Povey Prattle

NOT REALLY!   Zion and I were walking in Arlington Park, Sarasota, FL on Friday 28th  Jan 2022. We encountered another walker with her dog Lola. The two dogs are not identical, but they are surely similar, I have decided that they are long lost cousins! Zion on the left.  Lola on the right. My skinny sweatpants legs in the middle!

The Revd. Manny Faria served with me at St. Stephen's Parish in Pittsfield, MA before  (in 2000) he moved to St. Peter's Church in Beverly MA where he served for twenty two stellar years as their Rector, retiring at the end of 2021. When we worked together Manny once said that I was quirky!  I liked and I like that. Why be ordinary! We got on very well, but Manny despaired of my timid approach to food.  For example there was a short lived French owned sandwich shop not far from the Church building. The bread was first class, but I, timid as ever, always opted for a "safe" filling.  Manny would often have a roasted vegetable sandwich. As he drooled I rolled my eyes. Twenty two years after Manny and I served together I am beginning to un-quirk myself, at least in the food department.  Manny is tickled pink that I have joined the ranks of "Foodies". FOR  INSTANCE 1 Rabbit Tacos at Sarasota's superb restaurant "Melange" (1568 Main St.)...

  I heard from my friend Carol S  who knows a thing or two about rockets.  She writes thus; When I worked in rocket science, we had a checklist. If it matched eight or more items, it was a “suspected missile”. Ten or more, “probable” missile. All twelve, “misseltov”. I don’t know how the Norks do it.  "Suspected missile"  is a technical term.    I suppose that the Herald-Tribune took a press release from an Agency, and reproduced it without comment. I've had my "rolling of the eyes fun", now Carol has set me straight. I think that I am glad about this, but I am not sure!    Thanks Carol.

 " North Korea fires 2 suspected missiles" "Puzzled in Sarasota" asks    What is a " suspected missile " ?

  “There is not much to report here on the way to heaven.”   The story of Jane Haining is the story of a Scottish woman who was deeply committed to her faith and who sacrificed her life for her ideals. It was her calling that took her away from her native Scotland, first to Budapest, and finally to Auschwitz, where she perished. Born in 1897, on a farm near Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, in Scotland, Jane Haining was appointed matron of the Girls’ Home of the Scottish Mission in Budapest, Hungary, in 1932. Haining liked Hungary and Budapest and soon became fluent in the language. She dedicated the remaining 12 years of her life to caring and teaching predominantly Jewish girls in the school next to the Girls’ Home. Responsible for 400 children from six to 16, she was loved and respected by the students as well as her colleagues who regarded her as the best matron they had ever known. By 1940, faced with the worsening situation in Europe, the Scottish missionaries were ordered to ret...

                                                       THIS    Outside of my screened in porch early this morning. A pelican (maybe a juvenile)  huddled up against the cold.  I've never before seen a pelican in such a pose. -------------------------------------------------------------------                                              THAT In my neighbourhood. I think that this repairs and improvements business is advertising that it will eliminate the need of the home owner to engage in projects.   But I am not sure!   'Tis surely a potentially ambiguous name for a business. (We are so bad that you will never again hire us for your project?) --------------------------------------------------...

  A couple of days ago I was beset by an Ear Worm which would not go away. You probably know it.  Based on a Neapolitan melody, it is sung in many languages throughout Europe. Here it is in German https://youtu.be/2owrymHigK4 You know it of course as  "My Hat it Hath Three Corners". Every Christmas we'd sing it as a party game at the Westminster, MA home of my dear (and now departed) friends Al and Doris Williams. They were parishioners at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Fitchburg MA.  We had a special bond 'cause Al, Doris and I hailed from Bristol, U.K.  I am blessed to remain in touch with their younger son Keith.  He lives in Cary N.C, with Annette his wife.  (I officiated at their wedding). The Ear Worm would not go away. It droned through my mind even as I drove home from an afternoon visit at Arlington Park with Mr. Z. Once home I picked up my phone to call Keith and Annette. Guess what.  Keith had 'phoned m...

Grace and Wisdom at the Shabbat service at Temple Emmanu-el, Sarasota on January 21st 2022,   following the  attempted hostage taking at the Reform  Synagogue in Coleville, TX. N.B. Temple Emmanu-el's  Shabbat services are out doors during Covid-tide. https://fb.wahttps://fb.watch/aL1hJEudFL/tch/aL1hJEudFL/ Rabbi Glickman's words start at about 4O mins. They are profound.  And yes, they made me teary eyed. J. Michael Povey