More Prattle from Povey

  So there I was to buy a couple of bottles of wine for the New Year. I have a liking for German Red Wines. They are not available everywhere. It was when I got to the head of the line that I realised that I'd left my bill fold/wallet at home. I apologised to Erika the Clerk/Cashier  and explained that I couldn't buy the wine (and why). Erika responded "I'll buy them for you".  I protested. She resisted,  I suggested "only one bottle".  Not a chance,  Erika was firm.  She called a manager to verify a staff purchase. There are no superlatives to describe this burst of light in an often dark world.  Gratitude is the only word. I get goosebumps as I think about it. At my request the Manager directed me to a Total Wine website at which I could describe my experience. You can bet your life that I rushed to the site as soon as I got home. My plan was to go to Trader Joe's on New Year's Day to buy a nice plant for Erika.   I can't. More Kudos to Tot

  By Sydney Carter https://youtu.be/5jhAzbdKq6U?si=3-ej2PnRL50VNWav

  Breakfast today. A thick slice of so-called "Country White Bread",  toasted well. Spread with Kerrygold Butter from Ireland  (the best). Slathered with a Strawberry compote (a Christmas gift from my friend Rick P). So Good!

British food has received a bad rap.  That might have been deserved in post World War II years  when all manner of foodstuffs were in short supply.  It is no longer the case.  *** With that in mind I am pleased to introduce you to   https://jollyposhfoods.com Chicago based Jolly Posh Foods is run by a Londoner who sources only the best meats etc., and uses traditional Anglo/Scots recipes. I like their British Bangers  (of many varieties), and their U.K./Irish type Back Bacon.  JPF has expanded into making traditional U.K. Meat Pies, Pasties, Sausage Rolls etc., and Scottish Haggis (There is no rule that obliges you to buy a Steak and Kidney Pie. My testimony is that it is great  - perhaps I was weaned on it!) Do browse the website.  There is some Jolly Good grub there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ***    It  used to be the case that pub grub was reliable.  Sadly the British Local  Pub is becoming a thing of the past as social patterns have chan

 Thanks David S

  That's the family lore about the time our next door neighbour "Auntie Elsie" asked me the name of our beautiful cat. Those were the days  (1950's) when cats were fed with table scraps, and we put down milk for them to drink. Our family grew and the scraps diminished.  Tiger found himself a new home just up the road. All this is to say that although I am a dog person  (did you know that?) I have nothing against cats. Which is just as well because cats dominate Facebook alongside Bacon. Ah bacon! Our  local Indy Supermarket chain  "Detwilers"   sells it by the slice.  How very old fashioned. Just about every other week I buy five slices. Only five lest I become addicted.  The sum is that cats and bacon  have their very good place but only in moderation! (Here I need an emoticon for tongue in cheek). I find it impossible to be moderate about Geier's German Ham, and Mama G's bread.                        Five slices. I am a wimpy bacon addict.

  It's all about the tie. When Bob D of Pittsfield MA died - many years ago - his wife Ruth D gave me his collection of ties. The only one I wear is this Christmas tie.  I intended to ask my hosts at Christmas Day to take a photo' but forgot. So, on my way home I asked the clerk in a convenience store to do so. Why?  Every year I send a photo' of me wearing the tie to Sally M, B and R's daughter. It's an annual mark of my memory of her parents.

  None of the people  (Fred, Diana and Ann) None of the lovely table and my lamb dinner. Fred and Diana have a dog named Gustie. I have Zion  (in case you didn't know). Gustie and Zion like each other, though when Z stole G's favourite bone the latter was nice about it, but looked distinctly uncomfortable. Diana hid the bone.  Both dogs had compensatory treats, At dinner Gustie at my feet under the dining table Zion to my immediate left. Aren't those photo's more interesting than those of people?  (I'm not sure!) As I left the two dogs gave each other a nose to nose "kiss". ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Twas a lovely Christmas celebration with good people, good conversation, good food and  great dogs.

  Izzy, one of my good sisters in law, posted a photo' in which she was one of the marshalls in a long distance run.  (She also runs). I commented on a scarf she was wearing.  At first she thought I was being smart. I assured her that I truly liked it. It arrived at my home yesterday.  Of course I will wear it.

 Friends of mine are moving into community in which I live.  That's great. The Realtor also happened to live here until about a year ago. The buyer said to the Realtor "I understand that we have a mutual friend here" The Realtor replied "Zion!"

