Thursday, January 31, 2008

Snow Update--The Real Thing

Yes! This is how it looked through the backdoor window this morning.
But that wasn't good enough, so I actually opened the door!
More snow at the front door.
Yes!
If only I had boots, reliable enough to wear outside in this snow.

There will be lots more pictures.
Because today is a beautiful snowday.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Ugly Snow

I'm not even going to bother taking a picture. What's the point?
It just looks dirty pale grey outside.
The ground and road are slushy.
The sky is draped in a depressing shroud.

It's not the snow of poets.

No winter wonderland.

More like what I saw on the road last year when we finished spinning.

It's the snow of nightmares.

Interesting Reading

Carnival Time!

Here's the latest
Carnival of Education.

It's amazing how much we all have in common.

I Guess I Can't Go To The Pool This Morning

I'll have to burn some calories keeping warm.

Yes, it's snowing. I tried to take some pre-dawn shots via the windows, but between the dirt (on the windows) and the flash, they didn't come out, so I braved the cold for a minute and shot this one.

You can even see the snowflakes falling. Those white pieces are not dust!


Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A Bissel

Do you see it? The little bits of white? It's snow, sort of. I took these pictures waiting for a neighbor to take me down to say T'hillim, Psalms.



I'm part of a group which says them every week. So this was the "snow" about 4:30 pm. Afterwards it warmed up a bit and just rained.
Everyone's in suspense about the night. What will greet our eyes tomorrow morning? One thing for sure, ice on the roads. So be careful.

Stupendous!!

I'm very proud of myself.
I did something totally out of character.
I did something that's good for my health.
Do you see that strange picture down there?
Can you guess what it is?
Nu?!
Guess again.
Well?!
Yes, it's a skirt, a wet skirt.
I was on my way to work. I walked down to the bus stop
and found that my skirt
and my tights
and my heavy, heavy black jacket
and even in my boots...
Yes, everything was wet!
VERY WET!
So I called up the principal of the school, and I told him:
"I haven't even left Shiloh, and
I'm already dripping wet.
There is no way I can teach today.
I'm afraid
that I'll be stuck in Beit El."



So, I went home, and that's where I am.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Will It Or Won't It?

The whole country's going snow berserk.

It has always snowed in the mountains, Jerusalem, north and south. We didn't always know in advance. The surprise was a major part of the fun. Now they've been giving such specific time tables.

It reminds me of how, in my birthing days, I had no idea if I was going to have a girl or boy. The suspense was part of the fun! And some of my friends were surprised when two babies came out instead of one. There are teenage quadruplets here in Shiloh, whom the doctors insisted were only going to be triplets. It's just that one ultrasound showed two boys and a girl and the other ultrasound showed two girls and a boy. The doctors were very confused. I gave you the punchline earlier. Four babies came out, two boys and two girls.

Nowadays expectant parents compare pictures of the unborn babies to see whom they resemble. Don't say anything, please.

So, now, will it snow? From what hour? For how many days?

The media keeps giving instructions on how to prepare, as if it's the first time in Israeli history:

All I really care about is that we have electricity and water the whole time, otherwise we'll freeze here.

My own theory on this hysteria isn't all that nice. Lots of people are making good money working overtime waiting for the snow. They are municipal workers and media people among others. As I said, all I care about is the electricity and water.

Busy Day

G-d willing will pay shiva call (condolence call) before teaching.

It's my "long" teaching day, too.

I wonder if it will really snow this week. Generally these "snow alerts" just add extra pay to some municiapal and media workers.

Dishes await before going...

ps Again there's something strange with blogger. It claims I don't have spelling errors, when I know that there are some. I'll try again, or I'll just have to correct typos without help.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

The FIRST! It's HH #150 Plus ONE

Jack's very first, under his management, Havel Havelim!!!

I'm impressed for sure!

Soccer Dad deserves our thanks and congratulations for his hard work over the years, and I hope he enjoys his retirement. I just can't imagine the difficulties in running a weekly jblog carnival, since it's enough for me to run the monthly Kosher Cooking Carnival.

