Povey Prattle

I am saddened, angered, frustrated, and confused about political violence in so many lands. An American Congresswoman was shot today in Arizona.  Many prominent  political leaders in the U.S.A. have condemned this outrage, as well they should.  This shooting illustrates that our democracy (and our ability to engage in civil discourse)  has very shallow roots. But, in the absence of others, I ask you to note this: That a nine year old girl was killed in this murderous rampage. She was nine years old. I cannot even begin to share the grief of her parents

My Rector is retiring in May of this year. To be accurate he is not "my" Rector, he is the Rector of St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key here in Sarasota. To be even more accurate, he is first and foremost my brother in Christ, Ted Copland. Ted was ordained 43 years ago,  He has been Rector at St. Boniface for twenty years.  His skilled, wise and firm leadership has enabled St. Boniface Church to become one of the most whole and healthy parishes in the Episcopal Church. My first reaction to the news was to think and say "good for you Ted  (and good for your wife Judy)" .  My own adventure into retirement has led me into the happiest time of my life, and I know this will be true for Judy and Ted.  Then I became a wee bit anxious.  For you see, I have always been the Rector who has left: -  Fitchburg for Chicopee, Chicopee for Pittsfield, Pittsfield for Cambridge, and Cambridge into retirement.  I always assured the people of God in th...

"Blogger" has been doing strange things with the entries which I "cut and paste" from a word document, e.g. publishing some of my text in upper case/capital letters.  This is beyond my control!  But I have changed the template on this blog to see if this will solve the problem. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last evening (Jan 5th) I presided at an Eve of the Epiphany Eucharist at St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key here in Sarasota FL. I did not preach.  Instead I played a track from a C.D. on which T.S.Eliot reads his fabulous poem "The Journey of the Magi" (Thanks to Regina who gave me this C.D.).  I gave out printed copies of the poem so that the worshipers could both see and hear the words. Here is the text of the poem, together with  with a link to YouTube on which T.S. himself can be heard reading it. ---------------------------------------------...

I live in a world in which there is so much ugliness. I see this in the ghastly and terrifying ways in which humans engage in angry and cruel behaviours -  from the family to the nation state. I see it in the ways in which humans have desecrated and defiled the earth, the rivers, the oceans and the sky.  I see it in the appalling ways by which religious leaders (who should, one would think, know better) treat women. My list could go on and on.  Maybe you have a list of your own. In the midst of this, I find myself longing for beauty.  This came home to me full force the other night in a dream.  More about this later, but do pay attention to your dreams. The beauty of which I speak is that which is never sought.  It comes all unexpectedly, and in my case it often provokes tears.  I think of the first time I heard a piece of music named “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by George Frederick Handel.   I was a wee shaver of a lad, maybe five ...

Ada, my senior cat, is so gentle and sweet.   She eats well and sleeps a lot. She loves to be near me.   If I allowed it she would sleep on my bed, with her little head resting on my outstretched hand. Should I give her no more than a “wink and a nod” she will jump up onto my lap and snuggle in,   ready for each and every caress. Junior cat Adelaide is a non-stop prowler.   She wanders around my home from dawn to dusk seeking I know not what.   She is also a “whiner” and issues frequent and insistent miaows, (not meows!).   She will often walk very near to me, but if I reach out a hand to smooth her, she will run away.    But sometimes she is close enough for me to seize her (I have to be quick!). Just as soon as I have plonked her on to my lap she ceases her miaowing, and purrs with delight as I massage her ears. Penne the dog is anxious to please me.   When we are in the house she checks up on me about every thirty minutes.   When w...

Oh my!  I had it fixed firmly in my mind that the party yesterday was for Muriel’s 80 th birthday ---   don’t ask me why. A couple of time at the party she insisted that she was but 74, but I thought that she was being coy about her real age. In my defence (?) -  I remind folks that eighty is the new sixty! Of course, the real reason for my mistake is that I have only two ‘O’ levels.  That’s why I make so many mistakes over and over again.  (There’s a bit of a private joke between Muriel and I there). It was a wonderful party.  Muriel had this to say about it: I celebrated my 74th [NOT 80th!!] birthday in grand style yesterday--wined,dined AND serenaded by the incomparable 'Brit Birthday Bashers"--British humour at its best! Thank you one and all for your wonderful birthday wishes, be they expressed in person,by telephone or online.You truly made this birthday one I shall never forget! Excelsior! Muriel is famous for her hats So ...