Povey Prattle

A cheerful song for the New Year.  "One more step along the world I go"    Words and Music by Sydney Carter of "Lord of the Dance fame". One More Step Along The Way I Go One More Step Along The World I Go From The Old Things To The New Keep Me Travelling Along With You. And It’s From The Old I Travel To The New, Keep Me Travelling Along With You Round The Corner Of The World, I Turn More And More About The World, I Learn And The New Things That I See, You’ll Be Looking At Along With Me. And It’s From The Old I Travel To The New, Keep Me Travelling Along With You As I Travel Through The Bad And Good, Keep Me Travelling The Way I Should Where I See No Way To Go You’ll Be Telling Me The Way I Know. And It’s From The Old I Travel To The New, Keep Me Travelling Along With You Give Me Courage When The World Is Rough Keep Me Loving Though The World Is Tough Leap And Sing In All I Do Keep Me Travelling Along With You. And It’s From The Old I Travel To The New, Keep Me Trave...

  Hoppin' John Traditional New Year's Day food. First known in the low country of South Carolina, most likely as a winter staple for enslaved Africans, using rice, black eyed peas and salt pork;  practically all that was available in the American South during winter. Hoppin' John became a popular dish throughout the south. It was often eaten with sides of collard or turnip greens, and corn bread. It's supposed to bring good luck in the coming year. That doesn't work. Luck notwithstanding I make it every year, partly because it is traditional; but mostly because I like it. My version cooks the collards in the mix, and  **   since   it's hard to get good corn bread I add corn to the pot. Mine includes the meat from smoked pork chops.  I was out of wild rice or brown rice so I used the white stuff (which wasn't a major error, except that it made the entire dish a bit gluey). **  The finest corn bread I ever ate was home made by my friend J...

  The Union Flag flying upside down. (This is thought by some to be a sign of distress). Flag not withstanding my native country has left the cooperation of the European Union, and opted for independence and the status of a minor player in European affairs  - a mere offshore island so to speak.  ** I am angry because the leadership of the Tory Party (Cameron, May, Johnson) has been little short of disastrous these past four years. You shouldn't  make policy on the basis of populist  speeches. They did. My grief   is rooted in the belief that cooperation and interdependence are always good in themselves; and are vital for the future of the planet. My cynical side believes that both the U.S.A, and the U.K. has Governments and Leaders who are all in favour of cooperation, just so long as they are in charge.   (A legacy of  their Colonialist and Imperialist histories?) ( e.g. The U.K. leaves the European Union; the U.S.A. quits the Pa...

I recently posted this lovely link about a herding dog in Canada.  It is almost mesmerizing.   https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=306256827373668&_rdr The video was made at a farm where herding dogs are trained. Don't we all love herding dogs, and hold them in awe. Do you know that there are herding dogs in the Bible? Many years ago I heard a sermon on Psalm 23. The preacher noted that in the Psalm  the Lord is the Shepherd  who leads the sheep.  "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He leadeth me beside the still waters. But the preacher noted that there are herding dogs in this Psalm.  They have names! One is called Goodness .  The other is Mercy. "Surely Goodness and Mercy  shall follow me all the days of my life" Goodness and Mercy are the herding dogs who enable us to follow the Shepherd!

  2:00 a.m. today.  Half awake, or half asleep? Two words came into my mind. "Usque Bethlehem" Then a third. "Transeamus". Transeamus Usque Bethlehem I know not why the first three words of a German Christmas song would surface in my sleep.   I began to hum some of the tune.  Of course I had to find the song when I woke up. It's a jolly tune, unlike the funeral dirge-like tune for "While shepherds watch their flock by night". In Transeamus Usque Bethlehem we can imagine the shepherds dancing their way from the field to the manger. Here are a couple of versions.   https://youtu.be/MEfKotYv4nk I love the way that two of the girls have a smile fest! https://youtu.be/kVxPNZiimRk A very plucky orchestra. Transeamus usque Bethlehem Et videamus hoc verbum quod factum est. Mariam et Joseph et Infantem positum in praesepio. Transeamus, audiamus multitudinem Militiae coelestis laudantium Deum, Mariam et Joseph et Infantem Positum in praesepio. Gloria, Gloria in ...

