Order Out of Chaos

Graham Greene wrote to "make order out of chaos." In the grind of a busy week, calendars, day-timers, scribble pads are essential to an orderly routine.
Plans change. Cancellations and postponements are inevitable but in the general scheme of things, a person is careful to be consistent. The human brain insists on some semblance of order.

Why is it then that we accept the politician's (not all) flip-flopping ~ saying one thing one day, another the next? A municipal councillor recently told me one thing to my face, then stood up in a public meeting and said exactly the opposite because it was to his benefit.

A politician's rendition of an event or a policy is prone to change, I suppose, because he is talking to a lot of people. I respect that. He is inundated with ideas and conflicting information. However, I think we should be able to expect a simple qualifying statement or explanation, even if it is, "Yesterday, I thought this... Today I have changed my mind."

Election Day is Monday, October 25. Make your voice heard.

Thought For Today:

"The ideals which have always shone before me and
filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty, and truth."

~ Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) German physicist, author.

Nature's Gifts to All Are Free

"Why, ye tenants of the lake,

For me your wat'ry haunt forsake?

Tell me, fellow creatures, why

At my presence thus you fly?

Why disturb your social joys,

Parent, filial, kindred ties? ~

Common friend to you and me,

Nature's gifts to all are free:

Peaceful keep your dimpling wave,

Busy feed, or wanton lave;

Or, beneath the sheltering rock,

Bide the surging billow's shock..."

On Scaring Some Waterfowl, Robert Burns, Scottish poet (1759 - 1796)

Photo: Lake Erie, Ontario (Click on photo for larger image.

Your Smile for Today:

"Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him."

~ Mel Brooks (b. 1926) American film director, screen writer.

Solar Sentiments

Solar Sentiments are clear on Mount Olivet Road in Haldimand.

(Tongue-in-cheek: We may have to rethink the purpose of The Neat Little Bookshop blog.)

There are important issues facing our area. Folks are feeling that there is an imminent invasion of unwelcome outsiders. There is a concern that our council be ready to collaborate with the necessary levels of government and form the necessary partnerships in order to minimize the impact of the influx of wind and solar farms. There is a movement afoot to ask the province to declare a moratorium on windmill and solar farms until thorough research can be conducted and stronger regulations enforced.

Municipal election is on Monday, October 25. Make your voice heard.

For a list of candidates go to http://www.haldimandcounty.on.ca/

James N. Allan Provincial Park ~ Myrnam Beach

Looking west... Looking east...

Looking west... Astonishingly undeveloped: A kilometre-long, Lake Erie beach.

Most conversations in The Neat Little Bookshop are enlightening. Astonishingly, the last few weeks reached a new level.

We have lived in the area our entire lives ~ several generations ~ and had never heard of the James N. Allan Provincial Park ~ until this week. It has come to light because of Haldimand Council's hiring a T.O. consultant to study the north shore of Lake Erie. Someone described it appropriately as the "best kept secret in Haldimand." Many understandably consider turning the planners loose to be a frightening thought.

Photos: by Lorna (For larger image, click on photo.)

Ontario Provincial Parks Website describes the natural features:

Undeveloped shore. 1 Km. of pebble beach. 100 m. beach with fine sand. Approx. 60 hectares is forest and wetlands. Total 117 ha.

Visit http://www.hnpa.ca Haldimand Northshore Property Association.
Haldimand County Tourism Facebook: See Jeff Ballin's photos, July 21 Beaches of Haldimand County

Municipal Election is on Monday, October 24. Make your voice heard.

Small Village Life

Pick up the morning newspaper in your housecoat or wander into the garden in pajamas. There are no fast trucks, no loud streams of traffic, few people.
We are surrounded only by an array of open lawns. Huge old catalpas, maples, ash, walnut and pine trees. The odd tree is aging and destined for removal but neighbours trade saplings like perennials so new trees keep appearing.

Walk to the Post Office, the grocery store, the drug store, the small-town department store or take a relaxing drive along the Grand to Caledonia, Dunnville or through the farming community to Hagersville. Shop at the farmers' markets.
In the village or within a few kilometers we have some of the best antique stores, art shops, schools, little theatres, churches, cafes, pubs, museums and libraries. New arenas are popping up. Soccer fields, tennis courts and baseball diamonds dot the villages. Don't plan to go swimming though unless it is summer. Local service clubs work hard to provide folks with the extras but an indoor pool escapes us.

At the end of the day, it is the considerate, caring, friendly country people who win our hearts. Cayuga is a great place to live.