A Relic of the Drought

Although we've had a fair amount of rain in the last few weeks the River Welland is still just a trickle, mainly obscured by nettles growing in the river bed. Most of the rain water must have been soaked up by the parched earth.

Vetting Bishops

Catholic priests often influence the running of schools and have unsupervised and private access to individuals, including children, in the confessional.

That seems to  justify official checks on the appointment of priests, and especially of bishops who create priests. Perhaps episcopal appointments should require ratification by the Department of Education.

Forgiveness by Proxy

It seems presumptuous for a third person to forgive someone for something they've done to someone else. I think that only the injured person is entitled to forgive.

Today it was reported that the Pope had asked God to forgive the Catholic Church for child abuse committed by members of religious orders. So far as I know it has never been claimed that God was the victim of abuse, so the Pope's appeal was misdirected.

Speeding Up a Computer

For a while my laptop had run rather slowly, and various investigations failed to reveal the culprit.

Today I checked my virus checker and noticed that, as well as checking for viruses it was 'tuning up' the computer.

I switched off that and the the computer sped up most gratifyingly :-)

Distracting Gesticulation

Some television programmes have a 'signer' gesticulating in one corner of the screen. I find that makes it hard for me to concentrate.

It is usually possible to select subtitles. I usually do because non-verbal noise in programs sometimes makes is hard to follow speech.

Subtitles are optional, one can switch them on or off according to taste, but the signer is not optional. One gets the signing whether one wants it or not, and however ugly the signer happens to be. Why can't deaf people use the subtitles? Why can't I turn off the signing?

Intimations of Antiquity

When the death of someone famous is announced they are almost always either younger than me, or of about the same age.

I really am quite ancient!!!

An American Coup ?

As Mr. Trump removes ever more people critical of himself, I wonder if he's preparing the way for a coup. I don't think that's likely in the near future, but  it might just be possible when his presidency nears its end. That could be at the end of his present term, or if not then, four years later.

His administration seems to be a conspiracy of dishonest rich people to cover up their misdeeds, and such conspiracies are likely to come undone when the conspirators lose power, so they need to stay in power to maintain their concealment. We often learn of Presidents using dubious means to extend term limits. It's become very common in Africa, but we shouldn't ignore the possibility of something of the sort happening in the USA.

Afraid of Thought

I recently watched a television interview of a young boy, about 7 years old. He was being interviewed about the availability of some drug he needed but towards the end of the interview the interviewer asked him what is his favourite subject at school.
When he replied that it is Maths she seemed quite taken aback and instead of encouraging him, squealed in astonishment.
It is sad that so many people who claim to be educated are repelled by the subject that above all others embodies precise thought.

Who Uses a Strawberry Huller

I'm intrigued by kitchen gadgets, and spent several minutes browsing the selection when I went into a kitchen gadget shop to buy a pair of cook's scissors.

Despite my enthusiasm, some of the devices offered did puzzle me a little. I could understand that someone might occasionally use a mango stoner, though I don't need one after watching a televised Agatha Christie mystery in which Poirot stoned a mango using a dessert spoon. My attempt to duplicate his triumph was not as neat as his, but was still successful.

However I can't imagine why anyone might need a strawberry huller. Any reader who have ever used one, please testify here!!