It's movin' and groovin'
last chance to get your links in
while I'm dovenin'
swimmin', spashin'
an' tutorin'
So, G-d willin'
in a couple of hours or more
you'll see
the Havel Havelim
you've been waiting for!!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Busy Busy, but no parties
Still on a posting limit. Other things to do.
Tonight I'm going to make two shiva calls. It seems like an epidemic of neighbors losing parents. Most have been sitting shiva quite a distance away, so I haven't gone. But one is sitting at home and another came home for Shabbat, for his son's Bar Mitzah. That's right he's sitting shiva for his father, and his son's Bar Mitzvah, date decided thirteen years ago at birth, is dab in the middle.
It just reminds us how little control we have over things. And yes, one can travel during shiva. I have friends who've traveled between Israel and the states in order to sit shiva in both places. Usually the funeral and early shiva with the family abroad and finishing shiva home in Israel.
It's a very complicated situation. My parents, ad me'ah v'esrim, are still alive...
Shavua tov
Tonight I'm going to make two shiva calls. It seems like an epidemic of neighbors losing parents. Most have been sitting shiva quite a distance away, so I haven't gone. But one is sitting at home and another came home for Shabbat, for his son's Bar Mitzah. That's right he's sitting shiva for his father, and his son's Bar Mitzvah, date decided thirteen years ago at birth, is dab in the middle.
It just reminds us how little control we have over things. And yes, one can travel during shiva. I have friends who've traveled between Israel and the states in order to sit shiva in both places. Usually the funeral and early shiva with the family abroad and finishing shiva home in Israel.
It's a very complicated situation. My parents, ad me'ah v'esrim, are still alive...
Shavua tov
Friday, July 07, 2006
Thank You Akiva!!!
I presume that everyone has noticed the "renovations" here. From the beginning I had discovered problems with the template, but no clue how to fix it.
Akiva to the Rescue!!
thanks
Akiva to the Rescue!!
thanks
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Growing Old and Staying in Shape
Look at that "dancing granny." She probably isn't the most graceful dancer you've ever seen, but she's obviously having a good time.
Recent studies in fitness show that the former "top jocks" are frequently in horrendous shape after "retirement" from competitive sports. They need to be "best" and thrive on the competition.
It's us klutzes who find it easier to continue physical activity. We were never stars, but we enjoyed ourselves.
Years ago (oops! Decades ago) when I taught Sports in our local elementary school, I kept refusing to give grades on the kids' speed and coordination.
"What? Give grades on the talents they got from
G-d? No way! I'll only grade them according to their participation
and if they come properly dressed for lessons."
I certainly didn't want to penalize kids like me, who could never run quickly or gracefully. I wanted to encourage them to just stay physically active. I knew that in our society being Olympic stars wasn't a serious option, but staying physically fit was and is.
"Baby boomers" are starting to turn sixty! Yes, that's double thirty!!! (NO, not yet, but soon.) We're all carefully watching how they take it. Is it the end of the world? A good friend is enjoying the discounts. I can get used to that. Now if they'll give us special deals on sports shoes, that would be something!
Education, Vainities and eBooks
This week's Carnival of the Vanities comes from Dubai, of all places. In the cyberworld we can visit freely.
The Carnival of Education is hosted by NYC Educator, who's from a place I'll be visiting in a few weeks. Who know's? Maybe we'll pass each other in the street, totally unaware...
And if you want more to read on your computer, try the World eBook Fair!
The Carnival of Education is hosted by NYC Educator, who's from a place I'll be visiting in a few weeks. Who know's? Maybe we'll pass each other in the street, totally unaware...
And if you want more to read on your computer, try the World eBook Fair!
Strange weather here and tough memories...
Yesterday, at the 4th Azkara, memorial for Shmuel Yerushalmi, HaYa"D, my friend and I puzzled about the weather. It was muggy. That's not the norm for the hills of Shiloh, especially in July.
