More Prattle from Povey

My friends Pat and Laurie are visiting from Cambridge MA Together with Cooper we celebrated the New Years at Boo's in Sarasota.  (check their website)   Boo's is a great place. Located in a former Ice House it features a play area for small dogs and one for larger dogs.  The amazing thing (today) is that thirty or so dogs romped and raced with never a cross word. Human Mums and Dads look on even as they as they munched on Pizza or Burgers and drink beer, wine or soft beverages. No Cooper in this photo' Cooper had a ball.  He fell in love with handsome Doberman!

  This man brings treats to Arlington Park. ( Cooper's Tummy is sensitive so he doesn't get one)

  FUYO PERSIMMONS Peel those tough skins back and enjoy the epitome of ripe, sweet, and juicy flesh My Cambridge MA friends Laurie and Patrick are visiting.  I'd planned to take them to the famous Walt's Fish Market and Restaurant for dinner. "The best laid plans......"  There was a one hour waiting time. BAH! I back tracked to the Shakespeare English Pub on So. Osprey. There Laurie and I had the best fish and chips we'd tasted in years. Chips which were crispy not soggy.  The best fish batter I've ever had.     Ever!  Utterly crisp - a worthy home for the Cod inside.   YES!  SO GOOD! I made sure to ask our server to convey my thanks to the Chef. As for the server.  She knew her task - to be friendly and efficient; but not to pretend that she was our new best friend.  She deserved her "over the top" gratuity.

  Make your own hasselback potatoes recipe - Sear Or order them here https://www.mackenzieltd.com/hasselback-potatoes

  British/Irish Back Bacon and Chipolata Sausages All American Hash Browns with H.P. Sauce Feeble Toast Quality meats sourced locally in Chicago.  Used in Jolly Posh Foods, a firm created and owned by a Limey; using traditional/oldfashioned British receipes. jollyposhfoods.com

  I took Cooper to the 17th St. Dog Park in Sarasota early this afternoon. We saw a number of dogs whose pleasure was to play the rear end sniffing game. They ignored Cooper. Their owners were chit-chatting and gossiping.  They too gave  Mr. C a wide berth. This reminded me of a first time Church attendee who is urged to attend post service Coffee Hour,  only to be ignored by the regulars.

  A good friend sent me two Christmas Cards this year. I'll save the second one and open it on Christmas 2025

  Such fun!

  The late Ruth Disbrow (Pittsfield MA) gave me her husband Bob's  collection of ties after his d eath.   One of them was Christmassy tie which I wear every year in their memory. But what about the Black eye?  How disappointing it must be for you to learn that I was not scrapping with someone who refused to say Merry Christmas!  (my tongue is in my cheek!} ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I saw a Doctor on Christmas Day (on another matter).  His best guess is that I had been rubbing my eye very fiercely as I slept and burst a blood vessel 'Tis likely.  If I forget to use eye-drops my eyes become all too itchy, even as I try to sleep. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once a year I allow myself colourful sock and slippers. My lovely niece Nicola gave me the slippers. On they go but on only one day each year.  Maybe I should...

I was the Vicar at St. Christopher's Church.   At a Christmas service I heard Gesu Bambino for the very first time.   It was played on the flute (with organ accompanist) by a young woman whose last name was Hoover - I regret that I forget the first names of the Hoover sisters. I WAS ENCHANTED The other day I was racking my brain (to no avail) for the name of the music. This morning WSMR  our local Public Radio Classical Music Station  came to my aid.   The Station played Gesu Bambino as sung by the incomparable Jessye Norman. I hope that this link will take you to her music. https://youtu.be/LNgZJrKtml8?si=1D5mfZ2JIgEBcEG

 A Christmas gift from Muriel

Harmonised by J,S, Bach for the soaring tenors https://   youtu.be/O4cgm6gM_Qs?si=sy03zYR3q_Mvob3v Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly light,an d usher in the morning. O shepherds, shrink not with affright,  but hear the angel's warning: This child, this helpless little boy,  shall be our confidence and joy, The pow'r of Satan breaking,  Our peace eternal making. " Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light" is a Christmas hymn from the German Lutheran tradition. The original German stanza was written by Johann Rist in 1641, with an English translation by John Troutbeck. The melody was composed by Johann Schop, and the harmonization was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach 1 2 .

