Super Bowl Sunday Blues: February 2nd!

A word after a word after a word is power. -Margaret Atwood, poet and novelist (b. 1939) 

P, looks like my window is 11:00 - 1:00. Lemme know if this works for you. W

Fair winds to you Able Seaman!

Aye matey, lowering the gangplank at 11:00 am, Heartbreak Lagoon works well for a Scurvy Dog like meself! Give me a blast on yer foghorn to confirm nautical bearings and ports o' call beforehand. Avarst now, time for me daily ration of Panama Red, and ladle it on wench else there be trouble on The Islay! Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of the best grog going!

Set adrift from moats of Heartbreak Castle See you, oh rummy pirate, at the HB parkade wharf at 11:00.


Hello again, Captain Hornblower!

More like walking the plank, Long George! in response to Robo Man's concern about frigid temperature, I mentioned that I think I'll need to have Panama Red, 54%, (Perhaps a candidate for next batch of Christmas cake?), in my camel pack. If we encounter any frosty patches on Seawall, I'll take a mouthful and spray it on road surface ahead. Only trouble might be that over-proof might eat our tires away! We could always lick the tarmac if stranded until The Sisterhodd Search and Rescue arrives, a week later! Cheers, Smee!

Pat, I might take you up on the offer of Gods of Guilt as I finished the Val McDermid novel, Cross and Burn last night.  I'll give you a call later in the day to see if anyone's home. Wrap up well if you ride - it's about 1 degree at the moment. Ray

Hi Raymond!

I'm happy to pop book by later today. Giorgio is free to ride from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm so once I've had a shower I can bring it by. Must say I am really enjoying our Book Club selection, Lawrence Hill's Blood: The Stuff of Life, 2013 Massey Lectures. I took to his style and approach immediately. Embarrassed to say I've not read his Book of Negroes, (It has been on my ever increasing "backlist" for aeons but will certainly do so at first opportunity once my latests "assignements" have been completed! Quite a life when one feels like one is back in high school or First Year and is inundated with homework!! Is there such a thing as retirement from retirement?), but do have a copy on our shelves.

Think I'll need to have Panama Red, 54%, simply delicious rum, (Perhaps a candidate for next batch of Christmas cake?), in my camel pack. If we encounter any frosty patches on Seawall, I'll take a mouthful and spray it on road surface ahead. Only trouble might be that over-proof might eat our tires away!

I'll give you a buzz to coordinate drop-off. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thanks Pat. We are just about to leave with a very full car and two bikes on the back. Mick

Hi Famiglia Carter!

Fair winds on your southbound odyssey! My bike rack, my winery suggestions! Why am I not along? Have a fab time and look forward to playing bridge and hearing of your exploits, cycling, tasting, etc., upon safe return! Fondestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Thank you so much for the lovely wishes, Patrick! I miss you guys, we need to make a dinner date! Much love, Maya

Hi Maya!

We have been back from Madroña Manor since this past Monday. Had a grand time but it is good to be home. Celebrated Rosie-The-Riveter's 89th on Tuesday. (Chloë just walked in the door to take part in the Super Bowl party downstairs with Clan Sutherland.) I'm waiting for Peter Lighthall, (husband of Lynne Lighthall from SLAIS), to pop, by before going to join boisterous fans! Peter flew into town this morning to attend a family memorial service in West Van. He will have dinner with us as we are starting to plan our 2015 trip to India. Hope to spend at least six weeks-two months there., starting around late October, I think.

Not sure if you knew the name, Walter Swayze, but he was one of my favourite profs at U of W. My cousin's husband just forwarded me his obituary from Winnipeg Free Press. He died on January 28th. 

We are close friends with his eldest son, David. He and his wife, Maret, live in Ottawa and we have stayed with them quite a few time over last few years. I know that Rocky knew him and thought very highly of him. He and his wife Margaret lived in Wildwood Park, (Where my cousin and family live.), and we visited with the Swayzes there before they moved to an apartment elsewhere in city.

We are home until we fly to Mexico for Nicole's destination wedding, first week in May, so give us a shout when time to get together seems possible. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Life at Madroña Manor; fog on ferry back to Mainland; Rosita's cake!

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/439807675#.Uu7bmdoTPw4.email

Hello Polar Vortex People!

Trust all goes well in Antarctica! Know you have been having a very, very difficult winter so I commiserate by cycling in my shorts!

Thank you, Filmer, for forwarding Walter Swayze's obituary. Much appreciated even if sad news indeed. I wondered how long he would live after I talked to him, on the phone, last time I was in Winnipeg. Anyway, I will certainly be in touch with David, his eldest son. He and Maret, his wife, live in Ottawa and we have visited/stayed with them fairly regularly over last few years, as I think you might know.

Went out to UBC this morning with friend Whirlygig and had a most enjoyable ride. Forecast was for frost but temperature didn't get that low so it was an extremely pleasant outing. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/439807675#.Uu7bmdoTPw4.email
 

Now that I'm back, showered and changed, I'm watching Super Bowl and
waiting for Peter Lighthall. He will have dinner with us as we are starting to plan our 2015 trip to India. Hope to spend at least six weeks-two months there, starting around late October, I think.

Anyway, fond regards to you both from Cora Lee. We will be in Mexico, attending Nicole Sutherland's wedding, end of April to until about May 10th. Cheers, Patrizzio!

lovely! have fun tonight. give clo a kiss for me. hmm, don't know the name. i wonder if my dad knows him/of him.
 

yes, let's make plans during spring break (last two weeks of march). i'll send some options. i have two weeks free of teaching at that period. david starts school in march (was accepted into the Landscape and Garden Design program at UBC.) It's through Continuing Ed. and they do all the practical, hands-on stuff at the Botanical Gardens, and then all the theory at the School of Architecture. He started his drafting, per-requisite yesterday. Remember when Clo had to take that horrible drafting course?? Take good care, See you soon. ~Maya

Hi again, Maya!

March sounds fine. Congrats to David. That is exciting news indeed. Onward! Fight!! Your Dad will certainly know of Walter.
 

Peter arrived so we are off to join Clan Sutherland shortly. Will pass along greetings to Chloë. Coriandre is at church at Heartwood, praying for our black, black souls! Hug to Declan. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Patrizzio, don't worry about not including me in your dinner plans tonight, I have done enough freeloading from yours to last me until next Christmas!

If it is ok with you, I can come by tomorrow, Monday, at 3p to quickly drop off the Chinese new year items I have which is very minimal but nevertheless something I want to do. Is that time suitable with yourself and the lady of the house? 

Of course I will be at the next NRBC gathering, I would only miss it for the world (or for a book club with much better looking people or better malt). Speaking of the book club, did you finish reading Blood yet? I have listened to excerpts from the cbc massey lecture, but getting a hand on the book at the library is next to impossible, so I was hoping if you're done with your copy if I could possibly borrow it? If not, that's fine, but I figured I'd ask Take care, VL