Nearby the Arnprior Regional Health, down the hill to Robert Simpson Park where the Madawaska River meets the Ottawa River, I chanced to encounter two ladies beneath the bandstand overlooking the river beach below.

After apologizing for interrupting their casual privacy – for which indiscretion they generously and dismissively forgave me – I proceeded to take a number of snaps of the scenery stretching to the distant mountainous region in the Province of Québec across the water. Today was one of those exceptional days which I consider warrant especial attention. Normally photography is the way I punctuate my absorption, seeking to capture its excitement by a similarly distinctive image.

The photographic inclination unwittingly hit an alternate step on the ladder when, following polite enquiry, I discovered through precipitous premises that the ladies – who are sisters – are related by marriage to MM who was the first tradesman with whom I connected upon arrival in Almonte exactly 50 years ago (June 12th, 1976). Fortuitously today’s chance encounter accentuates my mother’s birthday on June 12th and the birthday of my first legal assistant JMT.

And while I know it must sound laughable, there is another notable conjunction today upon having surpassed 20,000 Km on my Cadillac Optiq purchased about 3 months ago.