  From my friends Jack and Donna Chrisman's Creche Using his iPad to message the good news.

  The universe has been good!  At least in Sarasota, and probably elsewhere, the supermarkets did not start blaring Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. In truth there has been no music whatsoever. Was this a new marketing ploy; or was it a response to the sombre mood of much of the nation. There was one exception in greater Sarasota. Fresh Market decided to assault our ears.  I heard a bland version of that tedious song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" being blared inside and out, by unimaginative soloists  -  you might well  call them "The Stepford Duet". Some of you know that I live very quietly in my home.  I never watch T.V.  (The most recent time I was glued to the screen was when Hurricane Irma was approaching).  I listen to the wireless only when I am in my car. I like the silence.   But to be sure I have been Christmas music deprived this year. Mea Culpa. So now, since we are still in Christmas, I offer you t...

A lovely time with Jack and Donna Chrisman, and Ashley Lloyd. Good food  (with no need for over eating); and great friendship. As I opened my gifts the Chrisman dog Andy, and my dog watched every move in the hope that there might be dog treats in one of them. I gave Ashley some fine boxed chocolates.  Knowing that her Mom and Dad can be sweet toothed I prepared this sign for Ashley to paste to the box. Happy Days!  

This dog  keeps me sane in COVID 19 days.  Maybe he is God's  angel. I put some kibble at the edge of a table to attract Z's attention.  My best pal! p.s  Zion is most likely a mix of Brittany Spaniel and Great Pyrenees. Which ever,   he came out well!

 WOT? The toilet in my bathroom has not been flushing as it should. I looked into the cistern to try to discern the problem.  That I could not do; but I discovered these  at the bottom of the tank. Over the counter reading spectacles.  I have no idea how they got there; and I have not missed them.  Go figure!  (They had nothing to do with the toilet flushing  problem). ------------------------------------------------------------------- WOW! I wrote on Dec 21st about the superb service I got from Delta Airlines when I had to cancel a U.S.A/U.K./U.S.A  flight I'd planned for March 2021. I'd anticipated that Delta that would give me a credit against future flights,  The wonderful Delta agent decided that instead I should get a refund for the full fare. She told me that I should get the refund within 7-10 business days. 7-10.  Oh baloney!  My AMEX credit card registered the refund today.. Not 7-10 days on,...

It was in 1996/7 that Comet Hale-Bopp passed through the skies. Some family members were visiting me in Pittsfield, MA and we agreed that the transit of the Comet was spectacular . Hale-Bopp became a celestial friend. We missed it when it moved away after many days. Yesterday I was able to view the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. There is not a photograph which does it justice. It was not spectacular; rather it was awesome. My awe was rooted in the knowledge that I was viewing a celestial brightness which humans had not seen for nearly 800 years. (Paul Dellegato a weather forecaster from News 13 Tampa) puts it this way.) "As expected I had a bunch of emails/messages telling me it was a big letdown. I made a post last night reminding everyone that Jupiter and Saturn were not going to join to become one massive bright star. Visually, a very bright Mars this summer was more impressive. A Flyover of the Space Station is really cool. I have seen the Northern Lights and they wer...

You will remember that I had planned  to  go to England last  September for the marriage celebration  of my nephew Dan and his partner Chrissy. Their plans were interrupted  by COVID 19  and changed  to March 2021.  So I changed my USA/UK flights for the celebration from September 2020 to March 2021.  Delta Airlines made that change without charge.   The not so good  news is that with COVID 19 being rampant in both our countries I decided that it would not be wise to travel as soon as next March.   I called Delta this morning, having been previously advised that if I cancelled they would give me a voucher to use on future flights.   The very good news  for me is that I encountered the best Delta employee ever.   I told her that I knew that I would get a voucher.   She said that she wanted to get  me a full refund.  The refund department said no; but the agent said  "I am not satisfied wit...

 

  Dave took this photo' at the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve in So. Wiltshire, U.K N.B.  The British and American Robins are birds which look (somewhat) alike; but are not from the same families.

