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.

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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.

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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.

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dem·a·gog·uer·y
noun
political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.

“the demagoguery of political opportunists”

Opposite of a person who intentionally instigates or incites trouble or mischief. peacemaker. placater. conciliator. pacifist.

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As with most things in life knowing when to quit is as much instinctive as rational. It is in fact somewhat amusing to witness one’s own declension from an erstwhile seemingly favoured stance to a distinctly more clarified position, rather like watching overcooked bacon minimize to obscurity in a frying pan in a sea of its own juices. The point is this, there comes a time when the obsession is at an end, when the brilliance of the Bishop’s ring no longer succeeds to mystify or promote any foreseeable purpose or advantage. It’s caput!

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Listening to the insurrection investigation account of the pathetic childish behaviour of disgraced former president Trump of the United States of America has levelled upon all Americans an extremely visceral and highly belligerent (not to mention racist and backward) image of the once highly reputed democratic institution. The fact – pointedly not a mere speculation – that the pusillanimous majority of Republican legislators (led by amateurs like Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan and Lindsey Graham – from whom nothing has been heard since the insurrection) sustained the national deceit and misguided arrogance (contrasting with their rapture for so-called “Western chauvinism” spirited by the Proud Boys) only further contaminated the once heralded image of America. As Katrina Pierson (national spokesperson for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign) observed, “The President likes the crazies”.

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Thankfully the governments of most countries avail their population of the benefit of statutory public summer holidays. We’re familiar with Canada Day (formerly Dominion Day on July 1st to mark 1867 Confederation of central and eastern settlements as one dominion within the British empire until the patriation of the constitution in 1982) and Independence Day in the United States of America  (July 4th to mark independence in 1776 from British rule). In France they celebrate Bastille Day (July 14th to mark the storming of the Bastlle prison and fortress in 1789 at the start of the French Revolution).

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With the temperature nearing 90°F today it was impossible to escape the refreshing desirability of the summer wind. It was not only uncommonly warm and humid (there’s rain on the horizon) but there was a soothing violence to its unrestrained breath. My first exposure to this exceedingly favourable rush of air was upon lowering the widows and opening the landau roof of the car as I headed predictably along the undulating ribbon of highway I so adore to the Township of West Carleton for a car wash.

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It isn’t often within the orbit of one’s life that everything aligns for the perfect fit. And when it does – apart from the imperative to relish the infrequent arrangement – the sensation is beguiling. To the point of hesitancy and moderate trepidation. The uncertain agitation distills from the pleasurable amplitude of events, events both significant or inconsequential. One’s universe appears to operate in synchronization with the very street lights which almost magically turn green at an opportune moment.

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His conscience was perfectly neutral. For it was his deliberate opinion that no form of ecclesiastical polity was of divine institution.

Thomas Babington Macaulay.
“The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3.”

Those sage words reputedly reflected the thinking of the King of England William of Orange. At first blush the observation appears directed solely to the paramountcy of the state (parliament) over inherited dominion of royalty or prelacy (the theory being in some sectors that entitlement derived from apostolic lineage specifically succession from St Peter). It was an equal obstruction to both Catholic and Protestant claimants.

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