Povey Prattle

The late afternoon sun reflected off the pond at the back of my home, last Thursday 12th February 2015        

My English born friend Muriel (from Oldham, Lancashire), and my American friends, Jack and Donna (true Anglophiles who lived in England for about seven years) came to my home for lunch today. I cooked some Kippers on a griddle (with a bit of butter),   ( if you have not eaten kippers you have not lived );  and served them with grilled tomatoes, poached eggs, boiled red potatoes (with butter and parsley) , and with the  British "Heinz" brand baked beans in tomato sauce ( well loved in the U.K. and probably also in Ireland). It was a feast fit for Kings (or at least for all  those who are  Limeys, or Limeophiles, or Scots, or Irish, or Welsh). Muriel, Jack and Donna declared themselves to be delighted with this lunch.  Indeed it worked out well, and our lunch-time conversation was funny, loving and gentle. (Dessert was a good cuppa tea, and some Jaffa  Cakes). If you are mystified look up "Kippers" and "Jaffa Cakes" on Wikiped...

I met Jack C (ex-U.S. Navy Captain, and now a retired  Anglican Priest) at St. Boniface Church in SRQ. Although Jack and I are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in our political  convictions, we have become firm friends.   That friendship embraces Jack's wife Donna. After Jack's retirement from the U.S. Navy he and Donna spent  not a few years in the U.K. where he trained for ordination, was ordained, and served as a Priest in the Diocese of Ely (Cambridgeshire U.K ). In due course Jack and Donna returned to the U.S.A., where Jack served in a parish in Newport, R.I.. There they met Muriel Q, a fabulous woman who hails from Oldham, Lancashire, U.K. Jack, Donna, Muriel and I washed up in Sarasota at different times -  but we connected with each other at St. Boniface Church, SRQ. The four of us are enamored with "Kippers" (Kippered Herrings)   as befits two Limeys and two Anglophiles. With that in mind I ordered K...

I have been doing business with Sam's Auto here in Sarasota for a number of years.  Their "shop" is about 1 1/2 miles from my home, and they do great work.  They have a well deserved good reputation. Last Friday I took my vehicle in to get a new passenger side headlight bulb  because the low beam was not working. Sam's replaced the bulb, and also checked my other lights (in the process of which they discovered that the rear number plate/tag light were also duds).  They replace them. I paid the bill, and when I got home I went into a minor state of shock because the labour charge was $94.95  (less a discount of 10% because I am an AAA member). Even so, the resultant charge of $85.46 seemed high for such simple and uncomplicated work. I was back at Sam's today for a scheduled oil change, so I questioned the labour charge from last Friday. They explained that they time jobs by on tenth per hour; and said that the replacement of the headlight bulb t...

I rarely go out to restaurants for dinner, so this evening's visit to "Kacey's Seafood and More" on Fruitville Road in  Sarasota was a treat.   The great friends were Alan R, Seth W and Alan C.  The four of us had not been together in an age.  It was wonderful to be with these dear brothers/friends, to share our news, and to bask in our mutual respect, admiration and love.   Alan R is the Deacon at St. Boniface Church.  He is deeply respected in the congregation for his faithful and selfless service in the Church, and to his late wife who suffered a long and debilitating illness.   The good food was at Kacey's, which is located in a nondescript plaza on Fruitville Rd, just about two miles from my home.   It's the tourist season so the restaurant was all but full when we arrived at 6:00, (though we were able to get a table immediately), and there were still people in line when we left at 8:00.   Th...

Via a friend in Pittsfield, MA   AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES (That Really Work!) 1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU SLICE. 2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH OTHERS ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK. 3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS.  REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER. 4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON. 5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH. 6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE. 7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DAILY THOUGHT: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - N...