My knee is still a stiff, swollen blob that doesn't like to cooperate when I do the exercises for flexion and extension that I have to do to get it to be "normal". It's sometimes hard to walk this tightrope between getting depressed over what seems to me to be very slow progress, and the fact that, even though it will take a long time to recover to the extent the other knee is fully recovered, this is a temporary condition.
I can't afford to sit on my duff too long. Today, for example, I had visitors and then I had a delivery. I had to hang around the house and wait for both. I didn't get to walk outside (also a major part of my therapy) till after nightfall, and so I didn't walk all that far.
I guess I just have to put my health and my recovery first on my list, and everything else takes a back seat, including visits, phone calls, work on the computer, etc. Anything that's not exercises and walking.
Tomorrow about 12:30 the nurse is coming to me to remove the stitches, which I'm told will improve things somewhat. I sure hope that's right. For one thing, I'd like to be able to sleep in a comfortable position through the night, without waking up in pain and having a hard time getting back to sleep or in a sleep position, then getting up late the next morning. This has been going on for the last few nights, and I find it very troubling.
It's amazing how much we take for granted when we're totally healthy. Who thinks about bending and straightening their knees??? Who thinks about the effort involved in putting on a sock, or a pair of pants, or making the bed???
I definitely want to stay off that damn "pity pot" (the expression used in the 12-Step programs that means self-pity). I don't have any desire to just sit around and mope and do nothing but feel sorry for my current condition and the suffering it entails.
I guess I also need to pray more personally to G-d, that He will see me through this, with a minimum of trouble and pain, as He saw me through the first time.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO A MISERABLE EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING
All I can say about Thursday's Hebron pogrom against Beit Shalom (and I address this to Ehud Barak and his ill ilk):
What did you expect from these kids who (supposedly) rampaged throughout Hebron on Thursday, in rage, bitterness and frustration? This is the culmination of sixty years of the anti-Jewish Left in power, controlling everything and everybody, marginalizing and dehumanizing any and everyone who doesn't accept or agree with their worldview. These beautiful kids who believe in Torat Israel, Am Israel, and Eretz Israel, see so clearly, far more than their elders, your hypocrisy when you make a big deal about "upholding the law", and "abiding by the law" and that the state has the right to control its citizens. You are just the latest anti-Jewish leftie, just like all your predecessors before you who controlled the reigns of power and who brutally and viciously suppressed the right wing, the religious, the charedi - in short, all those who are everything you're NOT! All those who want to see a truly JEWISH state here, who want a state based on Torah, because they know in their hearts and souls that this is the only kind of state that G-d will accept - are worse enemies to you than Arabs, because they threaten your stranglehold on the state, and even more to the point - because you know in your heart of hearts and gut of guts that they will certainly win in the end - because G-d will never allow Israel to be a nation like all other nations!
You and your sick anti-Jewish ilk know your days are numbered, so like a cornered and wild animal, you lash and thrash out at your perceived enemies in a last-ditch effort to put an end to them - and thus to any threat to your power and the perks that go with it.
For years, those of us who are marginalized, dehumanized and made to feel like we don't matter, did our best to contribute to the state in any way we could, because we were more concerned for the common good than for satisfying our own individual needs. And your predecessors played along with it - as long as we knew our place and didn't pose any threat to the ruling oligarchy.
And then along came the so-called "disengagement". These beautiful young lovers of Zion and Am Israel saw all of this cooperation, participation in state-building - collapse like a deck of cards. They saw the total hypocrisy, betrayal and traitorious actions of a government that was elected on one platform and that callously turned about-face and turned its back on its own voters, and adopted the opposite position. They saw a "supreme" court make up its own laws and rules to suit its own leftist political leanings, regardless of "justice".
"Rule of law", you say? The only rule of law you and your ilk promote is that which accords with your anti-Zionist, anti-Jewish and Leftist values that insist we become a state and a people like all others, devoid of any Jewish content. "Democracy", you say? When equal rights and protections under the law apply only to those segments of the population that agree with your values and world view, THIS IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF DEMOCRACY!
