We’ve surpassed the middle of the year. Both my Driver’s Licence and my Health Card expire about six months hence on my birthday. This proximity enabled me to renew the Licence on-line (it’s being mailed to me); however the Health card required a new photo. So we dipped into Service Ontario in Carleton Place this morning. The place was busy but the awaiting clients were being handled summarily. The clerk who looked into my needs was very efficient. Not long after having my photo taken I was given a printed temporary Health Card, the original of which is being mailed to me.

Invigorated by these preliminary precious preludes – I’m planning my domestic affairs five years in advance – I immediately recaptured the more routine matter of a car wash. The Glide wash was down for computer malfunction but the nearby Touchless was operational. I managed to nip ahead of another driver who, like I, had been obliged to switch between stations.

Thereafter brightened and polished by the technological innovation we pointed the hood of the car northeastward to the beach in Arnprior along the Ottawa River. We sat upon a wooden bench overlooking the expansive scenery.