More Prattle from Povey

My birthday of course!                           My second birthday cake.  You can't blow out sparklers.                          I was at a cookout party with my friends Donna and Ashley.   The debut of my new Tee Shirt.  I wore it when I took Z to the Groomers.  The staff were tickled pink!  The Photo' was taken a bit later at D and A's home. Another birthday gift. Your best friends know your favourite meats.  When I eat out at Sarasota's excellent Siam Gul f restaurant I always order Duck Breast as the meat in a Thai Salad, or in a Thai Curry.  It is always cooked to perfection, with juicy meat and crispy skin.

There is a bible verse which says:   They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:14) That verse has been in my mind with reference to the COVID 19 Pandemic.   I take it out of context to say "They have said 'the pandemic is over' 'the pandemic is over" when the pandemic is not over". A case in point 1.   A friend of mine was admitted to the hospital last Thursday 26th May.  He's had the two Moderna vaccinations, plus one booster shot. Due to his general weakness he has not left his home in years, except for medical appointments .  But he has acquired  a COVID infection whilst  in the Hospital!    Despite all the scrupulous protocols hospitals can be breeding grounds for infections. A case in point 2.  via the Centers for Disease Control we read this in our local newspaper.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again recommending that ...

  We couldn't get together on "The Day" so I was the guest of my friend Ashley for a birthday celebration today. We went to Siegfried's German Restaurant on Fruitville Rd, Sarasota -  which was my choice.  The food was good, but not great.  My yardstick for GREAT restaurants is "meLANge" on Main Street, Sarasota. Brigham Young who led the Latter Day Saints  (Mormons) from Independence, Missouri on their long trek west after the murder of Joseph Smith, is supposed to have exclaimed "This is the Place" when they reached what is now Salt Lake City. When I drive to (or past) meLANge I say or think "This is the place!", Ashley is thoughtful and creative.  Her birthday gift for me is a Tee Shirt, but not any old Tee Shirt. Yes, that is the true Zion. Ash sent a photo' of my beloved "Mr Z." to an outfit in New York where it was transferred to the shirt. WHAT FUN! As we walk out I will be identified as "Zion's Human!" ...

  Broccoli and Cheese. Some for me and some to share .

  Whether or not you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties in Florida; or if you live in Florida; or if you live anywhere in the U.S.A.; or even if you live in any other English language Countries you will recognise the problem. "How in a world, where computerisation rules the roost, do you communicate with big businesses  by 'phone?" In some cases you'll be expected to hang on the line to make your connection for many minutes or even hours;  all the while listening to mindless muzak. Better businesses have a good plan.  If ya press a given key they will call you when an agent is available. Rotten businesses  will not as much help by even  posting a 'phone number. Instead you will be asked to choose from a variety of on-line options. FPL  (Florida Power and Light) falls into this category.   I have a minor dispute with FPL about a bill.  "D'ya think that I could talk about this with a person?  NOT A CHANCE. I spent more tha...

MY BIRTHDAY.   I call it my "Me Day".  I love it.  One year I was able to have celebrations for eight consecutive days, and why not!  In the Church business we call that an Octave. Today  (May 26th) was my 78th.    It was wonderful to get greetings via Face Book from friends who apart from Face Book would not have known that it was my "me day".  I love it. It's been a quiet celebration.  No big parties - thank goodness. I was to have had dinner with my bff.  That's been postponed until Saturday because of a crisis in her family today. Of course I have also received some old fashioned birthday cards. When and if they arrive early I save them,  and open them on the day itself. Not a few have had Canine themes.  My favourite was from my brother Martyn and his wife Wendy in the U.K.    It made me grin!

  I try so hard not to do business with Amazon and Wal-Mart.  My concerns about their labour policies and monopolistic practices out weigh their convenience factors. I've needed to get a new egg poaching pan having destroyed my old one by leaving it on the heat long after the eggs were done. The retail "go to" sources for kitchen ware are scarce.  Of course there is Target which has  pots and pans for any and all bits of kitchen ware - any and all except for egg poaching pans. Sarasota has "Sur la Table" and "Williams-Sonoma".   They are above and beyond my budget. And then there is "Bed, Bath, and Beyond"  - what an odd name:-  what is in the "beyond"? It turns out that egg poaching pads are. I ordered one at 3:00 p.m. on Monday last.  It was delivered via "Door Dash" at 6:40 p.m.  That's faster than the big-bad  A+a+on. A couple of caveats.  1.  I live just about four miles from the local "B-B and B" Store....