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.

Renew your View

The unparalleled perplexity of EV charging has once again today topped our otherwise modest perambulation history. Though – after hugely frustrating disruption and annoyance – we were at last able to activate a charging session at our halfway point of travel earlier in the day, we learned (on a subsequent try further along at the end of our route) to our distress that we hadn’t mastered the skill.  However with the assistance of a young woman (who with her bearded beau and puppy Bichon Frisé had just charged her own vehicle aside our own), we succeeded to capture the initiative of one of several Apps we fortunately had already activated (and – most importantly – had already added funds to the account). Using our App (and the underlying map) she instructed us how to find and select the exact pump then to begin the charging process.

Throughout this twisting chapter and challenge – but entirely unrelated to our immediate purpose, I saw a small commercial van advertising a window cleaning service.  The metaphor of improving one’s view instantly overtook me. It invoked as well the universality of the application; that is, each of us – whatever our mode or direction – is faced with the need and possibility of renewal. While there may be an inarguable weight to the preservation of the status quo as well as the familiarity of all that we already know, there is a more fortifying alternative to be derived from embracing new steps though short and unsteady and sometimes upon gravelly paths.

At the end of the day  – in spite of the intervening tumult – we have positioned ourselves exactly as planned. Tomorrow it’s Prince Edward Island! The redolent image of the island recalls another late summer adventure with my partner years ago. We had swirled about the island, touching upon isolated and pristine beaches, sometimes witnessing shuddered coastal wooden structures standing tall and tranquil still bleached by the summer’s sun and wind, recalling lonesome thoughts from nowhere.

A work of art!

It isn’t often I feel obliged to utter an encomium upon being served a plate of food. Unwittingly this afternoon at the golf club, however, that very imperative ensued. When returning from the city where we had delved into a pressing retail matter, and feeling the weight of what had been steady application since early morning concerning matters of a similar perspective, we thought it wise to stop in the Village of Appleton for a reprieve from the day’s commotion and studiousness. We settled upon having a late luncheon or early dinner at the golf club. We were not disappointed!

Continue reading

Writing

There is so much to read!  It’s a constant conglomeration! I hardly have time to absorb the detail from Country Life – which I only receive weekly at best. And then there’s the news, whatever one reads on the internet; and electronic books, plus stuff forwarded by friends from their personal resources. Not to mention having to read one’s emails. And I’m dyslexic so it takes me longer!

Continue reading

Back to school!

The beginning of September is remarkable for the appearance of yellow school buses and the drone of cicadas. Like all signals, there are consequences. In these events (as in all others) it is a mixture of novelty, application and evolution. The novelty is the buzz of people and pursuits; the application is study and seasonal adjustment; the evolution is approaching what we’re to do and where we’re to go. In short it is a recipe for adventure and improvement.

Continue reading

County Registry Office

In June of 1976 when I transitioned from Messrs. Macdonald, Affleck Barrs. &c. in Ottawa to practice law in Almonte the featured image was then the active Land Registry office. It was to become an important symbol of my life. Not only was it pivotal to my real estate law practice (typical of a country lawyer); it just happened to be located at the corner of Brougham and Clyde Streets around the corner from my first residence on the corner of Brougham Street and Martin Street South.  By further coincidence the house I rented belonged to the incumbent minister (Rev. George Bickley) of St. Paul’s Anglican Church immediately across the street from the Land Registry office. St. Paul’s Anglican Church had been constructed in 1863.

Continue reading