Something wonderful happened to me today. At least by Istrian standards, it verges on the miraculous, too. I called a company in Novigrad that distributes heating oil and that recently acquired a cistern small enough to come down Borgo all the way to my house, and I was told right away that they would deliver the oil around noon tomorrow. There were no ifs or buts. I was not even told to call and check again tomorrow morning, for one could never tell about deliveries, you know. Everything went as smoothly as it possibly could. More, the woman on the other side of the line even chuckled jovially before we hung up. Wow! But the call left me perplexed. Incredulous. And even somewhat anxious. Was it all a dream? Or was the fall in heating-oil prices precipitous enough to soften the hearts of Istrian distributors to such an extent that they would deliver the magical stuff without any fuss after a single call?

Addendum I (February 12, 2009)

As I said, yesterday’s heating-oil deal verged on the miraculous. A short while ago, minutes before the promised delivery time, I got a call from the cistern driver. He said he got stuck in the middle of the road between Novigrad and Motovun. Something went wrong with the motor. Now everything depends on the nature of the problem. The delivery may take place later today, but it may also have to wait until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even a day later. In fact, the delivery may have to wait a week or two if the problem is very serious. So, we are on familiar territory once again: calling, pleading, bickering, threatening. God be praised, though, there are no miracles in Istria!

Addendum II (February 13, 2009)

This morning I called the heating-oil company in Novigrad to see what was going on with the broken cistern. “I don’t know anything about heating oil,” answered a man on the other side of the line. I have not talked to him before. “Is there anyone around you who can tell me about heating oil,” I asked. “No,” was the answer. “Thank you very much,” I concluded the call. And then I called the cistern driver. “Any good news?” I asked. “Didn’t I tell you that I would call you when I had some news?” he answered. “Thank you very much,” I concluded the call once again. Now, this is Istria! I am on familiar territory, indeed. To answer my question from the original piece, the fall in heating-oil prices was far from precipitous enough to soften the hearts of Istrian distributors.

Addendum III (February 14, 2009)

The heating oil is here. As of this afternoon, my tank is full. Brimming with the stuff of life. Alleluia! Returning to miracles, they are possible, even in Istria. Forget all my doubts so far. They are blasphemous. Miracles do happen, and we must accept them with an open heart. Alleluia!