Colder than ice

Lovely fireplace at Rossini's

Still cold today ... 10 degrees. I found a fireplace that actually works: logs happily crackling in the fire while ambers glow at the corners. And it was so warm. It was at Rossini's and Chef Joseph sat me directly next to the fireplace so it felt very comfortable. I decided to treat our Hong Kong volunteer of our museum for dinner because she's been surviving on instant noodles and bread all these weeks. She works hard and enjoys archaeology so the museum is the right place for her in this weather.

Sad to read that a 4th Palestinian has been shot dead by Israeli soldiers this week. The boy was only 16 years old. News reports say he and others tried to breach a fence. Surely Israel can understand the anger and frustration of the Palestinians being caged in by walls and fences ...

And just as sad ... the Saudis beheaded a Sri Lankan maid. It is such a violent culture of vengeance: an eye for an eye. There is no place for compassion or mercy; no idea of forgiveness or magnanimity. It is a world so cold ... colder than the winter we're having.