A good start to the new year.

Since you have all seen where I live in Palm Springs, I thought you might want to see the place in Vancouver.

The above are pictures of my living room, where, like most people, I never sit.

However, it does contain two of my dearest possessions:

Rock Tapestry by friend Barbara Heller

Another tapestry by Barbara, this one of our boat, The Other Woman

Next, the dining room, another room rarely used.

And, where we all live, kitchen and family room.

And there you have it.  Oh, and I guess a peek at the bedroom....

And, last but not least on the home front, the "copper sky" for which the place is noted:

Okay, enough of that, what have I been doing, you might ask?  Well, on the New Year's day statutory holiday, friends Joyce, Sheila and Alisha and I went to our local casino for brunch.  It was a little bitter sweet; the casino was the last place David went out to eat, a few weeks prior to his death, 6 years ago this February.  However, he had a great time, as did we.

It was a busy day.  I headed from there to visit friend Donna, and husband Pellham for some of Pellham's infamous rum punch.  (Pellham's absence from the pictures is solely due to the mistakes of the picture taker, and not of his photogenic nature).

Friend Donna

...her friend Michael

...and dog Panda

Tuesday, it was officially back to work, for a short spurt before leaving for Palm Springs again on January 21.

Joyce, my trusty assistant at work

Kim , at left, without whom  I would be totally helpless

.

..and Lesley, team leader, confidant and friend.

Tuesday after work, it was off to drinks at neighbor Joan's, without whom  my extended stays in Palm Springs would not be possible.  Sorry:  too much drinking (it was only next door, after all), no picture taking!

And Wednesday evening, back to bridge with the locals, without whom  none of the other bridge playing (i.e., in Palm Springs) would be possible, or at least, not as much fun.  Here's the cast of characters:

Tom, law school associate and long time friend

John, our affable host and convener.

And Dennis, always affable and bridge player par excellence

Continuing with the social aspect of the week, I snuck out for coffee on Thursday with friend and former colleague Heather, who lives amazingly close to me in Steveston.  We spent an hour gabbing, just catching up with family and friends.  Again, no pictures of  her lovely home; no excuses this time, I just forgot my camera.

And, to round out the week, a surprise party for Donna's friend Sandra.  I know Sandra only vicariously; she and husband Henry stayed at my place in Palm Springs with Donna and Pellham  last May (I was absent).  Anyway, I spent a little time helping set up on Saturday afternoon, and then joined the festivities at the community center in the evening.

Sandra, the birthday girl, on the left

And that's all she wrote for this week.  I'm  to have bored you with so many pictures and introductions this time.  I promise you, next week does not look nearly as busy!