and another funeral

This afternoon I rushed home from work via tremp, bus, tremp, home then walked and two more tremps until I finally got to the gathering next to the Mishkan Shiloh Synagogue.

Just as I approached my friend whose mother had passed away, the neighbor who conducts the funerals, handed me the knife and asked me to do "kri'ah," make that first cut in the mourner's clothing. That article of clothes must be worn for the entire shiva, seven day mourning period, except for Shabbat.

The mourner ignores all norms of "proper attire." No hair combing, bathing or clean clothes. None of those things are important; they're all material. Friends and relatives bring the mourner food and drink.

We accompanied the body to the cemetery. She was placed in her grave. Various people shoveled the dirt onto her, and she was buried.

Her daughter, grandsons and great-grandchildren all live here in Shiloh.

HaMakom Y'Nachem

old-fashioned, practical

Last night I slept with cabbage leaves wrapped on my knee. Also, when I was in Jerusalem, I took the bus from downtown to the Central Bus Station, instead of walking the kilometer plus. I had already walked all around. I think I made a mistake on Monday when I took the steps rather than the elevator in all sorts of buildings. G-d willing, I'll defeat this "annoyance," like I did my shoulder problem and other aches and pains.

I'm a firm believer that "common sense" and knowing one's "needs" is the best way to stay strong and healthy. It's not like I never go to doctors, but we can prevent so many problems if only we'd pay attention to the signals our body sends us. I'm very fussy about the shoes I wear. I have to feel good in them, and I don't wear "heels;" though ever since I had trouble with my right heel, I need slightly raised ones.

The body changes. Luckily I found a store that stocks "Moran" shoes, so I was able to get a pair of "dress shoes" suitable for Shabbat and summer, and good in winter, too. My seat in shul (synagogue) has a disadvantage, as much as I love it. A biting draft hits my feet. I keep two shawls in my box which can protect the rest of my body, but my feet suffer, especially in sandals. Stockings don't keep them warm. Now I should be more comfortable.

In the kitchen, I work seated. I started that many years ago when I used to cook for the day care center. All of my peeling, cutting, chopping etc are done comfortably from a chair. That way I don't have to bend, and I'm not on my feet.

Today I must call the manager of the pool to sign up for the summer. Taking a membership will encourage me to go more, which is good for my health. G-d willing.

That's it for now. Must cook for Shabbat, go to work and then there's a funeral here. An elderly woman passed away. Her daughter and family live here. She was brought from the states, since she couldn't be on her own. Since then a grandson got married, lives with his wife and now two kids in Shiloh. They were one of our four-generation clans.
Baruch Dayan Emet
HaMakom Y'Nachem....

Silence? More bloggers are reducing blogging frequency.

I probably blog too much, but I don't have kids living at home. The nest is empty.

Nuch just posted "Silence Is Golden" .

and Baleboosteh Priorities. She hasn't stopped blogging and will post the next Kosher Cooking Carnival, G-d willing.

A lot of the bloggers I used to visit no longer blog at all, like Mirty. I think she went for a new identity.

A blog/site which used to post my articles closed down completely, Yesha Speaks Out which was one of the best pro-YESHA/Israel sites ever.

Sometimes I wonder if I should clean all the inactive blogs from my blogroll... but I just can't. L'havdil, to differentiate, it's almost like taking down the pictures of dead relatives.

Even a grey summer's day can be great

It sure was grey and overcast today, even though it's the end of May. Last night, even stranger, was "bright and noisy" due to lots of thunder and lightening. I could see the flashes of light through my bedroom curtains, and the local dogs were in a panic, barking more than I've ever heard them.




This morning when I went down to catch the bus or a ride, I was cheered by the sight of neighbors cleaning the mess around a small garbage bin. They were utilizing their waiting time for the good of the community. It's nice to have such great neighbors.




