Distraction

Another dismal day of intermittent rain. There was an amazing half hour programme on Radio 4, called 'Singing in Gaza' that told the story of the Edward Said Conservatory of Music in Gaza, destroyed by Israeli assaults but its musical mission kept alive by its staff, most of whom were made homeless and internally displaced by the onslaught. What an amazing inspirational piece of journalism! The sheer joy of musicians surviving, living not just to tell the tale, but make music, after having had their instruments destroyed violently - and making music teaching children to sing together from memory, using solfege. The embodiment of resurrection life and energy. No time for rage or despair driven by the creative urge to make the most of whatever life they have. It moved me to tears..

There were nine of us for the St Catherine's Eucharist. After collecting the veggie bag from Chapter, I cooked lunch when I got home - chicken and chorizo in a spicy sauce for me and fish for Clare with millet instead of rice. In the veggie bag a stalk full of brussels sprouts with one the size of an apple at the top. This on its own cut into quarters provided our greens for the day and any early taste of festivity to come.

I went to the Post Office to mail a calendar to Connie and Udo. Due to its unusual size and weight it cost £850 to send to Germany. Incredibly expensive! Then, a walk under the brolly in Llandaff Fields as the drizzle of rain intensified. My shoes and trousers were pretty wet by the time I got back. Then I wrote a reflection for New Year's Day Morning Prayer until it was time for supper, and afterwards I watched the finale of 'Strike' and a couple of episodes of Crá, the Gaelic crimmie with English subtitles, until it was time for bed, grateful for the distraction, and being in the warm, out of the wind driving the rain through the night time streets.