Cornwall Cogitation #4, 1 March 2015–What better way to refreshment than conversation over a cup of tea. “True refreshment,” a prayer by Donald Hilton in Blessed Be Our Table, speaks of such, with a meal, as “a draught from the well-spring of kindness, and a feast to satisfy our human need.”

So, draw up at our table for an assortment of stories. The first has to do with winter’s cold, which one day soon will be but a memory. I reference Nick Butterworth’s children’s book, One Snowy Night (1989, Harper Collins).

Percy the park keeper doesn’t mind the cold. He’s out in the fresh air most of the day. He lives in a little hut in the middle of the park. One extra  cold night, though, he’s glad for an extra blanket. He’s awakened by a knock at the door. “I can’t get to sleep,” says shivering squirrel. Squirrel snuggles down next to Percy.

Through the night many wild animals knock, asking for relief from the cold, even fox is welcome since he promises to behave himself. All are at repose in the overloaded bed when a terrible noise wakes all up, They fear a monster and run to hide. Not Percy. He chuckles and then laughs. “A small dark head was sticking up through the floorboards. ‘This isn’t a monster,’ Percy said, ‘It’s a mole!'”  Now that all the other animals had found warm hiding places, Percy had plenty of room and a little to spare “for a mole.” Now doesn’t that speak to the welfare of all creatures great and small? I may have to rethink my approach to moles–in every season.

An Indiana story

Ed Pilkington in a feature in the 27 February Guardian did an interview with Blake Layman, found guilty of felony murder for his part in a burglary where the homeowner shot and killed one of his three friends. Blake is facing 55 years for a killing he did not commit. The Indiana supreme court will hear the case. A few summers ago, Blake’s mother, Angie, and her extended family took part in a Rock the Block clean up around Prairie Street Mennonite Church. We pray for a just resolution to the conundrum all principals and families face.

Driverless cars

It’s still more than a decade and more away, but three cities in Britain are doing road tests for driverless cars. Computers rule so much of our daily life, and in 10-20 years you may see the technology come to a street near you.

Digital radio

We listen to Classics FM, a digital radio channel on TV. Coverage for the UK will stand at 91 percent by 2016, eventually consigning FM radio to history. Boggles the mind and ear drums.

An unexpected day at Treliske Hospital in Truro

For a week, I took antibiotics for an abscess that formed between my shoulder blades. Doctors from the local clinic sent me to Treliske Hospital. The abscess/cyst had grown over the course of the antibiotics and an operation was indicated. I thought it would be a local anesthetic but the team at Trislike said it merited  general anesthetic. Since I had had a bite of breakfast, I needed to wait 6 hours until after 1:30pm to go to the OR. These 10 ORs are part of the ER department, and so those of us who could wait, did wait.

We walked into the hospital at 9am, spent time getting prepped, had a nap, read the Guardian, a couple chapters of Sister Fidelma mystery, and at 5pm was called to dress for the OR (Operating Theatre here). Wonderful care. Noel had offered to take us to hospital and since he was in a meeting that evening, his wife Lynne picked us up. The doctors discouraged us taking the train home, suggesting a taxi instead. Thankfully, Lynne was our second transportation angel of the day. We got home at 9pm. I’ll have some visits to the local clinic to check the packing which may include a nurse coming to the house for a few day running. We’ll find out Monday.

Since arriving 6 February we’ve walked 93 miles, mostly out of the rain. Rode with Roger and Doreen for lunch today at the Garden Center in Lelant.

A good week to you! Best! Oh, I’ll be getting some help with posting photos soon I hope. -John