Category: blog

Part of the Saturday ritual involves heating the eco-unfriendly front room, setting out the birdseed, and pondering the lectionary while I watch the flurry of wings.

Today, I thought I’d give them a treat:  piles of pecans and chestnuts for Red,  the peanuts and birdseed for the finches and blue-tits, and a few left over mince pies for Mrs Blackbird.

I poured my coffee, and went to the window to watch.

27 wood-pigeons.   27.   It took them all of four minutes to clear the lot.

I know I preach on full inclusion, but every once in a while other views are tempting.

…for now.

I’ve had another few cancellations.   The range and occasional severity of reasons reminds me of how much the Piskie church needs to find its Trollope.

We will look for another date later in the year.

Thanks to all who were willing to make the journey.

Do we really think it’s helpful to ask non-British nationals seeking residency to learn that quangos are:

independent organisations that carry out functions on behalf of the public which it would be inappropriate to place under the political control of a Cabinet minister

without giving a single example?

My head is spinning, and I have two chapters to go before cramming the census statistics for tomorrow’s Life in the UK test.

Couldn’t I just sit a theology final?  Or a set of Maths highers?  Or maybe even a French exam?    Anything, really…

champagne ready.

much joy.

4.50 pm.  With the whole world watching, Rick Warren decides to rewrite scripture.  (and I thought nothing could taint this day.)  Let’s hope Aretha saves it.

…well, you’ve gotta love her hat.

5.01 pm.  I didn’t know you could play the clarinet while smiling.  But just look at Yo-yo Ma.  Pure genius to choose Simple Gifts.

5.23 pm.  There it is, the phrase we’ve been waiting for:  Tolerance & Curiosity.  Not the oratorical fireworks I was hoping for, but good and true.

5.27 pm.  Tricky thing, poetry.  Elizabeth Alexander looking very scared.  ‘repairing the things that need repair’ is apt.  ‘take out your pencils; begin’, ‘say it plain, that many have died for this day’,  ‘today’s sharp sparkle’.  Not an easy task at all.

blessed benediction.  embodied sign.