Early this morning I was reading an English translation of the Essays of Montaigne published in 1877. The author Michel de Montaigne was born February 28, 1533. Not surprisingly many of his allusions were fundamental reflections upon then current social principles. Among those elemental references was one to the familial obligation for the preservation of humanity. In its broader perspective, the duty is for propagation of the species (reproduction by natural processes from the parent stock).
It has been a dreamy summery day today, balmy breeze with temperatures bordering on hot, endless sunshine under a powdery azure dome. An ideal day for the national holiday “Victoria Day”.
Once we seven were comfortably seated at table this morning in the clubhouse, we reckoned upon brief recall that it has been six years since we last foregathered at Temple’s Sugar Bush on Ferguson Falls Road, Lanark. It was the identical crew then as today with the exception of the absence of Jennifer’s colleague who was otherwise engaged and the addition of Denis Secundus who has only lately meshed with the Town of Mississippi Mills. For young Wyatt (whose 12th birthday approaches on June 6th next) the abbreviation of time was nonetheless demonstrable (though I believe it is fair to account that I too surprised myself to have altered significantly within the short time period).
Getting a haircut, though a moderate inconvenience, nonetheless ultimately ranks as a welcome interruption. It is undeniable that cleaning up the shaggy dog is an improvement.
Pain is such an inhibiting irritant. Its singular presence is normally incapable of rectitude. Like any good religion – though with more entitlement – pain is uncompromising. Yet once relieved of the annoyance (usually following the consumption of an anodyne), the world returns to a moderate and compromising status. It probably helped this afternoon to overcome my ribcage arthritis having consumed two “quad” espresso; that is, double espresso twice. I am wary of attributing remedial medicinal theory to espresso; but, whatever the reason, the caffeine drug is not without its evident benefits.
It would appear to the open mind that travel is an imperative for the elderly. I presume the impartial affliction is partly the result of years having been spent chained to domestic or employment necessities instead. For others (of similarly advanced age) whom I know, travel is viewed as an enduring and uplifting occupation. For others it is a mere diversion. Naturally those with the wherewithal to do so enjoy travel of every description; that is, covering both the Arctic and Antarctica, the pyramids and the Himalayas, etc. For some the more exotic the travel, the better – including extraordinary hiking, remote islands, exclusive lodgings. There are some who call upon their professional career as a travel agent.
Depending upon how one chooses to look at things, perspective makes all the difference. The word perspective has a multitude of meanings which reflect the variety of interpretations: outlook, view, viewpoint, point of view, standpoint, position, stand, stance, angle, slant, attitude, frame of mind, frame of reference, approach, way of looking/thinking, vantage point. In short, one’s perspective is largely determinative of how and what one experiences. The word derives its meaning from not only what is seen but also from the character of the observer.
May 12, 2026
Mississippi Mills, Ontario
My dear Reader:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to hold my interest. It provides a modern technological springboard that I am wont not to ignore. I am especially anxious to experiment with the capacity of AI to provide meaningful and worthwhile direction. Asking pertinent questions affords the opportunity to assess the answers. For openers, the comparative subtleties of the human mind are not in my opinion to be underestimated. As much as has been said to extol AI, the blunt truth is that AI was created by man not by a god. Doing something faster is not the sole measure of accomplishment.
Clouds most frequently express a metaphor for woefulness, albeit as often as changeable and as fragmentary. As I sailed along the winding countryside roads today I was repeatedly overwhelmed by the inexpressible beauty of the kaleidoscopic atmosphere. Yet as aesthetically pleasing as the fickle clouds were, I recalled the imperative of balancing clarity and obscurity, brightness and shadow, perfection and ambivalence.
During the golfing season most of the social events in the clubhouse commence in the afternoon. There was a time I concerned myself about possibly interrupting early morning activity but now the only reason to call ahead is to book a table for ourselves. So it was, this morning, that we secured a table overlooking the fairway.