These are the devices
With which we trod
Be they Jimmy Choo bound
Or shoddily shod
Two soles we enclose
Two heels we surround
Our ten lower digits
Eat up the ground
We owe so much
To our humble peds
But most of the glory
We show to our heads
So stand up for your feet
Show them you care
Remember, stand you couldn’t
If they weren’t there
Padre
Inspiration Call: Feet Remove your shoes. Write a poem that celebrates your feet.
I was trying to find a nice compliment for some scampi, so I decided on making some paprika flavoured chips. This is a really simple recipe, and a great air fryer treat.
Ingredients:
Method:
Peel the potato and cut into “chunky chip” (thick fries) size pieces. Place in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry on kitchen paper. Pour oil into a large bowl and add the potatoes. Roll potato pieces until coated nicely. Then sprinkle with the paprika and salt and all sides. Using and air fryer set for just under full heat, and time for 15 minutes. Place the chips into the basket, and wait for the fryer to do its thing. That’s all there is to it.
If an air fryer isn’t your thing, it can work in the oven at 200C for 20 minutes. My wife used to parboil the potato slices first, when doing the oven method. I prefer the air fryer method.
Padre
Lock-down, quarantine, self-isolation, and social distancing have had a major impact on our lives. This is no less true of our worship, than with any other of our other social interactions. But Pastors, Priests, and other faith leaders have been proactive in bringing what the modern world has to offer to keep their flocks together, and to fulfill the instruction of Hebrews 10:25, that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
This morning, as on the last several Lord’s Days, I “attended” worship on a live feed which linked the saints together. The word was powerful as we were reminded that times of trial help prove us, and prepare us for the Lord’s work. Our growth often has a “necessity” of such trials. The worshiping of God from the vantage point of our physical separation from one another is one such trial.
It does show us another great truth, however. The church (Ekklesia) is not the physical structure in which we gather. We do not “go to church.” Rather we are the church! We, the Body of Christ, not the bricks and mortar are church. The challenge then is for us the “Be Church.” Nothing else is good enough.
Whether we are housed together with loved ones, linked by technology, or in near total isolation, we are tied together by far more. We are bound by the blood of Christ! We are family, and we are a body (I Corinthians 12). We are Church.
Padre
I’m snuggled warm when the winds do blow
I give warmth to others that I don’t know
I’m often shown where I should go
Mine’s a wandering life – to and fro
I’m happy in the company of others
Yet, I sometimes go astray
But with a little nudge of encouragement
I usually find my way
Some think that I’m not too bright
But this is an accusation unfair
It isn’t that my brains are slight
It’s just that I don’t care
Padre
Sunday Writing Prompt “Animal Kingdom” challenge: Write a poem or short story about an existing animal. Don’t name the animal you are writing about let us guess based on the description of the animal. Pay careful attention to the animal’s personality and mannerisms and be sure to point out any charming eccentricities!
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday challenge is to write about a song which captures the ideas of Alone/Confined/Depressed/Isolated/Restless/Solo. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, does that well. The song from the band’s 1979 The Wall album was ranked 314th on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Lyrics:
Hello? Hello? Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
Come on now
I hear you’re feeling down
Well I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax
I’ll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I’ve got that feeling once again
I can’t explain you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
Okay
Just a little pinprick
There’ll be no more, ah
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it’s working, good
That’ll keep you going through the show
Come on it’s time to go
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: David Jon Gilmour / Roger Waters
Comfortably Numb (Live, Delicate Sound Of Thunder) lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Concord Music Publishing LLC
Padre
Pexels
Doris went over to comfort her best fiend, Hazel who had just gone through the most acrimonious break up that one could imagine.
“You look amazing,” Doris said as Hazel opened the front door.
“Thank you, you look good too.”
“I am so glad you are doing so well, I thought I might have to do some serious cheering up.”
“No I’m really good actually,” Hazel said.
“By the way, I think that is the most beautiful jacket I have ever seen,” Doris said. “Where did you get it?”
