The Ambler

Edition #2: Monday, April 28 to Sunday, May 4, 2025

Welcome to The Ambler.

To be notified of each edition and to get information about other The Veranda Presents entertainments and activities, please sign up for The Veranda Presents Newsletter. There’s also Social Media, Etc.

If you enjoy The Ambler, please invite your friends to visit.

Thank you.

Clair Culliford

------------

1. Courtesy

by Clair Culliford

★ Listen to the author read this entry.★

xxxxxxx

Today, courtesy is not considered as important as it once was. To many people, it seems old-fashioned, quaint, out of place in the modern world.

Courtesy is often seen as the following of outdated rules of conduct rather than a genuine interest in others. I expect few people would place it in their top-ten list of important human virtues.

I think it should be ranked higher—much higher.

Courtesy is the willingness to accept that other people are kindred to us.

Courtesy is offered because another person is a fellow human being, rather than because they are as educated, as well off, as socially adept, or as good-looking as we are. It is offered whether or not the person is of the same national origin, race, religion, or gender as we. That they are of a different political persuasion, dress oddly, or are disabled in some way makes no difference.

Courtesy is extended to all because all of us are in the same boat—the leaky boat of being human.

Politeness is a similar virtue. Courtesy and politeness are siblings or perhaps close friends.

Politeness has the same basis as courtesy—the acknowledgement that we are all related and that our differences (national origin, race, religion, gender) are not as overwhelming as some believe them to be, but instead are important parts of us among other equally important parts.

Our family, health, talents, hopes for the future, and friends are important, too. Those who insist that our differences are paramount must live cramped, overwhelmed lives.

Holding open a door for someone with many parcels, asking a confused-looking person if they need directions, and calling out “Stop! You dropped something” are examples of politeness. Wishing strangers a good day is a particularly pleasing example.

And courtesy? If we were all courteous, would fistfights, malicious lawsuits, intimidation, screaming divorces, and the like cease? Of course not.

Courtesy is a first step, not a remedy. A moment of courtesy may lead to five minutes of conversation—though the five minutes may be strained. Five minutes may lead to… well, you may end the sentence as you please.

Courtesy happens whenever there is a need for it. You are walking down the street and you see something you can help with. You do not enter a crowded place to look for an opportunity to practice courtesy. It is not a cause, a crusade, or a rule.

Of course, not all of us are willing to be courteous. If a sufficiently higher percentage of us were, however, the world would be a better place.

The Ambler Continues Below

⇧ Click or tap the image for more information. ⇧

--------a----

2. My Financial Career

A Video By The National Film Board Of Canada

This video is based on the short story, My Financial Career by Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. It was made in 1962 and won First Prize for Animated Film at the Golden Gate International Film Festival, a Blue Ribbon in Literature in Films at the American Film and Video Festival, and was nominated for Best Short Subject at the 36th Academy Awards.

-----

The Ambler Continues Below

⇧ Click or tap the image for more information. ⇧

------------

3. Her Room

by Andrew Wyeth

Her Room was painted in tempera on a panel 24 3/8 inches x 48 inches by the American painter Andrew Wyeth in 1963. It pictures the room of his wife, Betsy Wyeth. The painter was born 1n 1917 and died in 2009.

Her Room