Povey Prattle

My Face Book friend, and Episcopal Church colleague Mark Engle posted this on his page today. It's a lovely sentiment to which I subscribe, but I smiled as I realised that the original had been photo' shopped. For in my bathroom there hangs a print of the original work. and a companion piece  I bought both prints (maybe ten or more years ago) from the upscale "Womens Exchange" consignment store here in SRQ.  (Now known as "The Exchange") I enjoy both prints.   The originals are by the Swiss/French artist Theophile Steinlan.  from a day when advertising posters were art.   Read more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Théophile_Steinlen

  I have been fortunate enough to have visited two of the great cities of the world; viz Melbourne, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. In Melbourne I visited my friends Andrew and Felicity McGowan.  I remember a lively, buzzing City, filled with energy and vitality. In Beirut I was with my friends Hani and Rula Asfour;  at a time when Beirut was recovering from the disastrous civil war.  It was safe to be in downtown, where Rula and I had coffee at an al fresco coffee shop,  and where Hani and  visited Rula's father in the Hospital.   Now both cities are all but dystopian. Melbourne  because of what seems to be a savage renewal of COVID 19 infections . The City is deadly quiet.  The energy has been sucked out of the air. The lock  down is severe. Beirut because of that massive (and probably preventable) explosion. We all know the headlines.   It seems to be a wee bit more personal for me. Melbourne's great Queen Victoria ...

6th August 2020 Today my friend Ashley and I "broke out" to have lunch at Tampa's historic restaurant: "The Columbia " in Ybor City --   "The original  Columbia Restaurant , located in the historic  Ybor City  neighborhood in  Tampa, Florida , is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida,  the oldest  Spanish  restaurant in the United States   and one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world with 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms taking up 52,000 square feet over an entire city block.   Founded in 1905 in, the landmark is still owned by the Hernandez/Gonzmart family and serves Spanish and  Cuban cuisine ."    (From the Columbia website) There Ashley and I were joined by Ashley's maternal Aunt Barbara, who drove down from Inverness, FL   We had a jolly time, with good food; in an utterly gorgeous building,  which occupies  an entire City block. Of course we and ...

Not a new car, but it looks new. My 2017 Kia Forte was so horribly dirty that Zion would look around before jumping into the back seat, so that no one would see him get into such a miserable vehicle. Car detailing to the rescue. I recommend this business highly.   The owner and his employee worked for three hours straight, restoring inside and out to an almost pristine condition. The price is similar to that of the top of the line detailing package at a bricks and mortar car wash. But instead of being in a stark or dreary waiting room, I could go about my business  (including a long nap) in the comfort of my home. Good men.   Good work.

In the U.K. often called a Beef Burger. In the U.S.A. (and other places)  simply a Burger. To be a (Beef) Burger it must be made with ground beef;  about 80% (and no more) lean; dripping with fat. YES dripping with fat; so unhealthy, but utterly delicious.  A once a year treat for me ( a week or two ago at "Culver's".) Not made with beef?   then this British expert on Burgers asserts that it is not a Burger! There is no such thing as a Chicken Burger, or a Turkey Burger; or a Salmon Burger, or a Liver Burger (that  last one made you think!).   HA! Ha Again!! But there are acceptable alternatives. Take this for example: From Trader Joes.   Not purporting to be a burger. Clearly stating that it is meat less and plant based. Totally delicious in its own right. Utterly good for vegans, and for adventurous meat eaters!

I don't know anything about this Landscaping Company, but I think that it has a clever name.

My friend and near neighbour Bill Byers has an eye for great photographs. Each year he gives his friends a calendar which he has produced and privately printed for his friends; a calendar which features the best of his photo's. Here is the August 2020 photo', taken in 2019  at Glen Oaks Manor, Sarasota where he lives. Such delicate beauty.  Not of human creation, and like the beginning of a piece of fine Belgian lace. Ain't evolution wonderful! Huzzahs for spiders!