Povey Prattle

  Christian Z  is the New York city correspondent for Suddeutsche Zeitung,  Germany's leading daily newspaper. We met on the QM II in 2017 on our voyage from Southampton to NYC. He is in town to research an article for his paper on Sarasota and the General Election.  I have been able to to put him in touch with both Democrats and Republicans who have been willing and able to talk with him.   Christian came to my home this evening.  We chomped on good "take out" food from Sarasota's Siam Gulf Restaurant. Then we talked, and we talked, and we  talked.  I was scarcely aware of the time. I am going to bed two hours later than my usual time. Maybe I was a wee bit too hard  on myself in yesterday's blog post. But only  a wee bit too hard.  Nonetheless I am grateful that i was able to relax for three hours.

  I dined out last evening (11th Sep)  at a delightful restaurant on Orange Ave, Sarasota. I wasn't deeply hungry so I had the soup of the day, which looked something like this It was good, but because it was the soup of the day and not on the menu I can't remember what it is called! I was with my friends and neighbours Rick and John.  We were there to greet Christian D who is the New York city correspondent for Suddeutsche Zeitung,  Germany's leading daily newspaper. I met Christian in 2017 when we were both on the Queen Mary II, traveling from Southampton to New York. He is in town to prepare a feature article for  Suddeutsche Zeitung on Sarasota and the General Election. We had a good time.  The food was fine, and the company was excellent. But I did not have a great time.   Nothing to do with Rick, John, Christian; or the food. It wasn't great because I find it almost impossible to relax in the moment.    It's a curse, bu...

  I am crazy about the foodstuffs of my youth.  This is my third postin g about one of them: viz  Shepherds' Pie. Made yesterday, enjoyed today. Leftover and minced Leg of Lamb. Mixed veggies. Coleman's Shepherds' Pie mix:  available in the International Foods aisle of many U.S. Supermarkets. A topping of russet potatoes: pealed, sliced, cooked, and mashed with all too much heavy cream and butter. It's the mashed spuds which make the Shepherds' Pie so utterly grand. I call it "British Gourmet/ Peasant Food at its best!"

  "Amazon recommends to me the books I have already written". Margaret Heffernan yesterday  morning,  on the NPR programme "On Point". ------------------------------------------------------------ So much for Silicon Valley (which she calls Sillycon Valley),  and the use of predictive analytics.

  Michael Vono and I entered the (Episcopal) Diocese of Western Massachusetts at about the same time in 1976/77. He was the Curate at All Saints' Church in Worcester, MA.  I was the Priest in Charge at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Fitchburg, MA We soon became good friends; the two Michaels:   sometimes known as Vicar Vono and Parson Povey. After a spell as Rector at Christ Church, Rochdale, MA Michael Vono was called to be the Rector at the Episcopal Church of St. Paul's within the Walls in Rome, Italy.  I visited him there thrice, and preached at St. Paul's twice. In 1999 he and I had  a splendid holiday in Greece. Michael Vono's ministry at St. Paul's within the Walls (1992-2010) was in a word:  " spectacular". Then he was elected to be the Bishop of the Episcopal Church Diocese of the Rio Grande ( New Mexico and West Te x as ). He and I lost contact not for any ill will, but because  I knew that Bishop Vono had very little free ...

  Bethel Lane, off Fruitville, about two miles east of I 75.  First left after Sarasota Central Blvd. First building (on the left).  Sarasota Military Academy Prep School  (who knew?) A bit north on Bethel Lane.  Bethel Mennonite Church (unexciting, unattractive  buildings.) At the end of the lane, a field, and an archway. It's the Archway to the dead end:  Bethel Mennonite Cemetery.  Who  knew that Sarasota has a Mennonite Cemetery. There was no obvious street entrance to the Cemetery, so I drove over the field (Sunday 6th  2:00 p.m.) Like a modern day Lych-Gate "Typical" Mennonite names - seen also in Pinecraft; Sarasota's Amish/Mennonite neighbourhood. Driving back to Fruitville Rd I saw another Mennonite Church, with a cut in from the road, immediately east of Bethel Lane. Two Mennonite Churches within sight of each other!   'Tis not surprising to Sarasotans.  In Pinecraft there are three Mennonite Churches within half...

Just realised that my new meat grinder has a somewhat ambiguous name.