Though I seldom think of any day as bad, neither is it often I feel as I do today – namely, that it has been a perfect day. There is nothing especially faultless nor is there anything especially notable. Perhaps it’s that ambivalence that is the triumph. On the other hand I can’t but note a number of trifling matters which, by their collective value have heightened the estimate of the day.

It was approaching midnight before we retired to the lair last evening.  This is later than I normally prefer (10 pm) but nonetheless I awoke as though by design precisely at eight o’clock this morning. This is the time I have come to like since anything later incrementally erodes the possibilities of the day. I put myself into the shower stall immediately – though not until having confirmed I added 8 pounds to my girth during the past ten days of our recent road trip. It was for this reason among others that I sought to expiate my guilt by having a brief tricycle exercise about the neighbourhood.

The athletic turn – on this extraordinarily fresh and sunny day – was rewarded with unanticipated confabs with several people along the way. First there was a neighbour who, with her partner, lives up the street from our apartment building.  She has a summer place on the Flower Station Road along which she confirmed she had lately seen me driving. We chatted about the area in general. I acknowledged it is one of my favourite rural outings. As we were parting, I noticed her pullover referencing St. Kitts. She said it was her winter haunt.

Saint Kitts, officially Saint Christopher, is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Kitts and the neighbouring island of Nevis constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis are separated by a shallow 3-kilometre (2 mi) channel known as “The Narrows”.

Further along in my tricycle expedition I spoke with a gentleman who is of an age with me. He too advised that his former vagabond days have been trimmed. And lastly I met with another resident of our apartment building.  We exchanged the usual nothings about everything, basically the weather and one’s health. This dialogue was punctuated with yet another resident neighbour who has recently endured serious medical and legal enterprises from which, happily, she has restored herself – though not without the snap of a finger or two!

The next feature of the day that enhanced my spirit was a drive along my beloved Appleton Side Road with the all the windows down. The ensuing car wash was itself augmented today by vacuuming the rugs on my side of the car. I’ll do the other side another day when I turn the car around to face the long and arduous vacuum hose conveniently.  This uncommon patience was an added consequence of perfection to the day. I noted too that the vacuum device and the hose are all new (as is the car wash itself – replacing the former aged model).

Back home I unearthed the waist compression belt which, during my period of obesity I have been unable to wear.  It is still a tight fit but remarkably its grip has survived. Meanwhile I have been taking photographs of the much cherished upriver views, then editing them in my usual extravagant way.  It is an amusement like a hobby.

While seated at my desk regarding the unique images today – as we approach the last day of summer – I listened to another of Apple Music’s compilations. The select pieces are naturally driven by algorithms but the success is unquestionable. To this endeavour I added a plate of sliced green apple and two small glasses of triple espresso. With my “medicine” naturally (CBD Glacial Gold softgels). This nicely reunites me with my beloved home – in spirit, in fact and in sync.  Coincidentally we received the “usual” annual letter and notice from the Property Manager. And – before I forget – another edition of Country Life arrived by post. In all, the perfect day!