My long-time regular readers may remember that one of the reasons I decided to buy my digital camera in Jerusalem was for the convenient and easy service. Sometimes I just pop into the store to ask advice or for a clarification or "adjustment," for the camera of course. Today I popped in to make sure that the camera was set for the highest quality pictures. Normally it's not necessary, and I can't remember how to do it and don't have the patience to fiddle. Once the guy understood what I wanted he did it in a second. Next week my NY kids are coming in for a "special event," which I'll blog about later on. I wanted my camera to be at its maximum power.


When I got home, I saw that handrails are being put by the stairs on the path from my house to the synagogue.

Nice day for sure.

can't believe it's morning

I did not sleep well last night. That happens when I don't get enough exercise. I really needed my exercise class this week, but I never made it.

I finally went to the couch and found myself watching a strange movie on Jordan TV. There were two plots which ended up meeting as a romantic comedy. I guess it was a "modern" "Some like it hot," a great comedy from decades ago starring Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. In last night's movie, two women were running from murderers and they hooked up with some drag queens, pretending to be cross-dressing performers. The second plot was about one of the drag queens who found himself reestablishing contact with his very straight brother. Of course the brother and one of the women, who's pretending to be a man dressing as a woman, are attracted to each other. She knows what she is, but he's terrified that he's attracted to a fellow-male. You can guess the end. There's a long "cameo" of Debbie Reynolds (I think that's who) playing herself and singing along with the drag queens.

Once that was over, I tried crocheting myself to sleep, then reading. I did eventually fall asleep, but not enough. I'm not going swimming today and can't decide what to do.

some visiting, ok?

I got back too late from work to go the my exercise class, which I had postponed from yesterday morning. If I hadn't gone to the "teachers union meeting," I would have gotten home hours before. At least I got some info about next year.

Isn't life about priorities? The Lakewood venter brings up some interesting points.

The Baleboosteh also writes about Priorities .

SWFM gives us "Thanks...Beach...Projects..Shavuos..Shabbos, Poochie Live!"

Westbankmama asks a good question, Where Will YOU Buy Your Cucumbers Next Year?

Jacob da Jew tells his Shavuot saga in, Shevuot: Fighting then, Learning now: Part 2

Marallyn gives us two "matching" posts, THINGS I LOVE and
THINGS I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT !

The NYC educator isn't happy about his students' clothes.

RR has a good day.

Only Sarah can make grey so beautiful.

Jameel writes a good post about the problems with Shemittah.

And I'm ready to hit the sack!

"I'm a Little Teapot"

From the age of three, until I was seven, I went to "dancing school," Mrs. Sullivan, in the basement of one of the semi-detached homes in our Bayside, NY, neighborhood. One of the things we learned was "I'm a Little Teapot."

Over twenty-five years later, when I taught "creative dance" in Jerusalem, we translated it into Hebrew, and I taught it to little Israeli girls. Now as a grandmother, I taught it to my granddaughters.

We love dancing and singing together. Yes, nothing beats those old classics!

Nothing like family

Last night we had a family dinner with my visiting sister-in-law, brother-in-law and their two younger kids and my two eldest and the son-in-law and two totally irresistible granddaughters. Then today, when I was in Jerusalem, I ended up seeing them, just by chance. Later I went for my weekly babysitting.

I had a nice time with my elder granddaughter; the younger one had fallen asleep very, very early totally exhausted after entertaining all the visiting relatives.

For more family posts from all over, read the latest Carnival of Family Life!

Naturally

I was feeling very positive towards nature when I planned this post to highlight some nice pictures I had just taken. But just a few minutes ago when I went to prepare my morning coffee I saw that the black ants had reached a crucial "table." I've been washing my floor with special "anti-ant" cleaner and keeping the sinks clean. We have to do some major plumbing repairs, which our regular plumber can't do, so I didn't have the house "treated" this spring. I don't need the extra aggravation, and work.

But these pictures have been waiting on photobucket... for your viewing pleasure.

Talking about pleasure? This cat seems pretty happy to me. That's the life!


I don't think the donkey is complaining. The local kids do their best to keep him happy.



When I was approaching my house, I saw these birds looking out for me.



And there are still flowers blooming, even though summer heat is hard to avoid.