In memory of Shmuel, Gila Kessler, HaYa"D, and the other victims of that terror attack, I'm going to post what I wrote four years ago (pre-blogging days):
Musings #1
June 23, 2002
The 13th of Tammuz
Not Amusing Musings
Social Calendar
Just last Sunday, with the announcement of five engagements in Shiloh in addition to a number of up-coming weddings, the talk was on how to prevent two weddings on one night, or “too many” within a couple of days. Such problems, such pressure…
Late Wednesday night, after midnight, I sat in the home of the grandparents of a classmate of one of the brides. Her grandmother and aunt were anxious to prevent a scheduling conflict, not of a wedding date, but of a probable funeral. Gila’s grandfather, mother and uncles were in Abu Kabir (Israeli forensic center) along with the father of Shmuel from next door. An Arab terrorist blew them up just a few hours before.
Gila, once considered an Israeli Olympic hope in gymnastics leapt onto the front page, not as a medal winner, but as a victim of a perverse, sadistic terrorist. Shmuel, the second child of gentle, modest educators, who just three weeks before impressed one and all as he eulogized his best friend, Avi Siton, (haya”d), was permanently silenced by that same Arab bomber.
The Draught
Chazal (the Sages) say that G-d gives us rain (in the Land of Israel) according to our spiritual level. We have been suffering from drought for the past few years. The politicians keep lowering the “red line” rather than taking ecological or spiritual measures. The people aren’t fooled, and neither is G-d.
So much water is being wasted. I pray to G-d to take our tears, all the tears at these recent funerals of our holy terror victims, the best of their generation, these young people of such potential. So many tears have been shed. Take all the tears shed over these lives cut down too soon, and add them to the rain.
The draught should certainly be over.
A Good Team
Gretta, who made aliya to Israel from the USSR over ten years ago with her elderly parents and married daughter, and I are good friends. We make a good team, but last Friday morning at 9am when we found ourselves teamed up together again, it was not a happy time. Just three weeks before from 9-11 am we helped at the Siton home, since the family was sitting shiva (mourning) for their son and brother, Avi, murdered in his high school by an Arab terrorist. And there we were again, just a few houses down the same street, again putting pretzels in bowls, throwing out used cups, seeing that there were bottles of cold drinks for the visitors and something hot for the bereaved parents of his best friend and classmate, Shmuel.
The first time it was strange, a very uncomfortable job, taking over someone’s kitchen, because they are not supposed to take care of any of their own physical needs during the mourning period. In our two hour shift, we easily established routines.
The second time there was a new element. Tragedy was becoming routine. No one should be an expert in such a task.
After eleven we were relieved by two neighbors; one born in Holland and the second one in France. That’s Shiloh—the ingathering of the Exiles, where Joshua took the Jewish nation after wandering for forty years, after slavery—to Shiloh. The Jewish People as a nation began in Shiloh, the first capital, for 369 years. After that King David and Jerusalem.
We are on our way. It is a long and painful process. We are impatient, but we see the light in the far end of the tunnel.
Shavua Tov, Have a Good Week,
Batya
In memory of Shmuel, Gila Kessler, HaYa"D, and the other victims of that terror attack, I'm going to post what I wrote four years ago (pre-blogging days):
Musings #1
June 23, 2002
The 13th of Tammuz
Not Amusing Musings
Social Calendar
Just last Sunday, with the announcement of five engagements in Shiloh in addition to a number of up-coming weddings, the talk was on how to prevent two weddings on one night, or “too many” within a couple of days. Such problems, such pressure…
Late Wednesday night, after midnight, I sat in the home of the grandparents of a classmate of one of the brides. Her grandmother and aunt were anxious to prevent a scheduling conflict, not of a wedding date, but of a probable funeral. Gila’s grandfather, mother and uncles were in Abu Kabir (Israeli forensic center) along with the father of Shmuel from next door. An Arab terrorist blew them up just a few hours before.
Gila, once considered an Israeli Olympic hope in gymnastics leapt onto the front page, not as a medal winner, but as a victim of a perverse, sadistic terrorist. Shmuel, the second child of gentle, modest educators, who just three weeks before impressed one and all as he eulogized his best friend, Avi Siton, (haya”d), was permanently silenced by that same Arab bomber.
