail and John, popped by later and we played with them for a few hands or so. Very pleasant evening with good friends and delicious food, made even better as they have a wonderful fireplace. So cosy, playing in same room, made even cosier by virtue of light rain falling and additional warmth of a few snorts of malt!
Not sure what I hope to see over the next few days. Will depend on what I can squeeze in before my last shift this coming Friday. Cheers, Patrizio!
P & C,
Thanks for the bridge tutorials last night: Greek snacks, wine, malts, even bourbon... A fun night was had by all.
We owe C a GF feast.
Enjoy your ride today and all the Thanksgivings. May ride monday later in the day. Let me know if that fits on your dance card. W
P,
It looks like riding might be more appealing on Thursday. I have a match today and league tomorrow so I will survive somehow.
Your ceramic dish which transported the dolmades was kind of inadvertently thrown into the fireplace with all the other glasses after you departed on Saturday. I hope that was in keeping with tradition.
Let me know how your weekend celebrations have gone and how your odometer has been counting in spite of the rain.W
Hi Whirlissimo, Kerrisima and Tia Maria!
Thanks again, to everyone, for the wonderful, wonderful evening! I'm glad you smashed the dish in the fireplace and hope that the toxic fumes from the French Tickler drop stops didn't have you all coughing, too, too much!
On a cheerier note, with respect to riding, looks like Thursday is probably best. Both Big Al and Robo Man are keen to ride so perhaps we could meet Al along Kent somewhere and have him guide us along one of the Burnaby trails. Perhaps Marcus would like to join group. Let me know what you think. I'm planning to walk over to False Creek CC and use stationary bike after I visit Mom this afternoon as a thunderstorm is forecast, lightening and all!
Don't understand your reference to the medicine cabinet. Are you taking about wine? We have friends just back from Canada with a car full of wine.
Anyway we need to plan to meet up next summer. Gail
For got about that medicine cabinet. gg
Hi Gail and Jack!
Glad you finally remembered about "that" medicine cabinet!
Hi Kathleen and Stefano!
Trust you are both well. Enjoyed a lovely evening with Zoe and Matt last night. (See below for details!) Before proceeding, just wanted to let you know that we have now made arrangements for you to stay with us when you arrive, for as long as you wish. Chloë is still hoping to get into a co-op housing unit but there is plenty of room, for her, with Flamin' and Sarge who are almost completely de-nested. Consequently, they want our daughter to fill void!
| Great Grandma's pearls |
Hi Tinsel Town!
You very, very femme fatale with the poils! Terrific shot indeed!
Patricio and Corinne,
You shouldn't need to bring a vehicle actually. Eduardo says all the wine
and beer you need will be kept in the loading bay/garage. Other supplies
should be at the ready either upstairs or in the loading bay as well.
Details to be confirmed. Kathryn
Hi Kathryn!
Thanks for update on liquor, etc. Will see you on Wednesday evening, if not beforehand.
Trust you enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a lovely dinner with close friends, Nancy and David, along with another family friend, Laura. Went downstairs for drinks an hors d'oeuvres, at about 5:30pm, with Clan Sutherland. They had a large gang so we had decided, beforehand, to have separate meals.
Had done turkey in a cooker Cora Lee bought a number of years ago, and it was deliciously moist. Heaps of garlic mashed, pumpkin squash, Brussels sprouts with bacon, two dressings, (Chloë's vegetarian/corn bread and Cora Lee's minced pork), with cherry tomatoe/bocconcini salad so it was a plenteous feast indeed. Copious quantities of white wine and red so never an empty glass for toasts!
Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Folks,
How are you? Sounding pretty busy by the sounds of it. Just returned on Friday from Ireland. Had a good time despite the fact that the tour leader, sister Jocelyn did not bother with me the entire trip. I was the only non catholic amongst 34 others but I did not feel bad as she also shunned a couple my age as well and they were practising Catholics. I think I was so eager to just get away and go on a trip that at the time so it did not matter that I was going on a pilgrimage. Most of the 34 others had gone on at least 1 other trip with this nun at some point as she runs tours to all over the world every 3 months.
It was a very hectic trip. We were in a new city/town every night and we all felt like gypsies towards the end of the 12th day. I was amazed at the beauty of the country and was surprised how much of it reminded me of thunder Bay. As you could imagine we saw many monastic sites and too few castles. I did however manage to take in a tour of the Jameson distillery on what was our only free day in Dublin before flying home that night.
We were in the small town of Korc at a monastery(of course) and who should come walking down the pathway but Susan Boyle the singer. She lives very nearby and often sings at mass. We also went into Northern Ireland and were on our way back down into the republic when we had to make a detour due to a traffic fatality. The driver had no choice but to drive around Northern Ireland looking where we would be having lunch that day and also to find an alternate way back to Dublin. Finally at 3pm we ended up dining at a most familiar place - the golden arches of McDonalds! Who ever would have thought!