  Detwiler's Farm Market had a staff competition for the most outrageous/awesome Christmas costume Forget the Manger!  It's just not Christmas without Mince Pies Early Christmas gifts from D and A Treats for Cooper.   Handkerchiefs -  I am a gentleman.   A Book which bored me in High School - it's the best of times to re-read it Ah! Port and Stilton for after Dinner

  From the brilliant but oft ignored Christoper Smart (  the poet whose mystical text was the foundation of Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb") Part of Smart's other brilliant texts is used in the Hymnal 1982 at #491  Where is this stupendous stranger? Prophets, shepherds, kings, advise. Lead me to my Master's manger, show me where my Savior lies. O Most Mighty! O Most Holy! Far beyond the seraph's thought: art thou then so weak and lowly as unheeded prophets taught? O the magnitude of meekness! Worth from worth immortal sprung; O the strength of infant weakness, if eternal is so young! God all-bounteous, all-creative, whom no ills from good dissuade, is incarnate, and a native of the very world he made. Here is a wonderful choral arrangement.  It gives me goosebumps https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=rXPV7SmlZZ4&si=D1Jdr1O-7cx_QwR8

  Penne and Zion were not allowed to rest on the sofa. I allow Gorgeous Cooper that privilege

  BAD NEWS 1 My new i-phone 16 was utterly dead, and unusable. I took it to the local Apple Store which opened early this morning. I was the first in line. The Technician gave me certain "ifs" as to whether it could be restored.  One of the "ifs" was that they needed some Apple account references.  I did - scribbled on a piece of paper.  Oh merciful heavens. I worked.  First the technician downloaded and deleted everything on the 'phone, making it as from the factory Then he reloaded everything, as if it were a new 'phone.  Goodness gracious!  I now have a fully functional 'phone. BAD NEWS 2 I logged on to my Everence Federal Credit Union Account early this morning.  Unfortunately could not log on - the account had been frozen. Why? Off I went to the local branch. The teller was more than helpful. She did not know why my web access had been frozen.  But she knew what I could do and how I could do it. Back at home I followed her directions and...

  I am part of a Zoom Group (Black Lives Matter) which meets every Thursday. For good reasons our meeting this week will be today (Dec 18th). I wanted to change the day and date on my Google Calendar. But my wall calendar did not show that today is Weds 18th. How come? My wall calendar shows thirteen months - i.e. Dec 2024 - 2025. I was looking at the Dec 2025 page. No wonder it didn't synchronize!

  150 lbs of pure tender love Origin:  Newfoundland, Canada Lifespan:  10-12 years Breed Group : Working Newfoundland Size:  Height: 25-28 inches | Weight :  100-150 pounds Coat:  Newfoundlands have a thick double coat to warm them in cold environments. Coat colors include black, brown, grey, and Landseer (white with black markings). However, the Landseer is sometimes considered a separate breed or breed variety. Temperament:  Gentle, patient, and loyal Grooming:  Moderate Exercise:  Low to moderate Training:  Early and consistent training is recommended Health:  Relatively healthy but can be prone to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia Suitability:  Families with children, active adults, and experienced dog owners The most  famous Newfoundland in English literature  is Nana, the loving and protective nursemaid in J.M. Barrie’s  Peter Pan . Boatswain was the faithful companion of ...

  Not for me but for a Bahamian friend.  She remembers this from her childhood in the Bahamas.  I gave her one last year.  It was as Manna! Mum made a couple each year.  I can't remember if I liked it.  But the saving grace was that it was served smothered in Bird's Custard. c/f   Bird's Custard - Wikipedia       Great for vegetarians.  It's made without eggs.   Lunch today Poached salmon with mayonnaise topping. Teeny Tiny Taters, cooked with Mushy (Marrowfat) peas. Canned/Tinned Mushy peas are available in those U.S. Supermarkets which have an International Foods section. c/f      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushy_peas

