Clouds most frequently express a metaphor for woefulness, albeit as often as changeable and as fragmentary. As I sailed along the winding countryside roads today I was repeatedly overwhelmed by the inexpressible beauty of the kaleidoscopic atmosphere. Yet as aesthetically pleasing as the fickle clouds were, I recalled the imperative of balancing clarity and obscurity, brightness and shadow, perfection and ambivalence.

It is beyond truthfulness to suggest that every day is as openly necromantic or as positive as today. Like most occurrences – whether we care to admit it or not – the outcome was unpredictable. The uninhibited artistry was of broad though singular scope, blended with delicate colour and unimaginable vastness. Though I would have thought the lucidity of the skies reflected the clear, dry air, the ether was nonetheless tempered by capricious spots of rain.

The rhapsody was but a welcome backdrop to an otherwise enchanting day. Earlier this morning we frequented the grocery store (to enhance our stores) and the pharmacy (to augment our prescriptions) – dutiful collaborations to round out both essentials and innovation. Not to mention the superlative corollary of expiation.

Fortuitously during my midday cycle, I came upon Dave (of Van Dusen locale) walking his miniature dog. As anxious as the little dog was to continue the appointed task, Dave preferred to relish with me the upcoming 2-week fishing adventure planned with three other chaps in a remote part of Québec where they would be entirely “off the grid”.  He exuberantly explained – as though by mathematical accommodation of incalculable domesticity – that each of the gentlemen was responsible to cook two meals; and, he ventured to presume – with apparent heated excitement – that there would be successive “fish fries”. And, yes, there would be beer and wines and liqueurs to boot.

Of equal invigoration was my similar sidewalk chat with our American neighbour at the end of Spring Street.  She has already begun to attack her exceedingly complicated garden, meanwhile sporting with enviable drama what I am quite certain is calculated apparel. Her appearance this morning was manifestly vibrant and extraordinary, a combination of lavender of variable intensity. It was appropriately expressive of the fetching view of the sky to the earth.

Complementing the whole was a stop for a double espresso.  Though I was at first unconvinced of the need to do so, and I had initially contemplated going to Katarina’s Café on the St. Lawrence Seaway, I settled instead for a more proximate detour to Starbucks in Bells Corners.  It was a good decision. The young staff there is always polite and attentive. Naturally I found the caffeine to be ideal – quality taste, excellently rendered. The alkaloid compound had me dancing!