Last evening in anticipation of our housekeeper’s scheduled visit today we had fashioned that we’d brunch at the golf club this morning.  But that plan failed for lack of appetite. Not because we were not interested in food but because we had already had toast and porridge for breakfast and that naturally dampened scrutiny of anything as substantial as brunch. So instead of wandering along the Appleton Side Road as we had proposed, we redirected ourselves aimlessly in the opposite direction further adjacent the Mississippi River towards Renfrew County.

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Quite unintentionally we remarked in unison today, “This is Paradise!”  Although I don’t normally predicate my temperament upon the weather, it was unreasonable today not to have attributed a fully warranted blitheness to the brilliant sunshine. The sky was an azure blue without a trace of cloud. The temperature, though earlier this morning on the cool side, quickly rose to balmy by mid-afternoon. The wind was calm. There is a waxing crescent moon. And according to my iPhone 10-Day Forecast we can expect the same to follow. I don’t know if it is popularly acceptable to label the sunny seasonal conditions as an “Indian Summer” but that was what I expressed in my enthusiasm.

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Artificial Intelligence was reportedly the rage headline during Apple’s promotional stunt today, exciting and inviting its consumers to absorb the upcoming technological modifications to the Apple iPhone et al. While the specific application includes naturally electronic games (a sphere frankly I know nothing about, not ever having cottoned to playing games artificially or otherwise) I did however perk up to the suggestion that AI can rewrite, augment and improve one’s literary production whether mere notes or novels. As a lawyer who has spent most of his life reading and writing words, I find this universe to be attractive. To this point I have remained predictably skeptical about the substance of the improvements. However history has taught me to accept my recalcitrance as that of a mere old fogey who scoffs at anything new. More specifically, I recall when desktop computers first appeared on the retail stage, I initially persisted in resisting the benefit of the invention but not long afterwards crawled remorselessly. Nonetheless in the instance of the application of AI to legal matters I presently hang unequivocally to the belief that, because AI is “no smarter than the people who manufactured it”, there remains the distinct possibility that a clever mind may still outweigh AI on perhaps the more esoteric conundrums (specifically for example those which to date represent propositions not yet challenged or re-interpreted, as opposed to merely regurgitating already recorded assimilations).

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There is no question that the upcoming USA presidential election (the 60th quadrennial) on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is of incomparable interest throughout the world. Keeping in mind however that the Universe is ultimately personal, my especial interest in the election surrounds not its political platforms rather my acquaintance with Americans whom I have met throughout my life. The upcoming election is guaranteed to be a reflection upon the American people, a signal of a global agenda and an unqualified estimate of the republic and democracy. Though the election, in its broadest terms, is a contest primarily between Democrats and Republicans, or what some prefer to characterize as a contest between socialism and capitalism, government interference or freedom from government, liberal and conservative, left and right, I on the other hand think of nothing but the nature of my relationships with the Americans whom I have met.  And broadly speaking the nature of those relationships has been positive and gratifying.

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When was the last time you left home?  I mean not just for dinner or a vacation; but for a prolonged time, over a long distance, with little expectation of immediate or frequent return? I’m here talking about separating yourself from family, friends and environment; not just going around the corner or moving to the countryside. I’m talking about settling somewhere entirely new and different? Maybe even a place you’ve never been before?

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When I awoke at 7 o’clock this morning – earlier than usual – I didn’t contemplate lingering any longer beneath the covers. There was business afoot today. For a start, yesterday we had formulated the decision to replace audio devices for each of us, one a set of headphones for me, the other a set of bone-conduction audio devices for my partner. This meant a drive into the city. Meanwhile we had received notification from Canada Post that I was to expect delivery today of a Camaret Cap Marin from Henri Henri in Montréal. The delivery would be the fourth I have had of the same hat from the same retailer, three of which hats had proven to be the wrong size so expectations for the final order were high. And if these collective retail diversions were not enough to preoccupy my otherwise sedentary state of mind, I was yet recovering from yesterday’s late afternoon intelligence that my new car (which I had ordered last May) was built and on its way.

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Cursing, at least in a formal manner, is to my knowledge now uncommon. As historic or consumed by fable as it may be, it is not however wholly unthinkable. It persists in the modern vernacular as a moderate expression of disfavour and hopefulness for recourse of one’s perceived violation. I acknowledge nonetheless that the strength of the vindication is limited by comparison to a full-on hex.

A curse (also called an imprecation, malediction, execration, malison, anathema, or commination) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, “curse” may refer to such a wish or pronouncement made effective by a supernatural or spiritual power, such as a god or gods, a spirit, or a natural force, or else as a kind of spell by magic (usually black magic) or witchcraft; in the latter sense, a curse can also be called a hex or a jinx. In many belief systems, the curse itself (or accompanying ritual) is considered to have some causative force in the result. To reverse or eliminate a curse is sometimes called “removal” or “breaking”, as the spell has to be dispelled, and often requires elaborate rituals or prayers.

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We joined four longstanding comrades for breakfast this morning at the Centennial Restaurant in the Village of Pakenham. The venue was chosen as a mid-way point for us all. We two were first to arrive (having had the least far to drive) and conveniently parked immediately affront the restaurant. The two who organized the get together came from their cottage in Norway Bay. They were the second to materialize and parked further up the road. We greeted them affably as they approached on the sidewalk partially obscured in the early morning shade, one them limping and carrying a stick. The other two from Smiths Falls were the last to appear. They joined us others already seated inside at table. Once assembled we all quickly fell into animated conversation. This was catch up time. We hadn’t rallied for a while.

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Getting my cupboard in order has not been without its moments. At my advanced age clothing is nonetheless important though naturally the scope is far more limited than when younger and practicing law and doing things. The primary motive now is comfort which to me means slightly oversized, generous if you will, but certainly not tight fitting or anything resembling what an Italian would endure in the name of fashion.

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