Yesterday I babysat all day for Hallelie, since she had a cough. It was raining most of the day, but when the sun came out, I took her out for a walk and fresh, clean air. She was glad to get out, and when it began to drizzle really began to enjoy herself, in contrast to her reactions to the first rains of the season. She ran up and down the street singing some song about rain,drips and drops. When the rain fell more heavily, she just sang more and more. And of course, she kept running away, further from her house each time I told her that we'd have to go home.
Finally she had to be carried screaming in protest back home. She ran to her father and fell asleep in his arms, angry with her mean savta. Thank G-d she woke up her cheerful self and didn't mind that he wasn't home. She had lunch and did "arts and crafts" until my daughter made it home from work.
Singing in the rain. It's still raining, even though the weatherpixie says otherwise.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Monday, February 07, 2005
Am I the only one?
I've been noticing some strange things on my blog recently and asked some fellow bloggers. One mentioned "aliens," and this is my reply:
Those aliens also visit me-ander, though, bli eyen haraa, so far they've left shilohmusings alone. They play yo yo with the sidebar and color parts like a pumpkin, hiding the sidebar etc. Also when I'm on firefox rather than explorer, my posts don't show until hours later. They must be shy, though they feel braver on explorer. And sometimes, when it seems like posts were swallowed up when being published, later I find them hiding, disguised as drafts.
Have they visited you? Or have you observed peculiar behavior?
Those aliens also visit me-ander, though, bli eyen haraa, so far they've left shilohmusings alone. They play yo yo with the sidebar and color parts like a pumpkin, hiding the sidebar etc. Also when I'm on firefox rather than explorer, my posts don't show until hours later. They must be shy, though they feel braver on explorer. And sometimes, when it seems like posts were swallowed up when being published, later I find them hiding, disguised as drafts.
Have they visited you? Or have you observed peculiar behavior?
Super Bowl, Super Star in red, white and blue!
Our post-army trekking son is now in New Jersey and told us that he'd be taking part in the great American tradition of Super Bowl watching on a cousin's giant screen.
I wish that I had been with him to see the entertainment, ever-young, Liverpool born, Paul McCartney was the star. The world must have really shrunk, considering that it was considered a patriotic American show.
My kids are all older than I was when The Beatles made their first American visit. Then they were so foreign, and now...
I wish that I had been with him to see the entertainment, ever-young, Liverpool born, Paul McCartney was the star. The world must have really shrunk, considering that it was considered a patriotic American show.
My kids are all older than I was when The Beatles made their first American visit. Then they were so foreign, and now...
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Adir Zik passed away today, on one of the last days of the month of Shvat, while tears poured from the heavens. When he was in this world, ha'olam hazeh, he gave us strength. And now we have him as our defender from ha'olam haba.
May his family be comforted....
May his family be comforted....
feet finally thawing
feet finally thawing
from standing
in the freezing rain
waiting for a ride, bus
Cinderella's pumpkin
even without the footmen
I wouldn't complain
finally home
after a day
that feels so much longer
than it really was
but frozen toes
and wet socks
and rain that sneaks
throught layers
of boots
sworn by the salesman
they all swear so convincingly
but the rain
in my neighborhood
must be
stronger, hardier, sneakier
than rain
anywhere else
so finally
feet thawing
not yet warming
after the cold rain
could have been
much wetter
if weren't for
some kind souls
driving pumpkins
from standing
in the freezing rain
waiting for a ride, bus
Cinderella's pumpkin
even without the footmen
I wouldn't complain
finally home
after a day
that feels so much longer
than it really was
but frozen toes
and wet socks
and rain that sneaks
throught layers
of boots
sworn by the salesman
they all swear so convincingly
but the rain
in my neighborhood
must be
stronger, hardier, sneakier
than rain
anywhere else
so finally
feet thawing
not yet warming
after the cold rain
could have been
much wetter
if weren't for
some kind souls
driving pumpkins
recovered and a thought
This is the color for celebrations, and I hope that blogspot has recovered from whatever was blackening my blog this morning.
It's no secret that I'm against a/the referendum. My mind is constantly coming up with reasons why . That's besides this and this and this . And I've written even more on it. This makes me rather unpopular in certain circles.
