No Hoo Yahoo

I don't know what the cause is, but my yahoo mail is going no hoo wacko and refusing to send my letters without my typing in security codes and even then sometimes just freezing up like a wayward kid.

Your message was not sent

Suspicious activity has been detected on your account. To protect your account and our users, your message has not been sent.

If this error continues, please contact Yahoo! Customer Care for further help.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks,

The Yahoo! Mail Team

All of my important stuff is on the yahoo, and I just don't like gmail's set up, the way the screen looks when I use it.

G-d willing it'll calm down soon and behave again.

The Thanksgiving KCC Bright and Early From "Pesky"

Pesky Settler has served up a great Thanksgiving treat, the latest Kosher Cooking Carnival.

Pay a visit and sample from all the yummy posts she's serving. To contribute a post, or two or even more to the next edition, send via blog carnival. 

And if you'd like to host one, please let me know by writing shilohmuse at yahoo dot com

Yesterday, The Devil Wore Prada

Yes, you guessed it.  Yesterday the Shiloh Movie Club watched Meryl Streep playing the boss from hell in The Devil Wears Prada.

Being Meryl Streep, she probably humanized Miranda Priestly more than any other actress could have.  As a former teacher, whose failure was controling the students in the classroom, I find the persona amazing, because she never raises her voice but has total control.  And the staff is terrified of her.  She just has to purse her lips and a top designer designer will redo his entire collection.  She gives "a look" and the entire staff goes scurrying hysterically in panic.

I usually show older more obscure* movies, and one of the regular viewers didn't come, because she has seen it many times.  So, I was a bit nervous about the reactions. But everyone enjoyed it, or at least said that they did.

Next week I want to show a real comedy.

*unknown aka less popular

I Need a Little Vitamin HH; Vitamin KCC is Available

I began noticing a lowering of numbers, no, not my weight unfortunately,  other numbers, visitors to my blogs.  So I decided that it was time for an energy boost.  I gave Jack a "call" asking if he needs a hostess for Havel Havelim.  I figured he'd give me a date in a month or more, but surprise, I have it the week after this upcoming one.  If you'd like some Vitamin KCC, please let me know.

And while I'm mentioning blog carnivals, how could I ignore the Kosher Cooking Carnival which will be by Pesky, any time now.

Hate To Complain, Not Enough Rain

Yesterday I met with my multi-talented buddy, Sharon Katz, newbie blogger, the power behind Voices Magazine, which now comes out both hard copy and internet version.  Oops!  That reminds me that I'm due with another column.

Yesterday we focused on Ramat Eshkol, which I remember under construction.  It and French Hill were the first post-Six Days War neighborhoods in Jerusalem.  One point I forgot to mention in my Voices TV interview (this links to a previous one) was why davka that location was chosen to be the first humongously major building project.  Ramat Eshkol/French Hill unites the city with Mount Scopus, which was technically Israeli during the 19 years the city was divided.  Special convoys preserved the Israeli presence there when Jordan was the power, but it was a priority for Israel to return to the Hebrew University Campus there and Hadassa Hospital.  By making that area an enormous residential area, Mount Scopus was returned to Jewish Life.

Hmmm... the title doesn't yet connect to this post.  OK, here goes:

Originally, we had planned to meet last week, but then Sharon asked for a rain check.  My replacement plans for last week were better than planned.  And funnily, this week we had to change our originally planned venue, the Old City of Jerusalem, because of the rain.  The rain drizzled and fizzled.  Too much for the outdoor plans we had, but not enough rain to fill our Land's needs.

"Changing of the Guard"

You've been reading that I've left teaching, so I think it's a good thing to read Shifra Shomron's Ink and Quill  about her entry to the profession.  Yes, that's the same Shifra who wrote Grains of Sand, while still in her teens, about her and her family's experiences during the last months of Neve Dekalim, Gush Katif, before Disenagagement.

I'm glad that there's a young talented generation entering the teaching profession here in Israel.  Her students are very lucky.  And we're lucky to be able to read more from Shifra.

G-d willing, she'll encourage more young writers.

