This is a very special day. The heating oil has been delivered to my house. Alleluia! Nearly a miracle in Motovun, it is to be celebrated for days, if not even weeks or months. Yesterday I talked to our priest about it, too. “Would praying to the one on high help with the delivery of heating oil?” I asked half in jest. “Well,” answered the priest in all seriousness, “I would not think praying would help in this particular case.” After a brief pause, he added: “But swearing less most likely would!” Alas, the priest hears me swearing all too often, albeit never when I talk only with him. And he has a good point, no doubt. Now that the heating oil is finally here, perhaps I could make some effort to swear less by way of thanks. Who knows, it may also help with next year’s delivery of heating oil. Not to mention all the future years.