This afternoon we inadvertently drove to the Village of Tatlock, a highly secluded venue in the Township of Lanark Highlands. The object of our outing had been the Village of Clayton (more immediate and far less obscure) but the proverbial winding country roads overtook us. The drive could not have been more pleasant! The azure sky was clear, the temperature pushing 75 degrees. The air was fresh. Obviously we were meandering. Just killing time while there was a showing of our apartment for sale. We have agreed with our Landlord (who is soon to be 93 years of age) to vacate in order to facilitate administration of his private capital. As I said to another resident here, “It’s a venture of mixed feelings – not because we have any reservation about leaving. We’re terribly happy here. Yet we’re excited about the new place especially as it is on the other side of town where we have our residential roots.”

Listing – just hit X to remove identification

The Village of Tatlock is a surprising discovery in a remote area of the county. The magnificent bucolic scenery reminded me why I am happy to return home following our winter sojourn. The one lingering curiosity is the elegant church in the tiny village. The money came from somewhere. If I were to guess, I’d speculate that it had something to do with minerals since the county is notorious for its natural resources. I recall for example being told by my predecessor R. A. Jamieson QC that one of his former colleagues in town was a chap who regularly traveled by train to Toronto to confer with his mining clientele.

Lanark Highlands is a township in eastern Ontario, Canada in Lanark County. The township administrative offices are located in the village of Lanark.

The current township was incorporated on July 1, 1997 by amalgamating the former townships of Darling, Lanark, and the previously combined township Lavant, Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke with the village of Lanark.

The township comprises the communities of Arklan, Boyds, Brightside, Bullock, California, Cedardale, Clyde Forks, Clydesville, Dalhousie Lake, Elphin, Flower Station, Folger, French Line, Halls Mills, Halpenny, Hood, Hopetown, Joes Lake, Lammermoor, Lanark, Lavant, Lavant Station, Lloyd, Marble Bluff, McDonalds Corners, Middleville, Pine Grove, Poland, Quinn Settlement, Rosetta, Tatlock, Watsons Corners, and White, as well as the ghost town of Herrons Mills.

Unwittingly I punctuated this afternoon’s casual rural adventure by having taken a decidedly urban commercial detour to Ottawa earlier this morning. The traffic there – and the density of real estate development – left me cold. I was obliged to penetrate the centre of the city, even as profound as four stories underground just to park. But before I could remove myself from the intense environment I first undertook the fulfilment of an exceedingly elevating purpose.

An artist whom I had commissioned to create a piece for me had sent an enthusiastic email mid-morning advising it was ready for inspection. I was over-the-top to receive the news! More significantly the subsequent meeting was marked by unqualified approbation. Shamefully I experienced a commensurate intoxication. For months I have lived in anticipation of this desirable conclusion. It marks an existential rung on the ladder. My interest in matters retail has for the most part evaporated. Today’s juncture identifies my last leg, my swan song, the final performance of my retail career. Like my ancient father I now content myself with only what is at hand. It is a metaphorical devotion to both satisfaction and completion. I hate to admit it but it may be little more than an acceptance of life’s inescapable end. Fortunately I needn’t confront this dreadful event with any sense of inadequacy. In a word I am sated.

And did I mention the carrot cake from Antrim Truck Stop?