Oh, yes, the water softener is necessary.

Stratford water is liquid limestone. Without the softener, the entire plumbing system of the house would eventually block up with limescale, and all water-heating appliances would be doomed. Also, detergents and soaps do not work properly in hard water.

I drove out to Millbank this afternoon to order a TV console from the Mennonite furniture factory there. Millbank is way out in the country, deep in redneck territory, and I saw many protest signs on the way, including even an American Confederate flag hanging off a beat-up truck in the bustling metropolis of Gad’s Hill. Colour me disappointed in my neighbours, who should damned well know better.