President Trump of the United States of America is angry at the NATO allies for not coming forward to repair the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. This unwelcome state of affairs signals further division between America and its erstwhile friends. The mechanics of the entire globe is undergoing an undeniable shift, including possibly a revival of strictly conservative thinking contradicted by an equally vociferous liberal agenda. If Iran gets its way, there may also be a heightened claim to possessory entitlement to levy charges similar to usage of the Panama Canal. When all is considered, international geography is at the forefront of global financial management. Oil remains an elemental feature of the modern world – in spite of China’s latest news that it has perfected a battery to charge its EVs (electric vehicles) in record time (equivalent to the time devoted to filling a gas tank).

The local news – that is, the intelligence gathered while tricycling back and forth in the subterranean basement – is no more uplifting. Apparently one resident died in his sleep.  Another broke her wrist falling on the beach on the Mexican riviera. Yet another has undergone extensive surgery involving invasion of his skull. But collectively everyone to whom I speak welcomes the absence of snow; and we’re already planning outings to the golf course for brunch.

When we invited my sister and her husband to lunch with us at Pelican Seafood Market & Grill upon her upcoming birthday, we learned that their daughter Julia is planning to visit from Los Angeles where the heat and noise have reportedly become unbearable. These people such as my niece and her husband (and my erstwhile physician and his companion) – who travel about the world with the same reservation I might have to venture as far afield as the St. Lawrence Seaway – speak to the remarkable familiarity some have with travel and adventure. For our part we have little interest in planes, trains or cruises. The geographic limitation (accommodating our now preferred method of travel by automobile)  is itself obstructed by the recent evolution of the American domestic model.

Focussing upon the immediate and the material has become our chosen outlook upon life. We count our freedom by hours and minutes. There has been a universal narrowing of scope and intention. Happily the confinement transcends limitation. Like a child, I am quite comfortable in either my perambulator or my playroom. The attraction of movement has commensurately diminished with the effluxion of time. Perception requires detail – and that demands partiality not abstraction. Concurrently I have arranged the dissolution of several minor annoyances on my calendar – matters nonetheless striking upon the rudimentary features of my day. When one has succeeded to the exhaustion of urge, appetite or necessity, the liberation is incomparable. As gratifying as my lemon/ginger tea with a touch of Manuka honey.