The Draught
Chazal (the Sages) say that G-d gives us rain (in the Land of Israel) according to our spiritual level. We have been suffering from drought for the past few years. The politicians keep lowering the “red line” rather than taking ecological or spiritual measures. The people aren’t fooled, and neither is G-d.
So much water is being wasted. I pray to G-d to take our tears, all the tears at these recent funerals of our holy terror victims, the best of their generation, these young people of such potential. So many tears have been shed. Take all the tears shed over these lives cut down too soon, and add them to the rain.
The draught should certainly be over.
A Good Team
Gretta, who made aliya to Israel from the USSR over ten years ago with her elderly parents and married daughter, and I are good friends. We make a good team, but last Friday morning at 9am when we found ourselves teamed up together again, it was not a happy time. Just three weeks before from 9-11 am we helped at the Siton home, since the family was sitting shiva (mourning) for their son and brother, Avi, murdered in his high school by an Arab terrorist. And there we were again, just a few houses down the same street, again putting pretzels in bowls, throwing out used cups, seeing that there were bottles of cold drinks for the visitors and something hot for the bereaved parents of his best friend and classmate, Shmuel.
The first time it was strange, a very uncomfortable job, taking over someone’s kitchen, because they are not supposed to take care of any of their own physical needs during the mourning period. In our two hour shift, we easily established routines.
The second time there was a new element. Tragedy was becoming routine. No one should be an expert in such a task.
After eleven we were relieved by two neighbors; one born in Holland and the second one in France. That’s Shiloh—the ingathering of the Exiles, where Joshua took the Jewish nation after wandering for forty years, after slavery—to Shiloh. The Jewish People as a nation began in Shiloh, the first capital, for 369 years. After that King David and Jerusalem.
We are on our way. It is a long and painful process. We are impatient, but we see the light in the far end of the tunnel.
Shavua Tov, Have a Good Week,
Batya
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Digital dilemma
I'm still checking out digital cameras. It's time for me to replace my old one.
What do you think? The big question is which specific camera to buy and can I teach myself to shoot like a pro in just a couple of weeks.
In just over two weeks, I'm going to New York for a visit, and then I'll be returning home, as a journalist, with a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight. Yes, I also did it last year.
I'm not looking for the most expensive nor advanced camera. It should be good for taking close-ups and distance shots. The controls and icons must be large enough, so I won't need a microscope. Of course there should be less than minimal "delay" when shooting. The screen should be a nice size, since my eyes are no longer young. The battery should last. I'd hate to find myself half-way to Israel with a dead camera. Or how many extras should I get?
Yes, it's a complicated decision.
HELP!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Don't Worry!
I'm just spending a lot of my computer time preparing the next Havel Havelim, so I won't be posting much for the next few days.
Hint, hint!!
ps I finally found some great clipart! Don't you think?Don't you see how hard I've been working--
the picture! So please help this ol' lady out and not only send me
your posts for #77 HH, but if you see something that should be included, don't
be shy, send me the link. And while you're at it, if you see any posts suitable
for the Kosher Cooking Carnival, please
send them, too. Either send to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com or via Conservative
Cat's handy form or the blogcarnival one, and at the same time you may
discover other carnivals to visit and enter...
not for the short-armed
You know me. I'm not afraid of change and modernity. But I must admit that the contortions I must get into to stick my "new memory key" into the back of the computer are pushing, or should I say, stretching things a bit too far.
The "tower" is deep, and it's also piled with all sorts of things. In order to find the "hole" I need, I have to almost climb on top of the printer, stretching my arm and entire body. Remember I need my eyes back there to also see the right spot. Somehow it takes a few tries, and by the time I finally succeed, I'm in pain.
Rumor has it that the new towers have openingings in front. I guess, I'll have to consult with the maven.
Now to get ready for a swim and relax that arm, neck and shoulder.
The "tower" is deep, and it's also piled with all sorts of things. In order to find the "hole" I need, I have to almost climb on top of the printer, stretching my arm and entire body. Remember I need my eyes back there to also see the right spot. Somehow it takes a few tries, and by the time I finally succeed, I'm in pain.
