PhloridaPhil

Sunday 2 August

It was another wet week. I complained at work that they never told me at interview about the rain in the summer but there was little compassion shown. Several folk have been moved from their homes but I’ve been OK since I’m on the 3^rd floor here.

I received a great message from my old bishop John Rawsthorne. He was trying out some voice programme on his i-pad. He had been sent as delegate from UK bishops to El Salvador for the Beatification of Oscar Romero. Any of you who are interested in seeing a recent picture of him might wish to visit the Romero Trust website. He is clearly enjoying his new life as a junior parish curate but still finds time to do what he calls ‘a few bishop things’.

Much of this week has been spent preparing instrumental arrangements for the Parish Patronal Feast Day next Sunday 9 August. It will be the first Mass here that will be intentionally bi-lingual. This parish has a sizeable proportion of Hispanic (mostly Cuban) families and a wonderfully vibrant Spanish Mass on Sunday afternoons.

Creating the arrangements was going well until I hit a button on the computer and lost my work. It was then that I discovered that the ‘undo’ facility was not functioning. A telephone call to the music programme’s manufacturers prompted me to order the latest 2014 edition of Finale.

My ‘little’ brother Richard has been over in USA with his two daughters. It sounds as though they’ve had a great time. Richard hired a convertible to improve his posing. His daughters cut from the same cloth, even dolled themselves up to buy chocolate from the shop around the corner from the hotel! I didn’t manage to see them as they were some distance away but it was great to skype them and find them in the same time zone.

On Friday I had a day off and started by trying to find some glass for a piece of art I bought during the week. I succeeded but when I came out to my car I discovered that I had a nail in one tyre. It was so close to the edge that a repair was not possible so $120 and 20 minutes later I was able to drive home safely. Stupidly I was not cautious with the glass fitting and broke it. So I then had to return to purchase another piece. I took the old piece along and the cutter was able to cut four pieces from it which I can use in the future for other paintings.

I also decided to visit another nearby Goodwill Store since the weather was so awful and I needed a pep up in the way that only a visit to a charity shop can achieve. Having bought nothing at all (rare occasion) I dropped in for a first visit to Peggy O’Neill’s bar in Oldsmar. There I had fish ‘n’ chips which was close enough to the real thing and the chips tasted as though they had been near a potato! In the evening I could be found in my local.

Saturday morning was a leisurely affair as I wondered whether the rain would ever stop. When at 1pm it did I went into work. After the two vigil Masses I dropped into the local Goodwill and bought a set of crockery. There were 8 mugs, 6 dinner plates, 8 side plates and 5 bowls. A quick bit of research on Google informed me that each bowl was $20 in the shops and I bought the lot for $60. Yes, another bargain!

My journey home was halted by the Police who had closed down a main road because of flooding. I then had to do a wide diversion around the airport to get home. Lest you think that I have been exaggerating my moans about the weather let me tell you that the ‘sunshine state’ has been experiencing about 6in of daily rainfall for the last 2 weeks! I have spotted sunshine forecast for Friday which would be comforting if it had not been for the fact that an earlier forecast for sun on Wednesday has since been changed to rain!

My physiotherapy continues to produce progress. I now have less back pain and the neck though not perfect is certainly getting better. My regime has been dropped to 2 visits a week which is easier to accommodate into my schedule.

As I gaze out the window the trees are being rocked by the wind but the fact that I can see them and all the way to the bay means that there is hope where little existed. On this bright note I will leave you until the next exciting episode.

On Saturday 18 July it rained almost constantly so eventually I went into play for the start of the weekend Masses. I don’t recall anything noteworthy except that my neck was playing up and after a few Masses I was feeling a weakness in the neck muscles again. I still had my cough and was grateful that all the Cantors turned up!

On Monday which was a day off I rested in what was quite a sunny day for a change witha couple of bursts of rain to interrupt the rest. On Tuesday I went into physio and my back muscles were diagnosed as being very stiff. I worked a long day after that so they weren’t going to improve much.

On Wednesday I turned up for my early morning appointment at the dentists to have implant surgery. I had expected to see the dentist and his assistant but there were two further people there. After enquiry one turned out to be the inventor of the new technique for which I would be the unprepared guinea pig. The other person was a photographer who recorded every bloody stage of the procedure. The photos can be made available to the oddly interested!

