Not every day do things fulfill themselves so gratifyingly as they did today. Two redeeming vaccinations late this morning and afterwards uninhibited in the sunny though wintry weather, I nosed the Cadillac out of the garage onto the dry pavement though yet with anticipation only, not perceiving anything of singularity. Soon however it was apparent that the day was special. Now free of the morning’s pharmaceutical task – and later learning that the Queensway Carleton Hospital had mistaken a medical matter – I was at liberty to dissolve into blithe indolence. I employed the opportunity to address my casual ruminations. My vacuous thoughts wandered aimlessly, spirited by the fresh air and unsubdued by the lack of traffic.

The Car
The manufacturer of my vehicle will not repeat the model next year. After first having called ahead to the dealership, I drove there to investigate a comparative (though slightly bigger) model. The young salesman was clearly having difficulty absorbing my keen interest. For my part I excused the preoccupation as preparation, thinking ahead, knowing not only where to go but also where not to go.

Travel
Already talk of travel is rampant as people prepare for holiday outings and relocation to warmer climate. One friend and his family are flying to London, England to join a daughter there for Christmas. The parents of another friend are coming from France to rally at the country estate. Bunny is soon headed to Morocco for three months. Dan will go for the same period to Florida. Paul and Willie are already there.  And we’ve jokingly begun to pack for Hilton Head Island at the end of January.

Politics
I re-read an article I had written in 2016 entitled “Why I’m voting for Donald Trump”.

Why I’m voting for Donald Trump

Lately the staff at FOX NEWS sounds knowledgeable and polite.  No doubt victory at the polls has mollified their aggressiveness. One appreciates the American confidence in a government that captures the will of the majority. Nonetheless there continue to be those who are unconvinced. But the disruption is at least quelled. It’s time to lay down the sword. Fighting is a wasteful endeavour by any account. Americans are fatigued by disagreement.

Commercialism
Having spent a lifetime devoted to productivity, the absence of notable application in retirement is not without its injury. Barring employment as a K-Mart greeter, I am reluctant to pursue just any accomplishment at this late stage of life. I have however considered the possibility. What dissuades me is not the prospect of failure (real though it may be); rather the removal from the enviable status of insouciance. Equanimity is a privilege far surpassing unflappability. One is a matter of pride; the other, of detachment.

Perfection
As unlikely as it may be, perfection is not a topic from which I am estranged. This is so, like so many other things, by definition. It would be useless of me to define perfection. But an equation is not unwarranted though it may amount to a distinction without a difference. I equate perfection with compatibility. This I feel is broad enough to allow one to embrace all manner of prescription.  Importantly the definition (or equation) is irrelevant as an insight into the unfathomable reality of life; instead it is no more than a medium of happiness which I think you’ll agree is personal. The achievement is not the height but the satisfaction one has of being there. It is part of my native talent to be capable to embellish anything.

Be particularly honest about what you think as you leave the room
There was naturally a myriad of other thoughts which swarmed about in my head today as I drove contentedly along the smooth country highways, squinting into the late afternoon sunshine. Those nasty beams of light which focus occasionally upon those to whom we are no longer close; the horror of impending death; the moments of regret and misadventure which regularly haunt us; the questions of choice; and the thankfulness for what we have, what is now.