Jack, you've started great. Enjoy your new career running HH in good health.

Eating Out in Jerusalem--Twice in One Day!!

I discovered a bargain. The meals at "Henry's," or is it "Henri's" in the Pisgat Ze'ev Mall are much cheaper than in restaurants any place else. I presume that the chain, found in most Israeli mall "food courts," will give you the same value for your dollar/shekel.

This "served all day" Breakfast had everything one could ask for. Hope you don't get a sore neck looking at it. Sorry for not flipping it.
It was very pleasant sitting there, like a nice dairy restaurant, with yummy desserts, too. And they served olive oil on the side without my having to request it. Yes, they have my vote!
The Mall in Pisgat Ze'ev has improved. There's no need to go downtown, unless you want Hamashbir or certain stores.
Later in the day, early dinner time, I met my husband in Center 1, Jerusalem, before going to the theater in Tel Aviv. We ate in the meat restaurant there. Actually, we got the "until 5" lunch deal, minutes before the time was up. It was a good deal, but not everything was available. We were both happy with our food.

It's easier to find a kosher restaurant in Jerusalem than Tel Aviv.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Yes, We Were in Tel Aviv

It looked more impressive in person.

We went to a play in the Cameri Theater.
Here are the tickets.
Lovely building.
Before it started, I was bored. Yes, I crochet all over the place.

I was just not made for the winter...

...OK, I know and admit that I kvetch in the summer too. But as I've said before,
"I just function about two weeks a year. One between winter and summer, and the other between summer and winter."

Now it's the middle of the winter and my toes and fingers are frozen. The heater we have in the livingroom just doesn't do it. It's still cold. At least I hooked one up with an extension cord to the den, where the computer is, but the room still hasn't heated up from Shabbat.

So, call me a kvetch, a cold, shivvering kvetch!

I have to put the pictures from our latest adventure on the other computer and then "burn" a cd so I can blog about it all, fully illustrated.

Since I haven't been home much, there are dozens of letters I haven't answered, and I have other things to do, and I'm hungry... and cold and...

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Extreme Weather Kosher Cooking Carnival

Extreme Weather
KCC #26
Shvat, 5768 שבט,
January, 2008





Looking back, here's a list of all the previous KCC's:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.


The Kosher Cooking Carnival is in its third year already. It's not just a "recipe carnival." It includes posts about all different aspects of kosher foods, including:

Halachik Controversies
Traditions
Menus
Annecdotes
Special
Holiday Foods and History
Cookbook and Restaurant Reviews
And, of course, recipes


There is no limit to the amount of posts you can send, as long as they fit the criteria. You may also send in links to other bloggers' posts.

If you're interested in hosting a Kosher Cooking Carnival, please don't be shy. It's great fun; just let me know which month you want. The calendar is filling. Food History is hosting February, frumhouse is taking March, and someone has "penciled in" May. Please let me know.


Soccer Dad, recently retired from being the master minding Havel Havelim, sent me this post about how those not part of the "kosher scene," just don't understand. He also sent this post from Pillage Idiot about faux traif.

"Extreme Weather" requires extremely good, weather-fitting food, and
Leora's vegetable soup is better than chicken soup on a cold night, IMHO. She, also, blogged a nice DT (Dvar Torah) about the Korban Peasach.

In theory, leaving food cooking in a crockpot before going to work should be like having a wife at home. Experiment
#1. Here's more on the saga.

Frum Teacher's
Chicken in mushroom sauce looks great!

If we are what we eat, then think about how special it is to use Shivat Haminim, the Seven Species of Food Grown in Eretz Yisrael, for
healing, as I heard about on TU B'Shvat.

This
bread from burekaboy — seems just my speed. I have to try it!!

Try these
simple treats from Renegade Kosher.

The Comic Torah's
Buried Chicken is definitely worth trying.

Challah Recipes tells us how to stuff
Thanksgiving Turkey.

Mr Bagel asks
Is Kosher Food Safer? posted at Kashrut News.

Soccer Dad's home becomes a
Pre-shabbos bake shop every Friday. If I'm ever in his part of the world… hint! Hint!

