Povey Prattle

Each year on St. David's Day  (March 1st) I remember with gratitude my friend Vera Dowden Baldwin. Vera May Dowden was intensely proud of her Welsh heritage. She was born in Risca, South Wales, and  was brought as an immigrant to the United States by her Uncle and Aunt when she was a wee child. It took Vera's parents a few more years to save for their passage and by the time they arrived Vera was deeply bonded to her Aunt and Uncle. Her Mum and Dad were wise and loving enough to allow this bond to continue.  Thus Vera was raised by her Uncle and Aunt, but was deeply connected to her parents. Vera had a storied career as an educator.  Her wisdom and integrity led to many advancements so that at the time of her retirement Vera was the Dean of Women at the Worcester (MA) State College. She was held in such great esteem that a Hall of Residence was named in her honour. She remained single for so many years, and then, in her seventies, married a widower, the Revd. Langfo

Here is a photo' of my two older sisters Maureen (with the doll) and Jean; together with my twin sister Elizabeth and me. It was taken in 1946.  Maureen was 9 years old, Jean was 7 years old, we twins were 2 years old. (I am on the left, Liz is on the right) Maureen and Jean are already septuagenarians.  Liz and I will be there in a matter of months. How time flies.

SO 1. When the last aquifer is utterly polluted by the water which has been used for fracking. 2.  Every last stream/river is covered with algae and is therefore dead on account of the un-regulated use of phosphate based fertilizers, 3. The oceans are all but dead as a result of  never-ending human-caused  acidification. 4. When as a result of   1-3 above there are severe food shortages, and a death inducing lack of potable water...... ........ THAT WILL BE the day when hare-brained American Republicans will once again enter their "fantasy cocoon" and declare that:   1. There is no crisis.   2. There is no crisis, but it's all the fault of the Democratic Party. 3. There is no crisis, but if only former President Barack Obama had introduced legislation to protect the environment we would have voted for it. 4. Despite all this there is no global warming. 5. We never liked sea-food. 6.  Champagne is much better than water. 7. There is no crisis.

In early February my good friend (and former secretary at St. James's Church, Cambridge, MA) Judy Beers came to SRQ to visit her friends Ron and Char. Judy came to St. Boniface Church with me on February 2nd (I was the preacher).  After Eucharist we toddled back to Ron and Char's home for a super lunch and great conversation. On Thursday 20th February I drove from SRQ down to Punta Gorda where I had dinner with Joe and Deanne (and their children Faith and Ben) who were on holiday on Marco Island. (Punta Gorda is a half-way point between SRQ and Marco).   I have known Joe since 1980, and Dee from the time that she and Joe were dating.  'Twas a great dinner and a splendid reunion. Yesterday (24th February 2014) I drove from SRQ to Brandon, FL (a one hour drive) there to have lunch with Tom and Susan Harris who also had a one hour drive from "Disney" to Brandon. Tom and Susan are long term members of St. James's, Cambridge MA.  They have been faithful to

Some of you will remember that I have been fretting about Randi, the wonderful Swedish woman who I've encountered many times on our walks in the neighbourhood. I fretted because I had not seen Randi in over a year.  I worried because I know that she has a "dickey heart". I wondered if she had died. But I could do no more than fret because I did not know her last name, and I did not know her unit number in the adjoining "Glen Oaks Garden Condominiums"  where she lives. (Glen Oaks Gardens consists of four separate three floor  buildings, each with about 48 units.  I could hardly have rung about 192 door bells to find Randi's unit!) But  .... lo and behold...  Randi and I encountered each other as we walked at about 4:45 p.m.  We had a lovely reunion and hug-fest. I told her about my impending (May/June) cruise from England to Norway, and she asserted that Norway is much more beautiful than her native Sweden). Best of all, I now know her last nam

It was twelve years ago that I was described as being "plump and chubby". I was visiting my good friends Joe and Dee at their home in Massachusetts.  I had assisted at their wedding and I was pleased to be with them and their children Faith (then 7 or 8 years old, and Ben, aged 3). I slept in their newly created family room in the basement of their home. Joe and Dee forewarned me that the three year Ben was more than likely to be up and about before the skylarks, and that proved to be the case. It was at about 6:00 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. that young Ben came down to the basement and announced that he wanted to talk with me. I was still sleepy, so I asked Ben to sit on the stairs and wait until I was ready to chat. That he did. But every half-minute or so he let out a deep sigh.  I gave into the inevitable and  invited to sit with me on the edge of the bed and chat. In the course of this chat the three year old Ben said: "Father Michael, you are really quite plump