Barak, consider yourself damn lucky that a lot worse didn't happen! But that's not to say that it won't happen in the future!
Take whole sectors of the population (right-wing, religious, nationalistic, patriotic Jews), isolate them, make them second-class citizens for 60 years, all the while pretending to them that they matter, lie to them, keep them from obtaining any real power in this state, subject them to arbitrary administrative detention for even the most minor infractions, brutally beat them and throw them out of their legally owned homes and farms and lives - all the while allowing Leftie demonstrators to do anything they want and letting the Arabs build illegally all over the country, not to mention rocketing Jews and attacking and murdering them - and watch their frustration mount, like steam in a pressure cooker. It's only a matter of time before that pressure cooker explodes into G-d knows what.
And you, Ehud Barak, will share a heavy burden of blame for the consequences once the explosion happens. You, the rest of your terminally ill cohorts, and the soldiers and cops who participated in this latest expulsion, G-d willing, will pay the ultimate price for your folly both in this world and the next.
What did you expect from these kids who (supposedly) rampaged throughout Hebron on Thursday, in rage, bitterness and frustration? This is the culmination of sixty years of the anti-Jewish Left in power, controlling everything and everybody, marginalizing and dehumanizing any and everyone who doesn't accept or agree with their worldview. These beautiful kids who believe in Torat Israel, Am Israel, and Eretz Israel, see so clearly, far more than their elders, your hypocrisy when you make a big deal about "upholding the law", and "abiding by the law" and that the state has the right to control its citizens. You are just the latest anti-Jewish leftie, just like all your predecessors before you who controlled the reigns of power and who brutally and viciously suppressed the right wing, the religious, the charedi - in short, all those who are everything you're NOT! All those who want to see a truly JEWISH state here, who want a state based on Torah, because they know in their hearts and souls that this is the only kind of state that G-d will accept - are worse enemies to you than Arabs, because they threaten your stranglehold on the state, and even more to the point - because you know in your heart of hearts and gut of guts that they will certainly win in the end - because G-d will never allow Israel to be a nation like all other nations!
You and your sick anti-Jewish ilk know your days are numbered, so like a cornered and wild animal, you lash and thrash out at your perceived enemies in a last-ditch effort to put an end to them - and thus to any threat to your power and the perks that go with it.
For years, those of us who are marginalized, dehumanized and made to feel like we don't matter, did our best to contribute to the state in any way we could, because we were more concerned for the common good than for satisfying our own individual needs. And your predecessors played along with it - as long as we knew our place and didn't pose any threat to the ruling oligarchy.
And then along came the so-called "disengagement". These beautiful young lovers of Zion and Am Israel saw all of this cooperation, participation in state-building - collapse like a deck of cards. They saw the total hypocrisy, betrayal and traitorious actions of a government that was elected on one platform and that callously turned about-face and turned its back on its own voters, and adopted the opposite position. They saw a "supreme" court make up its own laws and rules to suit its own leftist political leanings, regardless of "justice".
"Rule of law", you say? The only rule of law you and your ilk promote is that which accords with your anti-Zionist, anti-Jewish and Leftist values that insist we become a state and a people like all others, devoid of any Jewish content. "Democracy", you say? When equal rights and protections under the law apply only to those segments of the population that agree with your values and world view, THIS IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF DEMOCRACY!
Barak, consider yourself damn lucky that a lot worse didn't happen! But that's not to say that it won't happen in the future!
Take whole sectors of the population (right-wing, religious, nationalistic, patriotic Jews), isolate them, make them second-class citizens for 60 years, all the while pretending to them that they matter, lie to them, keep them from obtaining any real power in this state, subject them to arbitrary administrative detention for even the most minor infractions, brutally beat them and throw them out of their legally owned homes and farms and lives - all the while allowing Leftie demonstrators to do anything they want and letting the Arabs build illegally all over the country, not to mention rocketing Jews and attacking and murdering them - and watch their frustration mount, like steam in a pressure cooker. It's only a matter of time before that pressure cooker explodes into G-d knows what.