Rumor has it that the new towers have openingings in front. I guess, I'll have to consult with the maven.
Now to get ready for a swim and relax that arm, neck and shoulder.
BOMS & Real Clear Politics
Teddy Roosevelt stars in this week's BOMS, so the accompanying quotations are extra special, as are the illustrations! Now, how's that banner!?
I discovered something new, Real Clear Politics, when I was checking out who's visiting my blogs. If you want to see who's saying what about whom, that's the address for you.
Monday, July 03, 2006
the best food for babies
This New York Times article is so carefully written, in order not to be extreme nor offend and almost succeeds. Sorry, but the end is incorrect.
There are dead and brain-damaged babies because of faulty baby formula. The German baby food manufacturer, Remedia, was found to have made a soy-based formula lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. After a number of very sick babies were brought to various hospitals in Israel, it was finally discovered that they were all fed the same brand of formula.
A number of babies died, and some of the survivors are permanently brain-damaged.
It's not a choice between two equals, if your baby is fed human milk (breast milk) or from another animal or totally manufactured.
There are dead and brain-damaged babies because of faulty baby formula. The German baby food manufacturer, Remedia, was found to have made a soy-based formula lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. After a number of very sick babies were brought to various hospitals in Israel, it was finally discovered that they were all fed the same brand of formula.
A number of babies died, and some of the survivors are permanently brain-damaged.
It's not a choice between two equals, if your baby is fed human milk (breast milk) or from another animal or totally manufactured.
"Import" English teachers? Same Dov-rotten thinking!
Israel to import English teachers
No doubt, but politicians and educational bureaucrats should be kept away from the educational system!
Not all that long ago, supremely confident, then Israeli Minister of Education, Limor Livnat proclaimed that the Dovrat Education Restructuring Plan was going to save Israel's education. And if you want the low-down on that, read this. Lots of money was wasted on the plan, which was unimplementable, meaning impossible to implement, besides not having any pedagogic advantages.
Now the new minister, Yuli Tamir and Education Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abuav are competing with Limor for presenting the world's worst education plan. Yuli, at least, is thinking small. She only wants to shake things up in the English Department. She thinks that "importing" teachers will solve the shortage. That's a laugh. And the best I can say about it is that, it's healthy to laugh.
There's a long history in Israel of trying to increase the number of English teachers. They've tried almost everything. One of their favorites has been to offer paid re-training courses to new immigrants to certify them as English Teachers. The percentage of graduates of these courses actually teaching five years later is very, very low. Some development areas offered "incentives" to teach there, but most teachers who tried, fled.
Israeli kids are not easy to teach, especially since the school system sticks to the "politically correct" heterogeneous classes. That means that even in subjects with vast spreads of ability and prior-knowledge, like English, a teacher can find him/herself attempting to control--forget about teaching--over 35 kids who range from fluent English to non-reader in native Hebrew. Consider that they start "learning" English in elementary school, barely three hours a week, if there's no school trip, special event, holiday etc. It's supposed to be "fun."
This continues sometimes until early high school, when finally the "false starters" are separated from the survivors. Fluency is valued over accuracy, so it's almost impossible for new English teachers to come from the system.
Yes, the English teaching population is getting older. Young people would like to do anything but. Conditions must improve along with curriculum. "Importing" teachers won't help.
No doubt, but politicians and educational bureaucrats should be kept away from the educational system!
Not all that long ago, supremely confident, then Israeli Minister of Education, Limor Livnat proclaimed that the Dovrat Education Restructuring Plan was going to save Israel's education. And if you want the low-down on that, read this. Lots of money was wasted on the plan, which was unimplementable, meaning impossible to implement, besides not having any pedagogic advantages.
Now the new minister, Yuli Tamir and Education Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abuav are competing with Limor for presenting the world's worst education plan. Yuli, at least, is thinking small. She only wants to shake things up in the English Department. She thinks that "importing" teachers will solve the shortage. That's a laugh. And the best I can say about it is that, it's healthy to laugh.
