The clear, cold weather continued today. Fearing that our bicycle tires might contract in the frigid temps we opted instead this afternoon to walk along the Mississippi River. The Riverwalk from the old Town Hall to Metcalfe Park was partially covered in snow and ice so the walking was for me at least at times treacherous. Nonetheless we credited ourselves with an outing of 1.6 kms which I consider a small but acceptable accomplishment. Towards the end of our trek I had opened my sheepskin coat, tucked my gloves in a pocket and removed my fur hat.
Christmas Eve approaches with its usual disregard for limitation or preparedness. But the enthusiasm is undiminished. The evidence was the heightened level of discernible anxiety on the road as people jockeyed for priority in whatever they were determined to do, whether buying booze or shopping for groceries or just getting home.
My own Christmas gift was an unanticipated email from the Law Society of Upper Canada withdrawing my erstwhile status as a member in good standing unless I pay for the privilege in the New Year. This flies in the face of the Society’s notification to me on my retirement over six years ago that as a former full paying member who retired after almost forty years of practice at the age of 65 years I was no longer obliged to pay to belong to the club. Naturally – because I was never able to provide legal advice without paying errors and omissions insurance – Society membership is a deprivation I can bear. However it offends me that the Law Society has so blatantly sought to revoke a status previously bestowed – especially without allowing at least a grandfather clause for those of us already committed. Furthermore I am at a loss to know what if anything the Society contributes to my life. As well I am hard pressed to discover anything other than doubtful financial advantage to the Society.
As a former Master of our local Masonic Lodge who has “taken a demit” I am entitled to dignify myself as a as member in good standing of the fraternity without paying for the privilege. My pusillanimity to pay for Law Society membership will not be propelled by the trifling cost of doing so; but similarly it speaks ill of the Society to insist I do so. The Society shall accordingly suffer the indignity of its Pyrrhic victory. I at least had the pleasure of blowing off steam with Isabelle at the Law Society. Her unperturbed suavity was a compliment to the fraternity.
After a soothing flight in the Aviator I succeeded to quell the kerfuffle. The late afternoon wintry sun afforded a magical vista in the azure sky. By coincidence my friend Suzie emailed me and quipped that it is possible to have fun in the cold. I only reluctantly agree but I accept the thrust of her assertion.