I had better check my lunch, better not be burning.
It's no secret that I'm against a/the referendum. My mind is constantly coming up with reasons why . That's besides this and this and this . And I've written even more on it. This makes me rather unpopular in certain circles.
I had better check my lunch, better not be burning.
Kiddush Clubs, w/o graphics
The OU has decided that “Kiddush clubs” are a great danger to Orthodox Jewry. Apparently there are men who go to shul for social, more than spiritual, reasons. The rabbis were instructed to mention in their sermons that “Kiddush clubs” are to be banned. One minor problem—the members of the “clubs” usually meet during the sermons.
Honestly, I’m not the type to be interested in those clubs, even if women are invited, but as a teacher I look at it differently. If certain students consistently skip certain activities, then maybe there should be some changes. These club members could probably do much better with a “quickie” “Israeli-style” minyan, without a sermon and fancy chazonut. And of course, they should run their short and sweet minyan, and when it’s over, they can meet.
It’s better to have a variety of minyanim than the “Kiddush clubs” and even worse, the absenteeism.
Honestly, I’m not the type to be interested in those clubs, even if women are invited, but as a teacher I look at it differently. If certain students consistently skip certain activities, then maybe there should be some changes. These club members could probably do much better with a “quickie” “Israeli-style” minyan, without a sermon and fancy chazonut. And of course, they should run their short and sweet minyan, and when it’s over, they can meet.
It’s better to have a variety of minyanim than the “Kiddush clubs” and even worse, the absenteeism.
experiment
This will look strange, if it comes out at all. Seems to be a problem with blogspot. No graphics this morning, so small black writing only. I'll just experiment with italics and bold. Didn't seem to work. All sorts of other things popped out on the screen, so x'ed them away.
Bad enough to miss the sunrise.
Bad enough to miss the sunrise.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Jerusalem bloggers and some philosophy, too
Second Thoughts , who helped me get started blogging is calling Jerusalem bloggers . I don't know what the idea is, but...
I don't really have time for f2f, nor do I chat. I should make time for phone calls to people who don't email. And those who don't email, probably don't blog either. The world is getting more and more divided, so many types of haves and have nots.
There's the computer internet stuff, and the cell phones and the cell phones that do internet, and the digital cameras and pictures by mail. I remember a few years ago angily emailing one of my cousins who said that he'd send me pictures of his kids by email, and I wrote "but I want paper pictures that I can frame and hang on the wall!"
Now we have a digital camera, but only my youngest knows how to get the "pictures" out of the camera and onto the laptop that's too heavy for me to lift and then he knows, and only he knows how to put it on a disk and then we have to take the disk to this old one and get the pictures somehow on a letter and send it off.
Sometimes I just use the regular film camera and take prints to my neighbor, use her scanner and mail the pictures to me and then mail them out. email of course.
What a strange world we live in. Fact--there are kids, who will soon be adults, who don't know how to address a regular mail envelope. Mail is electric, sms or non-exisitent.
Sorry for spelling errors. I wish I could get this to put the red line like on "word." The spellcheck her eis so retarded. Blog is a miss-spell, and it has no memory, so you can't teach it anything.
Oh, and if you've read this far, I'm still looking for ideas on how to keep the "code" handy for linking. Besides having it as a word document and have it on a "window," is there anything else I can do? Don't say memorize it, please!
I don't really have time for f2f, nor do I chat. I should make time for phone calls to people who don't email. And those who don't email, probably don't blog either. The world is getting more and more divided, so many types of haves and have nots.
There's the computer internet stuff, and the cell phones and the cell phones that do internet, and the digital cameras and pictures by mail. I remember a few years ago angily emailing one of my cousins who said that he'd send me pictures of his kids by email, and I wrote "but I want paper pictures that I can frame and hang on the wall!"
Now we have a digital camera, but only my youngest knows how to get the "pictures" out of the camera and onto the laptop that's too heavy for me to lift and then he knows, and only he knows how to put it on a disk and then we have to take the disk to this old one and get the pictures somehow on a letter and send it off.
Sometimes I just use the regular film camera and take prints to my neighbor, use her scanner and mail the pictures to me and then mail them out. email of course.