Luigi's is a nice Jerusalem Italian style dairy restaurant. Look at the pictures, food included.

Care2 tells us about
root vegetables. So, it's not a blog; the information is important, and it's kosher!

For want of
olive oil, the Sambookie Restaurant chain may have lost a customer!

Two of
Barbara's recipes can be found on Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen, muffin meatloaf and nana Cecelia's Harvard beets.

Betsy Teutsch makes
Happy Vegetarian Family WonTon Soup for her family every Rosh Hashannah, but it's delicious all year, too.

Since we're talking holidays, don't forget to check your
Chametz inventory, so you won't be surprised just before Passover. "Oops! how did all that pasta and breakfast cereal get in my pantry? How can I cook them all together?"

Elisson's
MR. DEBONAIR SHARES A RECIPE is a herring lover's dream.

Annette Berlin posted a perfectly
Fast and Simple Tortilla Pie, which I must try.

One thing you shouldn't try, unless they've improved things, is the
Prime Grill Restaurant in the Prima Hotel in Tel Aviv.

I must thank
Juggling Frogs for sending me Hug the Rav haMachshir. It seems like the Mashgiach has a tougher job than a teacher. Hard to believe!

When the weather is cold, there's nothing better than
Easy, One-Pot Vegetable Soup. Actually, I like it in the summer, too. I just use lighter vegetables, not so many root ones.


Carolyn sent
Fruminsane Prices: 8 Dollars for Frozen Gefilte Fish posted at Samurai Mohel. Pesach is always a time when prices go up for no real reason, or go higher than the actual cost.

Artichoke and avocado, two foods I had neither heard of, nor eaten, before living in Israel. Both are very easy to prepare.

Food History, next month's host has an interesting series on
Vegetarian food and people’s lives in the late 19th century.


That's it for this month. February, KCC #27, will be hosted by
Food History. If you're interested in hosting a future KCC, please let me know, shilohmuse at yahoo dot com. Please submit your posts and any others you deem suitable for KCC via blog carnival.

Thanks to all of you, and please post and link this edition of KCC to your blog.

Kosher?

My husband and I were thinking of a "one night vacation" in Tel Aviv. I got cross-eyed and gaga going over holiday internet sites on the computer. It's not like talking to a human agent. It's not like talking to anybody or anything.

If we were going to go to a hotel, then the big treat would be the Israeli hotel breakfast. Not a single hotel I checked mentioned if they were kosher, even though I know that the "better ones" are. I was really looking at the mediocre ones. One which had been recommended, was kind and polite enough to immediately respond to my email asking:
"Is it kosher?"

The answer was
"No."

At least they were honest.

I never take anything for granted.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

"My Favorite Things"


I don't think this is new, but... enjoy! Thanks to my favorite "little" cousin.


Julie Andrews Turns 69, this is hysterical : To commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:


Sing It! - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >
Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores. Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who would appreciate it.

Almost Finished


The 26th Kosher Cooking Carnival is almost complete. I just have to transfer it to blogger and "do" all the "graphics touches."
It'll probably be up today, sticky-pasted, that means with tomorrow's date. So you still have another few hours to send me posts/links, or they'll just go to the next one.
If you're interested in hosting a future KCC, please let me know, shilohmuse at yahoo dot com. Please submit your posts and any others you deem suitable for KCC via blog carnival.
That gives you something to look forward to!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Restaurant Alert-- Don't Eat Here!

This was sent to me by a friend, whose taste and judgement I trust.

The restaurant is Prime Grill in the Prima Hotel, 105 HaYarkon St., Tel Aviv.

