Unexpectedly this morning I received a telephone call from my ancient friend Bird in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was one of the first people whom I met when I landed at Dalhousie law school fifty-six years ago; and – as I was reminded – she was among the last to see me go back to Upper Canada upon graduation to pursue my career. She alluded to our mutual South Pacific friend Cowie (an erstwhile professor of law) who, like Bird, was among the first and last of my friendships at law school. Bird said she and Cowie waved goodbye to me (and my fiancée) at the airport. It was a long, long time ago.
Bird and I recounted our respective list of medical ailments and restrictions. I assured her of the commonality of the afflictions, as singular as we prefer to label them. In the end we’re all suffering the identical limitations (she and I are of an age). Nonetheless we continue to survive life’s dilemmas; and, we have the privilege to remind ourselves of the limited number of people whom we count among our friends.
Coincidentally last evening we received an equally heartening email from Carolina, a former itinerant neighbour at Lands End on Hilton Head Island. This coming Friday – the First Day of Spring – marks Carolina’s 82nd birthday. She invited us to attend the celebration though woefully we declined. Subsequently Carolina (who is domiciled in Illinois) wrote back to assure us that her family and visiting Canadians report nothing unfavourable in matters of travel. We nonetheless remain unconvinced – not merely because of the horrendous invasions of privacy and personal safety by government authorized agencies – but because of the disquieting and unpalatable distortions of egalitarian society. We recognize the possible danger of concluding generalities based upon isolated events; but, for travellers the prickle of the media cannot be outright dismissed. Nor – to be succinct – is it easy for Canadians fully to endorse the behaviour of the current president of the United States of America towards Canada. If indeed Americans are intent upon making America great again by isolation, the exclusivity cannot be both ignored and acknowledged.
As you might imagine, dear Reader, it was a challenge this morning to elevate myself from these recent inspiring communications. I therefore lapsed into the customary vernacular of a rural drive for relief. I sought to comfort the psychological ennui arising from these pregnant moments of life (old and dear friends, the inestimable beauty of Hilton Head Island and geopolitics). Initially I drove blankly ahead along the 4-lane highways, frequently using the autonomous Super Cruise feature. I drove past Campeau Drive onto Hwy 416 almost to the St. Lawrence Seaway, then back northward to Renfrew County and finally to home.
Because of these prolonged vehicular jaunts (I collected the car a month ago on Tuesday, February 17th and I have since driven 4,798 Kilometres), I have regularly charged the car to 90% instead of the recommended 80% for daily use. I did not fully exhaust the capacity (about 477 Kms) today; but both I and the car seem to have profited by the idle ambling on this uniquely springtime day of rain and moderate temperatures. As we drove south of Ottawa and passed the exit to Oxford Mills I was happily reminded of the Brigadoon Restaurant.
You may laugh when I say this, but the private recollection of this remote place coincided with the unfolding changes worldwide – a universe in which, though isolation and independence are primary ingredients, it is possible to cultivate new alliances for mutual advantage. Upon returning home, I urged my partner to contemplate a return outing to Brigadoon Restaurant. Our family and friends may feel the distance is uninviting (though it is very close to Merrickville); however, I slate the possibility as an ideal fair-weather tootle in addition to being an accommodation of the urge to travel. It is a new way of assessing life – looking inward, balancing old and changing habits, the philosophic mantra to seek disclosure and detail in what is at hand.