ROME 22/10 – Day 12: Mangled and hiding

Our sunrise today was at 7:17 and the sunset will be at 18:36. How time flies and shortens these lovely Roman October days. The Ave Maria, when rung, is to be rung at 18:45. It is a dies non today. But the Vetus Ordo Martyrology has:

In Africa, four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six holy confessors and martyrs, in the persecution of the Vandals under the Arian king Hunneric. Some of them were bishops, some priests and deacons, with a multitude of the faithful accompanying them, who were driven into a frightful wilderness for the defence of the Catholic truth. Many of them were cruelly annoyed by the Moorish leaders, and with sharp-pointed spears and stones forced to hasten their march, whilst others, with their feet tied, were dragged like corpses through rough places and mangled in all their limbs. They were finally tortured in different manners, and won the honors of martyrdom. The principal among them were the bishops Felix and Cyprian.

Speaking of mangled limbs, I went to the Piazza der Fico yesterday to scope out the chess situation.  A group of men have been playing there together for years.    That’s the fig.  Last June it was dropping ripe figs – splat splat splat – all among the players.

Yesterday, they were collecting money from each other for new chess sets and one of them was talking about a Mass, to be held today, for one of their deceased companions.

But the mangled part comes here… what to make of this bizzare defense by black?  In bullet matches he played it every time.  Does anyone know this?

Meanwhile here’s a lovely restoration of an ancient house.

Having a walk….

I got caught in the rain.  I don’t like that.

I do like this place, however.

I’m hiding.

I heard from a priestly chess player!  Slowly but surely.  Slowly, true: he is into correspondence chess. Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

Black – it’s your move. Win material and escape the consequence.

The traditional Benedictine monks of Le Barroux are producing wine from the old papal vineyards. Thanksgiving is coming. Hint. Use my code and get 10% off.  FATHERZ10

Untangling the consequences of the vile P@yP4l scare tactic has taken a lot of time and energy. It has been really depressing.

I am grateful to those of you who are shifting to another platform.

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