It was pleasant to have something a little different for breakfast this morning. In years past I would occasionally make rice pudding for breakfast, but haven't done so for quite awhile. Several weeks ago when we were shopping I noticed short-grain sweet rice and bought a bag, perfect for rice pudding. So yesterday I pre-prepared the pudding, then refrigerated it overnight, and in the morning gently heated it. And it was really very good. I'll have to remember to make it again on occasion. There are so many ways to make rice pudding with a variety of ingredients and so many possible additions to give it different tastes you could have it every day for a month and each time it could be different.

Last night we also enjoyed French onion soup which I do continue to make infrequently when a menu for the day eludes me. It too is texturally pleasing to the palate, and the taste of very old cheddar cheese melted and melded with other flavours just blisses me out, combined with the croutons under the cheese, toasted with butter/margarine, sprinkled with garlic powder and Parmesan until crisp. Slicing the onions as fine as possible also adds another good touch, as does the addition of two finely chopped cloves of garlic.

The news, first broadcast on radio, then peering at the computer screen for updates from the printed version of yesterday's events in Washington, full of American-style pomp and ceremony for the common man. A play on the investiture of royalty, a new royal ascending the throne. In which event celebrations are usually without fear of arousing elements within society threatening to disrupt and spread terror leading up to the inauguration of a new -- in the instance of the U.S. -- leader, a president of all the people. Elected by the people and reigning for the people.

Only in this instance in very particular not all the people believe that they are represented, that the previous incumbent did that for them. The rank suspicion and anger that separates Americans loyal to their two political parties seems unprecedented in the country's alienated state. Out went a man personally leaving much to be desired, but whose policies often accomplished things that had to be done, and in came a replacement whose previous semi-tenure was seen to antagonize the very demographic now mourning the loss of their leader.

It's a sad spectacle, to see a great nation so beset with intolerance for one another, with agendas swinging so widely divergently from what seems to have meaning from each of their perspectives. Whatever happens in America impacts one way or another in the life and fortunes of their near neighbours, not to speak of the influence world-wide of such events as the ideological replacement of a leader of the world's sole superpower.

For us there's little that we can do but shrug, and watch, fascinated by unfolding events while deploring the necessity to set up barriers and muster the troops to ensure no further violence takes place at the seat of government.

Today, on the other hand, was a gloriously bright weather-day, extremely cold at -10C, and windy, but sunny and brisk. Those were the conditions when we set out for our afternoon ramble through the ravine with Jackie and Jillie today. Where we strode through the trails and between us discussed what we had gleaned and what our impressions were of the events south of us. The forest was serene and beautiful, few people out on the trails, sensibly deciding to stay at home on such a cold day, but missing the beauty of the environment.