It is I find a singular feature of most bloodyminded people (and by the way I include myself in that blunt assessment) that they go on and on about the charisma of the place where they happen to live, as though there were no other, as though the rest of the world were God’s insouciant production just to see if He/She/They got it right the first time. It’s called the “no place like home” eulogy, that seemingly warm and congenial endorsement meant to legitimize one’s return from a foreign land or as a commendation of the universe to which one is currently moored.

Continue reading →

“when the old boughs wither,
we thrust new ones into a chimney”

Excerpt From
The Dunciad: An heroic poem. In three books.
Alexander Pope

Continue reading →

Knowing when to quit is a banausic philosophic adage of broad application which advances the seemingly unpopular admonition of retirement or withdrawal. Often it runs together with the metaphorical encouragement to abandon ship while there is still time.  It is accordingly both a substantive and temporal admonition. The warning has been associated with almost every critical aspect of human endeavour and relationships. Most often, because of the prerequisite of involvement, the harangue applies to what for the moment at least is important to us. Accordingly the decision to “jump ship” at what is likely an inopportune instance is regularly equated with an element of possible indiscretion at the very least or the more probable abbreviation of what is already a bad or ineffective alliance.

Continue reading →

It was with a spirited presence of adventure that we launched this morning’s junket to the Township of Adamston/Bromley to visit my sister and her husband at their summer resort. But first there were stops at HFT (Healthy Food Technologies) in Almonte for donuts then Antrim Truck Stop in Arnprior for a strengthening plate of protein and a mixed berry scone slathered in icing sugar.

Continue reading →

Yet the new regiment had a very peculiar character. The soldiers were all rigid Puritans. One of their first acts was to petition the Parliament that all drunkenness, licentiousness, and profaneness might be severely punished. Their own conduct must have been exemplary: for the worst crime which the most extravagant bigotry could impute to them was that of huzzaing on the King’s birthday.

Excerpt From
The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3
Thomas Babington Macaulay

Continue reading →

I venture to say that most of us have our personal priorities, things about which we’re not only particular but also habitual, things that matter to us so deeply (though not necessarily so importantly) that we’d be at a loss to know precisely why they are so, things of prime concern and precedence. On occasion the pressing matter is illustrative more of obsession than imperative. Maybe there are routines which must be performed each morning to initiate the start of the day, the beginning of another realm of unfolding discovery.

Continue reading →

There are two things about which I can safely say I know very little; viz., the Pacific Ocean and women. Ignorance has never stopped me before so I will not apologize for continuing with this commentary. If you must know, I place some confidence in story-telling generally. My legal career of punctilious documentation is over. I have instead abandoned myself to the exoteric pleasure of unbridled presentation! Granted it is a wishful ambition but it captures the dominance of the narrative.

Continue reading →

A new pair of shoes very often requires a day or two of adjustment. A new car can ignite a learning curve which takes months before one is fully aware of all the so-called bells and whistles. But a new computer (in my case a MacBook Pro 14-inch, 2021) expands its novelty and accommodation to astronomic levels. The only thing I find that preserves my sanity when familiarizing myself with a new computer is the abiding belief that “there has to be a way to do this!” Granted the proclamation hardly qualifies as a certain imperative. Yet somehow, in spite of the initial obstruction and bewilderment, I have found I am able to surface from the murky depths of obscurity to a passably useful adaptation of the new instrument.

Continue reading →

Meandering along the back roads of Eastern Ontario is inevitably a day of discovery. We began our adventure less aimlessly this morning at precisely nine o’clock. Our mission was a table at the Ivy Lea Club overlooking the St Lawrence River.  It was a jaunt we estimated to take 1½ – 2 hours. Guided by our vehicle’s GPS we unwittingly ended travelling some exceptionally quaint and terribly scenic country roads we’d never before seen. Capturing once again the insightful adage about one’s own back yard. This set the atmosphere for the leisurely lunch that followed.

Continue reading →

Years ago – I can’t remember exactly when or where – I recall having overheard someone comment rather unfavourably or at least ironically upon the seeming paradox of a member of the nobility who hadn’t any central heating in their highland castle (it might even have been a reference to Crathes castle from the owners of whom my family apparently derives some heredity) but there were always butterballs on the dining table.  Personally I dislike butterballs; I find them picayune and unmanageable. I prefer instead a tub of Kerrygold pure Irish salted butter with a sensible butter knife (perhaps with a bone handle if I were to divulge myself). And a large loaf of sourdough bread à côté. Nonetheless the butterball affectation is not entirely lost on me.

Continue reading →