Povey Prattle

Here is an excerpt from a published quotation.  It has to do with the actions of the U.S.A. President. The quotation asserts that his actions are “.... a menace to political rights and constitutional liberties, a danger to American ideals and institutions.....a detriment to the public welfare...opposed to fundamental conception of democracy and every principal of individual property on which democracy was based....... the people elected a Democratic administration, not a socialistic dictatorship.” Ah well.  We understand that “Tea Party” adherents have their knickers in a twist.  It’s hard for them to comprehend that we have a wise, intelligent, and stable President in Barack Obama.  We know why they say such stupid things. Oooops!  I have misled you.  The quotation above was not from the Tea Party regarding our President (although it could well have been). It was what the publisher William Randolph Hearst had to say about President Franklin Delano Roos...

A friend whom I respect and like very much joined a Facebook group called “Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car” On the face of it the statement sounds plausible. It points to the boringly obvious : i.e. the hypocrisy of some church attendees. We all know about this. It’s an “ all too easy” target, at which any cynic can shoot with impunity. But it is a demonstrably foolish statement. It ignores the fact that: 1. Those who attend Church are constantly urged, in scripture and in sermon, to move away from complacency to engagement. (You do not get that in bed of a Sunday morning!) 2. Those who attend Church encounter folks who are hard to like. Being in Church reminds them that they are called to love the unlovable. (That does not happen at Sunday brunch with one’s best friends!). 3. Those who attend Church are very frequently called upon to examine their lives and to move from selfish desire to deep compass...

I have been lusting after a plate of fresh Fava Beans (a.k.a. Broad Beans) for three or four weeks. What are Fava/Broad  beans?    See  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_faba I used to buy them frozen at the “Market Basket” in Somerville, MA.  But these good beans get a bit tough when frozen. Fava Beans are readily available here in Florida, but only in the canned/tinned version, marketed by  “Progresso”.  They are “O.K.”  (Only in the same way that any canned/tinned veggies are adequate but not great). Dammit:   I want fresh broad beans.  I want these beans right from their preposterously huge pods. I've  tried every farmer’s market within range.  But none of them grew Broad/Fava beans.  Some of these markets had never even heard of them. BUT ...     I was at my local “Publix” supermarket this morning.  “Publix” has a near monopoly throughout Florida, so I try to avoid shopping with them, and do ...

It was four years ago today that I “closed” on the condominium here in Sarasota. It almost did not happen. On 15th June 2006 I was driven to Boston’s Logan Airport, having “closed” on the sale of my Medford condominium earlier that day. I was to take a flight from Boston to Sarasota, via Atlanta. If all had gone to plan I would have arrived in Sarasota that evening. But the flight from Boston to Atlanta was delayed. So I missed the Atlanta to Sarasota flight. The airline (Air Tran) found and paid for a Hotel room near Atlanta’s airport. But the best flight they could offer next morning was from Atlanta to Tampa, arriving there at about 10:30 a.m. Tampa is some 60 miles away from Sarasota, and it was hard for me to believe that I would manage to find a rental car in Tampa, and get to the lawyer’s office in Sarasota by noon. (The time was crucial, for the lawyer was ready to close his office soon after Noon, before beginning a two week holiday). At just before midnight on ...

Beauty (1) there is a Cactus in bloom just down the street from my home (3 pics) Beauty (2) My peach coloured hibiscus is also quite lovely (2 pics) The Beast. A neighbour favours pink flamingos - argh! (1 pic)

 From FaceBook   My Staten Island, N.Y.  cousin, Michael Altini writes:   “I love eating. If the food is not up to spec, I get very angry, pay and leave. I know I can make half the stuff better” My Bristol, U.K cousin, Chris Finch writes : “Diet News - Day 21. Half a pound down takes me 2 away from my target in 3 days . Who's that skinny guy in the mirror?” From me: 1.       Hey Michael, I am with you.  I rarely get truly excited about restaurant food.  It is so often either poorly cooked and presented, or over-priced.  I much prefer my home cooked foods – e.g. the roasted parsnips, carrots, onions, and peppers which I just scoffed down. 2.       Hey Chris, I am with you , but I have taken a slower route.  Back in January I saw a 203 lbs (14+ stone) person in the mirror.  Today that mirror shows a 158 lbs (11+ stone) Michael Povey.  I have lost about 3 stones (say 42 lbs).  I ...

I become entirely “curmudgeonly” in supermarkets.   There are reasons for this! 1.       The foods which I think should be in Aisle 6 are inevitably to be found in Aisle 19.   2.       I always get stuck at the slowest check-out. 3.       I often forget to get an item or two which is on my list. 4.       The person in front of me at the check-out always has some reason to slow things down. Y’all know about this.   Y’all know the frustrations in supermarket shopping. But wait --    there is more.   Here is the story. At my local “Sweet Bay” supermarket (which I like very much, on account of the super selection of fresh vegetables, and good meats) there is a middle-aged and middle management employee who brings out my inner curmudgeon. This employee is the one who rushes in to open up a new aisle when the market is busy. Grateful as I am for this, (his/her)...