Breakfast in the country
Sunday, in spite of universal decline of religious fervour, has preserved its peculiarly Christian renown not only as a day “of rest” but also as a day of “driving about”. Our project this morning in keeping with that inviolable tradition was breakfast at Neat Café (Mark Enright, Prop) on Calabogie Road in Burnstown, Renfrew County. Upon arriving at the café it was readily apparent that the Enright bloodline insinuates the place. And that is a good thing. Mark is by and large an entertainment and hospitality agent (music, food and hotelier); and, he has forever appropriately distinguished himself as affable and embracing. His sylphlike youngest daughter has apparently inherited that objective strength in addition to the familial good looks.
From the Desk of Gail Edmonds
I remember the day I first crossed over the marshes from the mainland of South Carolina onto Hilton Head Island. The picture was instantly one of awe inspiring beauty. It fixed upon my brain a template of originality and longevity. The memory has never diminished. It continues to this day so many years later to be the seat of unbounded splendour and artistry. And the spectacle survives unhindered both in my mind and in fact.
In a pinch
While there are exceptions to the general rule, old people not uncommonly discredit modern technology. They assert for example by way of redress that they are content to use a telephone or a typewriter or a book should the need of one arise. Today however proved to be one of those exceptions to that recalcitrant position. Bunny misplaced or lost (we were originally uncertain precisely which) her key fob to the apartment. When, after tedious investigation, searching and telephone calls it was determined that the key fob had been dropped earlier this morning at the car dealership where Bunny was having her winter tires installed, the fact remained that notwithstanding the welcome discovery there remained no immediate way to enter the apartment.
From Patriot to Plausible
The end of the American presidential election appears to have marked the end of division throughout the 50 states of America. It is not only that Americans are exhausted from having confronted one another so universally throughout the past decade. Americans have confronted the plain truths that anyone, Republican or Democrat, can have a special needs child. Witnessing the recent meeting between President Biden and President-elect Trump signalled an end to the division. Americans no longer wish to hear anything but thank-you then get on with the agenda. Everyone knows that there are minorities and priorities. Everyone knows that there are bullies and greedy people. Neither political party can claim to have overcome those potential social and political obstructions. But it’s time to give it a try. On all sides. Face to face.
Domestic chores
Shopping locally is always my first choice. Having been a local businessman myself for nearly forty years I value the decision. Naturally it is immediacy which frequently trumps any alternative but it strengthens the retail experience to be among those whom one knows.
What’d you do today?
Honestly, if I were asked “What’d you do today?” I believe I would be pressed to respond either promptly or substantively. The truth is that, since I abruptly awoke late this morning after an exceedingly restful overnight sleep, I have jumped from one event to the other. The reason in particular for my lack of particularity about what I have done is that I have addressed a number of things which I hadn’t imagined having to do.
Autumnal visit
Many years ago when I was 28 years of age, not long after having landed in Almonte, I met a chap here who ran a business (actually, he worked in the business, but he later purchased it). Anyway he was from Almonte and had lived here all his life. He must then have been about 45 years of age and might even have been born in the erstwhile Rosamond Memorial Hospital. For some reason I asked how often he ventured into the City. He blandly replied, “Never.” Upon further enquiry (I thought he might have misunderstood my question) he reiterated that he had never been to the City. Nor, he added, had he any intention of doing so. He may even have gone further to punctuate his resolve. His endorsement was clear.
The Egg Man
About a week ago our building superintendent Jeff offered to give us some farm fresh eggs. Jeff lives in the country nearby where evidently he keeps chickens. He told me, while we were both in the garage one day, that he had an unending supply of fresh eggs if I were interested in trying them. He said one model of eggs was the normal kind seen at the grocery store; the other was what he referred to as “blue” (though I am uncertain about the characterization, whether it is external or internal or perhaps neither). I naturally willingly accepted his generous offer; and subsequently we have most satisfactorily consumed the entire dozen which Jeff delivered to our door.
Things I’ve never done
As an admittedly smug personality (that is, one who is notoriously complacent and self-approving) I consider the avenues and horizons of my limited activity to date are generally acceptable. I haven’t for example any pressing need to fulfill some lingering unrequited ambition. I’ve about done all that I would care to do. Though this may resound of capitulation or concession – or worse that narrowness of achievement peculiar to children and the uneducated – I do not intend to import that qualifying theme. I merely suffer a self-congratulatory satisfaction with life’s unpredictable repercussions and consequences. It is less a regret of what I haven’t done than an embrace of what I have done and of what has transpired. Complacency is such a complicated psychology!
Patently differences arise between people. Below is a comment from one which surprised me as much as mine clearly surprised the other. The incredulity of us both appears to capture the only common theme. The distinction is I am not American whereas the other is. My instinct is to avoid wading in upon the domestic politics of another though admittedly the reservation borders on impossible when it comes to American politics which are so highly publicised. In this instance however – and given the latest outcome of the presidential election – it is transparently clear that the majority of the electorate has spoken their mind; and, that as a result, it would amount to utter nonsense to contradict the same. Nonetheless in my defence I will respond to the author’s initial inquiry about where I get my news by accounting that the sources are CBC, BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, and Sirius XM Patriot. I welcome further intelligence about where to expand those sources globally. I presume that since the noted objections are not reported I may be forgiven for not having digested them.
Additionallly I have to ask why the author asserts the legitimacy of the election process so vehemently when Trump and his alleged supporters argued against it so passionately for the past four years? I am also curious to know specifics of one or more liberal media lies. At the moment unfortunately the accusations of corruption of truth apply equally to both sides of the argument.
And finally I accept that each of us is tainted and impure to a degree. I don’t however see how this advances the logic of a debate.
I can not figure out WHERE you get your news? I suggest expanding it globally Bill.
Food for thought…Most countries recognize only two genders and do not support OR take away parental rights regarding medical procedures at the whim of a minor OR provide lap bowls in schools for those students who identify as a cat, dog or other 4 legged creature. You have no idea how our small town communities are being completely overrun by illegal migrants and thugs. That isn’t reported but WE see it! These are just a fraction of the issues causing our citizens to change course. Agree or not with the USA election process (I worked the polls and am very proud of our secure process that allows a voter to confirm their vote registered correctly in FL), Trump won both the largest electoral count and largest popular vote. You don’t hear the majority of citizen complaining or suggesting their vote was stolen. There are no uprisings! The only complaining is from the liberal media that has lied to us for years! They have lost their voice with our citizens but must still provide a form of interest and entertainment for some. They are not journalists! They only present a personal opinion with misinformation or sound bites that are cut to give a completely different message.
There are too many examples we and the majority of citizens have finally come to realize from personally hearing a live broadcast, only to hear how the media used it in part to change the message within hours! Thank God, we’re still a free nation and can think for ourselves!
On the other end of this argument – no one is without sin. Biblically, even God used sinful men to achieve His purpose many times and we aligned ourselves with Stalin in WWII to defeat an even worse leader in Hitler!