Povey Prattle

  Many of us have a kitchen "catch all"  drawer housing implements which we use from time to time, but not every day. Here is mine. Spatulas, cheese graters, spud or parsnip masher, electric whisk, pizza slicer (which I always forget ' cause I rarely eat pizza), serrated large spoon,  ladles etc. And in this drawer was a wooden spoon, perhaps the least hi-tech and everyday used utensil.   I make a  lot of soups. Tired of rooting around in my "catch-all" drawer I moved my beloved wooden spoon into another drawer from which I could find it more easily. "Find it more easily" you ask? That's the theory. But yesterday of course   I went back to the catch-all drawer to find and use the wooden spoon.  It was not to be found. I was convinced  that my much used wooden spoon had done a bunk.  Reasonable  thought told me that kitchen tools do not de-materialize.   My mind re-engaged.  "You idiot", I said...

 via Bruce L.,  from the website "A Cambridge Diary"

  I took the famous Mr. Zion for a bath and grooming today.  I specified a "light" trim. Well, what does "light" mean in this context? I had one thing in mind.  The groomer another. So here he is, all shorn.    No more curls along his back.  No more "skirt" under his haunches. Mr. Z doesn't give a fig. I'll be patient until his beautiful coat and curls re-emerge.   But I wont use his groomer for my own next hair cut ; and on our next visit I will specify a  very light trimming, not a shearing.

  I came crashing into the 21st Century (C.E.) the other day when I heard an NPR radio programme about Kombucha. I bought some yesterday. The reported and un-tested health benefits  report that this, that, or the other  may  happen. I am told that if I swig this my body will emerge like that of a High School; my mind like Einstein's; my wisdom like that of Socrates.  I exaggerate! OOPS   m...........a........y is a very   e...l..a..s...t..i...c  word. My friend  Ashley tells me that Kombucha has a foul taste, and that I should probably drink it at the rate of  one shot-glass full a day. On the other hand I am a bit partial to fermented foods; so I will try a fermented beverage  (not beer you silly-billy),  

  Once in a great while one of our local SRQ Markets will have Smelts.  Oh Yum! This was my breakfast today.  Smelts cooked in a "George Foreman" type counter top grill;  juicy tomato,  a French "Milk Roll". Sublime! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smelt_(fish)

  Meet and Greet My friends John and Gordon have a new family member.  She is "Ginny", a gorgeous Golden Retriever puppy. I took Zion to a meet and greet with Ginny today.   The dogs  did so well Almost the first thing that Ginny did was to roll over on to her back; indicating that she  was perfectly comfortable with Z,  and why not?    (Regret no photo' of Ginny on her back.) J and G are doing a sterling job in their early days training of Ginny. She is learning good behaviours. She  and I had an early love-fest, about which my good Z. was cool.   Oh how gorgeous! My head, Ginny and Zion The big boy and the little girl; doing so well together. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A treat There was an ice cream van in the parking lot at Arlington Park last Sunday.  An ice cream van with a twist.  The owners were selling Canine frozen treats. I could not resist.  Partly for Zion's sake; and partly 'cause I wanted...

  This arrived in the mail on Saturday 20th March 2021 Such a naughty  act last Feb on my way with Zion to Arlington Park in Sarasota. I wanted to call the Police Dept. and say "but I didn't mean to do it". Then I remembered that as a kid if I stepped out of line I might say "but Mum/Dad I didn't mean to do it".  "But you did it" they would say. So I'll cough up the mandatory $158   fine. Uncle Joe Biden sent me $1,400 in "stimulus money" .  I am stimulating the local  Governmental "pot" this month by almost $400  with this fine; and with  the renewals of my Driving License   (for seven years); and my  Vehicle Registration for two: both due this year. And so it comes and goes. but I am still better off  than many a good and hardworking citizen who does not have the benefits of a work pension and Social Security which are mine,