No, sorry, I'm no expert in the flora here and can't tell you what they're all called.

Worth a lot more than "esser agaroth"

The latest Havel Havelim, #118, hosted by Ben-Yehudah of esser agaroth is rich in jblog links.

He did a great job, so take a gander!

summer sunrise

Yes, I know that this picture looks impressive, but it didn't look that great "in person."

It's all in the "timing."



It starts with a white sky, and if you're lucky, you'll catch the yellow sun before it takes over. The winter sunrise is much prettier, and the summer sunsets have great color, but the summer sunrise isn't worth getting up extra early. By chance, I was up and saw it.

I'll have to take another look

I've taken lots of pictures of New York--Manhattan-- one of the most photogenic places in the modern world, but one location I've never bothered with is Grand Central Station. Having grown up on Long Island, Penn Station has always been my "stamping" waiting ground. During recent visits, I've gotten to Grand Central on stressfully, busy Friday afternoons in order to get to my sister-in-law's before Shabbat.



Now that I think of it, even though Grand Central is featured as the location in lots of movies, I don't remember ever seeing Penn Station, even though it would be a great place for a chase scene between 6th and 8th Avenues.

4th Birthday

My elder granddaughter just turned four, and we made her a party before Shabbat.



I had the girls decorate the cake. I made my easy basic cake, and there are two more now in the freezer. Guess what the icing is. I spread it before they came and it stayed in the fridge. Then the girls poured lots of colored sprinkles on it. What is the icing? It's just plain and simple, store-bought date spread, healthy too, at least healthier than the alternatives.

8 already?

The eighth Jpix is up on Life in Israel.

Enjoy the beauty of Eretz Yisrael!

Even when it's storming!

What's a weekend?

When I was growing up in New York, yes, a half a century ago, "weekends" were relatively short strictly defined periods of time.

Almost everything was closed on Sundays, I think the relevant law was known as "the Sunday blue law." All that was open were restaurants and bakeries and kosher places which had special dispensations, since they were closed on Saturdays. Some of the Jewish schools had classes on Sundays, since Friday was a "short day." There were countries and possibly places in the US, where kids went to school on Saturday.

In Israel, only Saturday, Shabbat, was the day off, with Friday being a "short day." All jobs were six days a week, and my husband always worked Fridays. There was a special listing in the newspapers to indicate which drug store per city was open on Shabbat.

Things have changed all over.

In the states it's hard to tell the difference between Sunday and other days. You can do all of your big shopping on Sunday. Stores open seven days a week are the norm. In Israel most office jobs are closed on Fridays, but more and more stores are open on Shabbat. For all practical purposes, there's a two-day weekend, Friday and Saturday.

Many western immigrants still mourn their loss of Sundays. I don't. I like having Friday off to get ready for Shabbat, and if Sunday was off, then what would happen to Friday? I can't imagine squeezing the week into four days.

According to this poll, I'm an exception. Or basically, I don't think that the situation polled, "Sunday will also be a day off and commercial activities now being carried out on the Sabbath be transferred to Sunday," is a possibility. It's just not realistic. At present Israelis already spend too much over their incomes. By having a day devoted to spending, things will only get worse. And many of the commercial enterprises presently open on Shabbat will not agree to close.

time to visit

It certainly has been a long time since I've done one of my "visiting posts." I can't promise to link everyone--this isn't a Havel Havelim.

Here goes...

Sultan Knish writes some disturbing things about Britain.

Joe Settler warns that the security forces may be reading our email, before we do. I hope if they're reading this blog, they'll do me a favor.

Please delete the spam for me. It's so time consuming. I mean, you're a civil servant and you'll get paid for it. Thanks

And, please forgive me for posting this Dry Bones. It's so perfect.

Ifyouwillit discusses the general feeling here of frustration that "nothing helps." We must fight that feeling. It helps the enemy.

A Simple Jew gives a beautiful post with a gorgeous picture.

SWFM wrote a great post about going to the Mets game. I remember when the team started and the World's Fair at the same LIRR stop.