What a strange world we live in. Fact--there are kids, who will soon be adults, who don't know how to address a regular mail envelope. Mail is electric, sms or non-exisitent.
Sorry for spelling errors. I wish I could get this to put the red line like on "word." The spellcheck her eis so retarded. Blog is a miss-spell, and it has no memory, so you can't teach it anything.
Oh, and if you've read this far, I'm still looking for ideas on how to keep the "code" handy for linking. Besides having it as a word document and have it on a "window," is there anything else I can do? Don't say memorize it, please!
eating
I was just visiting some of my favorite blogs, from the links in the sidebar. And two of them Willow Green and dotmoms mentioned kids' eating habits. I commented, sounding like Atilla the Hun pretending to be a mother. Or probably worse.
I know that it's not fashionable, but I really think that we shouldn't force our kids to eat. None of us should feel forced to eat, just to make the cook happy, or just to be sociable or any reason other than hunger and that the food seems right.
Too many of us overweight adults were prize-winning members of the "clean plate club."
The kids should have a bit of choice as part of a meal, just like everyone, but nobody should be forced to eat everything. From the time my kids were very young, I let them serve themselves. There was one rule. Only take as much as you'll eat.
Studies have shown that people, and that includes young kids, avoid allergens, or they stuff themselves with allergens. Confusing, isn't it?
Also too much choice tempts one to eat too much. So simplify and relax.
Shavua Tov
I know that it's not fashionable, but I really think that we shouldn't force our kids to eat. None of us should feel forced to eat, just to make the cook happy, or just to be sociable or any reason other than hunger and that the food seems right.
Too many of us overweight adults were prize-winning members of the "clean plate club."
The kids should have a bit of choice as part of a meal, just like everyone, but nobody should be forced to eat everything. From the time my kids were very young, I let them serve themselves. There was one rule. Only take as much as you'll eat.
Studies have shown that people, and that includes young kids, avoid allergens, or they stuff themselves with allergens. Confusing, isn't it?
Also too much choice tempts one to eat too much. So simplify and relax.
Shavua Tov
Friday, February 04, 2005
strange
Right now I'm on firefox, and wrote and published, and the post doesn't show. I remember rapid life complaining about it. I'm going to close down firefox and blogspot and see if the new posts show up on explorer. I may only report after Shabbat, but if anyone has any idea what can be wrong, please let me know.
Thanks
Thanks
finishing Kohelet before Shabbat and loose ends
Just a quick summary about what we learned in Kohelet, Ecclesiastes.
Process is more important than the goal, and the Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers "One who is rich is satisfied with what he has."
We must enjoy the process, life and not keep thinking of the future , the goal. It's like chasing the horizon; you can't catch it. It always is in front of you. So if you don't enjoy your experiences and views on the way, you have nothing for your labors. Only looking far in the distance puts darkness in your present, depression. We must find joy in the everyday life. Don't just think of the food your cooking, enjoy cooking and the odors, textures etc.
It refers to earlier p'sookim, lines, in chapers 2 &3.
The purpose of life is to work, not to achieve more.
Almost Shabbat, and my "baby" polished the silver candlesticks, which were so tarnished that they looked gold. He had a few days off from the army. In just over a month, he should be released after three years. And my older son is returning home from his travels, G-d willing in a month. Baruch Hashem.
A new guest, new neighbor for Shabbat morning and the shiur nashim, women's weekly Shabbat class here. It has been going on for over 23 years, every week a different home.
Shabbat Shalom to all
Process is more important than the goal, and the Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers "One who is rich is satisfied with what he has."
We must enjoy the process, life and not keep thinking of the future , the goal. It's like chasing the horizon; you can't catch it. It always is in front of you. So if you don't enjoy your experiences and views on the way, you have nothing for your labors. Only looking far in the distance puts darkness in your present, depression. We must find joy in the everyday life. Don't just think of the food your cooking, enjoy cooking and the odors, textures etc.
It refers to earlier p'sookim, lines, in chapers 2 &3.
The purpose of life is to work, not to achieve more.
Almost Shabbat, and my "baby" polished the silver candlesticks, which were so tarnished that they looked gold. He had a few days off from the army. In just over a month, he should be released after three years. And my older son is returning home from his travels, G-d willing in a month. Baruch Hashem.