There's a long history in Israel of trying to increase the number of English teachers. They've tried almost everything. One of their favorites has been to offer paid re-training courses to new immigrants to certify them as English Teachers. The percentage of graduates of these courses actually teaching five years later is very, very low. Some development areas offered "incentives" to teach there, but most teachers who tried, fled.
Israeli kids are not easy to teach, especially since the school system sticks to the "politically correct" heterogeneous classes. That means that even in subjects with vast spreads of ability and prior-knowledge, like English, a teacher can find him/herself attempting to control--forget about teaching--over 35 kids who range from fluent English to non-reader in native Hebrew. Consider that they start "learning" English in elementary school, barely three hours a week, if there's no school trip, special event, holiday etc. It's supposed to be "fun."
This continues sometimes until early high school, when finally the "false starters" are separated from the survivors. Fluency is valued over accuracy, so it's almost impossible for new English teachers to come from the system.
Yes, the English teaching population is getting older. Young people would like to do anything but. Conditions must improve along with curriculum. "Importing" teachers won't help.
peeling hard-boiled eggs
I'm on a cooking/food list, and someone asked a question, the classic dilemma that we all debate! That includes even the most experienced cook.
How can we guarantee that the shells will come off the hard-boiled eggs easily?
This doesn't promise 100% success, but it's usually stress-free, with minimal shell-sticking.
How can we guarantee that the shells will come off the hard-boiled eggs easily?
This doesn't promise 100% success, but it's usually stress-free, with minimal shell-sticking.
- I salt the water.
- I boil up the eggs and water together
- when it bubbles, I lower the flame to simmer
- When the cooking's over, 5 minutes? (I usually cook by "smell")
- I slightly crack each shell, with a knife handle, to let water in between the shell and the egg.
- Then I pour out the hot and run cold water over them.
- They sit until cool, and then they should peel easily.
Other suggestions welcome!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
A Couple of Carnivals
First come first served, or presented as is the case here.
And there's nothing more valuable than health, so read the Carnival of Healing! And how could we ever survive without food, so check out the Carnival of the Recipes. It has a very impressive presentation.
Last but not least, is Irina's awesome Havel Havelim! I made quite a mistake letting her go first. I've never seen an HH of such massive, comprehensive proportions. And just think, if I had taken number 76, I could have had everyone singing "76 Trombones!"
So please help this ol' lady out and not only send me your posts for #77 HH, but if you see something that should be included, don't be shy, send me the link. And while you're at it, if you see any posts suitable for the Kosher Cooking Carnival, please send them, too. Either send to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com or via Conservative Cat's handy form or the blog carnival one, and at the same time you may discover other carnivals to visit and enter...
Shavua Tov, and thanks in advance!!
And there's nothing more valuable than health, so read the Carnival of Healing! And how could we ever survive without food, so check out the Carnival of the Recipes. It has a very impressive presentation.
Last but not least, is Irina's awesome Havel Havelim! I made quite a mistake letting her go first. I've never seen an HH of such massive, comprehensive proportions. And just think, if I had taken number 76, I could have had everyone singing "76 Trombones!"
So please help this ol' lady out and not only send me your posts for #77 HH, but if you see something that should be included, don't be shy, send me the link. And while you're at it, if you see any posts suitable for the Kosher Cooking Carnival, please send them, too. Either send to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com or via Conservative Cat's handy form or the blog carnival one, and at the same time you may discover other carnivals to visit and enter...
Shavua Tov, and thanks in advance!!