Here's a "must read" from yitz.

The Babka nosher teaches for Bar Mitzvah, and it isn't always a pleasure.

Westbank mama gives us A Unique Way to “Dis” the Other Team, for sure.

Read A Shomron Adventure with t...

And that's it for now....

Nice Day, Nice Pictures

Today was a "day off," the day after the Shavuot Holiday. At least it's a day for teachers and students.

When I got to Ofra to babysit, I saw that they were having one of those "children's fun parks," modern style. I called my daughter to ask if I should bring the girls. Negative, since it was really for older kids, and anyway, the sun was strong, better to stay in the shade. Look at the pictures; it really looked tempting.




Then, one of the perks of grandparenting. I bought them some simple watercolors in my local grocer, on the way to the bus. Nothing like those old-fashioned toys, which I remember playing with.


Later, on the way home, while waiting for a ride, I noticed the browning of the view. Yes, summer is hitting and hitting hard.


And then back home, when I took in the wash, I also saw that my neighbor has really moved into his new house.

Next month's #19!

Yes, I'm referring to the next Kosher Cooking Carnival, which will be hosted by the baleboosteh. Please send her your kosher food posts by June 19th and G-d willing she'll post KCC #19 on the 21st of the month.

So send your posts, and anything else you see relevant on the web, to her at baleboosteh at gmail dot com or via the blog carnival submit post.

Thanks!!

Altruistic?

A couple of weeks ago, on our way to work, suddenly my "fellow teacher" said:

"Take a look at Spiderman."

A motorcycle sped ahead of us. I took a look.

"What's all that fabric at the bottom of the legs? Could it be a female driver?"

The denim we saw was more than any bell-bottom jeans I had ever seen.

"You're right, looks like a woman on that motorbike."

She was fast, certainly too quick for my "draw," and by the time my camera was out and cocked, barely a speck in the distance.


It was scary, especially considering how quickly we were going, and there was no way we could catch up. Just a couple of months before, another motorcyclist sped past us, and a couple of miles later, we saw him down after an accident.

Neither of us are attracted to that mode of transportation, even if it may be less polluting than cars or buses.

Shavuot, mark off this year

Yes, it's over. Only one day here in the Holy Land.

Good News
The shiur in our house was great, just over twenty attended.

Bad News
The cheesecake we bought was awful, too sweet and too much gelatin.

Good News
The cheesecake we bought was awful; I won't be tempted by it.

Good News
I actually stayed up for some of the shiurim late at night and didn't embarrass myself by sleeping through them.

Now to clean up!

Wishes

A Bisele Babka has a lovely post about wishing to have a meal with three people, any three from any time or place.

This is what I commented:

What a very interesting choice.
I would like to have separate talks with my choices, too. I'd like to meet my father's father who died before I was born. I'd like to also share a meal with my other grandfather. He died when I was 3 1/2. I remember him and remember talking to him, but I don't remember what the conversations were about.
And then, I'd like to also have both grandmothers. They're from the same town in Bellarusia, Rogachov. Can you make an exception for me?

Does anyone else have three people they'd like to talk to?

Getting ready for Shavuot

Just an hour and a half to candle-lighting.

Now my big question is, how could I have bought so much when not only are just my husband and I home, but we're eating at a neighbor's tonight, and tomorrow we don't have any guests?

Yes, we have the afternoon Shavuot shiur in our house, so I bought some disposable cups and margarine for the cookies. The fruit and vegetable guy delivered the watermelon, so that's not in that bunch of bags. OK, I did get a large package of laundry detergent and floor cleaner, but still. Usually we don't shop in the middle of the week at all. Oh, yes, I also bought two containers of "rice milk," since my daughter and her family are coming for Shabbat. OK, it's starting to make sense.

In Shiloh, Shavuot means that the pool will be open soon. You can see that it's getting all spiffed up. That is something to look forward to.

Chag Sameach!

Call it "corny"

But I'm sure you agree...

Nothing beats Sunset in Shiloh pictures. They document that HaShem b"Shamayim, The Lord Above, is really the best artist.