I'm Out of The Classroom, Yes, Again

About a year and a half ago, I was glad to be officially fired from my teaching job.  I never expected to enter the classroom ever again as a teacher, but this past September I did.  I was asked to substitute in a different school.

In one of those "great timings" my mother fell and fractured her pelvis just as the school year began.  So, during Succot (early October) I traveled/flew to New York and brought my father back home to Shiloh.  Then after trying to teach and care for him, I admitted that it just wasn't going to work, so I left the classroom yet, again.  And this time it should be for good.  I don't belong in today's classroom.  Today's kids aren't the students for me.  And I'm not the teacher for them either.

One of the reasons has common roots to this New York Times article about... would you believe dog training?  Nothing in the article mentions high school students, but the advice to parents and dog owners is to make sure it's clear "who's the boss."

One of the classes I taught was filled with students who considered themselves my boss and constantly criticized me.  The other classes were much nicer, but the school allows and encourages the students to report their complaints about the teachers.  And the complaints are taken very seriously, without allowing the teachers the right to defend themselves.

I wasn't going to blog about this, but after reading the article, I began feeling better about myself.  I think that part of respect for a teacher should be that the students accept the fact that  there's a hierarchy.  Students are not their teachers' superiors, nor their equals.

With all that I was going through, I did not have the physical nor emotional strength to devote to strengthening my teaching persona.  When we're tired and stressed out, charisma is weak.  I was not going to endanger my health by pushing myself too much.  As much as we need the money, I need my health, too.

Menu Conversion, Or What to Serve for Special Meals, Like Thanksgiving

This morning I woke up to find a letter from someone asking help in converting some traditional Thanksgiving recipes to kosher parve (no dairy products.)

I don't think she liked my general approach, which is to ignore tradition.  First of all, I like simple foods and menus.  I don't think it's healthy to have all sorts of animal proteins (meat, fish, poultry, dairy) at one meal.  Kashrut, the Jewish Dietary Laws, forbids meat/poultry with dairy.  Also, fish isn't cooked with meat/poultry, though they can be served separately.  As far as I'm concerned, it's enough for our bodies to have either meat/poultry or fish.  You don't need both, certainly not all at once.

I like my vegetables to be just vegetables and not full of fats and animal proteins.  For over a year now, I eat very few starches (carbohydrates,) and due to that diet change, I've lost over 35 pounds or 15 kilo.

My meals include a serving of animal protein, or tofu, plus lots of low starch vegetables and salad.  I find these meals filling and satisfying.  My vegetables are baked, roasted, sauteed and stir-fried. They're attractive and delicious when cooked those ways.  In addition, it's very easy to prepare vegetables like that.

Most studies show that overeating proteins is the cause of illness, high cholesterol etc, so if you only serve one animal protein, the chances are that you'll eat less than if there's a choice.  Make a variety of vegetables, and you'll find yourself healthier and slimmer.  Limit the carbohydrates to one starchy vegetable and one grain at most.  Don't sweeten vegetables.  Properly cooked, they're sweet enough.

Weight Loss Momentum Lost

Actually, the situation is worse than that.  I've gained back a bit in the last month since I stopped working.  So now, I have to get back on track, change gears and figure out how to at least keep status quo, the weight off.

I'm trying to exercise more, even though it must be at night when my husband is home.  I'm trying to restrict fruit to three a day, like the Start Fresh Diet Plan requires.  I have to focus on what's best for me, while I care for my elderly father.

At least  I can get out once a week or even more.  And my father is doing well here.  Next we have to arrange to bring my mother.  I wish there was a reasonably priced senior citizens home, which provides all meals in Jerusalem with some activities in English.

No Protexia Needed!

Anyone can click here for the latest Havel Havelim hosted by A Mother in Israel!

So pay her a visit and enjoy all the great posts.

A Good Time At The Movies

With today's DVD's and VCR's there's no need to travel to see a good movie.  Last night  my father and I walked around the corner to a neighbor's place for a movie and social event.  My father has a bigger social life here in Shiloh than he has had the past few years home in Great Neck.  We have guests, and people invite us, too.  Socializing is less formal, and even waiting in the clinic is fun, considering that we're a very friendly community.