all sorts of things
a hodge-podge of topics,
this Sunday morning
before my swim
and trip to Jerusalem
first
trying to think of a list
of bloggers
to invite to guest-blog
when I go to New York
in three weeks
--one accepted, so far
three active blogs
so I need a few
though no one
on more than one
too tired
to complete sentences
next week
presenting at ETAI
again
so must prepare
can't walk in empty-handed
empty-brained
next week's
77th Havel Havelim
is mine, too
so lots to do
hint, hint
links to
shilohmuse at shiloh dot com
and week after that
at same address
the 8th Kosher Cooking Carnival
a feast for all
changed the blogpatrol buttons
no numbers now
since they miss
so many days and and hours of visitors
my oldest counter's
rather senile, I'm afraid
though I love them
just the same
I hope this
morning's swim
brings a needed sharpness
to my mind
if the water's cold
I won't feel so old
Shavua Tov
this Sunday morning
before my swim
and trip to Jerusalem
first
trying to think of a list
of bloggers
to invite to guest-blog
when I go to New York
in three weeks
--one accepted, so far
three active blogs
so I need a few
though no one
on more than one
too tired
to complete sentences
next week
presenting at ETAI
again
so must prepare
can't walk in empty-handed
empty-brained
next week's
77th Havel Havelim
is mine, too
so lots to do
hint, hint
links to
shilohmuse at shiloh dot com
and week after that
at same address
the 8th Kosher Cooking Carnival
a feast for all
changed the blogpatrol buttons
no numbers now
since they miss
so many days and and hours of visitors
my oldest counter's
rather senile, I'm afraid
though I love them
just the same
I hope this
morning's swim
brings a needed sharpness
to my mind
if the water's cold
I won't feel so old
Shavua Tov
Friday, June 30, 2006
How much do I really have to serve?
In two hours, G-d willing, I'll be lighting Shabbat candles. This week, the house is pretty empty. Just the two of us old-fogies home, and I found us a last minute guest for a meal, of the same generation.
We all weigh lots more than we once did, lots more than we should.
It's summer; it's hot. How much do I really have to serve?
So I've streamlined my cooking a bit.
Isn't it enough that there's a big chicken soup, that my husband makes every week, rain or shine, hot or cold? (If you want the recipe on Kosher Cooking Carnival, nudge him to post it!!) And this week he also ordered Yaakov's famous chopped liver. And I just made a sort-of meatloaf. If it's good, I'll post the recipe. There are also three side-dishes,
We all weigh lots more than we once did, lots more than we should.
It's summer; it's hot. How much do I really have to serve?
So I've streamlined my cooking a bit.
Isn't it enough that there's a big chicken soup, that my husband makes every week, rain or shine, hot or cold? (If you want the recipe on Kosher Cooking Carnival, nudge him to post it!!) And this week he also ordered Yaakov's famous chopped liver. And I just made a sort-of meatloaf. If it's good, I'll post the recipe. There are also three side-dishes,
- roasted: eggplant, sweet potato, squash, onion and fresh garlic, all sliced and layered in that order
- vegetables sort-of sauteed in covered pan, onions, garlic, green and yellow zucchini, giant mushrooms, and at the last minute broccoli with some Tamari sauce.
- corn on the cob (cooked by my husband)
Shabbat morning, we'll have the side-dishes with chicken.
Don't forget the challah with each meal!
Now, isn't that enough?!
Shabbat Shalom
Just don't forget...
...that the next Kosher Cooking Carnival is approaching. You don't want to be left out of the fun!
So please, let me know what's cooking!
Either send to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com
or via Conservative Cat's handy form or the blog carnival one, and
at the same time you may discover other carnivals to visit and enter...
Just a suggestion, with the "9 Days" coming up, when many of us don't eat beef and poultry, do you have some good ideas?
Thursday, June 29, 2006
"Tizkeh b'Mitzvot," You should be rewarded with more Mitzvot
That's what I said to the bus driver as I got off his bus the other night: "Todah! (Thank you.) Chodesh Tov! (Have a good month, as it was the first of the Jewish month of Tammuz.) "Tizkeh l'Mitzvot," You should be rewarded with more Mitzvot!" (Correct phrase, l'mitzvot--thanks-Yehoshua)
Yes, it was one of those wonderful "only in Israel" experiences. They happen here more than any other place in the world.
I had been out with my daughter for dinner, something we do periodically, since she's all grown up and doesn't live at home. After we had eaten, she went one way to walk to her apartment, and I went the other way to catch a bus to my bus. It seemed like I had plenty of time, but just before I got to the bus stop I saw the bus I needed go by, and I realized that the next one may be too late.
