Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)

This is the weekly bloghop wherein our host, Kristi, invites one and all to share the people, places and things that have elicited a sense of gratitude. Pretty simple, isn’t it? As friend of the Doctrine, Cynthia has been known to say, “Come on, you have it within to let the worries and stresses of the world fall to the ground, even if only for a moment. Let yourself embrace the peace.”*

Here at the TToT, Kristi provides an environment that is both welcoming and non-judgemental. The title says, ‘Ten Things of Thankful’ so new participants have a sense of the format, but we also have something, I totally believe makes this ‘hop even more fun, to wit, a Book of Secret Rules (aka Secret Book of Rules). Did someone just say ‘Example’ in a passable Samuel Jackson? Thank you, I will! One Secret Rule states “…[t]he inclusion of a full explanation of anything cited in the introduction of a Grat List, may be used as an Item of (said) list, provided reasonable effort is made to achieve coherency as commonly established in such media…”(SBoR/BoSR Chapter 8 Section 9 para 71 subsection 87)

Well, then, lest we lose any new Readers, let’s get this list started.

1) Temporarily displacing Una and Phyllis: the temperature (see photo at top of post). Very not winter today.

2) Phyllis for having the faith and the will to not only weather storms, but to improve the shelter she provides even in the midst of raging winds and pelting rain.

3) Una (see photo below)

Ever the proper host

4) the Book of Secret Rules (aka the Secret Book of Rules) this little un-marked shortcut on the road to TToT-ville is the ultimate in rhetorical license. If you need to make an exception in your list (too long or too short or, say, a post of nothing but videos)…cite the Rule and you’re home free. (And, yes, the BoSR/SBoR has a chapter on just this matter.)

5) the Wakefield Doctrine (see Items 2, 3, 4 and pretty much all other than #1)

6) Almira excerpt (Backstory: Frederick is the COO for the Essex Corporation which owns all the textile mills in Lawrence Massachusetts in 1911. He oversaw operations during the time of the Bread and Roses Strike. (A real and fascinating page in the history of the labor movement in this country.)

The Hammond Street Presbyterian Church

Frederick Prendergast III and his wife Constance walked across the Lawrence Town Common on a deceptively mild December morning. So moderate was the weather, Frederick decided he and the family would forgo the carriage and, instead, walk to church.

In 1848, the Essex Corporation gifted the town of Lawrence with 17 acres of vacant land for use as the town Common. Along the four streets that bordered this greenery, were: churches (in a variety of denominations), City Hall, the public library, (complete with Greco-Roman columns), and a row of imposing private homes.

As Frederick and his wife stepped past the tall oak doors of the Hammond Street Presbyterian Church, snow fell from above, released from the grip of overhanging branches by the warming temperatures. Marked by a discreet brass plaque, Frederick and his wife stepped to the first row; nanny Grace Byrne sat with the twins in the second of the Prendergast pews.

After placing his overcoat on the bench to his left, Frederick helped his wife with her coat. As he did so, he noticed, just above her ear, three snowflakes clinging to her white-blonde hair. Smiling to himself, he thought, Well, snowflakes, you have found the one safe place to come to rest. Given my dear wife’s disposition you may well leave this church with all your frozen beauty intact!

“What is it, Frederick?” Constance, glancing up from folding her gloves, looked at her husband.

“Nothing, my dear, just thinking how lovely you look this morning.”

Glancing back at her two sons, Constance sent a hummingbird smile towards her husband, her eyes flickered with the hint of hope and uncertainty.

Frederick sat back in the pew as upright as his starched-white collar. He showed no signs of the chafing discomfit he endured. He pulled and re-positioned his collar, somehow conveying an overwhelming sense of self-satisfaction in his dress. Following on the motion of hand to neck, Frederick surveyed the congregation. He nodded to those for whom his attendance was significant and made a note of those absent.

The polite tone of a bell interrupted the low murmur of the parishioners at precisely 11:00 am. Dressed in a traditional Geneva gown, white preaching-tabs interrupting the solemnity of the black cassock, Minister Allyn Montrose stared out into the congregation. Frederick glanced around, seeing the uncertainty, like an un-expected breeze, ruffle the patient expressions on the faces of those sharing the front row of pews.

“This blessed December Sunday, our Sermon will begin with Matthew 25:14–30,”

Elder Allyn Montrose, began his first Sermon,

“The ‘Parable of the Talents’ is one of the most direct expressions of God’s love for his creations. It offers the clearest lessons of the Bible. Teaching, those able to learn, everything about responsibility and opportunity; it removes any doubt that God helps those who help themselves.

Our community is as blessed as the First Servant in today’s parable. He accepted the Talents and turned them into many. As we leave Church this morning, let us look about us, at the city and its people. God puts an abundance of opportunity within reach of those with the will to take it. Let us all resolve to work hard so that, by increasing the holdings of one, the potential for further opportunities will increase.”

The last to leave, Frederick Prendergast III, his wife at his side, shook Allyn Montrose’s hand and with a half-smile of approval said, “Reverend, your Sermon today fills me with hope for this city. We have both accepted the responsibility to guide the less fortunate and encourage them to contribute to the greater good.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed my sermon, Mr. Prendergast. Men like you and companies like the Essex Corporation help bring people to these doors. I trust we will both live up to the trust that others have in us.”

7) Sunday Supplement (SR 3.2 “…while in the process of supplementing (an) already published TToT post, should a song fragment, melody line or chorus from an immortal earworm establish itself, it (the application of this rule) permits adding to the current post. Medically-speaking, the principle of “si hoc in aliis maybe adepto in capite, quod youll ‘adepto ex meum” )

8) THIS SPACE AVAILABLE (For anyone ‘on the fence’ about linking a post. Send in a Grat Item and I’ll post it here. See what it looks like in the bright lights!)

9) something something

10) SR 1.3 (from the BoSR/SBoR that says, in part, “… the completing of nine items in an [I]ntended list of ten constitutes a legitimate item for (said) list and, in fact, with no further qualifications can be considered, a priori, the tenth and final item in (said) list.”

music vid

*  full Disclosure, Cynthia may not have used exactly those words, in the particular order. That being said and  without feeling in any way compelled to employ an auxiliary ibid(s) or even op. cits. I’ll totally attribute the underlying sentiment to her.