What movie did we see? Mirror Has Two Faces with/by Barbra Streisand, co-starring  Jeff Bridges.  It's funny, but no real suspense, especially since the publicity photos are from the last scene.  I'm pretty sure that we had already seen the movie as a group, but nobody walked out in protest.

"Addition" To The Clan

My daughter and her husband decided that the kids need a dog, and yes, that's her.  The kids are getting used to her. 

When I was young I was totally phobic about animals, but I trained myself out of it.

Keeping Busy and What's Next

As I've written, I've been told to get out as much as I can.  I must prevent "burn-out."

So, this week has been very busy.

On Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the 30th of Marcheshvan, I treated myself to a day off. My husband stayed with my father and I went off and out of Shiloh.


First I went down to Tel Shiloh for Rosh Chodesh Prayers. I was joined by the fresh greenery, the gifts from G-d after our early rains.

Then I traveled to Jerusalem to meet a friend for lunch. As I stood on Rechov Yaffo, I was surprised to see Helen Freedman of AFSI. When I had last met her, in August, she had mentioned that she'd be here in November, but we never followed up on it. But there she was. She told me that she was on the way for lunch at the Anna Ticho House (I'll blog about the food at a later time) with her daughter and I should join them. So I told my friend Rosaly to meet me there. We were also joined by Mina Fenton, who had been a neighbor of mine in Bayit V'Gan thirty years ago, before we moved to Shiloh.

After a most delicious lunch (they've changed the menu,) we paid a visit to the T'hillim (Psalms) Museum in the same courtyard. We were lucky that the artist was there and Mina had him talk to us.

Jewish Tradition is that Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month, is supposed to be a special "women's holiday." And this month I did celebrate very joyfully!

Playing Cards With "Grandpa"

All the bedrooms were full last night. Two of my kids, the oldest and youngest, are over for a visit with their grandpa.  Having my father living with us has brought my kids home for more visits than ever, at least since the nest emptied.

I'm doing more cooking and cleaning than I've done for years. That's my "job" now.

According to family legend, my grandfather, my father's father, was a great and dedicated card player. That was his "hobby."  And my father was a good student, mentored by the best.  So, the legend also says that my father played cards in the U.S. Navy on the ships, and a lot of people owed him money.  He was transferred off the USS Indianapolis right before it was torpedoed.

Last night the kids tried to get him to teach them poker tricks/skills, but that seemed beyond his present abilities.  Then they tried Blackjack and discovered that he could still play that like a pro.  He had qualified and worked as a CPA for decades and can still calculate sums, at least well enough for the game.  As he played, he seemed sharper and more alert.  They played for money; something I had never done.  I used to just play for fun.

It's amazing what can stimulate the aged.

Has Youtube Joined With Google-Blogger?

When I clicked "sign in" on youtube before it said that I was signed in already.  It seemed very strange, since I hadn't done youtube for weeks.  I added the Sarah Palin-Barbara Walters interview, then I signed out, and now, I was asked to sign in again on blogger.  So does that mean that they're all connected?  Yes, I'm shilohmuse on many different internet sites/whatevers.

This is getting rather confusing.  I use the same name, shilohmuse, to make life less complicated, but...

OK, as long as they don't ask for money.

It's Hard to Predict the Weather

I really ought to do some laundry today, so I checked the sky through the window.  From the east it looked pretty clear.

Then I looked to the west, and it was dark and cloudy.



To the south it seemed mixed.

I decided to risk it and loaded the washing machine.  I don't think that I did any or much laundry this week.  Yesterday was rainy, and I went to Jerusalem.  I'll blog about that in a few posts, since there are a number of topics to cover.  I had a wonderful day!

Today we're home; that means me and my father.  I'm expecting lots of guests and hope that the timing works out well.  I also hope that the movie club won't mind that I'll be cooking dinner while showing the film.  I have an "open plan" livingroom diningroom and kitchen in an "L" shape.  Usually I enjoy that flexible open space.  Being in the kitchen isn't being isolated from what's going on in the house.  I hope that my kids won't mind that there will be a movie club here in the afternoon.