One thing I've learned after lots of hard work on my naturally hysterical personality, is that it doesn't pay to get upset when I have no control over things. Also, I still had plenty of time. As my time got less and less, I searched my brain for all of the various travel options open to me.
Yes, it was one of those wonderful "only in Israel" experiences. They happen here more than any other place in the world.
I had been out with my daughter for dinner, something we do periodically, since she's all grown up and doesn't live at home. After we had eaten, she went one way to walk to her apartment, and I went the other way to catch a bus to my bus. It seemed like I had plenty of time, but just before I got to the bus stop I saw the bus I needed go by, and I realized that the next one may be too late.
One thing I've learned after lots of hard work on my naturally hysterical personality, is that it doesn't pay to get upset when I have no control over things. Also, I still had plenty of time. As my time got less and less, I searched my brain for all of the various travel options open to me.
- Just wait until the bus to the bus station came, and hope that my bus would be late--"waiting for me," which has happened before.
- Worse comes to worse, I could just take the very last bus. (I'd get home much later than I wanted)
- Once it became too late, I could always take a cab to the French Hill "trempiada" bus stop and catch the bus or a ride there. (expensive, but ok)
I stopped myself from getting angry for going to that stop, which only had two bus options, the one I needed and a route I wasn't familiar with. I was focused on getting the bus.
It had already gotten late enough so that even if the bus I wanted arrived immediately, I would probably miss the one home. Suddenly the "unknown" bus arrived. I climbed in and asked the driver where he was going. Pleasantly surprised, I realized that I could catch a bus to French Hill in the middle of his route, so I got a "transfer" ticket.
He suggested I catch it at Zion Square, but as we traveled, I realized that a better solution was "Kvish Echad," the road from the Old City Wall that goes to French Hill. He then confirmed that there was a stop which gave me two possibilities, and I told him that if I needed a cab from there, it wouldn't cost much.
I wasn't 100% sure which stop to get off so I asked, and he told me to wait:
"Al t'dagui, Giveret. Od chamesh dakot,
v'orid otach b'Givat Tzarftit."Don't worry, lady, in another five minutes,
I'll let you off at French Hill.
Suddenly, I realized that we were going up the road to Mt. Scopus, past the Hyatt, the hospital, the university, and he kept repeating:
"Al t'dagui, Giveret. Od chamesh dakot, v'orid otach b'Givat Tzarftit."
Don't worry, lady, in another five minutes, I'll let you off at French Hill.
Suddenly I realized that I was the only passenger still on the bus. The lights were out, and the driver had apparently finished his official route. I felt perfectly calm, with the driver's words echoing in my ears.
Yes, everything was fine, and it took more than five minutes, but he dropped me off a two minute stroll to the French Hill bus stop, where after a good few minutes my bus arrived and took me home, straight to my door, even though it's not an "official stop."
Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone, since we don't want the drivers to get in trouble!
bit the dust
My last "original" baking pan bit the dust,
or should I say: shows some rust?
Experts say: DANGEROUS!
It served us well
for almost 35 years
no need to shed tears
The enamel process is simply layered fused glass. The key is buy quality pieces that won't chip. A good pot will last a lifetime. A cheap pot will chip and expose you to fragments of glass and toxic metal.
2nd hand smoke
It's no secret that I'm one of those who stops people from smoking. When I was younger and periodically pregnant, I'd tell smokers at the movies--yes, in those days in Israel people smoked in all public places, irrespective of any signs--that their smoking would make me puke! Of course, the truth is/was that I didn't have "those sort of pregnancies," thank G-d.
There's an important article in the NY Times about second-hand smoke, A Warning on Hazards of Secondhand Smoke, which I copied onto Blog Free! in case the Times takes it off its site.
One of the unexpected bonuses of living in Shiloh is the low percentage of smokers. I definitely adds to our quality of life here.
I suggest people do what I do when seeing any staff smoking in food establishments, whether proper restaurants or simple snack places. If I haven't yet started eating--even if already ordered--just tell the person in charge that you can't eat there because of the smoking and walk out. And if you're already eating, or just finished, tell the person in charge that because of the smoking, you won't be back!
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