yet more povey prattle

  It eased off a bit so I took Cooper to the Dog Park later in the day in case he needed to poop. He had other things to do~

  In my case my dog loves to roll in the mud at the Dog Park. When we get home he rolls on the sofa (from which he should be ba nned) Papa should remember to brush him before we enter our home. If not, the clean up must take place later.

 

  This being Tuesday, the 17th St. Dog Park is closed for maintenance in the morning. I made up for the loss by taking Cooper to the Nathan Benderson Park (at 5:30 a.m.) What a joy.  Despite the lights from the vehicles on I-75 (to the east) the heavens were filled with the glory of the stars and the planetary alignment. Despite the rules and regulations, I let Cooper off the leash. He did whatever unleashed dogs do! A bit later Cooper and I went to Sarasota's Bayfront Park as is our Tuesday habit. As we had hoped we met our good early morning walking friend T. "Where" she asked "is your walking stick?"  (she has my best interests in mind). My response was that I couldn't find it. Good T asked " why don't you carry a walking stick in your car" " I do, I do" was my reply, "but that's the one I cannot find" I didn't trip or fall. As I drove home I found it.  All lodged on my car between the hood and the wind shield. (t...

 

If only I'd had the ingredients, skill, and time to make a Hollandaise Sauce

  Well toasted and  S lathered with Irish Butter and Apricot Preserve.    The Crumpets haved a regional name in Bristol    There they are called Pikelets.  

https://youtu.be/k0LQ3NX7AAE?feature=shared Of course we love to sing it. 'Twas written at a time (late C19, early C20) when Protestants throughout the world believed that they, with liberal optimism in their veins, thought that the world could be evangelised for Christ in their generation. World War I nixed that optimism.  British and German Protestants fought each other to the grave.  The earth was filled - not with the glory of God, but with blood. https://youtu.be/k0LQ3NX7AAE  

 

  When I was at the (progressive) evangelical college - St. John's, Nottingham, UK  I  spent my parish year at a blue collar parish on a housing estate.  It was dedicated to "St Martha the Housewife" would  you believe it!.     That dedication did nothing to attract the housewives of the housing estate.  The Vicar, Fr Alan Chappell was a self-described Prayer Book Catholic. There I learned about the working class Anglo Catholic tradition, and about the meaning and purpose of Anglo Catholic Ritual. A former member of the Plymouth Brethren learning to serve at the Altar! Alan (Mirfield) was semi-closeted and gay. I learned to love and care for his wife,  We stayed in touch throughout the years.  Towards her end I visited them in Mansfield (UK).  Alan was her tender nurse. When he died their son, (also a Michael), made sure that I could join in prayer at the time of his funeral.  Dear, dear Jean.  Dear, dear Alan. I chos...

  15th August 1984     First Day of Ministry at St. Stephen's Pittsfield MA 14th August 2000    Last day of ministry at St. Stephen's. 15th August 2000     First day of ministry at St. James's, Cambridge MA

 

  I paid a bill to a highly computerised management company. They didn't give me a print-out, but an old-fashioned receipt - the ones which make carbon copies for the vendor.    (see lower part of photo') Charmant n'est pa s?

Are (supposedly) from spuds grown in Oregon and Idaho

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_called_Bristol The most lovely after my home City is Bristol, Rhode Island. If you blink it's easy to miss Bristol FL (on the Florida Panhandle) The most unusual Bristol is in two States.  There was a dispute between Virginia and Tennesse regarding boundaries.  The matter was resolved this way.  The line was drawn in the middle of  Bristol's main street.   One half is in VA; the other in TN.  There are now two cities; one in Virginia, t'other in Tennessee. Cross the street and you are either in Bristol VA or Bristol TN - each with its own City governance

 

Never place the name of a person on a prayer list without the explicit permission of that person; or of their next of kin. It's not important that those who pray need every detail of why prayer is desired. Prayer lists often  mutate into inaccurate gossip lists.

  Beef Femur Bones from the Butcher's Block on 17th St. in Sarasota. I told the staff members that every morning Cooper says his prayers including "Thank You G-d for the Butcher's Block".  They were suitably amused. One of these days I'll go upscale at the Butcher's Block     Perhaps a Rack of Lamb!

