2025 Seasons Greetings
from Arleigh and Roger
But first…
2024 - A year of saying goodbye
Mom Vicki was hospitalized just after New Years in January 2024, with the prognosis of a week, maybe 10 days.
But she wasn’t ready to leave, just then.
We celebrated her birthday in April wth family, friends and festivities. She was all in!
But then, Vicki took a final turn in the summer and we said goodbye on July 21st. She was 94.
Family rallied for her memorial service in September and her ashes were laid to rest in October.
By year end and feeling emotionally drained, I realized that I didn’t have the ‘mojo’ to send out a Christmas newsletter last year.
2025 - Back in the Saddle
There is something about germinating tiny seeds in February that generates a sense of optimism for the year ahead. Then, with longer daylight hours, milder weather, and the greening up of the countryside, my enthusiasm builds for the abundance of the harvest.
And then there’s the wine!
When the winery tasting rooms re-open their doors in the spring, I can hardly wait. I was delighted to re-join the team at Moraine Estate Winery in 2025. Moraine is a beautiful and popular venue and it was great to be back with a very upbeat and lively team.
Along side this, I still maintain a part-time wine advisor position at the ‘Wines of British Columbia’ in Penticton and of course keep up my SuperHost status with Airbnb.
Then on the side, and just for fun, being part of the Naramata Bench Amateur Wine Making Club and making wine with a team of ‘Bench Pressers’ is a bonus. What else would you expect from a Type A personality?
image courtesy of Moraine Winery
Speaking of grapes, after two low yield seasons in 2023 and 2024 Mother Nature delivered a near-ideal growing season: normal budbreak in the vineyards, no temperature extremes, a long frost-free window, and precipitation exactly when it was most beneficial.
Bumper crops were harvested up and down the valley, with a sigh of relief from an industry so dependent on agriculture and with wine winemakers genuinely excited about the quality coming in for the 2025 vintage.
And Also…
This year, we’ve enjoyed visits from friends from California, New York and the West Coast, lots of entertaining, casual BBQ’s and long summer sunset evenings.
Roger keeps busy with his ‘Citizen-Led Future’ project, launching in January.
He also ensures the irrigation systems are working properly around the property and keeps the lawn trimmed throughout the summer. At this time of year he ensures the driveway is kept clear and salted, if needed.
And, he is super popular with the locals who rally for morning coffee in the village!
In closing, we want to wish all of our dear friends and family the merriest of merriest this festive season and a healthy and prosperous New Year 2026! We look forward to connecting soon!
Much love,
Arleigh & Roger
News Flash!
I (Roger) had a heart attack on December 23.
Obviously not a fatal one (phew!) but serious enough to need surgery on the 24th. I had visions of heroic surgeons in white gowns putting me under, cracking my chest open, demanding scalpels from flustered nurses, followed by months of convalescence. Obviously I was brought up on too many “Carry On Doctor” films.
Instead, I was fully conscious for the 45 minute procedure where a catheter was inserted into an artery at my wrist, guided to my heart and deposited 2 stents where needed. Absolutely amazing!
Although, the surgeon dressed in Santa scrubs and the Christmas music playing in the background did add a touch of the surreal!
I am back home and doing well under Arleigh’s expert care and trying to get used to my new identity as a “man who has had a heart attack”, i.e. no longer invincible!