agony over

The weather has really turned summer for sure - we had two days of 35 degrees celsius. It was so hot but luckily there was a cool breeze blowing once in a while. We expect more this weather till September so if you're coming this way - be prepared!

Last Saturday and Sunday was pure agony. Somehow I woke up with my left knee very very painful. I couldn't support myself or walk. Didn't know why. The pain kept coming even when I was lying down in bed (which was most of the weekend) and I finally put on the brace to support my knee. I was really down and several of the fathers here were worried for me as they could see my pain. Finally on Monday I couldn't take it anymore and gave the knee and lower leg a hard push - enough to get the bones back in place. Then the pain stopped immediately and I could walk.

Now without the pain i can concentrate on my work and go down to the library for books. And the canaries get something to eat. The 3 baby Red factors have feathers now and are too big for their nest. They'll soon be flying.

Tonight begins Ascension Day. The friars are up on the Mt. of Olives now singing vespers at the crusader chapel of the Ascension - now a mosque - we're allowed by the muslims to celebrate mass once a year there. Then at midnight they'll go back again to sing Vigils. When it ends at 1am, there'll be masses every half hour until 9am when our Custos arrives for the solemn Mass. We put up tents there so the friars can stay overnight to help at the services. It'll be very tiring for everyone - except me i guess. Having just recovered from my knee pain, I'm not walking up the Mt of Olives for the celebrations. I'll stay home and preside at the morning Mass at 6.30am. Almost everyone would have gone up to the Mt of Olives so the house will be pretty quiet.