A new guest, new neighbor for Shabbat morning and the shiur nashim, women's weekly Shabbat class here. It has been going on for over 23 years, every week a different home.
Shabbat Shalom to all
more Kohelet, Ecclesiastes
Kohelet 5, 12
"Ra'ah cholah" sickening evil...hoarded riches
If the purpose ofwork is just to make money, not permanent, ups and downs, cycles, brings evils
13 like the stock market, losing what you don't have, then nothing to give
Bereishit 1, 11-12 sin of the land
G-d commanded that the entire fruit tree be edible, but the land made it that only the fruit is edible. Problem when people are only interested in the results, not the process.
PROCESS MOST IMPORTANT
Yuppies, money for pleasure, fleeting, since it disappears.
We're not against richness, if it's based on "musar" morality and goodness for others. Must use it for others.
finish later
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Kohelet, finally, I hope
The introduction is in the previous post.
Kohelet 5, 10
Whatever there is will be consumed. It also reminds me of the diet method involving smaller dishes. People finish what's on their plates; the bigger the plate, the more they eat. and of course the smaller the plate the less they eat. King Solomon said it first!
What's the advantage of all the riches? It's not a sin to be rich. Just because people like me have no drive to get more than I need, doesn't mean that my way is best for all. "Umah kisharon l'baaleiha?" "What advantage does the owner have?"
By increading your riches you can give work to other (for their parnasa) and give tzedaka.
Then Nissan told us a mishna aobut wheat that was entrusted to someone else, and it went bad, but I can't reember the relevence.
11- a worker sleeps better, no matter how much he has eaten, simply because he worked. Again the concept of "ripu'i b'isuk," occupational therapy. Satisfaction comes from work not from food. If one spends his life working well for G-d, he will have a good rest in death. Otherwise his death won't be peaceful. People will have to do things like, "ilui nishmato" to elevate his soul. A good person benefits from his good deeds even after his death.
If your aim is more money, then you'll lose it.
Sorry, I'm too tired to finish tonite
Kohelet 5, 10
Whatever there is will be consumed. It also reminds me of the diet method involving smaller dishes. People finish what's on their plates; the bigger the plate, the more they eat. and of course the smaller the plate the less they eat. King Solomon said it first!
What's the advantage of all the riches? It's not a sin to be rich. Just because people like me have no drive to get more than I need, doesn't mean that my way is best for all. "Umah kisharon l'baaleiha?" "What advantage does the owner have?"
By increading your riches you can give work to other (for their parnasa) and give tzedaka.
Then Nissan told us a mishna aobut wheat that was entrusted to someone else, and it went bad, but I can't reember the relevence.
11- a worker sleeps better, no matter how much he has eaten, simply because he worked. Again the concept of "ripu'i b'isuk," occupational therapy. Satisfaction comes from work not from food. If one spends his life working well for G-d, he will have a good rest in death. Otherwise his death won't be peaceful. People will have to do things like, "ilui nishmato" to elevate his soul. A good person benefits from his good deeds even after his death.
If your aim is more money, then you'll lose it.
Sorry, I'm too tired to finish tonite
continued, Now-- Kohelet, Ecclesiastes
I once heard that green was the color associated with the moshiach, so that's why I chose it for my notes, since he's decended from King David. I finished my T'hilim notes last time, so now Kohelet.
Kohelet 5, 10
We return to the "fisherman story," who was happy just fishing for his needs and didn't see the point of becoming a big business man, just so that he could vacation on occassion with a fishing rod. Whenever I hear that story I think of the people who tell me that my life would be easier with a car; I wouldn't need to wait for rides to work, etc. And I reply that then I'd have to work more hours to support a car, adn I wouldn't have the time for study and fitness and other activities that give me the physical and mental and spiritual strength to enjoy teaching.
My husband wants the computer now.
Kohelet 5, 10
We return to the "fisherman story," who was happy just fishing for his needs and didn't see the point of becoming a big business man, just so that he could vacation on occassion with a fishing rod. Whenever I hear that story I think of the people who tell me that my life would be easier with a car; I wouldn't need to wait for rides to work, etc. And I reply that then I'd have to work more hours to support a car, adn I wouldn't have the time for study and fitness and other activities that give me the physical and mental and spiritual strength to enjoy teaching.