  I've not seen these Sesame Seed treats for sale since I was in Lebanon (maybe fifteen years ago).  Then I couldn't get enough of them. I found them today at BRAVO, one of our local Hispanic focused supermarkets.  I suspect that I'll be a regular Bravo customer.

  Meatloaf  75% beef, 25% Pork.  Plus some (here comes the commercial)  TRADER JOE'S ketchup - which actually tastes like tomato. Topped with Some for me and some to share. P.S.  It's not a family tradition.  I merely wanted to get your attention.

  My seminary in Nottingham U.K.  -  now closed.  I was there from 1972-1976.  In '75 and '76 I took courses at the University of Nottingham from where the I was awarded my Bachelors Degree in Theology. My theological education was sound. But it does not dominate my way of life. What does is the friendships I made in those years - dear men and women who are still my friends. Which leads me to ask  "Is the Holy One anx ious that we get our theology correct?" Or is he/she leading us to deep respect for human dignity which is incarnate in the friendships we nurture?

  I had lunch today with my dear friend Donna  (and His Nibs). We hadn't seen each other for a while. It was a joyful time, Donna's sister Barbara from Inverness FL was with us.      They will be together for Christmas and the New Year's Holiday. Today we were at   where you can get a half decent burger and fries. I chose to eat my burger sans bread.   It's my considered/opionated view that so many burger joints get a C- for their inferior rolls.  Back in the olden days one could order a bacon cheeseburger on what was called a "set up" at A "set up" was the burger served on toasted sandwich bread.    PERFECT! By the way, Friendly's having been driven to the ground when it was owned by Hershey's, is now under new ownership and re-building from the ground up. Having  had a breadless burger for lunch I had a simple ham and tomato sandwich on toasted DAVE'S BREAD for supper.  I spread the bread with  It added a lovely zing to the delicious sa

  I planed to have ham and eggs for breakfast.  Woe is me, I didn't have any ham in the fridge. Necessity is the mother of invention.  So (shock, horror, disbelief) I used spam which I had been saving for the coming dystopian age. Should I be ashamed of myself?  Please don't tell on me.

  But boy oh boy was it windy and chilly.   The man in the picture is one of the regular walkers.

  I've had nothing to do with training Zion.  He does the right thing by instinct/intelligence. When we get out of the car I take of his leash and move in to the front porch.  He always lets me go first. Then he waits until I open the front door. I'm supposed to say "in you go".  One day I mixed up my words and said "impetigo".  I know not why. It's now the word I use every time.  Z knows what I mean. Here he is, in the home of a neighbour.

  Bayfront Park Sarasota.  July 14th 2023, 7:00 a.m.

  I attend at least twice a week Today I bought  I gave one to a friend a week or so ago.  She reported that it is superb, so I'll give it a go. Pity that Trader Joe's (and all the other markets) don't sell pies such as this in old fart bachelor sizes. Ne'er mind, I'll share a few slices with some of my ageing single friends.

  Back in early November I thought that my forty year old chiming table clock was beyond repair. In a moment of impulsive panic ( I need my chimes)   I ordered a battery operated chiming clock from (of all places)  The Vermont Country Store. I was on a long back order and finally arrived yesterday after dark  (thank you UPS) I set it up today - a task that was easier than I had thought. It chimes only on the hour. (My real clock chimes every quarter hour).  There is a choice of three chimes, so it's now set to Ave Maria (for the season). It had a faux pendulum which annoyed me.  It was easily removed. I live in a very quiet home - the T.V. and the Radio are never on. Chimes are my delight. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.S.  I had a lovely neighbour (now deceased). Her first name was Dawn.  She married a Tom Chimes (a semi famous Philadelphia Muralist.  Yes, she became Dawn Chimes!

  Multi-coloured Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Mushrooms, Ribeye Steak (Zion had the fat)

  Multi coloured Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Mushrooms,  a wee piece of Ribeye Steak.  (Zion got the fat)

  Z and I took a stroll in Sarasota's Payne Park (* see below) last Sunday afternoon.  We watched as Mum on her roller blades and and the two boys on their scooters  (clearly twins - aged about four) drew to a halt.  The father (walking) lagged behind). One of the boys looked back, waved his hand and cried out "Daddy!". It was the sweetest sound I could hope to hear!  "Daddy!". The father and I crossed paths.  I said "Hi Daddy".  He smiled and laughed.  My heart was full. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.escape-to-sarasota.com/payne-park.html

                            CHOOSING  FROM THE MENU e.g.  "I'll have a Garibaldi on Foccaccio" "I'd like a Cavour on Ciriola" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.S.   Buried in the Menu is the Mussolini; Tripe  served on stale Wonder Bread.

