For the second time in as many years I have received an email containing an aggressive claim of an alleged copyright violation. It relates to the use by me of a photograph on my web site. The first accusation of copyright violation came from a woman whom I know. She had emailed the photograph to me. If I recall it was a snap of her (and possibly a companion) rowing on the river. I must have made the mistake of using the photo with my daily blog (and pointedly without having acknowledged whence it came). I accordingly removed the photo from my blog; and, I advised the woman. I haven’t heard from her again.

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Of all the things I’ve scribbled since I began keeping a diary at age 14 years, the one thing about which I’ve never written is Canada.  This is alarming for two reasons: 1) it’s the background of my entire life; and, 2) after having spent 6 months each year straddling the border between Canada and the United States of America, and having lived through the reign of both Nixon and Trump and opined upon each of them, it’s about time I said something about Canada!

Canada, second largest country in the world in area (after Russia), occupying roughly the northern two-fifths of the continent of North America. Wikipedia

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As dull as it has been – the driving was dreadful, I could barely see in front of me – the day has been uncommonly bright. Perhaps I should alter the metaphor “bright” to “salient”. My early morning meeting with a dermatologist for a body scan has disclosed four possible locations of skin cancer or melanoma. I never doubted the possibility. Something is going to get me! It is consistent with the previous identification and removal. We await the biopsy. Continue reading →

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).

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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

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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.

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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”.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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