  Looking for a playmate.   They were all AWOL

 ,,,,,,,,  brother M who has a passionate dislike for hash browns. I often have them for breakfast to annoy him.  And I send him a photo' 

 

 

  Here is something about the test which i took locally, not at the Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10123-pet-scan The test takes about 30/40 minutes, during which time the patient is required to lay flat one's back on the "machine"; and not move a muscle.   I succeeded.  Indeed I was utterly relaxed. The staff, Karen and Sarita, were great.  On a minor note they are trained to offer Coffee to the patient -  in my case after a 27 hour Caffeine fast.   YEAH! Karen "got me".  As I prepared to leave she, having in fun called me a ding a ling,  said   " Thank you Michael, you made us laugh".   She'd "latched on" to my forte! Better still!  Fewer than two hours after the test I received a 'phone call from my Cardiologist regarding the test.   Here's his word.  "There is no cause for concern regarding your cardio/vascular system"  That ain't bad!   Less than two ho...

Battle Truck In the City of Sarasota our trash and recycling services are run by the City.   It's a good, efficient and noisy service. But in Sarasota County (or some parts) such services are effected by a private contractor.  This contractor uses "Battle" vehicles. They are all -electric and oh so beautifully quiet!  Yeah! I'm not so sure that Electric is the way to go, (it has environmental drawbacks)  but it's good enough for now.    In Germany the move is t'wards hydrogen power; so much healthier for the environment ------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile in this neck of the woods the School year has returned. Notwithstanding care for mother earth, these cranky old vehicles are still in use. There are three entry and three exit school times each day - elementary, middle and high school.   These are times to be off the road (our traffic congestion should not be blamed on tourists) It's not just the congestio...

 

  At 1:00 a.m. today (Aug 5th) Cooper woke me up, nudging me with his nose, and panting.    I heard him. I took him to the front doors and let him loose.  He raced out and stayed out for about fifteen minutes. My guess is that he had an urgent need to poop. Dear Coop didn't want to squat inside.  I am glad that I heard him . Later today  and despite the heat I took Cooper to the park for a runabout. 'Twas just as we were about to leave another person and dog came into the park. Cooper saw this as an invitation to play. Off he went 'til the dogs were almost beyond sight. Darn it, I wanted to go home. I called.  Cooper may have heard me, but he did not listen to me. I had a trick up my sleeve.  I left, leaving the gates open.  I went to the car and started the engine. This time Mr. C listened, and heard. He ran at the speed of light.  He jumped into the car.  "Papa please don't leave without me!"   Cooper at the Humane Society o...

  If you guessed that it's a toilet roll on the water tank you are wrong. For reasons known only to him Mr. C decided not to eat the marrow in two beef femur bones.  I pushed the marrow out, "melted" it in hot water, then added it to his breakfast bowl. That was the ticket!

 

  The Yukka I met was a bitch just recovering from her spaying.  Her owner Jessica was naturally concerned about Yukka's interaction with Cooper.  Within fifteen minutes the two dogs were engaged in very  gentle play.  Good ole Cooper! My conversation with Jessica was rich.  We were each raised in Christian fundamentalism.   We each experienced relative poverty in our youth. J's heritage is Puerto Rican.  Her father moved to the U.S.A. as a youngster.  As an adult he has no time for his Island compatriots. It's sad that he has bought into the propaganda that Puerto Ricans are ill educated and lazy - always dependent on Government handouts. Oh the story is far more complicated.  Puerto Ricans are American Citizens; but the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is treated in Washington D.C. as a Colony.   I asked J. if she had heard of the stellar history of Puerto Rican Soldiers in most American Wars.   She had not.  Q...

 Pound Cake sandwiched with Polaner Cherry Fruit. There are real cherries on the bottom. I heated and de-pitted them They are served well with  

  Cooper and his pal had a romp, even on a hot afternoon. Now they are saying  "that was enough, now it's time to go home"

 

  Cooper (leashed) and I went to the car port when the UPS driver arrived with my parcel of wonderful Chocolate from Taza (Somerville MA.) Cooper set out a storm of barking.  How was the driver to know it was friendly or aggressive noise. Then Cooper and I remembered our training.   He was to my left. As I had been trained I extended my right arm, palm facing up and at shoulder height. As I raised my palm I said "sit".   Dear Cooper did just that.  The driver was in semi awe.  His nervousness evaporated. I am a proud owner.  Too bad that I cannot reward Mr C with chocolate.