Issues:
(1) First I have to say that the chicken liver we had as appetizers were FABULOUS, and the spinach ravioli was edible. Everything went downhill from there. Appetizers were about 45 and up.
(2) Very expensive meal, 337 NIS for 3 appetizers and 2 main courses, that is all we took for three people.
(3) The waiter brought bread to the table. Gratis. For our table of three, there were four pieces of bread. This came with three spreads, one of which was salmon-based. Across from us a single diner got the same. When the four slices were finished, we asked if we could have additional bread. We were told sure, at an additional charge. We were waiting for our orders and had spreads left. We pointed out that the single diner had the same amount of bread brought to his table as we, a party of three, did. We told him that at these prices, and considering the guy across from us got the same thing, we should have three times as much, enough for three people. He said he'd ask and then came back with a bunch of slices... of plain lechem achid, the cheapest of Israeli bread!!! The original bread was nice. When we asked him MA ZEH, "What's that?" giving us lechem achid from a bag, he said "the other bread comes in a bag too." By the time we turned around and wanted to spread the bread with the leftover spreads, we realized that those had disappeared from the table. When queried, the waiter said that because there is fish in one of the spreads, it needed to be cleared before the meat main course could be served. Chelm.
(4) Took FOREVER to get that first carafe of water, and twice we had to beg to have it refilled, it also took FOREVER to get to us.
(5) The food: One took the Entrecote Steak, one took Tavshil Egel (veal.) The only way to describe the food was: appropriate for a misedet poalim, workers' canteen. The sides were: sweet potato, I think glaze, rice (tasted like Uncle Ben's) with inedible dead, killed, cooked too much cauliflower; a skewer of glazed dried fruit. About the steak: they never asked how we want it prepared. It tasted like maybe basar meubad, "treated" meat. The egel was like a roast a Bubbie would make, one who cooks food to death, that is. It did not resemble any veal we have met in a fine-eating establishment (our own kitchen, for example). The sauce was inappropriate for the meat. It fell apart if you breathed on it. It was the thickness of a slice of meat served at a simcha here in Israel. It boasted no particular flavor. Main courses were about 95 NIS each.
(6) I am disgusted and wonder if the Chareidi community will be enough to keep that restaurant going for more than a few months.
(7) They have chutzpa using the name of the fabulous Prime Grill restaurant in Manhattan, (I think now in CA and or FL as well.)
(8) They give you 2 starters, one of some sort of Chatzilim (eggplant,) one of some cut up veggies which were quite decent. They refill.
(9) The food was NOT HOT.

Stay Calm!

I figured I'd spend this non-laundry like, TU B'Shvat holiday finishing the Kosher Cooking Carnival. I put some posts up last night and .... Yes, stay calm, somehow, I can't find what I did. It seems like when I saved, the previous saved replaced what I saved.

So I have to redo all I did last night. I think it'll be easier than trying to find what I thought I had saved. So I'll have some lunch now and try to stay calm.

Say it again.

Stay calm.

Well, you can't see it, but I have many more spelling errors here. Now I'll just do spell check, clean up the mess, have my lunch, read a book, practice smiling and stay calm, yes, I must stay calm and remember, it's not anyone's health, so while I'm taking a break form the computer, good time to say T'hilim, that's Psalms, and with refuah shleimah, that's a full and speedy recovery to my good friends Menya Liba bat Itta Chaya and Pnina bat Sofiya Zlatta and others.

And stay calm!

Dumb Me!

I can't believe that months of a fantastic weekly women's Tanach, Bible, class had been given here in Shiloh by Taphat Halprin, and I just went today for the very first time. From what I understand, there's only about a month left before it's over.

A week or so ago a neighbor asked me why I don't go, and I didn't really have an answer. I thought it was one of those "first study these sources and then we'll discuss them" class. I can't read and understand all the Hebrew when it's done like that. I have to read English, check specific things in Hebrew, but I have no problem understanding and participating in verbal Hebrew.

My daughters have studied with Taphat and say that she's unbelievable.

Well, I figured that if this neighbor can follow it, I certainly can. So today I went. Taphat was so amazing and quick, which I like since I also think quickly and sometimes get very antsy and frustrated with people who speak and develop their ideas slowly. What really shocked me was that she even made medrashim, Rabbinic "Legends," sound reasonable. Usually, I can't stand them. I like delving through the actual text.

