Friday

Lent. Why abstain from anything? I already eat in moderation, so it is no hardship to give up  on any food which is supposed to be a luxury. Probably it is better to do something more positive, in my case counting my blessings each evening, and trying to do, experience or learn something new each day.

Might just as well start today: I was given a ticket to a very well-known performance of the St. Matthew Passion by J.S.Bach, as well as a free ticket for a concert in Amsterdam, in the "Orgelpark". A recital on four different pipe organs in a big former church, now a concert hall. This "Organ Park" aims to make pipe organs more popular by programming non-religious organ recitals, often in combination with other instruments. In spite of the aim of the Park to program modern music, this will be a fairly traditional recital. The beauty is that all four organs, each one different, will be played during this recital. We'll keep you posted!

This past weekend

Blessings? Great weather during the weekend. A walk into Leiden on Saturday, which looked very attractive in spite of the shop I wanted to go to being closed. All the tables in the sun on the curb-side cafes fully occupied. Saved me some cash! Instead a  drink at home with my feet up on a chair.

Dutch Bitterballen

Bliss: a shorter than expected sermon on Sunday, and still bright sunshine, even after church when the sun usually tends to disappear. A walk on the beach while the tide was in, so hard work through very soft sand: A free workout! Later I got a table in the sun with a view of the sea and enjoyed a nice glass of wine plus some very tasty "bitterballen", a Dutch delicacy.

The azalea praecox in my front garden is in full bloom and attracts admiring comments from passers –by, of which there aren't many in this dead-end block of houses. Hope the owners walking their dogs here will not slacken their attention and let their precious charges have a go against my garden fence. Poop-a-scoops are still a rare phenomenon in this country, I am sorry to say.

Several friends suggested items for my Lent list:

- Think positively.

- No self criticism; others will do that for you

- Write down at least one thing a day which you have learned

- Don't live your life on sufferance.

A nice list, a bit peculiar for just Lent, perhaps. It may grow into a habit, one never knows.

Another good thing this weekend: I made a very nice oven dish of sole in white wine. Great! And very easy. Add fresh vegetables and chips if you like, and you can serve a great and healthy meal with little effort.