My husband wants the computer now.
continued 1-2 Kohelet, T'hilim
T'hilim 34, 13
When you look at, see, the good in the world, you have a longer life. Ignore the bad things that catch your attention.
reminds me of the teaching/parenting theory of giving attention to the good behavior rather than the bad; kids usually, according to this, misbehave in order to get attention. I started using this when teaching; I try to ignore the kids who aren't behaving and just teach and pay attention to the good ones. If they want my attention, they have to participate and behave. With the seniors, since there's no time to catch up, I make it very clear that if they arent' going to behave and work they shouldn't show up, since they're ruining it for the hard workers who are weak and struggling. Also I encourage the good ones to tell they're friends to stop ruinign the lessons for them. It's not for me. Peer pressure should be for good class atmosphere.
Bereishit, Genesis, 2, 7 "nefesh kol chai" what makes a person, the soul of all living things
Masechet Sanhedrin, "man was created to work"
ripu'i b'isuk occupational therapy, healing through occupation/being busy
like the saddle, basket on the donkey, without it the donkey can't help you.
speech- there's something to say about anything
Everyone is made is made for work, of the right type
amal-hard work, very hard
speech, only humans, so important, powerful, can destroy
We must day divrei Torah, if we use those energies for good, otherwise dangerous, negative
14-n'tzur leshoncha merah stop your tongue from speaking evil
Speech has lots of physical barriers: lips, teeth, tongue
and we need to take a breath, too
Hearing's like living, most important sense. Those without hearing are restricted according to Jewish Law. Also, if someone destroys another's hearing he has to compensate as if he killed him.
There's lots that can be said in a permitted way.
15- sur merah, steer away from evil
Shmot, Exodus, 23, 7 stay away from evil
don't do the bad things, just good,
Most of Parshat Mishpatim (the portion of Laws) is just common sense.
We must be careful about what seems good now that it won't cause something bad later, like getting a good tan, eating chocolate, etc.
Dvarim, Duoteronomy,20, 10-18 peace vs war, read through
Man wants to be independent, individual, his own way, causes problems
I just panicked. Went into edit posts to to continue, and this wasn't there and searched all over. Then I clicked something new and found list of drafts, and here it was, along with some others that I was sure were swallowed in blog-ghostville. So now I'll continue, Baruch Hashem!
There are those who try to rule others, convince them of their ways. Hard to live in Peace, with all sorts of different ways, difficult.
Ok, this next one is much better in Hebrew, because the opposites come from teh same linguistic roots, so first I'll transliterate and then translate.
yachd--yachid
shleimut--shalom
together vs individual
completion (individual integrity?) vs peace
radfehu
running after it
next Kohelet
When you look at, see, the good in the world, you have a longer life. Ignore the bad things that catch your attention.
reminds me of the teaching/parenting theory of giving attention to the good behavior rather than the bad; kids usually, according to this, misbehave in order to get attention. I started using this when teaching; I try to ignore the kids who aren't behaving and just teach and pay attention to the good ones. If they want my attention, they have to participate and behave. With the seniors, since there's no time to catch up, I make it very clear that if they arent' going to behave and work they shouldn't show up, since they're ruining it for the hard workers who are weak and struggling. Also I encourage the good ones to tell they're friends to stop ruinign the lessons for them. It's not for me. Peer pressure should be for good class atmosphere.
Bereishit, Genesis, 2, 7 "nefesh kol chai" what makes a person, the soul of all living things
Masechet Sanhedrin, "man was created to work"
ripu'i b'isuk occupational therapy, healing through occupation/being busy
like the saddle, basket on the donkey, without it the donkey can't help you.
speech- there's something to say about anything
Everyone is made is made for work, of the right type
amal-hard work, very hard
speech, only humans, so important, powerful, can destroy
We must day divrei Torah, if we use those energies for good, otherwise dangerous, negative
14-n'tzur leshoncha merah stop your tongue from speaking evil
Speech has lots of physical barriers: lips, teeth, tongue
and we need to take a breath, too
Hearing's like living, most important sense. Those without hearing are restricted according to Jewish Law. Also, if someone destroys another's hearing he has to compensate as if he killed him.
