The exceptionally pleasant weather we’ve been having of late once again spirited me early this morning from beneath the feather duvet to get involved with the promising sunshine and blue skies. Even before munching my steel cut oats I hurriedly donned a light jacket and mounted my tricycle for an improving ride about the neighbourhood.

I thought you may be interested to learn of my casual encounters along the way. The temperate weather had invoked others to participate in the valuable opportunity.

• Tony is one of my oldest friends in Almonte. This morning I encountered him and his wife Theresa while walking their exotic dog (the identical breed of the original “BuzzBee”). Years ago I was introduced to Tony’s craftsmanship for engraving when he embellished a brass paperweight (which was made by a mutual friend in Pakenham) with my family name initial. Whether it was before or after this project I cannot now recall, but he also engraved the back of a wristwatch I had recently purchased. His professional credential derives from The British American Bank Note Company (the people who are responsible for the engravings on paper money, share certificates and the like). I’ve attached a link to a brief account of the company’s history. This morning on the sidewalk our topic of conversation surrounded the two Thanksgiving dinners they had enjoyed over the past weekend at their home and at the home of in-laws.  The focus of the discussion – after dismissing the 20lb turkey and the Arctic Char – was dessert; namely, pumpkin pie and apple crumble generously lathered in whipped cream.

The British American Bank Note Company

• On Spring Street adjoining the Mississippi River I chatted with a gentleman (a realtor) whom I met many years ago. We hadn’t a professional association but we each knew of the other’s real estate associations and private holdings. He is now considering retirement (he’s 10 years younger than I). The aspiration is yet in the clouds but, given his ambivalence, my speculation is that he’s rounded the curve already. We agreed that continued involvement with people – whether clients or not – is critical to surviving the sudden dearth of society upon retirement. I warned him too that the narrowing increases with age and the demise of one’s friends.
• Marilyn suddenly materialized on the sidewalk complete with ski poles in hand. Her clearly stated objective was the hospital for a scheduled meeting. Accordingly I accommodated her urgency by briefly pedalling my tricycle alongside her on the sidewalk as she continued to pole her way forward. Marilyn is an outgoing personality, always smartly attired. I admire her for her continued athleticism. She is unafraid to address matters head on, a reflection, I believe, of her intellectual capacity. We have always been of one mind and thus enabled to cherish our limited encounters (which these days arise primarily in this unanticipated manner).
• A woman whom I do not know except for having seen her on our mutual outings in the past, shared with me a brief “Hello!” crested with the usual comments about the fine weather and one’s health. She was among two other women whom I also know by appearance only from repeated morning adventures in the neighbourhood. There were others whom I passed in silence, some of whom were conducting a ritual walk with their dog or dogs (mostly tiny breeds).
• To my astonishment my wristwatch began ringing while tricycling.  The early morning call was from a retail agent to whom I had sent an email yesterday. I am at the opening stages of an enquiry.  We shared basic information to get the project underway. She had spent the weekend in Calgary with family (presumably to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday). Seemingly my email restored her to the business matters of her employment.