I took these as I was coming home. The first picture, with the flat-roofed building, was taken from the Shiloh-Shvut Rachel Junction. And the second picture was taken when I got off another ride, a few minutes walk from my house. When the sky looks like that, I don't mind walking the last part of the way home.

Reflecting on the tests

Today was the big day for English Tests in Israeli High Schools. In a long marathon triple-session, seven English Bagrut, national finals, were given. It was a major undertaking and reminds me why I'm happy to be just an ordinary teacher and not in charge of anything.

I didn't want to distract the students, so I took a couple of pictures of the reflections and from the "studio."

Before each session, I searched for my students and gave them very small bags of treats. Just enough sucrose to make sure they wouldn't "fall asleep" in the middle.


I was part of the "oral testing staff." Some students have special accommodations and are tested orally. I really enjoyed it, especially since the boys did well. Of course I can't test my own students. We did the oral testing in the "radio classroom."


Today and yesterday, I was very busy with my students. But now, the 11th and 12th grades wont be studying English. They'll be concentrating on their other tests.

Downside of summer

I guess it's all "nature."

There's less and less green on the ground. Everything dries up. To simplify my gardening, I do have some very hardy plants, which stay green all year. Some have become like monsters and grow too much. They live forever.

Over the year, ever since I bought my digital camera, I've been documenting my garden, and you can see the changes.


Another natural phenomena is that my difficult students become even more difficult. Under the best of circumstances it's hard for them to sit still, quietly, or concentrate. Now it's virtually impossible.


When things are really bad I just ignore them and crochet. The smart ones know that my silence means they've crossed all lines and they're in big trouble.

Today's the English Bagrut (national final exams) and I have to be at work in the special testing center to administer "oral" tests to students who aren't my own.

Good luck--to those who deserve it!

The latest...

That's a nice useful title, since it covers a multitude of...

The latest from JIB Awards is that I didn't come rock bottom in any of the finals I was in, but I didn't win either. Considering that I didn't send out lots of emails to all sorts of people and lists, I guess I did very respectfully. Thanks for the votes!

And the latest Havel Havelim is at Jack's. He said that he actually got about 130 posts from bloggers. Wow! Though he didn't use them all. It seems like it's easier to have a gevaldik HH than it used to be. We used to have to search all over the internet, since almost no jbloggers sent anything in. Soccer Dad used to have to send a bunch of links to help out. Yes, that was in the early days. I must host another one.

Keep sending your posts for KCC. The 19th, G-d willing will be hosted by the Baleboosteh, and Ra'anana Ramblings has offered to host #20.

Thanks!

KCC, 18 חי

KCC, 18
AND ALL GROWN UP!

It's hard to believe that this is the 18th edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival, the monthly blog carnival dedicated to all aspects of Kosher Food. Next month's carnival will be hosted by the Baleboosteh, and I'm looking for a host for July's edition. If you're interested, please let me know. Here's a list of the 17 previous ones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17!

Now, enjoy!

There was a time I'd say that we need dairy recipes for Shavuot, but since my daughter married a Tunisian I've even served a meat meal on the holiday. There are Jewish ethnic groups which don't eat dairy, and nowadays more and more people are discovering that they're lactose intolerant and must restrict or ban dairy products. That's one thing we've discovered living in Israel. Not everyone celebrates Shavuot by eating cheese cake, and another thing, not everyone eats meat meals on Shabbat. Many people, not just vegetarians, have dairy on Shabbat, especially during the day. That's a good reason to be more open-minded and creative in your menu planning.

Joe Settler tries trendy. Black will never be the same for me.

Join the quest for the perfect flour along with Mother in Israel.

Rafi G. reveals the secret of his pickeled brisket, a.ka. corned beef.

Here's a review of El gizado Sefaradi - a Jewish cookbook by Gillian.

This Berry-Sorbet by elf looks yummier than yummy!

It's complicated to set up a kitchen, especially a kosher one, from scratch. Here are some ideas.

