Enjoy those little moments in the midst of all ‘the apocalyptic happenings’
How’s it going, eh? Just routine trivia today.
That may be a relief from the apocalyptic happenings down south. My American sisters are in distress at the appointment of that judge. The Supreme Court now has six right-wing Catholic justices. Out of nine. Doesn’t seem balanced or representative to me. I take no pleasure in that. I stand with AOC on the principles of faith and politics.
The Founding Fathers from 1776 are not looking too good these days either.
Politicians of the machiavellian sort are using and abusing the Constitution for their partisan purposes, and the Republican campaign tricks break all rules.
America may need an amendment to the 25th Amendment, strengthening the section about the mental capacity of a sitting president.
Overall, it will be so good to return from CNN (I know all the hosts now) to CBC news and commentary.
We’ve had 30 family Zoom calls on Sundays since lockdown, so that’s how long this ordeal is lasting. The turnout continues to be fairly solid and we end up laughing. Emma, age 11, is a voracious reader and holds up her latest book. The family is riddled with English teachers so there is always someone to comment on the book.
Grandson Jack, 17, on Vancouver Island, had to give an inspirational talk of one and a half minutes to his school assembly. He told the story of flunking his driver’s test. Cousin Megan in Edmonton shared her woe at the same outcome. Those western roads may be safer as our young drivers try again.
Jack ended up telling his audience that the good news was his braces were coming off.
There’s snow today. I got myself long underwear, grey of course, and registered for the local Winter Wheels program, whereby I pledge to cycle at least once a week from November to March. In exchange I fill in surveys and have winter tires put on my bike.
In other news, there is the story of the lost-and-found hearing aid. You know what they cost. This year, with hat, eyeglasses, mask and hearing aid, it is all too much for the back of the ear. Yesterday I plunked myself down in the driver’s seat of the car, ripped off the mask, and heard a slight noise. Hearing aid had disappeared. A lot of unladylike minutes were spent searching with flashlight, to no avail.
At the Honda dealer, Cindy Lester, Tony Minicola et al, bless them, said “Bring’er in.” There, two lads, Eddie, and another pleasant chap in a hoodie, used a magnet to find the heading aid and save me big bucks.
Father Leo Coughlin, old friend, has published a coil-bound “Daily Reflections” book and distributed 300 from his back door. He is a pastor for all.
For Halloween, my engineering-student grandson built a chute for candy. His siblings urge a catapult. Me, I used tongs, and Pringles in small packets. The government of Ontario eft it up to us to decide how to mark Halloween. I printed off an orange-and-black sign saying, “Halloween Here.” The other choice was “See you next year.”
There were a few kids out on our street, all protocols observed.
I have two friends who have adopted the routine of asking, “Who needs cheering up?” and “Who can a give a cheering-up today?” I met John Martyn, our finest housing advocate, and he told me, “Here’s a cheery story: we at the Mount just opened five new apartments for people in need.”
I met him as we both were picking up a copy of Pope Francis’ recent letter on friendship and social solidarity.
My book club met on Zoom and dealt with being cut off after 45 minutes. Then we rejoined, tech wizards, all. We were reading Seth Klein. All liked it.
So ends the trivial stories. Maybe they are as important in meaning as the breaking news.