I was back at work in time for a liturgy committee meeting, the first with the new Pastor’s revised format. The major part of the meeting involved less people and more got done!

Thursday was another long 10-hour day with a lot of planning achieved.

Friday started with another visit to the physio. The head guy was a bit perturbed at the stiffness of my neck and did some extreme massage on it. This improved my movement by 20% so it was worthwhile. I then bought a couple of pictures from Goodwill and returned home. I was hosting some work colleagues this evening so I set about tidying the place. Then I did some ironing. They arrived by 6.30pm and we chatted and drank Prosecco until the pizza was ready. Then the main agenda item began … MONOPOLY. I had always considered that this was an English invention and was surprised to discover its origins in Atlantic City. We started playing at 8.30pm and finished at 1.30am. I would have to humbly declare that I won. My family and good friends would have known this would happen. Others call me a capitalist.

Saturday was a subdued morning although the weather outside was at its turbulent worst. I went into work for another weekend sequence of Masses. I received news that one of my choir had suffered a burst appendix over the previous days and was in hospital. Peritonitis is awful. I recall my sister Anne had this at an early age.

Monday would have been my day off but I had a couple of funerals in the afternoon so I went into to do a morning’s work. The fist funeral was my first Spanish one and went well. My friend and music colleague Marty Purtell arrive towards the end and took me out for lunch at a cheap Spanish place. It was wonderful and as ever we talked the hind legs off a donkey. Then I returned for the next funeral which was very well attended and was notable for being extended by 40 minutes of family eulogies!

It is now Monday evening and I am at home waiting for the predicted storm to hit

My last blog was 1 July so please accept apologies for my absence from the ether! The therapy is three times each week and given that I have to do at least 40-hours of work it is tricky finding time to blog. However today is a day off and the weather is bloody awful so here I am!

Since the last blog I have had two further days off on 2 and 3 July and then I was back in the church on Saturday for 2 vigil Masses. On the I travelled to the Convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I left early having sorted various musicians to cover the day’s five Masses. I was in my luxurious hotel at 2pm have flown from Tampa soon after 8am. Pretty soon I met with familiar faces from the Diocese and we arranged to meet for a meal.

The conference did not really start until the afternoon so I accepted an invitation to a service opportunity. There were only twelve of us and none of knew what to expect. In the event we were driven to a clothes donations depot and set about sorting clothes for sale in the adjacent Thrift Store. After that we visited a cheap hotdog place for lunch and returned to base to shower and wash off any fleas that might have accumulated in the process.

NPM is a grand affair and a full report will appear in the next Journal of the Society of St Gregory if you are interested. I was one of three Brits among the 1800 delegates, Chris Walker and Paul Inwood being my confreres. Grand Rapids is a vibrant city with great craft beers and restaurants. I didn’t try them all!

I returned home late on Friday night 10 July. Unfortunately my Uber app would not work so I had to cadge a lift with another uber-customer which cost me more than it might have done if I had connected!

I was really tired and slept until quite late on Saturday morning and then went to play for the usual round of Vigil and Sunday Masses. I had developed a chest infection over the last 2 weeks so my cantoring from the organ for one Mass was interesting. Fortunately I had cantors turn up for the other Masses. The chest infection had left me really exhausted so I slept well on Sunday night and went to the doctor the following day. It cost me $105 for the consultation which produced a prescription for 3 super-antibiotic tablets costing $10. Healthcare over here is really expensive. I finished the course a couple of days ago but apparently they keep working for another week. I rather hope so as I’m still spluttering.

I spent long days at work on Tuesday until Thursday working on the production of a lengthy report of the Convention for my staff colleagues. The Pastor returned from holiday on the Thursday so it was good to be able to send him a copy. Thursday was also good in that 2 colleagues invited me to join them for lunch at Las Margaritas Restaurant, a cheap Cuban place which has great food. There we planned to return to my place one Friday night soon for a lengthy game of Monopoly!

Last night I was so tired when I got home after 9pm that I went straight to bed. It would be therapy again in the morning.

