Rainblossom Blues: Thursday, February 27th

Every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold when he is only sad. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

 Located at Spanish Banks, this art installation, called the “Rainblossom Project,” was put up by an anonymous group to celebrate the rain the city receives. 

Hi Maggie!

Glad to hear you are back, avoiding -30º temperatures! Hope all went as well as could be expected on home front. Cheers, Patrizzio!

All's well at home. You may have suffered frostbite, Pat. You should be careful. Not sure if you can get phlebitis in hands. I suffered cracks in fingertips and both thumbs from the extreme cold, still very sore. Back now but after 3 weeks of no aerobic workouts, realize that the old adage is true, use it or lose it. I was pretty tired and sore this morning after an hour of Zumba and then another hour of Pickleball player development. My hand eye coordination needs work for sure. Stubborn as I am, I will presevere and hopefully return to my old fit self very soon. 

Hi Tom!

I just wanted to add my thanks to those already expressed by George for everything you did surrounding the celebration of Cas' life. 

Not quite sure what the Casper Invitational entails but I'd like to be involved/help in some way, should that be appropriate. Again, thank you for your tribute. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pat, Thanks for the response.  I will diarize accordingly and keep you in the loop for December’s “Christmas Casper Invitational”.  Tom

Dear Allyson:

Just a brief note to express my heartfelt condolences to you and your family over the untimely death of Casper. I didn't really have the opportunity, at VRC, to tell you in what high regard I always held him. He was a wonderful, wonderful man but you and your children know that. I trust that the memories of your time together will sustain you, to the extent that they can, in this very, very difficult period. Please know that all of us who knew this giant of a man grieve with you and for you. Once again, sincere sympathy, Patrick Dunn.

Thank you, Patrick. I do very much remember you, and I am sorry we didn't have more time to chat at VRC. Allyson

Hello Brothers Martini! Thanks, Giuseppe, for providing your long-lost brother's email address! Good to see you at VRC last Sunday, even under such sad circumstances.
 

With respect to hooking up, Monsieur Suave Provocateur, we will be in Naramata over the weekend of March 28th-30th but I don't think, at this time, we'll have a moment to make it to Kelowna. We are involved with a friend's birthday and most of wine tasting will be around Naramata. However, towards the end of July we are driving to Winnipeg to celebrate Corinne's parent's 69th wedding anniversary, so if you might be around then, or in early September, (return to Vancouver), perhaps we can get together. Would be grand to catch up. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. All the best to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

patrick! so magnanimous of you to drop in with your unexpected , albeit-- most
welcome, salutation !shame that your whirlwind tour doesnt bring you to K-TOWN, but i shall look forward to future announcements.

hello to your lovely bride, corinne! take care until then, my friend, mitchy (''hurricane'') martin
Hi Jack and Gail!

I quite enjoyed the Sochi slide show. Thanks for that. Hope all goes well in Florida. When are you back on Orcas? Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Spain Bound Lucky People!

Glad to hear that you will soon be heading into warmer climes. Fair bit of flu around here. Fondestos to you and Christine from Cora. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Mr Truly Unsympathetic!

Had I know how uncaring you would turn out to be I'd have raised our bed another foot! I regularly wear my bike helmet to bed but it is to prevent blows to my cranium from Cora Lee's elbows!!! Trust you weekend in Rock was a delight. How was Outlaws? We'll be back from Manitoba in early September so hope weather will allow for some rides together, as well as meals, of course.
 

Quite the pictures of rubbish strewn beaches! Monumental task, it goes without saying. Somewhat similar to flotsam and jetsam still finding its way to our coastline as a result of 2011 earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Are community groups organizing much of clean-up? Fondestos to you and Gayle from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Anyone up for a ride tomorrow? Forecast looks promising. 

Hello i Pelotoni!

I'm game for a ride. How about meeting somewhere on Kent to give Burnaboids an opportunity to show that they can still remember what a bicycle looks like!

Just back from a fab jaunt out to UBC. Left around 1:00 pm and it was such a gorgeous day that I hardly noticed I was riding. Quite a few dipsy doodles after I did the Musqueam Shuffle, up to Imperial, dodging all the Mercedes and Lexii and BMW's trying to run me over, in such a hurry to collect their offspring at St George's. Barely escaped but managed to lob a few Molotov Cocktails at the most aggressive SUV's and was able to reach Camosun under cover of all the thick black smoke coming from a Rolls. All that burnished walnut and real leather doesn't take long to produce a pretty good blaze!
 

Next up and around Westbrook Village and then two side trips through UBC, (Main Mall and West Mall), to give me the distance I wanted for 70+ km. Heading back along Spanish Banks the mountains, English Bay, with its numerous freighters, and the city's buildings were simply stunning. Have to pinch myself each time I see this remarkable city/seascape. Didn't even have to do anything extra at Kits Point as I had all the distance I needed once at the bottom of Foreshore Hill. Only disappointment is the rather low AVG. Can't blame it on head wind, although it was reasonably strong at times. Too, too much Panama Red the night before, methinks matey! Stats for today's ride: 
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/452521646#.Uw_y1zoUvlA.email

Let me know about time, place and destination and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

I'm in if it's dry. Ray

Hi Patrice, et al

I have some stuff to do in the early to mid morning but if the planets align could possibly meet on the kent corridor. I will have a better idea about 10:00 and will give you a call in the morning before then to discuss . How about you Marcus are you available to rendezvous before?
 

Depends a bit on timing - later would be better as I have an optometrist appt at 10:15...8^) cheers, Mark

Hello, I see I missed this request for info! I hope you enjoying the snow in the sunshine. Todd

 Todd

 Todd Gnissios