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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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”.