At 8am on Friday 17 July, my day off, I was attached to various machines and traction before meeting the doctor there for my monthly assessment. He determined that progress had been good and reduced my visits to twice weekly. Yes!.

Today is a sad day for my family. My dear sister Anne lost her battle with several cancers on this day several years ago. I was there with my mum when she died. She was an amazing woman and forever positive whatever came her way in her forty years of life. She got it from mum I think!

I spent Saturday chilling as all the medical visits after the accident had really tired me. Then I went into work for the afternoon and the Vigil Masses. these went well and we introduced a new Cantor in the process. Vanessa is an accomplished singer and I hope she will be able to assist us again n the future.

The Sunday schedule took its toll as expected so I had to wear my neck support after the second of four morning masses. The 3rd Mass was the official welcome for the new Pastor but not the installation. I had remembered that Widor’s Toccata (5th Symphony) was his favourite so I played this after Mass. A new fridge had been donated to the music library so I was pleased to keep some food and drink in it. I had a few moments after the 11am Mass so I joined the celebration in the Celtic Hall and enjoyed a meal and then dashed back for the 1230pm Mass.

I went home during the afternoon but was so tired that I chilled again before heading out for the 7pm Mass.

Monday started with a visit to the physio and they increased the treatment levels. So when I went into work I felt really good. Normally this would have been a day off but the organ engineers were coming in the afternoon so I decided to work the whole day. I was able to get a lot of preparation done for the Sundays in July when we would be mostly using Cantors. I finished at 6pm and went home.

Tuesday was what is euphemistically called the Calendar Retreat. The staff had to sit through a day of going through the Calendar for the forthcoming year. After a while my neck played up but I remained at the task. we finished at 4pm but I remained in the office to prepare for the Cantors meeting at 7.30pm.

All were gathered at the appropriate time but there was an Hispanic Mass in progress which had been delayed by a woman having an attack. This drama continued after Mass and I was drawn into it but we did eventually start the rehearsal with the Cantors. We worked hard for over an hour and then retired to Higgins Hall where we quaffed some fine French wine I had prepared for them.

Wednesday began with another trip to the physio. These sessions last over 90 minutes and are fairly intensive. I left feeling great and headed for the beach and a day off. In the evening I visited the bar and relaxed with friends there returning home at 8pm.

Folks are getting really vexed over here about the Supreme Justice Court’s ruling on marriage. I was told on Wednesday evening that those who have changed their facebook photos to the rainbow flag have fallen prey to scammers. It is difficult to ascertain whether this is true or just another scare tactic of a certain lobby?

I have another day off tomorrow so I prepared for an early night’s sleep.

I’ve been back from holiday a week and the time has just flown. I definitely enjoyed my holiday but missed the opportunity to get treatment for my back and neck. My neck is causing me real problems. I was delighted that the day after my return I had an appointment with the physiotherapists and associated doctor. I was able to pass on my recent MRI scan results. He had been sent the report already from the radiologist and the finding of herniated discs caused him to add traction to the treatment plan. 2 hours later I was back at the apartment. the weather was not great so I relaxed and unpacked.

On Saturday I started the usual sequence of Masses. This time with a new Pastor in charge.I always listen to the homilies and his referred to the early creed being ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ so after Communion I included a St Thomas More version as a meditation. He was really impressed and publicly thanked me. This confirmed what others had said that he is a really kind gentleman. On Sunday the 9.30am Mass was a farewell to our Associate Pastor Mgr Petilla who has been sent to Beverley Hills (Florida!). I sang Paul Field’s ‘Go peaceful’ for him after Communion. By 11am my neck was really hurting so I put on the neck support. As it happened the Pastor’s homily referred to a whiplash injury and I was the perfect visual aid!

During the afternoon I rested as my neck really needed to have no pressure. In the evening I went to Goodwill and bought a wood carving for $10. Later I realised that it was by a Master craftsmen from Ecuador.

On Monday  had a dental appointment to do a filling and also a CT scan relating to the implant. This is a long process but over here dentists do not want to risk litigation if they get it wrong. I was pleased that it does seem that the revised schedule means that the implant and 5 crowns will be completed by the end of the year. At 11am I was able to drop my car at the Cadillac centre from where I bought it for collision repairs. I really loved the level of customer service there which included two doughnuts and a few fine tasting coffees.