And you, Ehud Barak, will share a heavy burden of blame for the consequences once the explosion happens. You, the rest of your terminally ill cohorts, and the soldiers and cops who participated in this latest expulsion, G-d willing, will pay the ultimate price for your folly both in this world and the next.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
MY SEXY KNEE-KINI (knee with a bikini)
Wish you were here....(This is what my knee looks like in an X-ray [this is the left knee, replaced 6 yrs ago])
This could actually be a picture postcard, right?
FIFI, ZACHIA AND ME: Partners in Pain
Long time no write, dear blog. Well, the Big Mamoushka has some recovering to do. On Nov. 24 I had a total right-knee replacement at Sha'arei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. Now a week and a half later, my knee is wearing a very stiff straightjacket, and it and the rest of my leg and foot are swollen, making it very difficult to carry out the exercises for range of motion and extension given to me by the hospital and by my new physiotherapist, who I'll call "DireDevilDave". After a difficult first session on Wednesday, he told me he let me off easy..... hence my choice of names for him.
But that was nothing compared to my hospital roommates, Fifi and Zachia. Two older women who fell and broke a bone connected to the hip, needed complicated surgery and the aftermath was/is very painful. Thank G-d these two elderly ladies both had lots of family around to protect them and their rights.
Fifi, a native of N. Africa (I believe Algeria), was treated especially roughly by the hospital staff, as they moved her from bed to chair and back to bed. Lucky for her, her tough, loud and aggressive daughter, Shoshi, was there to witness and loudly complain. The worst of this happened this past Shabbat, and I was an ear-witness to all (I had my curtains drawn in a naieve attempt to actually get in a Shabbat nap, so my eyes didn't see anything but my ears heard it all).
Fifi, although not always willing to do the movement she was told to do to get ready for the rehab ("shikum") phase of her recovery, showed noticeable improvement in spite of the way she was treated. During the six days I was hospitalized, she went from constantly sleeping or screaming in pain, to interacting with the environment, making calls on her rented phone and having conversations with people. She even drew some laughs as others in the room overheard her tell someone on the phone that her condition was "severe"...... Shoshi says that her mom's definition of "severe" is a bit different from that of others.
On the other side of me, there was Zachia, born in Israel right after her parents immigrated from Turkey, according to her daughter Yochi and her son Yossi. Her parents called her Zachia, a derivative of "zchut", right or privilege, as her parents felt privileged to have a daughter born in Israel. She, too, had difficulty making the right movements for herself, but she was a lot quieter than Fifi.
But the hard part for me to take, leaving aside the screams of pain and obvious discomfort, was that their cases exemplified the way older people are treated in hospitals and in general, in this country and elsewhere. I had no family members present to protect my rights - but then again I am a lot younger and in better shape than either of these ladies, not to mention a lot more mobile and able to care for myself.
The first stage of old age: You become invisible. Actually this happens during middle age. People don't see you. People don't hear you or heed you. Next stage: They hear you, but pretend they don't. They act annoyed and impatient at whatever you say or ask for or need help with.
It was painfully obvious to me how older people are treated here, and even more painful when I realize that this is supposed to be a Jewish country, with the very Jewish value of respecting one's elders. The hospital aides tossing these older ladies about - would they have treated their own mothers this way? I expect this in any other country in the world, but not in a country which is supposed to set an example for all mankind.
I, at age 60, contemplated my own future old age, too, and wondered (and still wonder) how I'll be treated, especially since I have no family here. A few of my friends have told me that they'd make sure I'd be protected, but - some road somewhere is paved with good intentions. It's scary and disheartening.
