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.

Coincidentally I afterwards encountered John in the garage.  He told me days ago he had a Shriners’ calendar for sale; so I gave him the money and told him we hadn’t need of the calendar (nor frankly anywhere to put it aside from next to the shower). I probably misunderstood his request for me to complete my name on the back of the calendar because when I refused to do so – and returned the calendar – I believe he cut off the section on the back of the calendar he had wished me to complete, then filed it.  Possibly it has something to do with his record of sales.  The miscommunication reflects an even earlier conference we had had in the garage. I was just parking the car when he arrived in his truck (which he stationed next to my parked car). I told him I was just backing up (I was then going to attempt to position the car closer to the front of the parking space). I think he hadn’t heard me properly – or had misconstrued my intention – and was therefore confused when I attempted to move the car forward instead of back. I realize in retrospect that, upon hearing I was backing up, he assumed I were leaving – which naturally contradicted my “rather tight” forward ambition.

It just shows how silly differences can be!

Notwithstanding the limitations of that amusing encounter, I will credit John with a delightful talent for relating local history and folklore.  He comes by the talent honestly.  His family – which has insinuated every imaginable thread of our community – goes back centuries.  It pleases me no end that we collectively have the privilege of the residency of both him and his wife (she too is part of the fabric of local society).

The irony of having no space to hang the wall calendar is that very early this morning I received an email from my niece (a professional photographer) who advised my framed family photo has been shipped – from Trieste, Italy! When I first placed the order I thought it was being processed in Canada; or, that it might have involved more direct attention with my niece. But apparently not so! I confess my preliminary reaction to the evolution from Italy is favourable, a prejudice wrought from years of having dealt satisfactorily with RayBan, Murano glass and Tom Ford. We have thankfully already spotted a place to hang the photo. It will overtake a print of lesser significance. I’ll have no trouble relocating it to a tighter location in the hallway. Otherwise we’re dangerously close to our limit of space! Just one more thing to ponder on a rainy Saturday afternoon.