More Prattle from Povey

There is a bit of lore that when extras are filmed in movie background  conversations they are saying "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb". 'Tis probably not true, but in the U.K. the repeated words  "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb"  have come to mean "what a lot of nonsense". E.G.  a politician speaks in Parliament. It will be said that  "what a load of rhubarb" There is also the real vegetable.  Our local Detwiler's Farm Market had/has some. It's one of my favourites. I could not resist.  I bought some.  'Twas a bit sharp. After stewing it I added a bit of White sugar.  I wish that I'd had some Demerara sugar in my pantry. Sweetened up, I added some whole cream. SO GOOD!

  6:40 a.m. Bayfront Park Excitement at Bayfront Park At least seven Police Cars; and four Fire Department vehicles. A score or more of uniformed personnel ( Police and Firefighters)   All binoculars focused on a blue Catamaran in the mooring fields. I didn't hang around to see any action - (didn't want to get in the way). N.B   the first officer on the scene was a policewoman who ran  to the scene. Some male responders hurried; others rambled.

  My 2017 Kia Forte has discovered its self driving soul. Whenever we are within a mile of the downtown section of Sarasota's Central Ave. it drives me here.   ARTISAN CHEESE It would be rude of me should I disdain to make any purchases. Raw milk cheese from cows or sheep is the best! Two of these are from Vermont, one from Spain.

  The Church of the Good Shepherd, Fitchburg, MA.   From 1976-1980 I was successively Deacon in Charge, Priest in Charge and Rector.    Note the 'phone number! 30 Parsons St (later Parsons Circle) was the address of the Rectory. I lived there many years later).  Frederick Sleep  (always Mr. Sleep, never Fr. Sleep)  served there from about 1915 when the Church of the Good Shepherd was a Mission of the larger Christ Church, Fitchburg where he was on the staff.  When CGS achieved Parish status (1927) he was called to be the first Rector. I think that he retired in 1948.   He was an Englishman, a selling point when in 1976 the late Bishop Alexander D. Stewart foisted me upon the parish sight unseen.  Well, there are Englishman and there are English men! War time parish organisations. When I was appointed to CGS in 1976 my salary was approx. $7200 per annum.   I checked the comparative tables to discover that my salary had just about bested inflation. CGS was in the Paper Mill area of F

  FROM BAYFRONT PARK Sarasota 6:40 a.m. 28th May 2023. Old Sol was hidden.  Gorgeous cool breezes for Zion and me. Its been quite the day for walking on a warm but not humid day, 8:45 a.m . at Arlington Park; en route to Trader Joe's. 12:30 p.m. at Nate Benderson Park; en route to a mini reunion at Starbuck's (Honore and Fruitville) with four of the ALSO YOUTH folks.  They were pleased to see me, and over the moon happy to see Zion. 4:30 p.m.  back to Arlington Park. Walking:    Good for me.  Great for Mr. Z

  Semi Home Made My task was to peel and chop the juicy and ripe early South Carolina Peaches, and a Pear. The Cobbler bit came from a box by "Whistle Stop" .  Of course I had to blend it with melted butter (Kerrygold un-salted). Now to buy the ice cream.

  It would look like this Unfortunately neither Mr. Fortnum nor Mr. Mason sent me a birthday cake.

  This is the first time in oh so many years that  I could not call my Twin Sister on May 26th. Elizabeth passed from this life on 3rd January 2023.

  A facsimile  of the original Facebook works like a charm on our birthdays. For instance  I've been delighted to  receive  more than three score birthday greetings. WOWSER And there have been old fashioned birthday cards, and a few 'phone calls for Michaelday! Some have suggested a Feast of Cake.   Not a chance unless it is traditional British Fruitcake without layers of sickly sweet frosting.  I am a Fruitcake snob, and proud of it! My celebration was low key and lovely. A steak Quesadilla at our local Reyna's Taqueria with my dog walking fraquaintances Kent and Joan, who are about to move to Delaware. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

  My first King Charles III Postage Stamp, on a birthday card from my brother Martyn and sister-in-law Wendy (Blah!!!)

n LYRICS Lord, you have come to the seashore, neither searching for the rich nor the wise, desiring only that I should follow. O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores. Lord, see my goods, my possessions; in my boat you find no power, no wealth. Will you accept, then, my nets and labor? O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores. O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores. Tu has venido a la orilla No has buscado ni a sabios, ni a ricos Tan solo quieres que yo te siga Señor, me has mirado a los ojos Sonriendo, has dicho mi nombre En la arena, he dejado mi barca Junto a ti, buscaré otro mar Tu sabes bien lo que tengo En mi barca no hay o

https://youtu.be/PXHc_R7ZCGs In English   ------------------------------------------------------------------ https://youtu.be/2IAZS3jtfwc I prefer the song in Spanish

