Lazy, hazy summer day

Reassessing everything, putting the leaden sculpture of midnight sleeplessness in order. Rearranging the sequence. Rewriting the imperatives. Establishing new boundaries reflecting elemental change, childhood to orphan. Withdrawing so as to permit orbital abstraction, a diminished summary of decades. Percolating pictures of the past, clarity touching mere passing moments which yet purvey brilliant memories. Like a polished vase it contains the inexpressible history of a second of time.

The initially uncertain morning bicycle ride – today enhanced by the Mueller knee strap (“Provides focused, mild pressure on patellar tendon just below the kneecap“) – was noticeably less painful than usual. And my Amelia Island Plantation golf shirt – one of the few things I own which still fits – elevated my otherwise inconspicuous tour about the neighbourhood along the erstwhile railway line to Carss Street and back. Two elderly gentlemen reposing mid-stream their constitutional walk seated on a bench aside the pathway, gleefully approving of my bicycle bell (but one of the many contributions of Bill Barrie Jr of Almonte Bicycle Works).

Almonte Bicycle Works

The sequel to this modest exercise (7.52 Km Outdoor Cycle) was my accustomed prolongation on the garden patio, a direct alignment with the midday blazing orb for a calculated twenty minutes during which I permitted myself to evaporate amidst the ether. With my eyes closed, the aimless wanderings of my detracted mind spun me in a cycle of curious and soporific encounters.

Afterwards, rejuvenated by sliced green apple and steel cut oats, I fulfilled my other passion, the North American automobile. Oh, how delightful the purr of the engine –  the soothing click of the pistons – created by the Ford Motor Company!

Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles and commercial vehicles under the Ford brand, and luxury cars under its Lincoln luxury brand. Ford also owns Brazilian SUV manufacturer Troller, an 8% stake in Aston Martin of the United Kingdom and a 32% stake in China’s Jiangling Motors. It also has joint ventures in China (Changan Ford), Taiwan (Ford Lio Ho), Thailand (AutoAlliance Thailand), Turkey (Ford Otosan), and Russia (Ford Sollers). The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is controlled by the Ford family; they have minority ownership but the majority of the voting power.

Then the hint of the evening overtook the dwindling day. Supper and ancient black and white movies, Montgomery Clift, Shelley Winters and Elizabeth Taylor, the lip of the American dream, the now very uncomfortable preposterous reality that is Hollywood. The similar transition from British to American as first attempted in 1776 corrupted equally by religious rubbish, everyone living in mansions and smoking cigars and cigarettes.

Tomorrow I think I’ll take the day off, subdue the pointless anxiety surrounding the perception of time and change.