Povey Prattle

"This joyful Eastertide", one of my favourite Easter Hymns. Best sung by a good choir, in this case from King's College Cambridge, U.K. https://youtu.be/5tipsbcfuB4

Passover begins today (April 19th 2019) at Sundown.  The Seder, a both solemn and joyful meal, commemorates G-d's liberation of Israel from bondage in Egypt. Seders take place in Synagogues and in homes. The Passover meal ceremonies vary from Jewish community to community.  Whatever the ritual the essential theme is freedom, and gratitude. In the Jewish diaspora the usual custom is to hold two seder meals.  This is never the case in Israel. Here is why: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/do-i-need-to-have-two-passover-seders/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I suppose that it is impossible now to sit at Table for Seder without thinking of the horror of the    Sho'ah, ( meaning  "calamity" in Hebrew), even though there is a Jewish day of remembrance  “ Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah “  which takes place a week after the seventh day of passover.

"To Mock Your Reign O Dearest Lord" Lyrics   The Revd. Fred Pratt Green (Dec'd) Tune   "The Third Tune " Thomas Tallis https://youtu.be/5hsT2vMQHGM To mock Your reign O dearest Lord They made a crown of thorns Set You with taunts along the road From which no one returns They did not know as we do now That glorious is your crown; That thorns would flower upon Your brow Your sorrows heal our own In mock acclaim O gracious Lord They snatched a purple cloak Your passion turned for all they cared Into a soldier's joke They did not know as we do now That though we merit blame You will Your robe of mercy throw Around our naked shame A sceptered reed O patient Lord  They thrust into Your hand And acted out their grim charade To its appointed end They did not know as we do now Though empires rise and fall Your Kingdom shall not cease to grow Till love embraces all

"The Servant Song"    especially at the Foot Washing. (Text is displayed on the video) https://youtu.be/32jWTAIHXgE

Dogs are both inquisitive and cautious about something new.  This was essential in their evolutionary development. This vital evolutionary behaviour is a living stream, which I even now observe in Zion the wonder dog. He needed a new bed. I had a Four Poster Canopied Bed in mind, but I could not find one in canine size. So I settled for this: He's tried it out, but he  is not yet excited or appreciative.    True to canine form he is both inquisitive and cautious. Ain't evolution and adaptation wonderful!

In 1991 I spent three wonderful months on sabbatical leave in Atlanta GA.  I have a ton of tales about that sabbatical. As my time there drew to a close, my friend and former colleague Mary Lou La Vallee was in town.  We went to a superb performance of Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass " at a big and prosperous Presbyterian Church on Peachtree St.   https://www.napc.org   (Probably this one, but I can't be sure) Formal sabbatical over  I set off for a driving tour in  Europe where I was joined by my Pittsfield, MA friend Joe S. We had lovely days in Italy and in Geneva, Switzerland from where we drove to Paris, arriving on a Sunday afternoon. Of course we did not have Hotel reservations!   But I had a wee sense of the geography of Paris so I directed Joe (the driver) to the left bank and the Sorbonne area.  I told Joe "if you see a street parking area take it ".  He did, and we found ourselves to be  almost across the street from an inexpensive hotel

When I was in Australia (2011) I took a Boat trip down the Yarra River from Melbourne to Williamstown.    I had to see the only other Williamstown in the world - alongside Williamstown MA. I decided to return to Melbourne by taking a train from Williamstown, rather than traveling  back on the boat. I had to change trains at Newport (VIC) Australia. Just outside the Station I was amused to see this business I had visions of an early Ford Motor Company assembly line in which a dirty dog was cleaned up as she/he went down the line. --------------------------------------------------------- It's not that automatic.   I found that out today as I used the DIY Dog Wash at the intersection of Beneva and Webber here in Sarasota, a couple of miles from my home Zion was a trooper as I bathed him and dried him Good DIY Dog Wash.  Good Dog as he enjoyed his wash. Sad that I will no longer be taking him to the Pet Groomers of