“I made it?” Hazel replied.
“Where did you get that marvelous silk fabric?”
“Do you remember Dan’s skydiving hobby?” Hazel asked.
“Yes,” Doris answered a little confused.
“It’s from his rig?”
“But isn’t he supposed to be jumping today?”
“I hope so.”
Padre
Weekend Writing Prompt #154 – Fabric in 131 words
Abbey Gardens
“All is Calm,” is one of Maria Antonia’s photo challenges for this year. Here is a photo I took at the Japanese Garden in Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. It was a peaceful day out with my wife, and we were able to enjoy the tranquility of the place. All was indeed calm, in fact it was near perfection.
Sunshine drenched fountain
A day of tranquility
Peaceful and calming
Light playing upon the pool
Flowers fill the world with scent
Padre
Rösti and Eggs
Here I am with another recipe idea. No, this isn’t becoming a daily feature on my site, and I do hope to get back into having a weekly “foodie” slot once life gets back to “normal.” But as life is not “normal” and I am trying to not have a limited selection of pantry items become monotonous, I will try to “keep it fresh.” With 25 kilos of potatoes and four dozen eggs on hand, here is the Breakfast Rösti.
Ingredients:
Method:
Wash and peel the potatoes and rinse well. Shred these into a large bowl. Finely dice the onion, parsley, and garlic. Add these to the potato. Add 2 tsp of salt and mix well. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Squeeze the excess liquid from the bowl, and add the egg and pepper. Stir well and form into patties (I used a burger press). Melt the butter in a frying pan, and add the oil to reduce burning. Bring to medium to high heat. When a drop of water dances on the pan, add the rösti patties and allow to brown on the bottom (3 to 4 minutes). Carefully flip the patties and allow the other side to caramelise (2-3 minutes) If either side is not golden flip again until at desired appearance. Sprinkle with salt and place on a plate to serve.
Padre
The year after a bereavement is “a year of firsts.” The first “first” for me came only three days after my wife’s passing as she went to be with her Lord just before our wedding anniversary. Yesterday was another of those “firsts,” the anniversary of our “meeting.”
My wife and I “met” in a chatroom for single parents. This was no “online dating site.” It was a Christian site with the purpose of discussing being single parents and coming up with advice and strategies for dealing with the responsibility of that role. We seemed to have much in common as far as approach, and that in turn showed other things we shared. Our online contact moved on from that and about 3 months later we met for the first time face to face. God works in wonderful ways, and through such an unexpected medium, I found the perfect partner and wife.
A chance meeting while seeking help
No thought of what it might become
Discussing with strangers the issues of life
And then we became as one
How odd, our meeting was while far away
In a help room for sharing advice
And then we would click, bond, and grow
And you agreed to become my wife
So simple a meeting, no thought of a link
Lone parenting our only aim
But it all came together faster than you’d think
Our destinies proved the same
Padre
Dianne you are loved and missed.
Pixabay
“That will be an excellent promotional still for the Vlog advert,” Amy said.
“Yep, I think we look really good, and the setting is perfect. I think people will flock to your YouTube site,” Rich observed.
“I think you’re right. That fresh veg will just about sell itself. It looks so nice.”
“Maybe next time you should wear a slightly darker dress though. I think it will make the pasta standout more.”
“Do you think? But I look really good in pastels,” Amy observed.
“You do Babe, and I know your looks will win no matter what you are wearing. But I was thinking about the die hard foodies, they might want to focus more on the ingredients.
“Okay, I think I see your point.”
“I’m getting kind of hungry,” Rich said. “Do you have anything for us to eat?”
“Well the spaghetti is cooked. But I think it will take about an hour for us to make a decent sauce.”
“Yeah, I really can’t be bothered to actually finish it though,” Rich said.
“I cooked the pasta, and you cut the veg already, so it’s a head start.”
“Hmm. How about KFC?”
“Sounds perfect,” Amy said. “I don’t think I can be bothered either.”
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 