Povey Prattle

It's all very wearisome that at this time of year Christian fundamentalists and right-wing nincompoops get their knickers in a twist and tell us either that there is a "War on Christmas", or remind us to "Keep Christ in Christmas". It's all a bit of nonsense.  There is no war on Christmas.  Not because Christians are faithful in their witness but because retailers, hoteliers, airlines, petrol (gas) stations and the like wouldn't stand for it. A war on Christmas it would the case only if Christians were ordered by the authorities to close their buildings and refrain from any religious observances at Christmas-tide. A word to my Christian friends.  Have you every noted that the Gospels are not terribly interested in the birth of Jesus?  Only Luke mentions it. Matthews account of the three wise man is not about the birth of Jesus, it's there to "fulfill" the prophecy  "out of Egypt have a called my son.  The four Evangelists would b...

  Turkey Soup in the Making Turkey Breast and Cranberry Relish Sandwich

Brother Andy and Sister in Law Izzy were at my home for a Thanksgiving Dinner.  They were joined by my friend and neighbour Ed Green.  A and I return to the U.K. tomorrow  (boo hoo!) Izzy and Adelaide had a mutual love affair. Izzy also liked Andy.  Brother in Law Bernard, and Niece Beth will be envious. They were also sweet on Adelaide when they visited me from the U.K. Thanksgiving Dinner (courtesy of Fresh Market) was excellent.  Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread Soufflé (delicious), Green Beans with Bacon, Stuffing and Gravy were excellent  (better than I could have cooked) and without all the fuss and bother.  It was first glass, all I had to do was to heat it. Of course I forgot to take photo's, all except for  the Fruit Tart (with a custardy sauce on a sort of short-bread base). Yum, Yum. I eschewed the traditional Pumpkin Pie (which I don't particularly like) in favour of this tart. ----------------------------...

Perhaps the best know Thanksgiving Hymn, certainly one of my favourites. The following taken from a You Tube site "Your Church" throws light on the meaning of the words. This is a wonderful, traditional Christian Hymn written originally by Adrianus Valerius as a patriotic song in 1597 to celebrate the Dutch victory over Spanish forces in the Battle of Turnhout. The Catholic King Phllip II of Spain, whom the Dutch were fighting, had forbidden the Protestants to gather for worship. Here are the lyrics: We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine! We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, And pray that Thou still our Defender ...

Andy, Izzy and I took a Helicopter Ride today. It was terrific. We took off from the back end of Sarasota Airport  (near Tallevast Road), using the services of Florida Suncoast Helicopters ( http://floridasuncoasthelicopters.com ), a business which sells helicopters, services them, houses them for clients, and offers tours for the public. From the airport we flew due west across the inter-coastal to Longboat Key just about where the old Colony Beach and Tennis Resort was.  (President George W. Bush stayed there the night before he read to students at Sarasota's Emma Booker Elementary School.  It was whilst he was at the school that he heard the report of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11). Then we flew south looking at Longboat Key, St. Armand's Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key and then Casey Key, all to our east. We then flew north up the inter-coastal with the Keys to our west and the mainland to our east. We didn't fly in straight lines. O...

Queen Adelaide I was the wife of King William IV of the United Kingdom. Adelaide,Australia is named for her.  (The City also has a King William St.) I have been to Adelaide, and I liked it very much. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Few people have heard of Queen Adelaide II of Sarasota. She is very fond of cheese (but only if it's Cheddar). But Her Imperiousness would not eat it whilst on Camera.  What else would you expect from a cat? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brother Andrew, sister-in-law Izzy and I went down to Turtles on the Bay  (Siesta Key) today for an almost valedictory dinner. Turtles is ever reliable with "pretty good food". I took my sisters Maureen and Jean (and their husbands Bernard and John respectively) two years ago for their valedictory supp...

So off I went to Siesta Key this afternoon to see my brother Andy and my sister in law Izzy. My plan was to watch a sunset, but Old Sol was hidden behind the clouds.  Ne'er mind.  I paddled in the Gulf, and then had a good dinner at their Villa. They are staying in a comfortable and spacious Villa at the Island House Beach Resort.  There is no beach view, but the sugar sands of Siesta Beach are but a three minute walk away. The Villas at the Island House Beach Resort -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andy chose to attend St. Boniface Church this morning.  Although the liturgy baffled him .....  (we Episcopalians take it for granted and like to believe that Christian from other traditions will automatically like and understand it NOT SO! ) Apart from this, Andy received a warm welcome from the always welcoming Betsie Danner, and enjoyed Jonathan Evans' sermon (w...