Ponder – verb (definition): To consider something deeply or thoroughly; to meditate (often followed by upon)

Imponderable – adjective (definition): not ponderable; that cannot be precisely determined, measured, or evaluated.

Is there really anything that is imponderable?  And, if so, what?  Here are some possibilities:

I know I’m not alone in being shocked by recent events in Paris.  There are plenty of adjectives to describe my reactions, none of which are novel I’m sure.  But a childhood of being aware of the atrocities committed in the United Kingdom by the IRA in the latter part of the 20th Century has, perhaps, slightly inured me to the levels of surprise that some people are demonstrating.  What I am having trouble with is beginning to fathom what forces must be at work to cause such things to occur in the first place.  How are such levels of hatred and fanaticism fostered? What weaknesses do the organisations behind such acts find and feed upon?  I could go on, but I won’t.  But I do have to wonder why it is that today’s media manages to focus on  just one place, and (apparently) overlook similar events happening elsewhere in the world at the same time?  I was chatting about this with an elderly friend yesterday, and he suggested that it is because these things have been happening elsewhere (Beirut, Palestine, Afghanistan etc) for much longer, and with no end to these conflicts in sight, so we become less sensitised to them.  News-weary.  Sadly, I suspect that he’s not far off the truth. I hope that this doesn’t come to be the case with France too.  Or anywhere else, for that matter.

On less weighty, but still imponderable, subjects ……

We’ve become (too) familiar with the French health system this year, and jolly good it is too.  However, I’d love to understand why when a doctor writes you a prescription for 24 pills (an 8-day course of 3 pills a day), the pharmacist sells you 2 packets of 20 pills, instead of dispensing the right amount.  Why?

Last year we noticed that the bells of the (Catholic) church had stopped chiming the hours, save for midday.  Now they don’t chime at all, unless there’s a wedding, or a funeral, or memorial.  And recently the bells of Port Sainte-Foy have stopped ringing too.  I’d love to know why, as I miss them.

Gendarmes ….. here in Sainte-Foy they patrol in groups of 4.  In the summer they wander around the town.  Now that the weather’s turned, they’re in their little blue van.  In the UK, bobbies are in pairs.  In the BVI we were used to seeing our policemen/women alone.    The Police Municipal, however, are brave enough to venture out in pairs (unless they join the Gendarmes).  For the life of me, I can’t work out why …. surely with 4 duty officers working in pairs they could cover twice the territory?

Wellie boots ….. is there anyone who can explain to me the science behind my left sock ALWAYS coming off inside my wellie boot??  Never my right sock.  Always the left.

Dogs: Why is it that the Chihuahuas (and other small breeds) are almost always way more aggressive than the large breeds?  And why is it that so many dog owners feel that they are under no obligation to clean up after their furry friends?  Drives me nuts!