St Joseph

Friday 19th March, 2021

The feast day of St Joseph. I have such an admiration for this man. He cared, he accepted, he believed, he nurtured, he loved greatly, he stayed there as the constant foundation, he was utterly trustworthy, he is an example of a true human being as I see him. It is not blasphemous to say it but he reminds me of the qualities of my own Father.

So I attended a streamed Mass from Blackfriars, Oxford, but found, God forgive me, the singing dire and skipped part of the Mass.

I completed two letters and took them to be posted. Then I went across the Tay Bridge to Dundee. I popped in to a grocery store and was amazed to purchase 2lbs of granulated sugar for 58p! I needed it as I was on my way to make marmalade. I drove to get petrol from Tescos and found the pumps unused as few cars: something I have never before experienced. Then on to a friend's house to help with her allotment and then use the kitchen for marmalade making.

The allotment was most impressive and we re hung the fruit cage netting. I noted the blossom on the apricot tree and was impressed by over wintering garlics and leeks and the upcoming rhubarb. Just so earthy...superb.

I did as asked. Then back for a black pudding toast sandwich in the garden with gherkins and other spicey pieces. Delicious.

Seville oranges had been de frosted and boiled and softened. So I set about a really chunky mix. Large pieces of very chewy peel as I was not concerned with competition standards. This is purely for me! 1lb orange peel, 2 pints water, 2lbs sugar. I do not know if it has set as it is still at friends. I did note that the jars were packed tight with peel so no opportunity to float to the top and leave the jelly below. Just chunky, chewy, bitter large peel...I did not add a lemon so it might be very sweet and bitter.

I did a short walk, picked up litter but there were a lot of people about so I returned home.

I feel full of fresh air and sunshine...a lovely feeling of tiredness.

St Joseph the worker fills me with comfort. We are in good hands.