Povey Prattle

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I wore a bright orange vest (waistcoat) today.   Thus I fulfilled one of my minor ambitions. The occasion was a fundraiser for the Historical Society of Sarasota County (HSOSC).  HSOSC sponsored an antiques sale, and antiques appraisal event down at Sarasota’s Philippi Creek Estate.  (There were some appraisers who’ve appeared on the American “Antiques Road Show). I am a member of the HSOSC, so I put in a bit of volunteer time on its‘ behalf. I was asked to be a parking lot attendant .  My ambition was fulfilled! There I stood, resplendent in my orange colored vest , ready to direct vendors and volunteers to their assigned parking spots, and to take the $10 fee (per car) from those “members of the public” who were attending the event. I was in my element, ready to greet all and sundry with a smile; a word of welcome; and a request for ten bucks. One young man declined to “pay up”.  I was not about to spoil for a fight so I turned a blind eye when he de...

Why do I not see dust or dirt until 5 minutes before guests are due to arrive? When a glass object is broken( e.g. a tumbler, a light bulb, or a vase [I knocked a glass vase to the ground two days ago]) why is it that some tiny bits of glass hide away?  Sweep up as I might, I still discover tiny fragments of class weeks later. The story of the Virgin Birth, (more correctly “the Virginal Conception“)  of Jesus is a bit of theology.  It is not about biology. Closets are great places for clothing, dishes and foodstuffs.   They are dreadful and dangerous places for humans. Why is the British Premier, David Cameron, so inept? Will President Obama ever learn that his republican opponents are not “reasonable people” with whom he can forge compromises? Why are my democratic friends in the House of Representatives and in the Senate so wimpy? Will my junior cat, Adelaide, ever learn that I am not a teet: i.e. a never ending source of food? Speaking of which -...

There was more than a wee bit of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet) in my mother.   Mum  “kept up appearances” in a way which both exasperated and delighted her children. So it was that she decided that her son the * Vicar should own some “bone china” cups and saucers.  She knew that as a Vicar he would spend endless hours drinking polite cups of tea with suitable parishioners.  So she supplied him with the cups and saucers that would be suitable for his status!). (I am that son. In England, “ * Vicar” is a generic term for ordained men and women). I rarely drink tea, and I have next to no interest in polite afternoon tea parties. And yet…… those cups and saucers came into their own this afternoon.  I served tea and biscuits to Muriel and Margaret. Muriel is a fabulous parishioner at St. Boniface Church. Margaret is a neighbour.  I’ve gotten acquainted with her as I have walked my dog Penne, and she has walked her dog Sophie. Bot...

A solitary Merganser duck made her slow progress up a very still pond.  I watched her early yesterday morning as day was breaking.  It was a gentle and beautiful sight. Behind her was she left an every widening, and ever lengthening “v” shaped wake.  She could not see it, for she was focused on her destination. Human beings leave “wakes” as they make their progress through life. Some leave wakes which are like tidal waves.  They paddle through life leaving behind wakes of dissension, destruction, dismay and death. They create chaos and sadness wherever they have been.  Others leave wakes which resemble my Merganser’s every widening and every lengthening “v”. This is a wake of embrace and a wake of inclusion. As these folks paddle on through life, they leave other people to exclaim:  “I am glad that she/he “paddled my way”, for he/she made my life seem worthwhile“.

My pals Ben and Bob came to my house for lunch today.   I served them some imported ham from Germany (with a bit of Dijon mustard on it), some pickled asparagus across chicken and apple sausage; sliced beets; roasted red peppers; Canadian herring in a creamy garlic sauce; with marinated mushrooms (in the middle). I hope that it "looks good".   I know that it was fabulous to the taste. Let me know if and when you want to come to my home for lunch!

1. They sat hand in hand.  “They” were a couple  (I would guess in their 70’s) who sat to my left at the opera house today.  I observed their shameless hand-holding, and then thanked them.  I like it that folks of my generation are still so much in love and care for each other that they hold hands. 2. He is a flautist  (or in more recent usage - a flutist).  He is a terrific musician.  His name is Tim and I met him “back in the day” when I was the Rector at St. James’s in Cambridge, MA.  Tim is a friend of Cambridge parishioners Ken and Tess, and that’s how and why I met him in the Bay State. Tim and I “bumped into” each other during the second interval at today’s Sarasota Opera production.  He is playing in the opera’s orchestra. Our brief reunion was “cool”! 3. I arrived very early for today’s opera matinee.  That gave me time to watch the “valet parking” guys  (they were all “guys”). What a tough job they have. To start w...