Povey Prattle

Via my friend Dr. Bill T., former Superintendent of Schools for the City of Pittsfield, MA; subsequently for the Mt. Greylock School District in northern Berkshire County - also in Massachusetts.  He is a good and well respected educator.

  Zion and I were at the Sarasota Military Academy yesterday to share some canine love, following the sudden death of a cadet (student). One of the cadets took this photo' and was nice enough to send it to me.

  My eyesight I told you recently about the odd ocular phenomena which occurred immediately  after my Covid 19 vaccination: (the jagged haloes around street lights and auto headlights; and the beams of  light emanating from street lights and outdoors house lights). This morning I still experienced  the jagged halo effect, but saw no beams. Who knows if this had anything to do with the vaccination? At the urging of wise friends I have slated an appointment with my Optometrist  to be on the safe side.  He  (and it is a he ) will refer me to an Ophthalmologist if there are any signs of eye disease. ------------------------------------------------------------------- What I saw This afternoon at Arlington Park in Sarasota Stock photo' Iguanas are an invasive species in southern Florida. Some may have been stowaways on ships from the Caribbean. Others may have been "exotic pets" let loose. I'd  heard that Iguanas are spreading as far north as SRQ; but this is the first I

  My eyes and the Moderna Covid 19 vaccination I wrote yesterday  about the odd ocular phenomenon as I drove home after my first vacc.  The street lights; and the headlights of oncoming cars seemed to have what I can only call a jagged halo, or corona. This image of the Sun, from a children's book, "sort of"  how I perceived those lights. A centre light and a jagged halo. I drove with great caution, and was glad to arrive home, safe and sound. This morning as I walked Zion at 5:00 a.m. I saw the oddest thing. From every street light and outdoors house light I perceived a beam of light, quite separate from the ambient light. For illustration only 'Twas all very odd. We are not used to seeing individual beams.    In fact,  when I walked through a street with four houses on the same side, each with an outdoors light, I saw four beams, first far apart, and then converging into one beam at my point of sight. Soon after 6:00 a.m. I took to the roads again, on my way to a Sa

 My second oldest sister; and her daughter, my youngest great-niece. Here's a generational photo' for you.

  First vaccination today at 7:00 p.m.  (Moderna)  Publix Pharmacy on University Parkway, SRQ was efficient. I had an unforeseen side effect affecting my eye sight. At the top of the street lights there were arrow shaped sparkling "crowns" . This was disconcerting, so I was glad to get home safely. (I wonder if the vaccine also dilates one's pupils.) I'll choose to be driven for my second vaccination on 30th March

Earlier today I posted a bit about the Welsh Saint David's Day: March 1st. Unfortunately the "Google Translate" app.  misled me,  so that my posting in Welsh had to do with St. Valentine, rather than with David of WALES. ( thanks Annie R for pointing this out). The symbol for David of Wales is the leek; probably because he was most likely a vegetarian.  Who wants to wear a Leek as a  buttioner   (sp?) .  NOT A SOUL.  Thus the Daffodil has supplanted the leek as a symbol for Wales. TOSH!  Long live the Leek. Sautéed in Coconut  milk;  with a Welsh lamb chop, and Baby potatoes. Coming soon to my stomach! Who could ask for anything more?  .

 

  This week - Fish Soup -based on a recipe from Brazil. White fish  (in this case Hake) bathed in a fresh lemon juice and garlic sauce. Into a saucepan,  to be cooked   with zucchini,  baby white potatoes, multi-coloured grape tomatoes, and a bit of chorizo -   in  coconut milk. Don't ask me about quantities -  they are the cook's choice. Ask me abut the finished product =   Utterly delicious  is my verdict, All I had to do was to  more or less follow a recipe

  The Cast of Characters.  Boys from the Greenbank/Easton/Whitehall districts of East Bristol. Some were members of the "Brethren Assembly" (see earlier posting about the Brethren) which met at Chelsea Gospel Hall. Others were local kids who attended the Sunday School but whose families were not Brethren. Back row l-r 1. Jeff Davies. (my lifelong friend) -  we became friends when I was 6 and he was 5. He was not "Brethren", but in due course he married Mary, a Brethren woman, approx. 55 years ago. They are dear Christians, though they (like me) left the Brethren.   2. Phil Wraight, our middle class Tent leader  - a good bloke.  3.  Steve? Hemmings - a local boy. Middle row l-r 1. Ray Smith, a local boy,  2. Pete Langdon, a Brethren boy.  His dad owned the Furniture Removal Firm's Van which was our transportation.  Pete was in quiet and subversive rebellion against the Brethren strictures, His mother was a sweet woman, his father a religious tyrant. Front Row l-