More Prattle from Povey

  In spite of the drought my Pagoda Plants are doing well.

  Off to England soon.  People ask me "are you excited?".  I reply "no, I am delighted" I'll be seeing a ton of my family members  (we are a huge extended family ).  Four seminary friends, (we graduated between 1974 and 1976)  and their wives. My friend Jeff (we've known each other since I was six and he was five and a half). And the list goes on -  oh the blessedness of connections! Just for now I am documenting my visits on an old-fashioned calendar.  'Tis easier than opening my google calendar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sad to say Geier's Sausage Kitchen has not yet re-opened since a disastrous fire earlier this year. Oh the lack of fine German hams!

  A few hours ago I called my neighbour Ruth Ann.  She picked up the 'phone.  I said "Hello, this is Ruth Ann". Followed speedily with "Oh no, I am Michael, you are Ruth Ann". Help!

  I first grew a beard in about 1967.   It was a raggedy affair which drew no glory to the very concept of beardedness. It had to go - who wants a moth-eaten chin. I tried again in 1975.  The Mark II beard emerged in all its red-headed glory.   Oh such wavy hair; and a beautiful girl friend too. I was in Chicopee MA in the early eighties. Don was a hair dresser and an occasional worshipper at St. Christopher's Church where I served.  He'd come to my home to take care of my hair.  One time I asked him to shave my beard. He was more than reluctant to do so, saying that I'd regret it. I persisted. Within ten minutes of being de-bearded I regretted my choice. Don had been right!  I regrew a beard, now whiter than red.  You all know it. Or rather "knew it".   I've been using the same Barber (Patrick's on No. Beneva) since 2006 when I moved to Sarasota. Pat has taken on his grandson as an apprentice.  Most of we old farts prefer to have Pat to do his good work.

  Hundreds of Millions face starvation in many countries. Food Banks are ubiquitous in so called developed countries.  Food insecurity is ever present in the U.K. and the U.S.A. Once a year  (suspended at the height of the covid pandemic) The United States Postal Service helps to sponsor a food drive.  We leave food by our mail boxes and the letter carriers take it to a local staging area. I usually give breakfast cereal.

  More Prattle from Povey is up and running again. I'll post tomorrow