Povey Prattle

Pictured above are four objects which have graced my home for many a year. First: A needle pointed coaster which Hope Haug, mother of my friend Jay Haug, gave me as a Christmas tree ornament in 1976. I have treasured it all these years. It is now the coaster on which I place my cup of coffee or glass of water on a wee table, right next to the chair which I use for my afternoon reading. Second: The "soccer loving monk" - a little pewter made paper weight which Irene Rokowski, (mother of my good friend Joe), brought back for me from the trip to Germany that she took with her husband Ray in about 1986. Third: A "faux" cut glass ash tray which once belonged to my dear Great Aunt Maud. My Mum scavenged this from Aunt Maud's tiny flat in Birmingham. Great Aunt Maud was a simple soul. She had been estranged from her family for many years, but when she re-connected with her niece (my Mum) she became a family favourite. Fourth: The nail care kit which my...

Every once in a while my biblical and protestant hackles are roused.   So I need to remind you that  the tourist in the U.K. Joseph Ratzinger, (a.k.a. Pope Benedict XVI), is no more, and no less than the Bishop of Rome, (and a brother in Christ). All of his other titles (viz: Vicar of Jesus Christ ; Successor of the Prince of the Apostles ; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Primate of Italy , Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province ;   Servant of the Servants of God ,   are either bogus or un-biblical . “Servant of the Servants of God” sounds good, except that all Christians are called to this ministry of service, (and the “Popes” who bear this title act more like masters than servants!) He is also entitled “ Sovereign of the State of Vatican City ”.   I cannot dispute the legality of this title because the “Lateran Treaty” between Mussolini’s Italy and the Vatican established Vatican City as an independent state.   I can only re...

If I could teach my darling dog Penne to speak, I would start with five words. I'd teach her to say "Michael, I need to stop". That way I'd have advance notice of her "pee stops". As it is she stops on a dime, with no warning,  And she stops firmly.  I am sure that one of these days her sudden stop will rip my arm out of its socket!

Here is another hymn text by “Jan Struther” (the pen name for Joyce Anstruther 1901 -1953).   She is best known as the author of “Mrs. Miniver”. Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy, Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day. Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe, Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray, Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day. Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace, Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace, Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray, Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day. Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm, Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm, Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray, Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day. It is a sweet enough text, and is wel...

 Here is another hymn text by "Jan Struther" which we were made to sing between grades/years 1 - 4 in the so called "Christian" services which were mandated in the schools of my youth.  (I was in what Americans call a "Public School", but what English people call a "Council School" - i.e. a school which is funded and supervised by the local City or County Council). Daisies are our silver,    Buttercups our gold: This is all the treasure    We can have or hold.  Raindrops are our diamonds    And the morning dew; While for shining sapphires    We've the speedwell blue.  These shall be our emeralds–    Leaves so new and green; Roses make the reddest    Rubies ever seen.  God, who gave these treasures    To your children small, Teach us how to love them    And grow like them all.  Make us bright as silver: ...

Is my good memory a blessing or not?   I am never sure.     What I know is this: that most mornings I awake with the words of a song, hymn, or gospel chorus racing through my mind.   Whatever the music is it remains with me throughout my early morning 2 mile walk with Penne.    A couple of days ago I was “stuck” on a hymn we were made to sing in the “Christian” assembly which was mandatory in the British schools of my youth (1949- 1965).   I cannot even begin to imagine why this hymn came back to me. Here are the words: When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old, He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold; With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand For God and for valour he rode through the land. No charger have I, and no sword by my side, Yet still to adventure and battle I ride, Though back into storyland giants have fled, And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead. Let faith be my shield and let joy ...