On Tuesday I was back at work but although I did a full day my neck was causing me some discomfort. The following day I had another physio appointment. Each time I seem to have different therapists. On this occasion in addition to the mechanical treatments the massage was delivered by a Swedish woman. She was strong!

Over Tuesday and Wednesday I managed to plan ahead for the summer Sundays when Cantors would lead the singing. Later that evening I led the last choir practice of the season. Fr Mike (who is really a Monsignor) dropped in so I invited him to sing along as the choir sang ‘In the breaking of the bread’. He concluded by affirming the importance of music in the liturgy. I recall my parish priest at Sheffield expressing to me that musicians had to be controlled but never anything positive about the music ministry. I suppose that says more about his own inadequacies. Thankfully my attitude towards priests has not been tarnished by that bad egg.

After the rehearsal I met with Cantors and we were able to mutually agree a schedule for the summer. I also invited them to a meeting next Tuesday at which we would rehearse the music for the next month and quaff some French wine!

I was in work early on Thursday to meet with Vanessa. She is from a  family of singers and had offered to serve as cantor over the summer. It was great to see how she responded to my coaching. Liturgical singing is so different from opera! Later in the morning I had a first meeting with my lawyer who is also a parishioner. After this my neck was causing so much discomfort that I went home to rest returning later in the afternoon to finish the week’s work.

This morning I attended another physio session which lasted about 2 hours and then I went to the beach to relax. In the evening I visited Charan’s bar. There was quite a commotion when drugs police swooped on a car in the car park outside. I then moved to the Long Bar much closer to my apartment where Mark was holding forth. He’s always amusing and likes to make fun of others … but he sells cub scout paraphernalia for a living!!!

Two days after I last wrote I was on holiday in Louisiana and Texas with friends I had met on iona but who come from Louisiana, Scotland and Australia!

My flight was a round the houses affair to New Orleans via Charlotte. Arrrival was on time if a little scary as the pilot braved it to get ahead of the incoming storm. A party was there to welcome me at the airport. and then we checked into the hotel and headed out for drinks and a meal in the French Quarter. I dined on shrimp po’boys, fine ale and great company. Now for some sightseeing.

After a hotel breakfast we headed back into town to visit the cathedral, a coffee shop and the Central Café for a mufelata later and a storm has arrived to cool things down. While my friends sought refuge in shopping I remained dry on a step watching people dodge the torrents. In the evening Larry led us through a maze of market stalls and then we visited a jazz club for a meal in its restaurant followed by the early evening set. We situated ourselves upstairs but unfortunately I could see very little from there. The others seemed happy with their seats but I decided to move downstairs during the final number where I could easily see what I had earlier heard upstairs. It was a great evening and as the thers wanted an early night I visited a recommended local bar. People were very chatty and the prices were low! Thanks Larry! Early rise tomorrow.

We left New Orleans around noon for Covington and its Marriott Hotel which is fortuitously located opposite a Goodwill store! I had no idea that I was travelling with such kindred spirits!

We spent the morning at St Joseph’s Abbey where I played after Mass. The abbey was notable for its Dobson Organ and fine murals created by monk Gregory de Wit. In the afternoon we visited Oak Valley sugar plantation. We mused that very few tourists showed any interest in the slave conditions themselves seeking instead the stately home of the owners. It was raining again but this was alleviated by a cordial of mint and whiskey called mint julip!

On Monday we left Covington for Lafayette with an en route lunch after a panera breakfast. Lunch was a picnic in the Methodist church where Ann, our wonderful host, was minister. After lunch she took us around the sights and, of course, I played the Casavant organ at St Jean’s Cathedral. We became a captive audience for the museum guide who clearly did not get many visitors and was not going to let us go in a hurry. Later we visited an Acadian village. In the evening we ate at the Blue Dog restaurant made famous by the artist Rodrigue. Earlier on Saturday we had seen his painting adorn a hotel’s Steinway grand piano. It was a great meal with an amusing waitress called Emily. After a night cap with generous hosts we retired early to bed

Originally we’d planned on only one night in Lafayette but with tropical storm Bill threatening Houston and our hosts offering hospitality we remained an extra day. we spent the day on a mixture of thrift shops and sightseeing in St Martinville and Lafayette. We lunched in a park where once we’d entered we incurred an entrance fee. So we stayed and watched an information film before moving on. That evening we ate en famille and went to bed early.

