Author Archives: L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B.

About L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B.

Past President, Mississippi Masonic Hall Inc.; Past Master (by demit) of Mississippi Lodge No. 147, A.F. and A.M., G.R.C. (in Ontario) Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Canada July 20, 1861; Don, Devonshire House, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario; Juris Doctor, Dalhousie Law School, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), Glendon Hall, York University, Toronto, Ontario; Old Boy (House Captain, Regimental Sgt. Major, Prefect and Head Boy), St. Andrew's College, Aurora, Ontario.

Sexuality

Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied with historical contexts over time, it lacks a precise definition. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual response cycle.

Someone’s sexual orientation is their pattern of sexual interest in the opposite and/or same sex. Physical and emotional aspects of sexuality include bonds between individuals that are expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of love, trust, and care. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one’s sexuality, while spirituality concerns an individual’s spiritual connection with others. Sexuality also affects and is affected by cultural, political, legal, philosophical, moral, ethical, and religious aspects of life.

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Lunch at Neat Coffee Shop

Though we ventured to the city first thing this morning to explore Lee Valley Tools in search of its celebrated garlic press; and afterwards stopped by the Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers Limited, Carleton Place for two of its similarly renowned real woollen socks, the balance of the day (apart from a brief interlude for the collection of fancy meat products from the Almonte Butcher) was spent primarily (that is, nearly but not quite) off-the-grid. Which is to say the remainder of the day was steadfast to the country, specifically Renfew County along the glittering Madawaska River. Our objective was two-fold; namely, Neat Coffee Shop in the hamlet of Burnstown for lunch and MacLaren Orchards further northerly along the Burnstown Road for Empire apples.

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The country gentleman

It was very seldom that the country gentleman caught glimpses of the great world; and what he saw of it tended rather to confuse than to enlighten his understanding. His opinions respecting religion, government, foreign countries and former times, having been derived, not from study, from observation, or from conversation with enlightened companions, but from such traditions as were current in his own small circle, were the opinions of a child. He adhered to them, however, with the obstinacy which is generally found in ignorant men accustomed to be fed with flattery. His animosities were numerous and bitter. He hated Frenchmen and Italians, Scotchmen and Irishmen, Papists and Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists, Quakers and Jews. Towards London and Londoners he felt an aversion which more than once produced important political effects. His wife and daughter were in tastes and acquirements below a housekeeper or a stillroom maid of the present day. They stitched and spun, brewed gooseberry wine, cured marigolds, and made the crust for the venison pasty.

Excerpt From
Thomas Babington Macaulay
“The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1”

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Religion

Thanksgiving is by definition occasion for the expression of gratitude especially to God.

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day (in North America) is an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November.  A similar holiday is held in Canada usually on the second Monday in October.

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Excess

The way in which these men lived was so ostentatious and voluptuous that, greedy as they were of gain, they seldom became rich. They dressed as if for a gala at Versailles, ate off plate, drank the richest wines, and kept harems on board, while hunger and scurvy raged among the crews, and while corpses were daily flung out of the portholes.

Excerpt From
Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay,
“The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1.”

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Thanksgiving

While the weather for our Thanksgiving congregation doesn’t promise to be particularly favourable, we have nonetheless put ourselves in good stead for whatever transpires.  This evening for example we judiciously restricted our meal in anticipation of what is assured to be a bounteous festive board at the home of my sister and her husband tomorrow. Most of the day today was blustery and cold but in the late afternoon the sky suddenly brightened, showing the upriver view to advantage.

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Il Pomo d’Oro

Il Pomo d’Oro is a prize-winning orchestra founded in 2012 and named after the opera Il pomo d’oro by Antonio Cesti. The ensemble specialises in Historically informed performance of music from the Baroque and Classical period which it performs and records led by its own lead violinists Federico Guglielmo and Zefira Valova, or by guest conductors including Maxim Emelyanychev (chief conductor since 2016).

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Blustery day in the valley

Moderately early this morning after completion of ablutions and upon connecting to the internet at my desk I received an email from a younger friend who is a renowned chef in “Cabbagetown”, a popular area of downtown Toronto. He abbreviated my previous enquiry about “Any news?” by recounting that he is up each morning between one and two o’clock followed by long hours at the restaurant, then to bed between six and seven in the evening. While he rightfully acknowledged the duress of his enterprise, I could sense his personal commendation; and I was similarly moved to admire his dutiful and functional application (even if I confess a degree of envy of his purposeful occupation).

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Flounder

A recent fiery controversy of sociological and etymological proportions has broadened my knowledge of the two vernaculars. Such apparently is the unwitting but welcome nature of squabbling that with the proper application of rigidity, acuity and moral correctness, the outcome is not only instructive but also uncommonly relieving. I have at last succeeded to address what had become the behavioural equivalent of a cyst; that is,

.  a membranous sac or cavity of abnormal character containing fluid; or,
.  a tough protective capsule enclosing the larva of a parasitic worm or the resting stage of an organism.

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“Reductio ad absurdum” – Getting to know your audience

It would at first blush be pardonable to take for granted that modern business marketing has changed with technology. Or has it? How far removed are we from the renowned elements which have traditionally steered a successful business?  Surely quality, trust and communication remain the notable credentials. As for the rest “Word of Mouth” will forever abide as a salient feature.

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