Try Chainik Hocker's Falafel Chicken from Kosher by Design: Short on Time by Susie Fishbein.

This one isn't really about kosher food, but it's Rickey's opinions about TV food mavens. Maybe someone should write about the Israeli ones. Good idea for a future post.

Here's some Chicken Soup from Ra'anana.

Looks like more people may have to prepare their own baby's food, if they want it kosher: Jewish Blogmeister: BeechNut Baby Food Alert: Going Non Kosher. He also wrote Olive Oil...Why It's So Great.. . I couldn't agree more.

In Israel, Yom Ha'aztmaut, Independence Day, is usually an outdoor barbecue. We had grilled food and lots of other great things, but we ate inside.

Shoshi says that kosher is big business.

Now for a little "only in Israel" food halacha quiz:
Why did I eat the fruit outside?

How about Mrs. Kane’s Meatballs from Frugal Journey? It uses some ready-made sauces, but I'm sure you can substitute similar ones according to what's available and whatever hechshar you use. Honestly, after 37 years in Israel, I'm no expert on American products.

Ted just sent me all these great recipes!
Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen: Lemon Meringue Pie
Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen: Tzimmes (Jewish Casserole or Stew)
No-bake-non-dairy-raspberry-pie.
Grilled-salmon-vegetables.

~Sarah~ sent in the most delicious looking Black Cherry Crumble Bar, a recipe she got from Kosher by Design: Short on Time by Susie Fishbein, which must be quite a cookbook.

Here's a selection of classic dairy recipes from the OU's site.

The Baleboosteh, and what a Baleboosteh, sent this dairy/vegetable dish. It's perfect for those who want to serve dairy on Shavuot or any time…

And for a Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake, try Marallyn's.

Now, what's the opposite of cheesecake? Chicken Soup, of course. Try Ya'aqov's.

Here's a nice, basic Challah recipe from Ima Biologist. I'm glad that KCC is her debut in jblog carnivals. Welcome! We hope to see more of you.

As I write this, the voting is still going on in JIB Awards. I'm a finalist in two food categories. Don't worry; I'm not electioneering. By the time you read this the voting will be over and the winners announced. So, let's see what the competition is doing!

Best Kosher Food/Recipe Blog
At the Back of the Hill
Because I'm in My Twenties and It's what You Do
Gluten-Free by the Bay
Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen
Humus 101
In Mol Araan
The Jew and the Carrot
Me-Ander
Two Heads of Lettuce


Best Kosher Food Blog-Post
Chayil - Delicious Recipes from The Kosher Palette II!!
Gluten Free By the Bay - Gluten Free Passover Recipe Roundup 2007
Help ! I have a Fire in my Kitchen - Four-Layer Strawberry Torte, AKA Wimbledon Fortnight Cake - Cake Recipe Contest
Help! I Have a Fire in my Kitchen - Hey Kid! I Dare You To Say This Is Not Good!
Help! I have a Fire in My Kitchen - Teddy's Potato Kugel
me-ander - "TU" XV The 15th Kosher Cooking Carnival
The Jewish Outreach Institute - The 11th Commandment: Cook a Brisket
Tsmicha.com - Dafina! Kosher Morrocan Food Recipes
Two Heads of Lettuce - At Last: The twoheadsoflettuce Guide to Delicious, Sustainable, Efficient, and Pluralistic Potlucks


In all honesty, I'm not even familiar with most of the other food blogs. So this is our big chance. I'm sure there's lots more going on in the jblogging kosher food world than we could ever imagine.

Yes, that's it for this month. If I left anyone out, please write to me and I'll pass the link on to the Baleboosteh. If you'd like to host the KCC, please let me know. And of course, send your kosher food links of all sorts to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com or via blog carnival.

And please don't forget to remind your readers to visit and try out the recipes. Pass the link!

Enjoy!

front stoop garden

Yes, these strawberries are growing on my front stoop. Funny, when we built the house and planned the front door, it didn't occur to me that the entrance would be so typical of those I knew in my childhood. We have a few steps and stoop, just like those I sat and played on in Bell Park Gardens, Bayside, NY. It's just that I don't remember anyone growing strawberries there.

nuts! oops--Soup!

