Molly, we hardly knew ye

Devon's famous Otter Ale
The result of binge drinking

SHROVE TUESDAY IN BATH

Since our holiday began last Wednesday, Maurene and I have been monitoring one another to make sure that we didn't work. There are always loose ends to be tied up when you are a minister and we have been quite intentional about trying to actually avoid that habitual return to task for this period of 10 days. We each had one ministerial duty to accomplish during this ten day period. Yesterday, Maurene officiated at a funeral. Tomorrow, I will take the Ash Wednesday service for our three churches. Things were going well until yesterday morning, Maurene began searching through the computer for her Women's Worldwide Day of Prayer sermon because she had thought of something she needed to add. I retaliated by writing a letter for the church magazine. I already have a second task ready in case she does anymore work before Friday -I'll call one of the Brownie leaders to prepare for the 4 March Anniversary Service.

But for today, I have had to fend for myself without succumbing to the temptation of working. Maurene is taking a pain management class at the Royal Mineral Water Hospital and so I am having to keep myself busy.

My day so far:

I walked for two hours on the Cotswald Way slipping and sliding in the mud as a trekked both uphill and down.

Then I changed out of my muddy kit and walked into the city centre to take care of some banking.

I then went to Schwartz Bros. and had a cheeseburger and fries. My red meat consumption is minimal because of my father's clogged arteries -which were only discovered a week before his death, my brother's extensive bypass operation, and my own fear of dying and guilt over using up more than my fair share of the planet's resources. I would like to say that I struggled while eating, but it was one of the most delicious cheeseburgers I have ever tasted. It lived up to its billing!

Since Schwartz Bros. is a take-away only, I went to the local park and sat on a bench and enjoyed the daffodils as they waved in the mild southerly breeze. I also read a bit of today's newspaper and was saddened to read the obituary for Molly Ivins. US news is often slow in getting coverage in the UK. She was one of my favourite journalists.

In her honour, I then retired to 'The Bell'. It is the lefty pub here in Bath and is filled most evenings with idealistic university students who have just finished reading 'Das Kapital' and over 40s who although they have lost most of their idealism like to get together and discuss how the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Remember, being a socialist isn't criminal in the UK.

The Bell's less than upscale decorating reflects the poverty of most of its clientele. I had an Otter Ale and enjoyed more of the newspaper whilst watching a man struggle to keep his dog underfoot every time the front door opened. I also picked up a couple of the coasters that adorned the table. Fortunately, I am past the point in life where I enjoy, or can even withstand getting 'ottered'.

Tonight, Maurene and I will have a 'Shrove Tuesday' pancake supper. No Bisquick. We're using pre-packaged Scotch pancakes. No Aunt Jemima or Mrs. Butterworth's. We'll be using Canadian Maple Syrup. No bacon or sausage -I think Schwartz Bros. was sufficient.