  Ghastly (no offence to Polaner) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- So much better!    ( can be bought from British Foods Online sources) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mint-sauce-for-lamb/ Best!    (I use malt vinegar)

  Roasted Lamb  (my favourite). 'Twas boneless,  I prefer bone in, skin  on but it's hard to come by). Braised with multi-coloured carrots, kumatos, shitake mushrooms; and served with mint sauce (not that abominable mint jelly!). The Lamb was slightly over done  (I like it pink in the centre) but it was still beautifully moist.

When the staff  member at  the Dermatological Clinic called me on Wednesday  with a reminder of my appointment on Thursday  I said "Is this is for the Red Light Treatment?"    The clerk answered "yes".   It wasn't.  It was to have some MOHS surgery near my right jaw bone.   However the surgeon, Dr. Bogart, was pleased that I had shaved.  That gave her better access to remove the pre-cancerous spot.   The shaving revealed a condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis where the beard has been.  No wonder that's been itching constantly.  The Dr. prescribed a medical face wash to clear it up.   The Pharmacy called to say that the wash is not covered by insurance.  So I'll pay out of pocket ($155!)   Now for my new look!  Friends like it.   Dr. Bogart said that it makes me look younger.  I said "if you say sexy I'll keep the beard off"  She laughed and said that I shouldn't press her to utter inappropriate speech..  'Twas all very light heart

 Photo' by my brother Dave

  6:00 a.m.   Walking Zion in the dark at the Nathan Benderson Park. I have one of those nifty personal headlights. Why so early?   I had an ultrasound slated for 7:30 a.m. Walking the dog, going  home for black coffee, and a shower before the appointment Ultrasound on time!   So far, so good. Then the silliness began. Background 1. I am slated for the dreaded Dermatological "Red Light" procedure on Thursday 7th at 10:30 a.m.  My surgeon asked that I should have a close shave and get rid of my sideburns. Background 2. I have used the same Barber (Patrick) since I moved here. He has taken on a grandson as an apprentice.  Everyone wants Patrick to be the barber of choice.    I decided to give the grandson a whirl.  He is a bit goofy and he went overboard.  Do you recognise me?" It didn't end there The three of you who read and enjoy my blog will remember that I recently had my wonderful chiming clock renovated. Woe is me. Within weeks it stopped chiming and was erratic

 

  Tricycle sales and rentals

  At Arlington Park today

 Back in 2007I bought two prints from an upscale consignment store in Sarasota.  It was then called the Women's Exchange, now it is simple The Exchange. It raises money for Arts and Educational programmes in the City. My prints don't photograph well, but this is what  they look like, (pictures from the web) Christopher Smart writes about his cat Jeffrey https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45173/jubilate-agno I sing with Zion. "I'm walking with Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. I'm walking onwards with Zion, the beautiful canine from God"

 

The  Christian tradition is to observe Advent, not to  celebrate it.

  'Twas a wee bit bland but with the advice of a former U.K. Prime Minister I spiced it up. Those who know will know.  Those who do not know should do a google search for the Rt.Honourable James Harold Wilson.

(1)    She is for me a very attractive woman. She walks with great energy at Bayfront Park. At first we would utter a friendly wave.  I took it one step further and one day  asked "Are you a Nurse?" For you see I had dreamed that I was in the Hospital and she was my nurse.   Funny thing is that she had been taking care of her husband at home after his surgery. Then she disappeared.    I worried a bit, what with Covid and all that. A nice encounter!  We happened upon each other again this morning. Whoop De Doo x 2 (2)   I've been dieting on my consumption of NEWS.   I am convinced that participation in the twenty four hour news regime is harmful to my soul.   So I get the first draft of daily news on Public Radio in the morning, and also check some U.K. Newpapers. Then I leave the news alone in favour of music from our WSMR  classical station. There are occasional treats.   The other morning is was Mozart's Turkish Rondo.  Oh such memories.  Memories of the teenager at