  The good car detailing guys uncovered a minor trove

  No "before" pictures thank goodness. I'm talking about my 2017 Kia Forte.   Six month's worth of dog hair, cigarette ash, and Zion drool. Dirty windows and seats inside. Every now and then whilst out and about  I've happened to see vans advertising "at home" car detailing. Turns out that the business is located about a mile from my home, in Kensington Park. I called, got an estimate, and set a time and date  (today at 8: 30 a.m.) The workers arrived 20 minutes early.   They set to work without fuss and bother.  My car emerged "as new". It was fairly pricey, but the work bested what I might expect at the local car wash. There I would have had to sit around twiddling my thumbs as one person did the detailing. With Andrade I could go about my business as three young men restored my car. And the price was not exorbitant considering that Mr. Andrade's expenses are high - employees, two vans on the road, equipment, insurances, cleaning  supplie

  Low cloud this morning, over the Water Tower, a wee bit east of I-75 in Sarasota. Photo' from the Nate Benderson Park.

  Meet Nala.  She is family with my (U.K.) brother M and sister in law W. Here she is on holiday in Cornwall What a handsome beast!  Maybe German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix; or maybe some Australian Huntsman.    Who Cares! Nala was a COVID adoptee.  Sadly her owner (a single mother) was understandably unable to give N. the attention and training she needed. Surrendered to a private Canine adoption agency she came into M and W's lives after a rigorous adoption  process. M has been faithful and firm with his training of Nala -  it was hard and worthwhile sledding.  She co-operated! Now N is  a well trained family member.  Kudos to my brother.

  Freshly cooked Croissant still warm from the oven.   From Mama G's (Sarasota)  a German Bakery! I served it with "Bonne Maman" Fig Preserves ( from France) Tres Bien!

  It's been a long, and un-necessarily complicated journey from 2nd November 2022 until today. 2nd November '22 - Cataracts diagnosed. 19th May '23  -  Semi-final sign off from Scott Hahn, O.D. I'll see him again in November  2023  Faithful adherence to eye drops regimes for both eyes.  Thank goodness for the charts! But my eyes (especially the left) are very dry.  I face a lifetime of Dry Eye applications. The Cataract surgeries did not bring about any astonishing changes in my eye sight.  Some friends had suggested that I would be  astounded at a new splendour in colours (akin to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel before and after restoration - which I have seen).   BUT    I no longer need spectacles for outside vision, e,g when driving.  And I do not need them for computer work where  it is possible to magnify the screen. I will need specs for reading books, magazines etc.  The cataract surgeon (Dr. Foster)  told me that this might be likely. GOOD MAN!    He advised

Purchased at Sarasota's  Artisan Cheese Company 550 Central Ave Sarasota, Florida 34236 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I get my "bonus money"  four times a year. It's my U.K. "Social Security" earned in the years before I went to seminary (i.e. 1960-1972) It's always time for a treat; and here is my wondrous May 2023 treat. Utterly wonderful! Ingredients : Raw sheep’s milk, cheese cultures, enzymes, salt TRADITION Pasamontes Manchego, made at the same location since 1896 has long been known as Spain’s best Manchego and has more recently been recognized as a consistent DOP winner. It is made proudly by M. Dolores Palomares Pasamontes, who is the 4th generation in her family to carry on the cheese making tradition. Her great grandmother started the dairy. The sheep are herded using traditional shepherding practices. When you sense the big bouquet, taste the complexity of flavors

  Off Zion trotted when I left him at the Bayside Pet Resort in Bradenton FL,  so that he would have a safe place whilst I had my second overnight breathing test. He didn't as much as look back at me.  It was as if he was saying "oh wow" another night with my favourite Auntie!" I was glad that he did not look back. My breathing test was a mixed blessing. More about this soon. Bayside opens at 7:00 a.m.   I was there this morning at 7:01. I paid the bill and sat down waiting for Z to be restored to me.  Out he came, straining at the leash.  Once he saw me he had no restrains. For the second time only  he lifted his paws to my neck, and greeted  me with  canine hug! Had he missed me? You betcha!  Here is the evidence.   I'd left a tee shirt filled with my sweat to be Z's overnight companion. Here is how he returned it to me. Chew, chew, chew. Rend the night away!  

  DO NOT    scratch even the tiniest itch on your body.  REMEMBER that you are on blood thinners. It's a lot worse than it looks, but it took a long time to staunch the bleeding. Now I am off to a Clinic for yet another overnight sleep study,  (after I have showered!)