The series is Women in the Bible. She's in the middle of teaching about Miriam but spoke more of Bitya, Bat Paroh, Pharaoh's daughter. Besides all the traditional Jewish sources, she described scenes in The Prince of Egypt, the animated movie, to explain passages and agreed with me that in Blazing Saddles the part leading to the quicksand scene is a good explanation of the way slave owners related to their slaves.

Taphat described Bitya and Miriam as rebels, or dissidents. Think about it; the men of their time "played it safe." We'd still be in Egypt if they hadn't done what they did.

Things haven't changed. Have they?

Celebrating TU B'Shvat

Last night we had a talk about the health benefits of the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species of Foods grown in the Land of Israel. It's based on the writings of the Rambam.


It was nice to know that the nosh was healthy.

We didn't "do" the TU B'Shvat Seder, drinking white and red wine etc, but it was a pleasant and educational evening. Yair Even-Chaim, who spoke, gives health advice.




Monday, January 21, 2008

Cold Feet

I do suffer from cold feet and fingers. Last week there was great sympathy about my rant.

ns50 for thermal socks in the "camping store" seemed too high a price, and I didn't buy them.

Yesterday, I was in Jerusalem looking for end of season bargains and passed by my "cheap socks" store. ns20 for thermal socks! That's right! So I bought two pairs. It could be that the temperature went up a couple of degrees, but I didn't suffer a second from cold feet last night. I didn't even fill the hot water bottle, which usually warms the bed. The store is on Jaffa Street, near Zion Square. I also bought some colorful "thermal undershirts" for the same price.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

150! Thank You Soccer Dad

If you haven't yet caught the reference, ... Jbloggings' very own Soccer Dad is heading the ball to Jack after 150 Havel Havelim Jblog carnival editions. Soccer Dad started Havel Havelim and kept it going for over three years.



I expected more fanfare, but here's the 150th Havel Havelim!

Sunday Morning, Really?

My skin is so dry and awful from the weather.

Shabbat was nice. The kids warmed up the house. My grandson is enormous and adorable. No, he's no fat, just big. And my granddaughters are growing up. I have to start looking for next year's clothes. I already bought two jumpers in the next size for the big one.

Friday night there was a "Shiloh-Style
Tish." It was to celebrate Thirty Years of Renewed Jewish Life in Shiloh. It was led by Yossi Apter, and a number of neighbors spoke, including Rav Elchanan Bin Nun, who has been our rabbi since almost the beginning. We came to Shiloh three and a half years after the return, and they were here already and building their house with the first group of "build your own homes." This Shabbat there were also some families here which had left Shiloh. It was a nice reunion.


Shabbat afternoon there were a few walking tours. My husband led one here in the neighborhood, and our daughter joined in to tell everyone what it was like the very first day the school opened. Her teacher, also, spoke.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Warming Up

At least I hope we can warm up here.


My married daughter's coming for Shabbat. G-d willing, the additional people will make the house warmer. It was never so cold here. I no longer have enough heaters. My room is the coldest, and I'll have to take the heater out.


I'll be busy cooking and cleaning all day.


It's a very important Shabbat here in Shiloh. We're celebrating 30 years since the Jewish return to hour holy city!

Usually, by this date, TU B'Shavat, on the Jewish calendar, the almond trees are in bloom, but not this year. This picture is from last year.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A Little Further Afield...

Today a neighbor and I decided to wander around Tel Shiloh. Isn't it something how all of a sudden, ever since I began writing about praying in Shiloh instead of at Kever Rachel, Rachel's Tomb, I find that others are interested, too.

The Mishkan, Tabernacle, Jewish spiritual center was in Shiloh for 369 years, from Joshua to Samuel. You can still feel the holiness. People come from all over the world.

Here are some pictures:


Tel Shiloh II 3

Tel Shiloh II 1

Tel Shiloh II 2

Tel Shiloh II 4

Tel Shiloh II 5

Tel Shiloh II 6

Tel Shiloh II 7

Tel Shiloh II 8
It wasn't enough for us just to walk around the Tel; we also walked on the main road and back in to Shiloh.

For Real-- Saving a Life

I checked out with a nurse, if this is true. She said "yes," so I'm posting it.