There's lots that can be said in a permitted way.
15- sur merah, steer away from evil
Shmot, Exodus, 23, 7 stay away from evil
don't do the bad things, just good,
Most of Parshat Mishpatim (the portion of Laws) is just common sense.
We must be careful about what seems good now that it won't cause something bad later, like getting a good tan, eating chocolate, etc.
Dvarim, Duoteronomy,20, 10-18 peace vs war, read through
Man wants to be independent, individual, his own way, causes problems
I just panicked. Went into edit posts to to continue, and this wasn't there and searched all over. Then I clicked something new and found list of drafts, and here it was, along with some others that I was sure were swallowed in blog-ghostville. So now I'll continue, Baruch Hashem!
There are those who try to rule others, convince them of their ways. Hard to live in Peace, with all sorts of different ways, difficult.
Ok, this next one is much better in Hebrew, because the opposites come from teh same linguistic roots, so first I'll transliterate and then translate.
yachd--yachid
shleimut--shalom
together vs individual
completion (individual integrity?) vs peace
radfehu
running after it
next Kohelet
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Kohelet, T'hilim, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Feb. 1
to remind you that it helps to have a Bible open to follow this
I walked in a couple of minutes late, so I missed the opening
T'hilim 34, 12 l'chu banim, shmu li, go, boys/sons, listen to me
ONe should listen differently, carefully. Most people don't really listen; they just try to make their points or listen for agreement. for what they think, they don't want to learn something new or different.
A few years ago I took a course in "life coaching." We were told to listen to what isn't being said. I forget what they called it. When people complian of problems, quite often they complain of the minor or secondary/terciary problem, not the primary main one.
David tells the "banim" that he wants to teach them what "yir'at Hashem" the fear of G-d really means.
13- one who searches for life-chafetz chaim The words of the song are from here.
Watch your tongue, careful what you say; if you start with a lie it grows and has power; you can't get out of it. becomes afraid of telling the truth. Shortens life to live lies and lie.
ohev yamim, lirot tov Who loves days of seeing good?
continued tomorrow
I walked in a couple of minutes late, so I missed the opening
T'hilim 34, 12 l'chu banim, shmu li, go, boys/sons, listen to me
ONe should listen differently, carefully. Most people don't really listen; they just try to make their points or listen for agreement. for what they think, they don't want to learn something new or different.
A few years ago I took a course in "life coaching." We were told to listen to what isn't being said. I forget what they called it. When people complian of problems, quite often they complain of the minor or secondary/terciary problem, not the primary main one.
David tells the "banim" that he wants to teach them what "yir'at Hashem" the fear of G-d really means.
13- one who searches for life-chafetz chaim The words of the song are from here.
Watch your tongue, careful what you say; if you start with a lie it grows and has power; you can't get out of it. becomes afraid of telling the truth. Shortens life to live lies and lie.
ohev yamim, lirot tov Who loves days of seeing good?
continued tomorrow
been busy
just now
realized that I
didn't check in
---post
last night
finished off Dancing In The Aisles
thought
good timing
to write something
more mushy
than political
sort of
balance my image
we geminis
have many sides
realized that I
didn't check in
---post
last night
finished off Dancing In The Aisles
thought
good timing
to write something
more mushy
than political
sort of
balance my image
we geminis
have many sides
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
to do
before
turning in
collapsing
getting into bed
I wrote
my "to do" list
for today
typical routine
since
just as I'm about to
go to sleep
lots of
undone chores
haunt my mind
so
I try to
take them out
so they won't disturb
and now
that my coffee
and update
and mail-reading
finishing
I'll check the
quizzes and tests
and check off
the list
of things
to do
turning in
collapsing
getting into bed
I wrote
my "to do" list
for today
typical routine
since
just as I'm about to
go to sleep
lots of
undone chores
haunt my mind
so
I try to
take them out
so they won't disturb
and now
that my coffee
and update
and mail-reading
finishing
I'll check the
quizzes and tests
and check off
the list
of things
to do
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