  It's a bit of a drive from my home, especially when I-75 resembles a slow-moving parking lot.  It's worth the drive.  My Sarasota Vet recommended this practice  when dear Zion had a growth on one of his molars. He had surgery and an overnight stay. All was well. The growth returned and the Ellenton Vet suggested a scan. It took place here Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota FL - Certified Vet Specialist / Surgeon - Animal & Pet Care Hospital / Clinic Sarasota FL I thought it was a scan for the tooth.  But it revealed his cancer and is blood filled lungs.  It was time to say goodbye, otherwise he might well have drowned in his own blood at home. I have a sad gratitude for the wisdom of the Ellenton Vet. So much so that she is now my veterinarian.  So much so that I was happy to drive to Ellenton to get some prescription only canned food which has worked wonders for Cooper's oft sensitive digestion. He eats it with the highly rated NUTRO kibble

 I may not  be able to use phone or a while Send important messages to be via Facebook messaging

  I bought a new iPhone today   and everything has gone wild. I stupidly surrendered my old phone for a $60 bonus. I did not ask for the sim card to be transferred to the new phone  RATS   So I have lost a ton of important info. The way things work I can receive phone calls, but I cannot make them If you need to call me that will be fine. Silly me  

 

  His name is Jim.  He was there with his tired old dog, who needed no more than fresh air. Jim grew up in Dorchester MA which at one time had a substantial Jewish population.   Judaism is Jim's faith. Later the family moved to Jamaica Plain MA Jim attended the prestigious Boston Latin School From there he attended Amherst College, with its own worthy prestige. spis After Amherst Jim attended Med. School (U.Mass?)  He specialised in Surgery. This good man served at Grady as a Surgeon for Fifty Years, only retiring when he reached the mandatory retirement of 75. If you know anything about Grady, you will know that it often serves the "last and the least".  Jim operated on victims of violent crime; on children whose bodies had been ripped apart by savage dogs; and on those women and men whose bodies were mangled after auto accidents. They say don't talk to strangers"  This stranger inspired me.

 

  The size of trees felled in the hurricanes.   Cleared from near the Phillipi Creek as it parallels Circus Boulevard, but yet to be cut up and carted away

17th Street Park is a five-minute drive from my home. It's huge,  (I've not been able to discover the acreage) I like the smaller Arlington Dog park 'cause Cooper is never out of my sight, and there are fewer dogs at play. This afternoon we "tested the waters" at 17th Street.  Mr. C had a ball as he played, chiefly with three border Collies. One tried to hump Cooper who would have nothing of it. It was time to leave. Cooper was a distance away.  I told another dog owner that C often feigns deafness when I call his name. I called Cooper's name.  He was about 300 yards away.  He proved me to be a prevaricator as he ran to my side immediately  The City of Sarasota; and Sarasota County have provided a goodly number of dog parks.  That's great. Our canine friends need free time "off the leash".

  Vic is one of my walking acquaintances at Bayfront Park. He told me about the wonderful smashed (not mashed) potatoes he'd been served on Thanksgiving.   So I decided to make them, using Teeny Tiny Potatoes. Here is my version. I put chicken meatballs and German brats (both cut up very small) under the spuds, with barbecue sauce. Everything is cooked.     All that remains is to place the dish under a broiler until the potatoes are nicely browned. Having the taters smashed not mashed ensures texture.

Christtmas decorations in the Sunshine State, 6th Dec 2024

 LOOKING WEST. The "people" under the trees are the lovely sculpture "Children at Play"

  I didn't see the series. As you know, I am decidedly Luddite when it comes to T.V. I am reading the book.  I'm learning so much.  I have much to ponder. My home City had Docks which were bombed.  But those docks were not cheek and jowl with mean terraces as was the case in London. Bristol civilians were killed in the bombing but nowhere on a par with those we gave their lives in the East End/London docks massacre. There were pockets of slums in Bristol, but not the square mile or so as in the case of London's slums. I like reading this book.  The very act of reading allows one to pause, and to ponder. And one can go back to re-read a couple of pages, or a whole chapter. The poverty in the London East End (and in other places and Cities) was acute. My native land and my adopted one still have enormous bone-crunching poverty.  The Oligarchs want it that way.

https://www.boosdogbar.com/ With his new friend Finley. Finley's Mum and Dad have a Condo in Punta Gorda.  They'd heard of Boo's and drove up for a visit.  They and I were happy that our dogs had a least one playmate on a cold and quiet day Both dogs had great fun. Finley was in charge.