Post Bidding Blues: Thursday, February 6th

There's a schizoid quality to our relationship with animals, in which sentiment and brutality exist side by side. Half the dogs in America will receive Christmas presents this year, yet few of us pause to consider the miserable life of the pig -- an animal easily as intelligent as a dog -- that becomes the Christmas ham. -Michael Pollan, professor and writer (b. 1955) 

Porthlevan!

Hello from a very stormy Cornwall. Thanks you for your email and photos. Looks like the birthday party was enjoyed by all and you enjoyed your visit to the Island. I see you continue to to damage to your battered body! At least you got in some decent cycles while there. You certainly wouldn't be cycling here right now. We continue to experience incredible storms off the North Atlantic with very high winds (70 to 90 miles an hour) and very high seas which are doing incredible damage to coastal areas. The main railway line to London have been destroyed at Dawlish meaning we have no trains to London for at least two months if not longer. Have attached a couple of photos.
 

Had a reprieve today in the weather today so went out for a walk and lunch with Gudrun and Steve. It was good to catch up with them.

Thank you for your kind offer of the accommodation but I think Krissy was hoping we would stay with them while we are there so may have to rough it this time! We will probably go over to the Island for a few days to visit Steve and Linda and no doubt will be going over to Gibsons to spend a few days with Wendy (old school chum of Gayle's). She is still in Australia at the moment and will return in April I think. Now that Wendy has retired I believe she plans on spending 6 months in Australia and 6 months in Gibsons. Her son lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children. She also has two daughters and two grandchildren who live in Vancouver.
 

Dame Agatha!

I bought Gayle a spa day for Christmas at St Enedoc hotel in Rock (across the estuary from Padstow). Have booked into the hotel for the night and have arranged to have dinner at Nathan Outlaws restaurant. He is a Michelin starred chef and specialises in seafood. Have arranged to try his 8 course taster menu so will have to make sure we go for a long walk the following day to work off the calories! I must admit since I haven't been on the bike for a while I have put on 10 lbs which is not good news!! Think I will have to put up my turbo gizmo and do some cycling indoors until the weather improves.

We have also booked tour to Italy in early July. Staying in Sorrento as our base and doing day trips to Capri, Amalfi coast etc etc. Maur and Bill are not going away on holiday until August so will be here to look after Spudnick! I'm hoping Marg and Barry will move into the house to look after him in September while we are in Vancouver.
 

[Tracy Redies of Coast Capital Savings. The credit union has established a $200,000 fund for former foster children to help with their expenses while they attend post-secondary schools.]

I have a chicken casserole in the oven cooking for dinner and Gayle just brought me a glass of wine which is going to add to my expanding girth! Krissy said it's quite cold in Vancouver at the moment. They are off to Galliano this weekend with some friends. Best wishes to all your end Derek

Hi Dunn, Thank you so very much for the update on your lovely life carrying on in retirement. I am happy for you and Connie. It is indeed tantalizing to the mind, watering in the mouth, but growling in the stomach. We should get together, but have to talk to Shewa first. 

I am going home after a long day of negotiation with the feds on contract, and not yet finished. Me and Shewa are going to Harrison for next week for two/ three nights for Valentines. The kids are going to school and it will give both of us a break. Talk to you soon, keep in riding my man. Give my regards to the family. Eyob

Hope foot better now. In Sh Pk until 23rd. Helping eldest dtr Allison get over horrendous miscarriage at 12 weeks, actually blighted ovum or improper pregnancy. Lost a lot of blood, very weak with low hemoglobin. The middle dtr, Steph having surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. Will look after her two for a couple of days. 

First day chasing a  2 year old and keeping up with Indikah's dramatics and already tired. -21C here. Was 70F the day before I left. Flew via Vancouver but not enough time between flights. Sorry to hear about Dr. Swayze. He must have been old. Did I tell you Phil Bleecks died; he was only about 75. 

The place is great. It really does exist. Palm Springs is prettier than I imagined. Had a swim, shopped in trader joes and now having our first g and t. Almost forgot about the havoc of the kitchen! Some wine tasting in amador and a bike ride.

Dad you should be the blogger!!! Could be a great outlet and you could parlay it into tons of free stuff!!!! xx

Hi Chloë! Thanks for the vote of support! However, too, too political for my taste, "free stuff" aside. Look at the latest "debate" you are having with Lori! No matter what you do there will always be individuals who disagree, and some quite vituperatively, with your course of action. Probably one of the most difficult aspects of your current portfolio with Aunt Leah's, I would venture to say. For my part I'm very fortunate since recreation is my object and I want to cycle and blog for fun, not to argue! Buona Fortuna with Lori. Love, Dad!

I am the Security Coordinator for the Canadian Syncro Championship being held in Burnaby Feb 20th to 22nd and I am in need of three additional volunteers to work during the event. Are either or both of you interested in working one two or three shifts during the three days.  The event is being held at the Bill Copeland arena which is off Sprott Ave close to the Trans Canada Highway. Thanks Wayne

Hi Sarge! We are happy to help out but we need to talk to find out when shifts are scheduled, etc., in order to dovetail with other commitments, mainly Corinne's. We are off to see Nebraska at 7:00 pm this evening so pop up before that or see us when next convenient. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/441523660#.UvQ6T78O0V0.email 

P, thanks for organizing and hosting the bridge last night. Fun as always. Hope you got out for a ride in the icy winds today. We lost the Cupsucker noon match -- barn burner though. My nephew is coming in midday tomorrow from Edmonton so I think I am out for a Friday ride. Will let ya know. w 

Chloe Alexis Dunn shared Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society's photo.

Thank you all my lovely friends and family who really saved my ass on more then one occasion for coming through for me and the lovely tree lots!! You'll be remembered next year when I call you back again xx

This year Aunt Leah's sold 3479 trees for a profit of $101,000. We could not have done it with out an army of strong volunteers.

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  Patrick James Dunn Thanks for the Thanks!

Miriam Toews and Steven Galloway
An evening with two acclaimed Canadian authors. Steven Galloway, the bestselling author of The Cellist of Sarajevo, is back with his brilliant new novel, The Confabulist. And Miriam Toews, the award-winning author of A Complicated Kindness, brings her irresistible voice and heart wrenching poignancy to her new novel All My Puny Sorrows.

Hi Victoria! Trust you are well. Has been a pretty frigid week here so enjoy living in California! Gather same at Sun Peaks, a ski hill in the interior of BC, although not as much snow as in former years, our friend, Trevor, from Adelaide, reports. He will be staying overnight on the 19th of this month, en route to Oz. 40ºC+ in Adelaide!  Cheers,Patrizzio!