MIND THE CAT

MIND THE CAT

A friend and encourager all our years in Apalachicola, George Chapel was a brilliant man with a photographic memory who had a mind for history and the gift for telling it, writing and speaking. With two affectionate and attentive cats here, one must be ever mindful of George's stories of the Rt. Rev. Reginald Heber Gooden, Bishop of Panama in the years when George grew up in the Canal Zone. Among them was the time Bishop Gooden called at the home of a lady who was a prominent and active member of the diocese. Ushered graciously into her sitting room, the bishop sat down in a chair only to squash the tiny dog of his hostess. Many years later when George hosted Bishop Gooden's visit to Apalachicola, the bishop confirmed that this was indeed a dark part of his history.

Combining the Gooden Disaster with the MIND THE GAP signs one sees at every exit of the London Tube, it's a good idea here at the Spinks house to take a look before taking a seat.

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What's in my mind right now is two years ago, July 17, 2011, a drizzly, muggy summer Sunday morning, shifting my car into reverse and backing out of the carport to head to church. Linda tapped on the car trunk. "Community called," she said. "Your mother just died."

Today for me is Two Years Mind, for remembering. Expected at any moment, and not a disaster because at 99 years old and in pathetic health, it was time, but nevertheless a moment, a morning, that stays with me. At her bedside a few minutes later, I had the prayers at time of death, removed her wedding ring for Susanna, then sat in a chair and talked with her for the next hour until the funeral director arrived. As I sat there talking a nurse's aide came in. "You must be her Bubba," she said. "She was always talking about 'my Bubba.'"

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iTitan shows a clear day in Tallahassee. Currently 71F, still, wind from the West at 0 mph whatever that means. Humidity 99% and I'm sure what that means. Mostly sunny. High 94F. Chance of rain 20%.

Monday we had lunch at Catfish Pad, a seafood cafe on the far west side where we can always get fresh, fresh mullet even when it's not available in Panama City. Mullet and oysters cooked beautifully delicious and arriving at your table too piping hot to touch. To give you an idea, decor and ambience are even south of Hunt's in St. Andrews but the food perfectly suits a Florida native.

Tuesday lunch at Vertigo, where the hamburgers are "so good it'll make your head spin." Apalachee Parkway across from Governors Square Mall. Linda had the "Southern Spin" hamburger. My burger was the "Greak Out," which is lamb instead of beef. Fried green tomatoes and chocolate shake.

Today? Maybe a trip to Fresh Market and mix up two of their deli stand shrimp salad dishes, dollop of mayonnaise.

This morning maybe think about my next sermon, which is August 4th. Maybe not.

No internet connection, I'm retyping this on iPad for 3G transmission. And for Mary Kay I'll go ahead and put the link on Facebook!

Tom+
Bubba

Sunset July 17, 2011