People who use a lot of big words are not trying to inform us. They are trying to impress us. Having said that, I have never been certain about the exact meaning of the nine-letter word “dichotomy.”

Something about two separate things at once?

Sometimes, I think I am living in parallel universes here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I do my best to keep current with local thought. I read The Lake Report, I listen at the Legion, and I chat with people in aisle four of the Valumart. (I know, I know, the Independent.)

Between SORE and Randwood, the Parliament Oak changes, the dramatic Royal George project, per capita policing costs across the Niagara Peninsula, “driveway or assessment-based,” the list goes on and on.

We seem to be living in the midst of so much angry emotion. Can we please give our heads a shake?

Let’s think about being kinder and more understanding about the many responsibilities of our elected town council. Each member of council put their name forward and worked hard to get elected.

The amount of reading they must do in order to keep current and provide municipal leadership boggles my mind — I feel bad when people accuse them of malfeasance.

Remember that these are not highly trained professionals, sitting on NOTL council after years of practice in the minor leagues. They are our brave neighbours and friends, doing their best.

Thank goodness for the hydro box beautification project, organized for a seventh year by the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre. For our annual Terry Fox Day event each September in and around Simcoe Park. And last week, Heritage Day news from Queenston, our “forgotten little village.” Reports from local sports, including weekly detailed news from our precious 150-year-old NOTL Golf Club.

Lots of kids’ sports and musical goings on. Accessibility upgrades and evolving accessory dwelling unit legislation.

And to think, this is a small town. Less than 25,000 people.

Now, back to the word dichotomy.

I am downtown for an hour or so almost every day, and subconsciously eavesdrop. OK, sometimes I consciously eavesdrop. Today, eleven people joined me on my walking tour. Coincidentally, all from “B” towns.

Boston, Brantford, Berlin, Burlington and Brandon. As the highly paid professional athletes regularly say on television these days, “What are the odds of that?”

Curious and respectful visitors come to our town from many parts of the world, and almost unanimously, they marvel at our Niagara. Our vineyards and fruit farms. Our water and views of the Niagara River. “That peaceful waterway can’t be part of the world’s longest unguarded (undefended?) border.”

Think about it. It really is weird. Let’s remember, until 9/11, no passports were required.

The ever-present Escarpment and the Brock Monument watching over us. 24/7.

Again, almost unanimously, visitors comment enthusiastically about our flowers and horticulture. I do my darndest to spread the gratitude and praise around.

NOTL town staff, Chris Allen and many other private contractors and so many local residents contribute to our streetscapes, encouraged by personal gardening pride and peer pressure.

Lots of gardening peer pressure.

May I encourage NOTLers to stop for an hour or so? Take a walk or a drive along our town streets and rural roads. Marvel, like visitors to our Niagara marvel.

This year, the flowers in the hundreds of town-hanging baskets are almost touching the ground. Is this a banner year? No doubt there are many reasons. Synergism and all that.

Not to turn into an amateur philosopher, but let me ramble back to our perceived and actual local dichotomy. Locals often seem to be angry. For a long list of reasons covering a laundry list of issues.

Real and perceived.

On the other hand, many visitors to Niagara return annually or regularly. They love the vibe, the many things to do, our small town ambience.

I know, I know, there are some 110 million people living within a 10-hour drive of our town cenotaph. That’s a lot of potential visitors.

Our flowers and plants are world-class. Slow down, look left and right, smell the roses.

And the gladiolas, elephant ears and other flora.

Please forgive me. I have rambled. Let’s be kinder to one another.