On Wednesday we made the long drive towards Houston and stayed in a house overlooking the marina. We met our hosts in a pub which also specialised in pizza so we ate and drank. During the meal Dawn had procured a basket of complimentary sweets. Not to be outdone I asked the waitress whether there were anymore. the manager appeared clearly annoyed and there would not be another shipment for a while. I retreated vanquished. Our hosts were most generous and both academics. She was the wilder of the two and very entertaining at that. In the evening we drove to Galviston to meet Dawn’s niece Laura and boyfriend. We ate another meal. We managed this outside with little threat of rain.

In the morning we did a couple of stops for souvenirs and a final trip to Goodwill and then drove one hour to the airport. Jeanette was returning on the 4pm to Glasgow and I on the 4.30pm to Tampa. Unfortunately my flight was delayed an hour through heavy storms in Tampa but we landed and Marty who had covered as musician for my absence was there to greet me and drive me to my apartment. I slept!

Friday

A chance conversation with a medical lawyer in a bar has revealed that I can vew British TV programmes in Florida. I have just watched ‘Call the Midwife’, cried, and am about to watch ‘Midsomer Murders’. this is heaven!

I’ve never been a visual aid in a homily before but today as I sat at the organ in my post accident neck support, the new pastor just happened to mention whiplash!..

Happy St Columba’s day!

Since I last wrote I have been to two appointments with a physiotherapist and had an MRI scan for the neck and back. They are certainly thorough here.

The weekend went fine musically but, as I feared, it was a real strain on my back sitting at the organ without support.

In addition to the usual stuff I played for a funeral of a young man who, hours after my own accident, died in a high speed incident at the age of 20. The church was full for the funeral. He had been educated at St Lawrence and the next door Jesuit high School. I was struck by the maturity of those who spoke their support that in losing a son they had inherited 650 sons who would be there for the parents!

This week at work has been one of preparing for absence. it is always more difficult to do this than to do the task yourself. I have a very expert musician covering for me who in turn is very complimentary about my skills.

My iphone has been misbehaving the last couple of weeks. I visited my internet carrier Verizon after a few days and was told not to worry. After 14 days my date usage had risen to 14gb and I was very worried. Verizon last night and Apple this morning discovered the problem to be a fault with the software for iTunes and they have reprogrammed my phone completely. I am now waiting fr the next bill and it promises to exceed my normal bill by over $260! then my famous complaint letters will begin!

While waiting for the Apple store to open I got a real insight into US life. It seems that people come to Malls to exercise in the cool environment. several parishioners acknowledged me as I waited and I was able to discover why they were there!

I’m off to New Orleans on Thursday so you may not hear from  me for a week or so.

Tatty bye!

Saturday followed the normal weekend pattern of Masses with a four hour gap between the Sunday morning and the evening Mass. Last Friday I had received a message offering a Bay Grand piano so after the evening mass I drove to visit the piano. I took Dana with me. She is a professional pianist and could offer a good second opinion. The piano was an Everett (good US make) and built around 1930. It was in good condition and in reasonable tune so it was indeed attractive. I thought I would put it in the soon-to-be built rehearsal area at the church.

I then drove home. I was waiting for the lights to change at one junction when a car ploughed into the back of me. I was able to move and the car did not seem too badly damaged compared with that of the young driver. I called the police and they came and effected an exchange of documents. I learned from them that I should always carry my registration documents with me. Fortunately they did not fine me $103 for my omission. Sometimes it is useful to be a foreigner!

The following morning I rang the insurance company who sent me to an urgent care facility to get checked out. There were no broken bones but muscles in the area of the neck were in spasm and my back was also affected. Then I went into work for a while. I had decided to forego the Baby Grand which had brought me such bad luck and consider instead a digital instrument.