 

 

From Cafe Baci, Sarasota, FL.   (Don't take this to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting)  

  The sign is on a store almost opposite Traders Joe's on Sarasota's South Tamiami Trail. I, with many of my friends always misread the acronym. At first sight, what do you think it says? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (The acronym stands for Continuous Positive  Airway Pressure - but don't let that spoil you fun)

  Great as a side dish with pork, chicken or lamb.   Great (cooled) in all manner of salads. (I added a generous handful to a  spinach salad which was my evening meal today), Great (cooled)  for nibbles at a party, or with pre-dinner drinks.  (Be sure to provide spoons for your guests!) I like mine cooled as the curry sauce gets thicker as it cools, and thereby  adds a wee bit of extra flavour to the beans I took the easy route and used Patak's Tikka Masala Curry (a U.K.  product), available in the international foods sections of many U.S. supermarkets. The Curry Purists will find many fine recipes on line. If you cannot find Garbanzo Beans use Chick Peas.  Bad joke!

Zion and I had a recent gig.   The event was a fund raiser for the Humane Society of Sarasota County Capital Funds drive.   We were at a brand new "model house" on Sandpiper Lane, Sarasota to meet with potential donors.   Zion was supposed to smile at people to help get them into a giving mood.   Not a chance.   His attention was utterly devoted upon an adoptable  puppy.  Z  loves wee dogs and is very sweet to them.   The puppy could not be released from the pen -  no one wants puppy poop and pee on the floors of a brand new house.    

  Rabbi Michael Sheffrin lights the first Hanukkah Candle at Sarasota's Temple Emman-uel on Dec 10th 2020. I was there, but I did not take this photo'.  It was published in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune newspaper. And the Light, the Light, the Light.

  Pork loin;   with roasted potatoes, red peppers, mushrooms; and PAXO brand sage and onion dressing:  made to give to friends. ================================================= Meat Loaf made for me ; with ground chuck beef, ground hot Italian style sausage,  onions, bread crumbs, eggs and milk etc. Crowned with a mustard, ketchup and brown sugar glaze. Lordy lordy.  So darn good. I am not a chef.  I don't and can't specialise in gourmet cooking. But I am becoming a dab hand at ordinary and everyday nutritious comfort food, POVE

  Friday 11th December 2020  Zion and I had accepted an invitation by the Humane Society of Sarasota County to be part of an upscale event which had been planned in  support of their Capital Fund Campaign. We were not the only invitees!  The others were seven wealthy  couples who were being groomed to make substantial monetary gifts to HSSC, The event took place at a new "Model House" (with two garages: one for three cars, the other for two cars). The house is   near little Sarasota Bay,  on Sandpiper Lane (off  McClellan Parkway).  If you have never been there you cannot find it. HSSC VOLUNTEER NEXT TO POOL AND SPA ZION WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET AND GREET THE GUESTS, BUT HE COULD NOT TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ADOPTABLE PUPPY. PLEASE MAY I CHAT WITH YOU? " PRETTY PLEASE", but the staff could not take the puppy out of his luxurious  and temporary pen.  Who wants a yet untrained puppy piddling and pooing on the floor of a model hous...

  Details tomorrow

  But of course, you go to your local Temple.  In my case it is Temple Emman-uel,  about two miles from my home. I joined my Jewish friends there for the lighting of the first candle on the first night of this festival of deliverance and light. The 7' high Menorah designed and fabricated by a Temple member. Made to contain Tiki Torches -  they burn outside far better than do Candles. Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman welcomes us The sun has disappeared from the western sky, so the ceremonies can begin.  For many Temple Emman-uel members this was the first time since March that they could gather in person: outside, masked, and socially separated.  Associate Rabbi Michael Sheffrin lights the first  torch. Hanukkah candles are lighted throughout  the eight days right to left, just the same as the Hebrew language is written and read. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Rabbis.   They have taug...

  As I tidied a bookshelf  the booklet which had been prepared for my 1976 ordination "fell out" from the stack.  Such memories! DeWolf  Perry was my mentor, and Father in God. Of all the other participants only Keith Williams (aged about 16 in 1976), and Jay Haug (now the Revd John B Haug of Jacksonville, FL) are still alive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the meantime Matt B of the Western Mass.  Berkshire Hills came across this as he cleared up the home of his parents.  Matt's wife Sharon sent it to me today. Bishop Wissemann was my predecessor in Pittsfield.  The "special intention" was re-consecrate the Sanctuary which had been extensively re modeled after his Rector-ship,  and before mine,