Today was Fire Alarm Day, the day “they” come to conduct the annual inspection of the fire alarm system throughout the 3-storey building and in each of the 42 riverside apartments. We accordingly thought it as well to absent ourselves during the process. By coincidence upon vacating the property we learned from one of the inspectors at the front door that he anticipated completion of the test by 11:00 am.

Prior to departure we briefly reviewed the breakfast alternatives. Once airborne we settled upon Neat Café in Burnstown, County of Renfrew. We’ve never been disappointed there. It nonetheless always surprises me to discover and rediscover uncommon excellence in a remote rural venue. The bias, as you might imagine, is an unsubstantiated prejudice, a myth that unparalleled cuisine should be confined to the urban environment. We proved once again this morning that it is not. Indeed my investigative pursuit à la carte did nothing but augment the chef’s talent and artistry. The accompanying grilled cheese sandwich on seeded rye bread was non-pareil in addition to being fortuitously unctuous. And the bacon!  It were enough to tempt a young Jewish girl when conveniently beyond the restraint of home (as indeed I recall Debbi Ages having been sinfully provoked when visiting my sister in my late mother’s renowned aromatic catholic kitchen). The eggs too were ideally cooked. And the assorted fresh fruit constituted a colourful and healthful addition. What however I must not overlook mentioning is the Breakfast Cookie, a chewy collection of nuts, dried fruit and cocaine. Perfection! And the double espresso served appropriately in a tiny glass cup and saucer. Meanwhile the dining room hardware performed functionally though otherwise unnoticeably. The sun shone brilliantly upon the frosted grounds and beamed warmly upon the interior hardwood. The consummate breakfast achieved. And I might usefully add the same for the Party of the Second Part. An undeniable 100% accreditation! Including as well the not unattractive waitress who not only performed admirably but also efficiently, affably and precisely (yet another art form) in an often underrated employment!

Before and after our country sojourn today we received communications from abroad.  First upon arrival at Marrakech.

Our driver Fariq met us at the airport and all is well. First impressions palm trees, chaotic traffic, cars and motorcycles spewing fumes. Snow capped Atlas Mountains in distance. Great to have Yasmina with me! This is going to be fun! More later.

And second from the United States of America.

For us to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year.

We appreciate your letters and enjoy learning about your past and present…the realism being ever so clear.  Today we are 81 and 84;  next week I turn 82…never thought I’d be alive at this stage!  But we’re lucky.  And, I sing “Happy Birthday” to me on the 26th of every month!

George had a laminectomy last month and told the doctor, “Whatever you do, let me get to Florida!”  So he’s healing well, doing PT, driving…and we leave for parts south on Monday!  Glory be…

We’ll visit friends and family from Boston to Washington and then take the auto train on the 30th.  We’re looking forward to being in Florida for three months.

Keep the words coming, friends.

George and Bobbie

Punctuating these gratifying emails is my reinstatement upon the bridge. From here I overlook the boundless passage to the horizon. It is a curious metaphor when the visibility is so blindly clear and the perfection so utterly incomprehensible. It would require more than a pinch to remove me from its credibility and complacency.