Povey Prattle

  From Stellenbosch University, South Africa.  Enjoy! https://youtu.be/PCa8RxaOPW8 I am sorry, but I do not know which of the many South African languages in which this is sung. But I do know two things. First.  Stellenbosch University was the educational power house of the apartheid regimes.   How things have changed! Second.  Music like this knocks the dispassionate and polite Anglican Musical tradition; and  the wacky Praise Music tradition into a cocked hat.

  He is my brother-in-law Bernard Theobald  (Bern) the husband of my oldest sister Maureen (Povey).  24th April 2021 marks his 91st birthday. The celebrations for his 90th birthday last year were somewhat muted because of the COVID 19  restrictions to movement in the U.K. This year he will be with my sister; with his four children and their spouses; and with some if  not all of his six grandchildren (and maybe some great grandchildren). Bern is utterly loved, respected and admired by his immediate family. More than that his extended Povey in laws,  (I am one), think the world of him. Bern has a deep faith in God.  He and Maureen are part of an evangelical Baptist Church  of the very best ilk; a congregation in which love for God, and the love of God does not leave room for judgement of non believers. YES! Not much ruffles Bern.  His Pastor famously said "Bern if you were any more laid back you you would be horizontal!". Please join the e...

  Z ion and I often meet Z eus , a Pit Bull.  Zeus is usually with one or the other of what appear to be two brothers. One brother is cautious and steers his dog away from Zion. The other brother is more relaxed and enable the dogs to go nose to nose. We saw Zeus on last Wednesday afternoon. As Zion and I got back to the parking lot we met a newbie - a mixed breed puppy called Zora. Zora wasn't sure what to make of my big Zion.  She seemed to be both intrigued and nervous. Zion was at his best. He stood rooted to the ground, tail a'wagging. Zora's owner gently encouraged her to move towards Zion.   That she did. and quickly began to enjoy the sweet attention of her "big new friend". My wonderful Zion has a wonderful way of calming wee puppies. I am sure that he exhales valium.

  Before the COVID 19 restrictions Z and I made regular visits to the memory unit at Discovery Village. We would be there each Wednesday morning just in time for the daily activity session.  The residents would be seated in a semi-circle. Zion was like Queen Elizabeth II at some function or other.  He would move around from person to person, each one greeting him turn my turn. Until he got to Tina.   She would weep for the joy of seeing him.  He would roll on to his back so that she could rub his belly. -------------------------------------------------------- We are back at Discovery Village in a limited way; chiefly to visit a resident who is a personal friend. We visited my friend the other day.  On our way out we saw Tina as she walked a corridor  with the assistance of staff members. I dropped Z's leash.  He ran to Tina.  She smiled; then she wept. Her canine pal was back! 'Twas a tender moment for me; for the staff members...

  Sunday April 18th Zion and I took an afternoon walk in Sarasota's lovely Arlington Park. Around a bend came two lads (maybe 8 or 9 years old) on their inline skates. For the sake of prudence I never talk with unaccompanied youngsters in my park walks. One of the lads was fixated on Zion.  Then the adult came around the same bend.  Now I was free to say to the lads "you can pet my dog if you wish". As the one who seemed to be fixated on Z did so, a light went on in my memory.  "Why" I exclaimed "it's Isaac".  And a bit later to the adult "you are Denise". Denise and Isaac were the Mom and son I often met at Arlington Park pre-covid. Mom would take an older son (Ben) to Sarasota High School, then to creatively kill time before Isaac's  school time she would bring the "son of laughter" (Isaac)  to A.P. for  his skate board practice. One day Denise brought decadently sweet donuts from the Five O'Clock Donut shop on Ringlin...