On Tuesday I had many phone calls to make but managed to work until 6pm when I got some unusual migraine-like symptoms. I decided to head for home once these had calmed. Marty Purtell is a very experienced musician who had just retired from a prestigious parish in Tampa. He has been covering for me whenever I am absent and will take a couple of funerals from me this week so that I can rest a bit. we had agreed to meet before the accident happened but in the event he took me out to dinner at a fabulous Cuban restaurant. During the day I had managed to contact a lawyer (a parishioner) who was most helpful.

On Wednesday I appeared for the final school mass of the year. Folk were surprised to see me with my collar on. “What’s the problem?” “‘Flu” I replied. ” A car flew into the back of me”. They laughed politely.

After the Mass I drove my car to be assessed by their insurance adjuster. He predicted over $1000 to repair the back of the car. Then I returned home to rest before choir practice. This went well and I surprised them with my interpretation of the Mozart Ave verum.

This morning I awoke and rested in the house for much of the day. I would be meeting in the early evening to get some ID documents certified for Aviva (pension) and so that Halifax could transfer my share sale proceeds to my UK current account.

This week has been great. Monday was a national holiday, Memorial Day in which citizens remember their war dead … a bit like our Remembrance Sunday. I was not able to Skype my mum as she was having technical challenges but I did manage to Skype telephone call her. I spent the rest of the day at the beach but without the kayak as I was late starting off after tidying the apartment after my birthday bash.

Tuesday was a work day until about 5.30pm. I heard later that at the time I left a call had gone out to all staff to meet the Deacon to help him unload our new Pastor’s belongings from a truck just arrived from Miami. I also heard that the heavens opened as they were doing this. Fortunately I was marooned down the road in a Goodwill store.

Wednesday’s school Mass was presided over by a visiting priest from Australia. It was the last Mass with the 8th graders who would be graduating on Friday. After the Mass I headed for the beach again returning in the late afternoon for final preparation for choir practice. This went really well and there was a full attendance!

Thursday (a transferred day off) I awoke and left early with kayak strapped to the car roof and headed for Fort Desoto and Shell Key. It was a beautiful day and the currents were not as strong as last time so my back did not suffer so much. Later that evening I was at Charan’s where a new cider was being offered.

Friday was  a real day off so I headed to the beach until just after noon, wtched a film and then went to work as this evening would b the Graduation Mass. I had 16 singers turn up and they were wonderful. as a tribute to the departing Graduates I sang solo ‘Go peaceful’, a great song by Paul Field. He won hearts over at last summer’s NNPM in Chester and Greenbelt Festival in Leicester. Google it!

I awoke early this morning. I managed to Skype Paul Inwood and get a few household chores completed. The news said June starts the ‘hurricane season’. I’m worried but although there have been some ferocious storms here they have not really had serious hurricanes for 8 years.

Last Monday was a day off so I lugged the kayak down from the 3rd floor to my car and I must say it is getting easier each time. I managed to get to the launch site near For Desoto before 9am and then paddled off. It took me longer to get to the first pit stop as there was an adverse current. After a brief rest of Shell Key I continued to the unnamed sandbar where I stayed for much of the day. The sea came in a bit more than the last time I was there and so, fearing a return of the early evening storms I set off early on the return leg. Just as well as the tides had switched and it was even longer on the return.

Back in Tampa I headed for Charan’s Bar for a couple before going home and to bed.

Tuesday I was awoke early for a dentist appointment to get a gold onlay re-fitted as it had come out while chewing gum on the kayak. I also took back my partial for re-modelling. In work by 9am I prepared stuff for Pentecost and also for the Graduation Mass next week. I had to collect my partial again from the dentist at 4pm so it was a short day in work.

Wednesday was a heavy work day but I managed to get ahead with things. At choir practice the retired musician from Christ the King, Marty Purtell joined the choir and after choir we went for a drink and chat.

I had planned to go in only briefly on Thursday but the sound check meeting in the church took longer than I had imagined it would so it was 1pm before I was relaxing on the beach. I returned that evening to tidy up the apartment for my birthday celebration dinner the following day.

My birthday started badly when I realised that £25k had been removed from one of my UK investment accounts. There was a logical explanation but it would be silly of me to exacerbate the situation by mentioning that Halifax Bank had incorrectly recorded my current address which caused my ignorance of the possible result. On Tuesday I expect to hear from them how they will induce my amnesia in the whole matter!