Quiet on the homefront

Soaking the olives in water

Yesterday was relatively quiet despite the talk that the evening would see more violence. But Tel Aviv came under more attacks. This morning 2 more rockets fell near the city but landed either in the sea or waste land. Like I said, Hamas will not risk destroying the Al Aqsa mosque by shooting Jerusalem. So we're pretty safe here.

There were widespread demonstrations throughout the Territories especially near the security checkpoints; but nothing happened here in Jerusalem. You just get groups of arab youths gathering in street corners jeering and taunting Israeli soldiers standing at the opposite end of the street. It's the usual posturing and bravado that ends in nothing.

This morning Israel started an assault on Gaza from the sea. Coupled with attacks from the air, Gaza is getting a pounding. When the sea and air assault has weakened the Hamas forces, we believe the Israeli land forces will enter Gaza.

Sr Lucia bruising the olives

But life continues as usual ... the olives have to be prepared for pickling. It's tedious work. Luckily the weather has warmed up and its pretty sunny as well so working outdoors is quite pleasant. Then you have to bruise the olives with a mallet before soaking them in brine and spices. Then you have to fight off the crows that try to steal the olives. Or the cats that come and poo into the tubs of olives (It happened last year!!!)

Thus another day passes ... and we wait for good news that the war will end soon. Battering olives is more fun than battering at war.