As more and more inexplicable things happen in the world we call home, let me return to a comfort zone as spring transitions to summer. We have all waited patiently, and this morning, visitors on our Queen Street reminded me that living in Niagara is a delight.

Palindromes have always intrigued me, when a word or phrase is the same when read forwards or backwards. Read “A man. A plan. A canal. Panama” both ways. I know, know. It’s tricky.

Just last week, I enjoyed a superb bottle of BOTL wine. Clever name, and a high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. BOTL from NOTL.

BOTL is the acronym for Blends On The Lake, I was told by Martin Werner. He is the proprietor of MW Cellars, which recently received a very prestigious recognition from Decanter Magazine in England.

Martin and his St. Davids neighbour on York Road, Paul Harber, shared the win in the category of Best Sparkling Wine from the Americas, I am told. Their wines were crafted from local chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Attaboys!

Going back one step to the world of palindromes, how about upside-down mirror images? MW reads MW when looked at as an inverse mirror image. Like the number 8118, eh?

Let’s go to the West Coast, to an old railroad town near the skiing mecca of Whistler/Blackcomb.

The town was named Mons, to honour Canadians who died at the battle of Mons during the First World War. Quick now, write the word MONS on a piece of paper, and then turn it upside down — and you get SNOW. Amazing, eh?

Join me in not knowing where I am rambling to this week.

Back on Queen Street this morning, I had a retired couple from the Cape Cod area arrive for my free walking tour. They have been spending the Memorial Day long weekend here, and were absolutely effusive while telling me how beautiful our town is, with the many flowers and charming downtown.

The highlight home for them was the Blue House on Regent Street just north of the very classy Greaves Shop.

Then we walked toward the lake and passed the Promenade House. Talk about history, and the well-hidden historical plaque never fails to impress visitors.

In conjunction with the very historical flag hanging on the wall, from way back in the time of the Boer War in South Africa, I am certain you will be overwhelmed by the historical factoids noted below the flag.

We finished our tour in Simcoe Park at the Terry Fox tree. Town staff were busy at work, preparing to hang floral baskets to beautify our town.

I asked foreman J.B. Hopkins how many baskets would be hung this year. I expected him to say, “about 50.” To my absolute amazement, he replied, “In the whole municipality, over 200.”

Now, that’s amazing, and a whole heap of hard work and planning and ongoing TLC to keep the blooms blooming.

Have I lost you all yet? Believe me when I say it is not easy coming up with a subject for my ramblings every week. Sometimes, I just have to let my mind wander, which leads to rambling on the keyboard.

The concept for this column came from a conversation with an effervescent and sparkling local lady named Maeve Viernick. She had proudly tipped me off about the international award won by MV Cellars.

Thanks for allowing me to ramble at you this week.

Enjoy the warm and sunny weather, which seems to be here now.