Winston Grass! If there is any one word that encompasses the tortured mentality of the human psyche, it is the word grass. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? It’s green, has been around since Adam was in short pants, and you eat it when you are feeling pukey to bring up whatever it was you swallowed that you shouldn’t have swallowed in the first place. That’s the stuff. Grass.I was sitting on the doorstep the other day, waiting for my third breakfast, when she arrived. ’About time’ I thought, licking my lips in anticipation. But did she let me into the house and feed me? No, she did not. Instead she made a beeline for something that had caught her eye. Sticking up from between the block paving were two tiny slivers of grass. Barely enough to cure a worm’s belly ache. But like an eagle she swooped down, gripped the offending plant between finger and thumb and pulled it kicking and screaming, from the sand.Now come on! This is grass, right? Wherever there is open ground, gaps between stones or cracks in the concrete, grass will appear. It was doing this when people were swinging from trees, and will no doubt still be doing it when there is no one left to play the last post. So, you would think by now they would have learned to live with it, right? Wrong. Because whenever grass tries to raise its head, be it on someone’s garden path or vegetable plot etc. they rip it out, or dose it with poison, as if it could not possibly be allowed to exist in the same universe as them. And yet – and this is the crazy bit – these same people lay down huge swathes of the stuff, all around their houses. Then they meticulously cut it to shape. Encourage it to grow, using all manner of dressings, fertilisers, and other magic potions. And then, and I kid you not, when the poor grass has dutifully ingested all this chemic and grown as high as a kite (which it would, wouldn’t it?) they attack it with their noisy machines, and cut it back down again.Where is the logic in this? I mean, if I had a garden (which I don’t, because the concept is totally alien to me) but if I did have one, and objected to the said garden being covered in tall grass, why would I be stupid enough to plant the stuff there in the first place? Why not just cover the ground with green paint? They are keen enough to cover everything else with paint. Honestly, I despair.Speak soon kittens.They gave me some of their fish the other day. I ignored it. If they think I’m going to eat their leftovers, they can think again. Do I expect them to eat mine?
Our partner diocese of Lahore works hard to help the poorest in its communities. Approximately 81districts in Lahore have been sealed off – no work, no movement and little food. We are askingParishes and Individuals to support this appeal to provide food parcels for those mostaffected by the pandemic. The funds will be administered by Lahore Diocese. Please see thedetails below.
Winston Let me state plainly, forcefully, categorically, and any other word that ends with ly and fits the narrative, that it was not my idea to parade all over the interweb the other Sunday morning, wearing that ridiculous pointy hat. Can you believe these people? I let them into my house. Award them privileges like stroking me, feeding me, and caring for me. I work 24/7 to keep vermin down –have you ever seen a rat within fifty yards of this bungalow? A mouse? – no you have not! Then there I am having a quiet nap, after the Rev Gill’s online spot, and what do they do? They wake me up, stick that stupid hat on my head, and display me in front of the camera like some poncey poodle. Honestly, I have never been so embarrassed in my life! If they ever do that again they are history! The pair of them! I have reported them to the authorities, of course. Strongly worded letters have gone out to the RSPCA, and the Cats Protection Society. I have also sent a written letter of complaint to the Albino Squirrel Preservation Society – just to give them something to open. I mean, how much correspondence are they likely to get on any given day? And it must be so boring just sitting there, waiting for someone to abuse a white albino squirrel. Talking squirrels, we get them here, of course, in the garden. Not the white albino type. More your ratty grey variety. When I was young, I used to chase them. It was great fun. They are so quick and so agile, and they give you a great run for your money. I actually caught one once. He sank his teeth into my neck (have you seen those teeth? Who the hell needs teeth that size?) What a mess he made. I didn’t know I had so much blood in me? When I came out of hospital, I decided that the pain of catching squirrels tended to outweigh the pleasure of chasing them. So I gave it up. Switched to birds. Little ones, of course – some of those big ones are so scary they must be on steroids.They’ve been talking the D-word again. Caught them watching a compilation of Crufts memorable moments, the other night. Personally, I’d rather sit and watch paint dry, but that’s just me. We used to have a dog (pardon my French). Jack, he was called. He was alright as dogs go, but then I had him well trained. I expect they’ll bring another one home before too long. I just hope they don’t expect me to be happy about it. I have my image to think about.Speak soon, kittens.I notice he’s got the water feature up and running again, in the garden. We must be having visitors. Not seen any of those around for a while.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churchesUpdated 16:02 on 2 July 2020LATEST GUIDANCEThe Prime Minister has given a statement to the House of Commons outlining that from Saturday 4 July 2020 there will be further easing of the restrictions relating to public worship and wedding ceremonies.In response the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who leads the Church of England’s Recovery Group has said:“We will not be returning to normality overnight - this is the next step on a journey. We’ve been planning carefully, making detailed advice available for parishes to enable them to prepare to hold services when it is safe and practical to do so. It is important to say that the change in Government guidance is permissive, not prescriptive.Not all church buildings will be ready to hold regular services from 4 July 2020 but we are providing whatever support we can to enable them. There will still be restrictions and we must all still do everything we can to limit the spread of the virus to protect each other, especially the most vulnerable. The online services and dial-in worship offerings we have become used to will continue.Churches and cathedrals have risen to the recent challenges, finding new ways of meeting for worship, of serving our neighbours, and of reaching new people with the love of God. The challenge before us now is to take the next steps carefully and safely, without forgetting all that we’ve discovered about God and ourselves on the way.”Read the full statement from Bishop Sarah Mullally here.https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/reopening-church-buildings-public-worship
