It’s after noon, another refreshingly cool and brilliantly sunny late summer day. The water glistens upon the river! The fields of dry cornstalks are broad strokes of mottled brown upon the canvass. We have been blessed with fine weather for the past week – and perhaps we shall be again for the next! The hour hand of my brass carriage clock precisely approaches Roman numeral III on its white enamel face and already this is a rewarding day!
Stirred no doubt by a last night’s robust sleep – and soon after awakening at eight o’clock this morning – I donned by yellow and blue jacket then sailed upon my trusty Ecolo Cycle Pronto (from Derand Motorsports – Ottawa) about our local neighbourhood. At that early hour I was in the company of other people and their dogs performing what I imagine to be similar matutinal rituals. The tricycle ride was a matchless repeat of my athletic agenda, avenue by avenue, up hill and down again. It accomplished whatever necessity subsists at my futuristic age. My exoneration was complete! That duty was performed.
At 9:50 am – back home at my desk and after a moment’s prevarication – I succumbed to what for weeks has been a developing desire of mine for a mani/pedi. But where to go? This type of spa treatment is something we’ve normally only embraced when wintering in Florida or on Hilton Head Island. But having abandoned winter travel for this year – and feeling the need to filter myself the only way I conveniently know how – I resolved to correct the niggling frustration. I ferreted through the internet and found a number of alternatives. In fact more than a number – a positive variety of choices. But the winning feature was expedience – handy location, easy parking and naturally an appointment. To my surprise I lucked into an immediate engagement. At 10:30 am I stationed my car in a handicap space almost directly in front of the store of choice. The proprietor greeted me upon arrival and immediately set about his work.
My initial – and confirmed – assessment of the service that followed is that it was rendered quietly and keenly. Cloaked in a rambling conversation without sharpness or arrogation of any description, it became clear upon conclusion that the chap knew what he was doing. Then – to my heightened surprise and contentment – Mr. Tran disclosed an adjoining private salon for hairdressing. That would be for another day!
Aimi Boutique Nail Spa, Prop. Vu (“David”) Tran in Almonte (located in the separate row of stores in the building to the left of Equator Coffee Shop) was my destination.
The lack of fuss or demonstration did not however disguise or limit the quality of skill. Indeed afterwards upon private examination and review of today’s purge, I am delighted to say I have discovered the abbreviation of my malcontent. In addition I am already planning return visits for the benefit of unobtrusive and professional care.