Marilyn – to whom I am forever indebted for having introduced me to my beloved French bulldog Monroe (yes, I know, you catch the eponymous connection) – has distinguished herself as a exponent of animal rights. Of lesser but nonetheless material import, she is a source of pearls of wisdom. Today she sent me “Three simple rules in life” (noted below).
It is Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – a mere three days from Hallowe’en on Friday, October 31st.
Halloween the night of 31 October, the eve of All Saints’ Day, often celebrated by children dressing up in frightening masks and costumes. Halloween is thought to be associated with the Celtic festival Samhain, when ghosts and spirits were believed to be abroad; origin late 18th century: contraction of All Hallow Even
Hello, Hal! Please let me know the correct grammar, etc. for the following:
Of course, Bill — please go ahead and share the text you’d like me to review.
It is I who feels the need to thank you, not you; or, It is I who feel the need to thank you, not you; of, It is I whom feels the need to thank you.
While casually venturing about the countryside today in my fully electric automobile and while listening to the news on SiriusXM – CNN, MSNBC, NPR, POTUS, BBC, FOX NEWS and PATRIOT – I could not help conclude that the predominant theme of Americans is, “You too can be like me if you try!”, a convincing conclusion without the contaminating benefit of either argument or fact. Certainly without fact! More importantly – the assertion of discredit upon others for whatever useful reason, preferably advanced with metaphoric trumpets akin to the music of Aaron Copland or Jeff Beal, “evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit”.
Sitting at my desk, sipping an espresso, munching a sliced apple and staring at the sublime picture of rustic beauty stretching in precise rows of yellow cornstalks to the horizon, I am in awe of the fortuity. I have listened to jazz all day, including memorable renditions of classics on SiriusXM’s Real Jazz as well as the romantic interpretations of Beegie Adair from the American Songbook.
Making deals, settling argument, agreeing to hear another viewpoint, adapting to an alternative, choosing not to challenge others instinctively – these are accommodation. Adjustment is the essence of the profitable arrangement. By contrast history tells me that hardened policy most often attracts only further alienation and intransigence.
I’ve just come off a lengthy confab on the telephone with my erstwhile physician. He recently returned from overseeing his properties in Sarasota, Florida. Today he was languishing with his old dog Findlay (better known as as “Finn”) on his country estate in nearby Village of Ashton. As you can see from the “featured image”, it was late in the afternoon that we conversed. Though the sun sets earlier each day, he tells me several days are already preserved for golf in the Scottish tradition of moderately cool temperatures anticipated around 11°C.
Before anyone other than a professional animator had heard of Apple™, I bought my first computer. I’m guessing it was around 1984. I had frequently attempted to defuse the need to have one. My argument was, or so I thought at the time, convincing. Having, as I did, a template for many of the forms I regularly employed in my business, it was only necessary to put the template through the Xerox photocopier, then type in the names of the parties. As for the production of multi-page documents such as wills and powers of attorney, we had IBM memory typewriters – the latest stenographic rage. And I could rely upon Dye & Durham and the government to produce a wealth of fill-in-the-blank forms for common usage in corporate and real estate documents.
My old friend Louis de la Chesnaye Audette, QC OC – who “ate like a bird” – frequently quipped, “The best sauce for any meal is an appetite!” Normally that dismissive adage is a predisposition difficult to challenge. But every so often, upon patting the white linen napkin to one’s lips and pushing back from table with a contented groan, the culinary stimulation is more inventively artistic and less uncompromisingly visceral. This evening was one such an event. And I have my partner Denis to thank for the accommodation.
Rain was forecast all day. Early this morning at 6:30 am In the dark and drizzle we nosed the Cadillac northeastwardly to the Queensway Carleton hospital in Bells Corners. The object was a bone density test.