Povey Prattle

In Louisville during the protest last night, one police officer got separated from the others, and was threatened by the crowd. A group of black people circled and protected him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clerodendrum paniculatum - which I planted about a year ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My pirate tag/number plate.  

but it was not until two weeks ago that I ventured into Sarasota's Payne Park. https://www.letsplaysarasota.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/158/4753?npage=2 Payne Park is to the east of Washington Blvd, and the south of Ringling Boulevard. I stopped by to see it after one of my Bayfront Park walking acquaintances said that she sometimes walks there. Because of its size Payne Park lacks the charm of my regular walking haunts  (Bayfront Park and Arlington Park); but what it lacks in charm it makes up with many facilities  (most sadly closed because of Covid 19) Auditorium, which I had always imagined to be open air First Presbyterian Church to the south of the park. Twelve Tennis Courts (now open) Pretty ponds Playground for children Park Cafe Skate Park Here is the (imperfect) history of Payne Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payne_Park

This is Nilo, a new friend for Ginny (the woman I met at Arlington Park just after her former dog died). Nilo is crazy about Zion, but I can't get a photo' of them together 'cause Nilo is like a whirling dervish when he is on the ground. His Nibs is determinedly indifferent to Nilo's attention.  Spring blossoms on a Bayfront Park Tree Close up of blossom on tree Not all the vessels in the mooring field are lovely. I call this one "a construction site Cabin on a hull"

Her name is Gwen Sears. We met first in 1975 when she was one of the trainers at the former Camp Bement in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.   There she (not yet ordained) prepared me and others for our  summer of service in that Diocese. I was, in American terms, in between my junior and senior years in Seminary .   Her name is Gwen Sears. That summer ended I returned to my studies at St. John's College, Nottingham, UK  (now closed). A year later, having graduated College; and being ordained Deacon in Bristol, U.K. I returned to the USA on July 6th 1976 to serve at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Fitchburg, MA (also now closed!). Back in the States I encountered Gwen at various Diocesan events, and at an Episcopal Church General Convention in New Orleans where we had one of those memorable dinners, and began a friendship.  By then she was The Revd. Gwen Sears, Deacon non pareil. And so it was that I was blessed beyond measu...

May 26th 1944 - May 26th 2020 More than eight four Facebook greetings (which I like) ; a dozen old fashioned birthday cards; 'phone calls with my twin, and with my oldest sister; and youngest brother. Two "parties" with appropriate social distancing. MONDAY,  day before birthday celebration  lunch with the Chrismans. Guest Muriel Quinn Sparklers! My wonderfully decorated and socially isolated table Zion, fresh from his bath and de-shedding wonders why he was bot the centre of attention! Donna Chrisman Jack Chrisman joined us to say grace and offer a birthday blessing and then retreated to his room.   He is totally deaf (a different kind of isolation), so my party was not his thing. In sadly typical fashion (mea culpa)   there is no photo' of the worker, Jack and Donna's daughter Ashley. She prepared a great meal  -  barbecued chicken, deviled eggs, potato salad, cole slaw, seedless water melon chunks ...

https://youtu.be/D2ssrf99e6w

I had a test for Covid 19 infection this morning. It was free of cost at the University Town Abomination in Sarasota.  I happened to be in the area  (having taken Zion for his bath and de-shedding nearby). The site, at the south end of the Mall is so very well organised.  You can't go wrong.   It's staffed by some County Sheriffs (for traffic control); but mostly by Florida's Army National Guard.  The staffers couldn't have been more gracious. I was there soon after 10:30 a.m. (and was the only "client" in line). The nasal swab itself is painless and takes about three seconds. I believe that testing is very important, and give my Sarasota/Manatee friends the heads up about this particular site.

Bob S is one of the Bayfront walkers I meet most mornings.  He and his friend and business associate Susan step it out together most mornings, not only around Bayfront Park, but also across the Ringling Bridge and back. Bob is a business man whose company, to quote him, runs itself. So he is about to set out on a great adventure. He will be taking his R.V. (with his car on a trailer) all the way west to the Grand Canyon.   There he will work a security staff member at a camp ground on the north rim -  so isolated that the nearest town is eighty miles away. Bob  "the big heart" is taking two Rotary Club male exchange students (high school) as far as  Las Vegas -  just for the ride, and to see some of this big country; together with one of Bob's pals; and his two teenager daughters. With all that in mind I, in a lighthearted mood, said that I should bless the RV and Bob before the big adventure begins. He took the idea seriously, so we met...