Povey Prattle

Do you remember the days when “sales” were truly sales.  Twice or three times a year there would be genuine reductions in store prices, when the traders reduced their prices. They did so to clear their shelves and thus make room for more seasonal items. These days everything is on “sale” all the time.  There are “sales” for New Year’s Day, for Presidents’ Day, for Mothers’ Day, for Memorial Day etc., etc., etc. There are “sales’ just about every weekend. It’s all a big con. Take for instance the retailers of furniture.  In their world every item is always “on sale”.  Their newspaper inserts proclaim “60% off”, or “30% off”. I need to ask “a percentage off what original price?” Pray tell me “60% of what original price?”, or “30% of what sticker price?” ---------------------------------------------------------- The Supermarkets also try to con us. They lure us with their “two for the price of one” specials.  All well and good, but they do not tell...

Some very unpleasant fly-tipping (about 50 yards from my home) Our guess is that some "outside elements" (!) stopped by late at night,  did some net fishing, drank some beers, and then decided that the fish were disposable. ( Whilst this was not exactly "fly tipping"  I thought that my U.S.A. friends might like to see the words as defined in the U.K). http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/KeyIssues/Fly-tipping/Default.aspx

When I adopted my delightful terrier/retriever mix dog Penne three years ago, I discovered that she was “not very good” with other dogs. Soon after I adopted her a wee dog named “Gizmo” (a mutt who is mostly Griffon Bishcon) sniffed at Penne’s hind quarters.  She reacted with aggression. Penne has often “stiffened up” when we have encountered other dogs of all manner of breeds. But Penne has often gotten very animated as we have walked in the neighbourhood when she has encountered Basil, a very handsome male Shar-pei,. Penne has also gotten very excited when she has sniffed the places where Basil has peed, and has added her own “calling card”. (Sorry to be so graphic). I came to the conclusion that either Penne was afraid of Basil, or that she liked him. After a couple of chats with Basil’s owner, he and I agreed that we should allow the dogs to meet. It happened this afternoon.  Penne stood still when she saw Basil.  But her tail was a-wagging. Basil amb...

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH 10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians ... and you check the table of contents. 9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60's. 8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out. 7) Your favorite Old Testament Patriarch is Hercules. 6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible. 5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents. 4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?" 3) You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries. 2) You keep falling for it every time when Pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums. And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough: 1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: ...

I love my birthday, and try to celebrate it with gusto.  It’s the one day in each year which I can claim as a “me-day”. I was born on 26th May 1944. I am a “Gemini”, and indeed I have a twin sister. 26th May is also the “Saints’ Day” for Augustine of Canterbury, the first ever Archbishop of Canterbury. One time, maybe 20 years ago,  I happened to be in Canterbury, U.K. on 26th May.  It was cool to be able to attend an early morning Eucharist that day at Canterbury Cathedral.  It was celebrated in a Chapel in the under croft of the Cathedral. What fun it was to be in that venerable Cathedral on my birthday, and for an Eucharist which commemorated St. Augustine. I have celebrated my birthday so very well this year. Thursday 24th saw me at a local restaurant with some of my gay buddies. A feisty and well loved waitress (Kay) bought out a nice slice of cheese-cake avec candle after dinner for my pleasure. Friday 25th I had a few friends chez moi for drin...