How are you? Sounding pretty busy by the sounds of it. Just returned on Friday from Ireland. Had a good time despite the fact that the tour leader, sister Jocelyn did not bother with me the entire trip. I was the only non catholic amongst 34 others but I did not feel bad as she also shunned a couple my age as well and they were practising Catholics. I think I was so eager to just get away and go on a trip that at the time so it did not matter that I was going on a pilgrimage. Most of the 34 others had gone on at least 1 other trip with this nun at some point as she runs tours to all over the world every 3 months.
It was a very hectic trip. We were in a new city/town every night and we all felt like gypsies towards the end of the 12th day. I was amazed at the beauty of the country and was surprised how much of it reminded me of thunder Bay. As you could imagine we saw many monastic sites and too few castles. I did however manage to take in a tour of the Jameson distillery on what was our only free day in Dublin before flying home that night.
We were in the small town of Korc at a monastery(of course) and who should come walking down the pathway but Susan Boyle the singer. She lives very nearby and often sings at mass. We also went into Northern Ireland and were on our way back down into the republic when we had to make a detour due to a traffic fatality. The driver had no choice but to drive around Northern Ireland looking where we would be having lunch that day and also to find an alternate way back to Dublin. Finally at 3pm we ended up dining at a most familiar place - the golden arches of McDonalds! Who ever would have thought!
I have been searching for a cheap flight to Thunder Bay this month but it is not looking good. Call me cheap but I do have a hard time paying the current price of $180 vs $99. I am sure these airlines would increase their sales by just keeping an affordable price all year. When my friends can fly to Wales for a lower price than I sometimes have to pay with Air Canada from Kingston one does have to wonder.
At this new house I have the neighbours cat constantly dropping by to say hello. the previous owner's son apparently used to let "Thunder" in to eat and sleep so I continued the practise. Now I arrive home and I have a beautiful black semi long haired at the back door who comes every day. Obviously the word has gotten out amongst the cats that I am a sucker. Only thunder so far gets to spend the night indoors as he was first on the scene. Ken still is content to keep my ragdoll. He shows such compassion towards her and she has bonded with him in a way that she never did with me.
Well I should bid adieu. Have a good thanksgiving. We (Ken) and I are going to Shanna's on monday for turkey so that will be nice. Xmas is here at my house. Thanks for the pics of your mom's birthday. I now have an iPhone so it will be very convenient to show them to Aunty Mary when I get there.
Take care, Simone
Great report Patrick. Just had a chance to read all now. Very interesting
films. Sorry to hear about your saddle - ride home sounds painful but good
exercise. I have found a process server now, so all we can do is wait. Not
to worry. See you soon, Laura :)
films. Sorry to hear about your saddle - ride home sounds painful but good
exercise. I have found a process server now, so all we can do is wait. Not
to worry. See you soon, Laura :)
Hi Laura
Lovely to see you on Sunday. Thanks for all the presents! Look forward to having you back, with Henning, this coming Saturday. Cheers, Patrizio!
Lovely to see you on Sunday. Thanks for all the presents! Look forward to having you back, with Henning, this coming Saturday. Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Misha!
That is fine. Call when convenient. As I mentioned, I'll leave it on patio if we won't be home.
Furthermore, I keep meaning to ask if you work with Bruce Schmidt? He is married to a friend from Winnipeg days. Cheers, Patrizio!
Glad you are back safely from Ireland. Sorry to learn that your tour guide wasn't as attentive as she could have been but pleased you enjoyed countryside and even met Susan Boyle! Trust you and Ken enjoyed Thanksgiving. Say hello to him for us.
Hi Patrice,
Thanks for the thanksgiving well wishes! Looks like you had a great time
and much happiness abounded with the new pup, new malt, etc.
We collaberated with our neighbours Chris and Lubna from across the lane
as well as 4 of their 5 kids. We both cooked 22lb turkeys and then
entertained over here having about 5 couples and a single friend. two
couples are notoriously late and phoned at 6 wondering when they should come
over. I informed them that people were already here and they should come
asap! to make it worse they live in boundary bay. They arrived shortly after
we pulled the second turkey out of the oven and as most of the side dishes
had been devoured by this point we prepared turkey ,cranberry , stuffing
wraps for them . They were thankful and as they knew they were lame for
their late arrival were very grateful for what they got. We had our heater
out on the deck which made for a nice temperature despite the bit of chill
in the air and most of the guests sat outside for the duration or took turns
milling about the kitchen and sporadically swooping in like buzzards picking
at the dead carcass all the while swilling wine and laughing.
Desert was provided by Sean who brought a delicious carmelized apple pie
and Lubna who made apple upside down cake . Both , while breaking from the
pumpkin pie tradition were absolutely delicious!. After the last of the
guests left We finished the rendering of the turkeys filling containers the
next weeks sandwiches and starting the turkey soup boil in the slowcooker.
We didn't finish completely cleaning up until almost midnight and finally
turned in with satisfaction in having had a wonderful feast with good
friends and great memories.
Maybe if the weather cooperates we can get out for a spin sometime this
week. Take care, Al
Hi Big Al!
Really enjoyed your wonderful description of your Thanksgiving! Great observations, humourous and wonderfully expressed!
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