Yes, I'm not sure why, but I made some split pea soup this morning. I think it's part of my "cutting down " on meat etc. Not cutting out. I don't think I need to be a strict never compromise vegetarian again. It drove everyone nuts. I guess I drive people nuts.

We have lots of guests tomorrow, but none tonight, unless I missed a message. And I can't serve the soup tomorrow. Maybe it'll still be good for Shavuot. I should freeze some.

Yesterday was a bissle too much, and I am tired. I did pull a kugel out of the freezer. No, I don't know which type. I'm sure the guests will enjoy it. Just another couple of things to cook, and I'm finished with that part of the Shabbat preparations.

So back to the kitchen....

Oy, lots to do today

I can't believe I did so much yesterday.

In the morning I went to Jerusalem for a whole bunch of errands. Then I took the bus to Beit El to teach two classes. Then I rushed out and met the bus at Givat Assaf (Tzomet HaTee) to Kever Rachel, which I'll write about on Shiloh Musings.

What I didn't do was my usual Thursday morning cooking. That means that I have to cook everything today before Shabbat! Also, we've ended up with a lot of guests and the Shiur Nashim, Shabbat Women's Torah Class. Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d. I have a few kugels in the freezer, and I guess I'll take one out. That's what they're for.

This week is the Shavuot Holiday, and we'll be having a shiur by my next door neighbor in the afternoon, in English, which we do every year. So, G-d willing, it's a good week. And, yes, G-d willing I'll post the KCC on Sunday. All I have to do is "copy it" from Word to blogger and add any last minute submissions, hint, hint!

Oh, and my husband mentioned something about a NY Times reporter coming, gevalt. The weather seems nice; maybe he can do the interviewing out of the house.

Shabbat Shalom

Last Call! KCC #18

A very delicious Kosher Cooking Carnival is getting its final touches as we blog.

So if you've seen any tasty links or you've posted something yummy in the past month, please send me the links.

shilohmuse at yahoo dot com

or via blog carnival

archives submit post

How do you wait?

Or maybe I should ask,
What do you do when you're waiting?

I sometimes take pictures, like here and here.

For the past couple of years, I've been crocheting hats. They don't take up too much space in my bag, and I can work on them any place. Here I'm wearing one of the new ones I made for myself. I also crochet at work, when the kids are taking tests. I can keep scanning the room to check for cheaters and other problems simultaneously. There's also nothing better than crocheting during staff meetings and all sorts of lectures.

I used to do needlepoint, but my walls are full, and you can't take scissors on airplanes.

Sometimes I say T'hillim (Psalms,) since I'm part of two groups who share out the entire 150.

I no longer carry around a book to read. They're heavy and demand too much concentration, which crocheting, at least my kind, doesn't.

One of those great, "only in Israel" experiences

Yes, on today's rained out Jerusalem Day, I had one of those great "only in Israel" experiences on the way home while riding the bus.

It was pouring. None of us could remember such a rain storm so late in the spring. Yes, we discussed the weather, but we discussed it as the "hand of G-d" and wondered out loud what message G-d is giving us.

Does the rain have anything to do with next year being Shemitta? Or is it "just" because next year is also a leap year? In Judaism "leap years" add an extra month. Even if that's the case, and we said that maybe the extra month should have had been added this year, the rain would still be after Pesach, which is late for such a heavy rainfall.

Of course, everyone had an opinion, and we were captives in the bus. The streets were flooded, and there was so much hail in some places, it looked like snow. We had to talk to try to drown out the pounding on the roof of the bus. Yes, the hail wouldn't let up in Jerusalem.

Considering the attitudes of the politicians, maybe it is punishment.

I Must Admit...

Yes, honestly
I must admit that today's rain,


super-heavy downpour,


accompanied by thunder,


lightening and


hailstones the size of


large marbles is


definitely not


the norm on


Jerusalem Day,


the 28th of the


Jewish month of Iyyar.