So far, from the southern window (the den) I see the sky clearing.  I need a strong sun, not blocked by clouds today.  I still hang out the wash outdoors.  I always have.

Shopping in Jerusalem, Something For Every Taste

 I always get a kick out of the store window reflections, even when there's nothing I would buy.

I've never liked snoods. I think of them as colored undershirts with spikes.

This is my kind of food, though I'm not quite sure what they are. Hint! Does anybody know?

I ought to stay away from all this delicious food. For this, I'd go off my diet for a bit. But if I had to choose between the baklava and Hagen Dasz Mint Chip or 5 Mint.... I'll take the ice cream!

Turning Wintery

Nothing's more beautiful than the wintery sky here in Shiloh.  The summer sky is boring, all blue, but as winter approaches, the humidity and clouds make it a visual wonderland. 


May G-d bless us with plentiful rain.

A Question, Re: Crocheting a Beret

I've been crocheting a beret, and like all my crochet projects, I don't use a pattern. I can't use one, for a very simple reason.  I don't really know what I'm doing when I crochet; my work is intuitive.

The beret is designed "in my head."  My big question is the diameter.  I don't have any berets in my hat collection, so I'm not sure how large it should be before I either continue a few rows at maximum or start decreasing.

I'd appreciate some advice about diameters.  Thanks

A Dumb Question

cross-posted on Shiloh Musings
There are a number of programs for the elderly here in Israel, not far from us, in Eli, Beit El, Ofra, Jerusalem.  I would love to take my father to them.  There's even a possiblity of organized transportation, which is no problem for him physically.






Unfortunately there's another problem.  The programs are in the morning.  My father needs a lot of sleep and it would be terribly stressful to try to get him up and out so early in the morning. 






I know that his schedule isn't unique, especially among those who are on all sorts of medications.  He would really enjoy the programs and socializing, even though not everyone speaks English.  But he can't participate.  What a shame.

HH #243 From The Bima Ima

There's no havel in this Havel Havelim by the Bima Ima.  It's not "norishkeit."  She did a great job, and I highly recommend checking it out and visiting all the posts she linked.

Shavua Tov
Have a Great Week

PS I was just interviewed by an AP journalist, so if you see me mentioned in print or TV spot, please let me know, including the link, of course.  Thanks!

Easy Stove-Top Steak

A few months ago, we got one of those heavy cast-iron grilling pans.  I finally used it to grill "turkey steaks."  The Jerusalem's most handsome bachelors used one when they grilled beef steaks for me last year. 

First I put some garlic and onion and oil in the pan and heated it up.

Then I placed the steaks, turned them over a few times, and they were delicious!

There was no need to do more.

The only "tricky" part is caring for the pan.  After washing, it must be dried well and oiled.

We've Been Invaded!

We're paying the price for leaving the door open and enjoying yesterday's warm air.  Some flies decided to stay for Shabbat, and they are very annoying.

There were other Friday afternoon guests who came to see my father, but they didn't stay very long.  I wish the flies had left and the cousins had stayed...

The Latest in Home Renovations

Do you see that shiny, new railing?  It was installed just before I brought my father to live with us.

When we built the house twenty-five years ago, the few steps leading to our front door didn't seem like too many.  But in recent years I've had to help neighbors walk up and down them and I'd get nervous about those who insisted that they could make it fine on their own.

Inside our house there aren't any stairs, making it very comfortable and safe for the elderly and crawling babies.

We're not the only people in Shiloh to have added a bannister, so people can have something to hold onto.  Ours isn't very fancy, but it's strong and matches the ones the same workman put up on the main path from the road to the synagogue.  My neighbor's father ordered them when he moved here.

Our Shiloh neighbood is now twenty-eight years old.  The first "temporary" prefabricated structures arrived August, 1981.  We moved into "ours" that September 1.  We have children older than we were then, and now we have to take into consideration the needs of the much more elderly.  Synagogue renovations are wheelchair accessible as well as for baby carriages.

Baruch Hashem, thank G-d, we're a community for all ages.