You could save a life.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R.
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION: During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this... STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.


RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE .
T * = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg "It is sunny out today").
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 000 immediately!! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A prominent cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

….and it could be your own…..

PASS THIS ON….

Almost Time...


Yes, it is. The next Kosher Cooking Carnival will, G-d willing, be posted next week. So please send me links to any posts you write or see about any aspect of Kosher food. And if you're interested in hosting one, please let me know.
Thanks!

Before My Head Hit The Pillow

OK, the truth is no "pillow," but you get the idea. I don't remember "falling asleep." That's the way I like it, no stress and anxiety about how long it will take to finally fall asleep.

I finally took the plunge, again, literally, and went to the pool yesterday morning. I knew it would tire me out, but I was more afraid that I wouldn't have the energy to teach afterwards.

In previous years, Wednesday was a day off, and I would meet a friend for lunch or brunch, do errands and then go home. This year, I work on Wednesdays and Mondays for even longer, so I hadn't been to the pool in Neve Yaakov, except once during the Yom Kippur/Succot vacation.

A weekly swim is important for my general fitness and health.

So, yesterday, without anything strenuous Tuesday night or Wednesday, I got up extra early and started "tremping" to Jerusalem. Ride #1 to Ofra, another to the first traffic lights of Pisgat Zeev, then, even before a cab came, the bus to the pool.

As I exited the locker room, I heard lots of enthusiastic greetings from friends I hadn't seen for months. They warmed me as I braced for my jump into the water. No need to fear; the water was warm! The steam room was crowded when I entered. Suddenly, I heard:

"You gave my daughter a 100%"

It was an old friend, whose daughter I had tested. She deserved the hundred; I don't play "protexia."

After my "swim," steam room and sauna treats, I went to Ramat Eshkol to nosh and shop.

It has a great shopping center. Ramat Eshkol is one of the first, if not the first neighborhood built in land liberated after the Six Days War. According to Bush and Rice, it's no different from Shiloh in its "legitimacy." In a sense I agree. All the Land we liberated in the Six Days War is 100% Israeli!
Look in the picture above. Is that more of the "wall?" I took the picture from the stairs which go down the the Ramat Eshkol shopping center.

Afterwards I "tremped" to Beit El and taught and then I began to feel exhausted. I finally made it home, after getting into more vehicles than I can remember.

The sun went down, and another day...


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Amazing Day, but...

I'm really too tired to write right now. I'm going to sleep.


Sorry

Really

But so you can have something to keep you busy with,



Where was this picture taken?

"Doggie in the Window"

Just passing on a message:
These little guys were found in a dumpster on January 1. If you'd like to adopt, please call Varda at Tza'ar Ba'alei Chayim 02- 656-9568 or 054-528-2863. If not, please forward this message to your friends.
Thanks, Doug



How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

How much is that doggie in the window? (
arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

I must take a trip to California
And leave my poor sweetheart alone
If he has a dog, he won't be lonesome
And the doggie will have a good home

How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

I read in the paper there are robbers (roof! roof!)
With flashlights that shine in the dark
My love needs a doggie to protect him
And scare them away with one bark

I don't want a bunny or a kitty
I don't want a parrot that talks
I don't want a bowl of little fishies
He can't take a goldfish for a walk

How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale
I do hope that doggie's for sale
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Note:
Arf! Arf! sounds like a small dog.
Roof! Roof! sounds like a bigger dog.

Bursting Pipes

Considering the terrible drought and water shortage in Israel, I'm surprised that the mainstream media hasn't written about this. I can't give you numbers, but lots of water is being lost because of burst pipes.

This ice in the street is from water lost when a pipe burst due to the fact that they are freezing at night, and then when the sun comes up, the heat is so strong that the pipes burst. Our infrastructure was not made for the present climatic conditions. I took the picture mid-morning, when I was certain that it was no longer freezing, but it was.

Reports from Jerusalem tell of many, many people being without water, since they have to turn off the supply because of leaks.

Plumbers are very busy.
There's frost every where.