Daily

Tuesday 4th May, 2021

I have to call is 'smart meter' day. My allotment owning friend asked if I could house sit as she was doing some important job and needed to have her house open between 12.00 and 16.00 as a smart meter had to be installed. No problem at all. I put together some writing material and got my book about Post Christian Society and how to keep the true Christian culture and faith alive. It is an interesting book but at times quite heavy going.

I arrived at 11.35 and had a short walk. The meter man arrived at 12.35 by which time I had had four mugs of coffee and written two letters. He was a charming, efficient man and knew how to turn the AGA off etc etc which I had had a short crash course in yesterday but was still utterly clueless. On he went. By 15.35 he had done all but he was awaiting a clearance call from India through which all sorts of things were being done. He told me India was in chaos over Covid. At 15.35 we agreed that he should go off and start another job in a shop nearby and come back at 16.35. I went for a short walk and grabbed a sandwich from Sainsburys for lunch. Only later did I find out that my friend had put out a lot of delicious delicacies for me. In fact I only learned that when I got back an hour ago and read her email which had arrived after I left this morning! She returned at 16.55 so I left via a longer walk in to Dundee and back via the Tay path. The sun had come out at midday and was still strong.

Somehow I feel I have achieved nothing yet my friend seems grateful. I should plan better. I could have written some more letters and taken another book but I did get 'Alexa' to play me Franck's Requiem with Karajan conducting. I also tried to pray but had a sore behind! Golly, I grow restless just when the book is telling me we Christians need to practise asceticism, fasting and self disciplined prayer. I feel a failure but trust in God and hope.

Now for a quiet evening although my landlady greeted me telling me she had not stopped all day and had not sat down....I felt an implied criticism but have dismissed it.