Post Valentine's Day Hedgehog Blues: Saturday Februry 15th!

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989) 

Thank you - what a lovely card - - and all that chocolate!! Greetings to you and Corinne as well. Cheers! Roma & Leonard

Thank you for the lovely card. Dogs are so sweet! CoraLee

Lazy day today as I didn't even get out of bed until a few minutes after 9:00 am. No rest for the wicked after that as Dusty came over a few minutes later, (I had barely enjoyed my first cup of java!), and I helped him take down the blinds in the living room which have been here since 1994 when we bought place! Cora Lee had already selected curtains, (Ikea), which she received as a Christmas present from her parents, so next task was to put up rods, etc. That accomplished, without too, too much difficulty, I'm pleased to say, we next tackled the flexible dryer vent which had come uncoupled from the section which goes into ceiling outlet. 

This proved a much more difficult task, relatively speaking, as it is such an awkward/fiddly location to work in, offering nothing but extremely tight, close quarters. Nevertheless, Dusty is a master at handling such things/situations and after dismantling rigid venting it was far easier to duct-tape the two sections together and re-attach the venting more securely to the wall/ceiling. 

Once all this was done I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the living room windows, inside and out, as we had moved all the furniture out of the way to put up rods. Decided I might as well get my exercise that way as weather wasn't particularly pleasant for a ride, to say the least. Finished with the Windex and elbow grease just as Coriandre walked in the door with the paint that she had picked up, while out on other errands, which she needs to touch up the ceiling where we took down the vertical blind runners. 

If all goes well we should have the living room back to normal by late Sunday afternoon, depending on how many coats of paint are required. Not a large area, in any event, so it should dry quite quickly and allow us to put curtains on rods. For the time being, we have a low tech burglar device, a maze that is all but impenetrable for anyone trying to access malt cabinet from patio!

Greetings Patrick & Corinne - we would like to invite you both over for dinner at some point. Perhaps with Jane & Kjell in March when he is settled in - March 14,15 or 16 perhaps? Will you be around then? We should be free on one evening on the preceding weekend but we are awaiting word from a friend passing through town on when he will be available. That could be an option as well. First things first - will you be in town? Cheers....Paul

Dear Secret Admirer--My, that sounds (and is) romantic. Now, if only we could share those goodies in person. Yum. Yum. And more yum.
 
Can't tell you how often I think fondly of you two Island Inn-ers. I have been keeping a bit of an eye on all the India planning. I must confess, though, that I am a bit removed from it for awhile as I am still enmeshed in planning for our trip to Adalucia and Morocco with Barb and Fred in May. As you know, I am not good at multi-tasking …Cheers for now, and much love from one of your favourite Naramatians! Lynnie 

Thx for the update, Pat. Happy you now have large space between paragraphs. Makes it easier to read. Are you having a skin problem?

Alli doing much better physically but emotionally will take some time. Missing all my friends and activities south of the border. Lots was happening in Feb. Not a lot of cultural activities, more physical. I do have a girlfriend here who is keen to do interesting film, etc. 

Unfortunately, Rachel. 49, diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in Dec. It will be good for her to challenge her mind so I will encourage her to go with me to a few stimulating events. For now, she is doing yoga and a special program to help her get around. The disability has come on very aggressively. I was shocked when I saw her at Christmas. She was an IB English Teacher at a local high school but can no longer teach. She had a fall after bumping into a student which sealed her fate. I used to sub for her when she taught jr high French back in '92. 

Thx for the info re Dr. Swayze. He was never my Prof but I remember him well. Passed it along to a few. Frank fine in AZ. keeping busy, lobbying for renos to pickleball court, very politically frustrating! $$ the issue. Only 10 % of the Park pop is very physically active, about 250 out of 2500. Average age 73. Frank will be 70 in May. Hi to Cor
maggie 

Hi Tom, Here is the info as promised Cas' memorial service will be held ….

Sunday, Feb 23 2:30 PM
Memorial Service at Canadian Memorial United Church
1806 West 15th Ave (15th and Burrard)

Followed by a reception at the Vancouver Racquets Club (squash club) 4867 Ontario Street, starting at approx 4:30 PM Thanks and love, Allyson

Three giant projection screens will allow guests to party the night away while cheering on the nation’s top athletes. In true Edible Canada fashion, the theme will be quintessential Canadian.
Savoury Chef will be hosting multiple food stations showcasing classic Canadian fare such as bison chili, Alberta beef brisket & maple flapjacks to name a few — perfect late night snacks! There will also be other comfort food items provided by Edible Canada, such as cheesy perogies. Granville Island Brewing will be supplying the craft beer and many other local wines and spirits will be flowing over the course of the weekend, including Edible’s famous “Garnish Your Own” Caesar bar.
- See more at: http://www.ediblecanada.com/tours-and-events/events/edible-canada-house-2014/#sthash.gM3KRJRu.dpuf

Three giant projection screens will allow guests to party the night away while cheering on the nation’s top athletes. In true Edible Canada fashion, the theme will be quintessential Canadian.
Savoury Chef will be hosting multiple food stations showcasing classic Canadian fare such as bison chili, Alberta beef brisket & maple flapjacks to name a few — perfect late night snacks! There will also be other comfort food items provided by Edible Canada, such as cheesy perogies. Granville Island Brewing will be supplying the craft beer and many other local wines and spirits will be flowing over the course of the weekend, including Edible’s famous “Garnish Your Own” Caesar bar.
- See more at: http://www.ediblecanada.com/tours-and-events/events/edible-canada-house-2014/#sthash.gM3KRJRu.dpufwhich I had never encountered before. Not far from the stage where the bands performed the Granville Island Toy Company had a booth and a game was in progress when we walked by. During the game, players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower constructed of 54 blocks. Each block removed is then balanced on top of the tower, creating a progressively taller but less stable structure.