Digressions by D’reen

—by Doreen Uren Simmons

Well now…the sun is shining and it’s only minus six. Wonderful. Are you amongst those who wished for a ‘good old-fashioned winter’? Are you happy now? I realize I’m writing from the relative comfort of Toronto to those who are overwhelmed (?) in Simcoe County, but, hey, it’s happening here too. This week we couldn’t get our pretty elderly home above 71, though the furnace was going all day. We survived by ‘stocking up’ and not going outside for three days. Lucky retirees!

On another chilling note…are you amongst those who ‘don’t get involved in politics’? Well…think again. We now have two elections upcoming, at least one of which is totally unnecessary.

Here’s a little data from that recent horrendous event in the United States. It was NOT a ‘landslide’ nor really a mandate. Percentage-wise: 31.78 for Trump, 30.84 for Harris, 1.06 for third parties, AND 36.33 didn’t vote. Think about that and act accordingly, please. 

And finally, on a personal note. This is to prove the old adage, “If you live long enough”. I recently reconnected with a wonderful bass-baritone that I had known in the 1980s and had had no contact with since. He has ‘aged’ superbly and we will be doing a recital in April! I haven’t been so excited about making music for a long, long time. Lucky me. 

This column is already five days late. What a sweet editor we have! So I’ll make this short. Look forward to the possibility of the old ‘February thaw’ and the official opening of ‘spring’ in March. The daffodils are already up in England but stay here folks…it WILL happen! Love to all…D’reen