Povey Prattle

In normal days and in Covid 19 days I am still able to go with Zion for a daily walk at Sarasota's Bayfront Park. We are usually there before 7:00 a.m.  Most days we encounter our usual cast of characters.  (And of course we keep safe distances). First names have been changed. There is Brenda with her dog Charlie.   Brenda walks at high speed, Charlie too.  For our first year she would avoid making eye contact with me.  I due course she concluded that I was safe, and we now exchange cheery greetings. Bart and Sarah.  They are business friends  (i,e, not a couple)  who walk each day. Bart has an ever active mind and tongue.  Sarah keeps up (as best she can) with his repartee.  They adore Zion  (and other dogs).  Bob knows how to give Zion the "bestest" back rubs. Kate walks very early with her maltese/miniature poodle cross Milo.    The dog is a bundle of energy.  He squeals like a stuck pi...

His name is Bernard. He is my senior brother in law; the husband of my oldest (and older) sister Maureen. You will not see him because  (a) he lives in Bristol U.K); or (b) because of the U.K. shelter in place policies which he observes rigorously.  I wish that you could see, and know him.   Bern is a man of deep faith in God; of utter integrity; and of tender love for his wife and extended family. He is a man of few words; and even fewer judgments.  He is loved deeply by his four children and their spouses; his six grandchildren and one great grandchild  .     and by his wider family of in-laws (I am one), On Friday 24th  Bern will celebrate his 90th birthday. No party of course, but three of his four children; their spouses and their children  will gather at the street end of Bern and Maureen's front garden; then serenade him as he and Maureen  wait just outside their front door  (about 10' away). ...

I have nifty drip feed coffee machine.   It's a four cupper, but I make my coffee one cup at a time so that it's always fresh and hot. One cup at a time  should be easy enough, but that "ain't necessarily so". There are four stages to make the coffee, but I've lost count of the times I've missed one or more of them.  Duh and Dumb! So I have made a reminder sign. I'll be all set, if I remember to read the sign!

TWO BAGS At the first stage of the Covid 19 semi-lockdown  (semi in Florida), Trader Joe's allowed customers to use their own bags; provided that the customer did her/his own bagging. Now T.J.'s will allow only the use of their own paper  bags.  'Tis understandable.  The sad fact is that we will not be able to re-use the fine T.J. bags until "after the crisis". My trusty T.J's cloth bag which I cannot now use. The T.J.   (environmentally friendly) bag which we will not be able to use again until after the crisis. TWO BLOKES As Zion and I walked out at Arlington Park this afternoon we encountered David Eichlen and Bob Griffith, two of my favourite St. Boniface Church, Sarasota parishioners. We chatted away. What gracious serendipity!    ONE DOG As I was eating supper this early evening the famous Mr. Z  (a.ka. Zion, or Zee-Zee, or Sweetheart ) came to visit me. Those who have dogs as pets will know how happy this...

To be played at full volume! https://youtu.be/Q3Kvu6Kgp88 https://youtu.be/kFzViYkZAz4

Lunch today Flounder: baked in a lemon/butter sauce, and "dressed" with minced clams. Sugar snap peas. Mushrooms. Mushrooms are not a usual  accompaniment for Fish dishes (they go best with meat), but I had some which I did not want to waste.