    I have a horrible sleep pattern ( more about that soon - a CPAP machine is in my future) so I sleep in a recliner. At 2:30 a.m. this morning (Sunday)  Mr. Z plonked himself down alongside the recliner  -  a signal (I thought)  that he wanted some TLC.  He got it.   It was not enough.  As I tried to rest again he stood at the end of the recliner.  He was trying to tell me something. I heard him.   I jumped to my feet, put on shoes, and with Z raced across the street to a grassy area. Oh my!   Zion had been telling me that he had  diarrhea (in a big way!) I had two more night time alerts.   Honest to goodness.  My dear Z is so smart.  Thanks  to his alerts the big messes were outside.  GOOD BOY EH? I am grateful for his smartitude! He is being re-introduced to his regular diet with chicken and rice which by lore is the cure. THOSE WHO HAVE MET MR.Z WILL AGREE THAT HE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL COOL DUDE!

  I am a great admirer of the life and ministry of Temple Emmanu-el, a Reform Judaism congregation here in Sarasota.  I am grateful for the ways in which I can share in that life, even as I have no intention or need to convert to Judaism. I want to rejoice in the best of every religion. I could not resist participating in the Temple's Blessing of the Animals this morning.  (For clear and obvious reasons not linked to St. Francis Day). Zion with Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman. With Associate Rabbi Michael Shefrin, who used to be my near neighbour (in Glen Oaks Manor).  Rabbi S introduced me to Temple Emmanu-el. Z's Certificate of Attendance,  I chose the wording!

  I always give breakfast cereals.  After all food poor people can't exist on Rice and Beans. The other bag contains Trader Joe's excellent Beef Chili. M

  Not much of a Spring here, though we've had some wonderfully cool mornings. My Pagoda Plants ( Clerodendrum paniculatum)    display their particular beauty.

  Double dipping with MOHS surgery today; for basil c ell carcinomas.   (I hope I have this right.  I think that untreated  basil cells cancers can develop into the more dangerous squamous cell one, but I may have this the wrong way round). The nose job was straightforward. Not so for the  surgery just above my left eye brow. It  needed two cuts. ''Twas all very ;painless, but as you can see I am already developing a shiner.  The bandages/plasters which covers post procedure bleeding has to stay in place for 24 hours.  Onw reaches to my eye lid.  So for the while I have very limited sight from my left eye. This too shall pass before my final cataract surgery evaluation on May 19th. Oh how I am grateful for the Medicare plus insurance I have via the Church Pension Fund.  I pay each month for a Church  subsidised premium plan.    My co-pay today was  $10,    Who should be so lucky?

  I'd thought that my lunch today would be a jmp version of the wonderful Lamb Gyros as served at Greek Corner on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge, MA. As I wandered Trader Joe's I spotted "Garlic Flatbread, Indian Style"  (Nan). I thought "that'll do instead of Pita Bread". But it didn't .  Flatbreads (of course) do not have pockets for a filling. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I created my own open sandwich. Lamb, Kumato, and Mayo  (Duke's of course) on the Flatbread.   Not bad, but don't look for it at  meLANge anytime soon.

  Just Up The Road From Me For most of the year the skinny  trunk and branches you see to the left of the Palm  are bare and lifeless.  You'd think they were dead. Then (and it seems almost overnight) the branches give birth to leaves  and lovely blossoms. (The truck in the background is for workers who are installing a new a/c unit on the roof of one of our Villas. You can see the jib? of the Crane)

On the rare occasions when we city bound Poveys got out into the countryside and woodlands we rejoiced if we  saw a spring time Blue Bell Carpet. We'd pick a few, bring them home, and use a milk bottle for a vase. Picking is now discouraged, or even  forbidden, in the cause of conservation. That apart, they have a woodland beauty which cannot be matched in a vase. Photo' by my brother David.

  In Austin, TX last weekend our brilliant logistics expert, Libby Jones Gillen, rented a luxury twenty seater party bus for a city tour. Austin is famous for its Food Trucks. We went to a site for five or six such trucks.  There was something for everyone. One friend enjoyed New Orleans style Gumbo.   Another chose Pad Thai.  Grace, whose birthday we were celebrating, enjoyed Lobster Sliders  (Lobster in Austin!)  No more than thirty seconds into the site my mind was made up.  One truck advertised wraps  (gyros) with Lamb and Chicken. I cared not for the Chicken, so I ordered a Gyro with Lamb alone. I am nuts about Lamb.  I was not disappointed.  I scarfed down the Gyro with it's delicious, juicy,  and tender strips of Lamb. SWOON! It reminded me of the uber-super Lamb Gyros which I used to enjoy at the Greek Corner restaurant on Mass Ave in Cambridge, MA