And now I'm out of there and home, in pain and discomfort - but around the things I know and love (like my little cat Chachi, now sitting next to my screen and trying to chase down the cursor on the screen). But Fifi and Zachia will be there for awhile, going into "shikum", and their recovery will be considerably slower.
Shoshi, Yochi and I all traded phone numbers. I have to remember to give them a call before Shabbat tomorrow.
May all of our pain and suffering be a major kappara for all three of us, and I sure hope we all recover fully to look back and laugh.
But that was nothing compared to my hospital roommates, Fifi and Zachia. Two older women who fell and broke a bone connected to the hip, needed complicated surgery and the aftermath was/is very painful. Thank G-d these two elderly ladies both had lots of family around to protect them and their rights.
Fifi, a native of N. Africa (I believe Algeria), was treated especially roughly by the hospital staff, as they moved her from bed to chair and back to bed. Lucky for her, her tough, loud and aggressive daughter, Shoshi, was there to witness and loudly complain. The worst of this happened this past Shabbat, and I was an ear-witness to all (I had my curtains drawn in a naieve attempt to actually get in a Shabbat nap, so my eyes didn't see anything but my ears heard it all).
Fifi, although not always willing to do the movement she was told to do to get ready for the rehab ("shikum") phase of her recovery, showed noticeable improvement in spite of the way she was treated. During the six days I was hospitalized, she went from constantly sleeping or screaming in pain, to interacting with the environment, making calls on her rented phone and having conversations with people. She even drew some laughs as others in the room overheard her tell someone on the phone that her condition was "severe"...... Shoshi says that her mom's definition of "severe" is a bit different from that of others.
On the other side of me, there was Zachia, born in Israel right after her parents immigrated from Turkey, according to her daughter Yochi and her son Yossi. Her parents called her Zachia, a derivative of "zchut", right or privilege, as her parents felt privileged to have a daughter born in Israel. She, too, had difficulty making the right movements for herself, but she was a lot quieter than Fifi.
But the hard part for me to take, leaving aside the screams of pain and obvious discomfort, was that their cases exemplified the way older people are treated in hospitals and in general, in this country and elsewhere. I had no family members present to protect my rights - but then again I am a lot younger and in better shape than either of these ladies, not to mention a lot more mobile and able to care for myself.
The first stage of old age: You become invisible. Actually this happens during middle age. People don't see you. People don't hear you or heed you. Next stage: They hear you, but pretend they don't. They act annoyed and impatient at whatever you say or ask for or need help with.
It was painfully obvious to me how older people are treated here, and even more painful when I realize that this is supposed to be a Jewish country, with the very Jewish value of respecting one's elders. The hospital aides tossing these older ladies about - would they have treated their own mothers this way? I expect this in any other country in the world, but not in a country which is supposed to set an example for all mankind.
I, at age 60, contemplated my own future old age, too, and wondered (and still wonder) how I'll be treated, especially since I have no family here. A few of my friends have told me that they'd make sure I'd be protected, but - some road somewhere is paved with good intentions. It's scary and disheartening.
And now I'm out of there and home, in pain and discomfort - but around the things I know and love (like my little cat Chachi, now sitting next to my screen and trying to chase down the cursor on the screen). But Fifi and Zachia will be there for awhile, going into "shikum", and their recovery will be considerably slower.
Shoshi, Yochi and I all traded phone numbers. I have to remember to give them a call before Shabbat tomorrow.
May all of our pain and suffering be a major kappara for all three of us, and I sure hope we all recover fully to look back and laugh.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
HAPPY CAJUN AND BLUEGRASS NEW YEAR!
Getting closer.... Hard to believe the BIG DAYS are arriving very soon.... One of my biggest fans has been absolutely BEGGING me to post something on this blog, and since I don't know what to say exactly at this point, I'll compromise and oblige him a little.
I must say that after being without a computer for almost 3 weeks due to the motherboard going kaput, and after spending a mint of cash to get what amounts to a whole new computer, it's such a supreme pleasure to be able to listen to the music I want instead of the crap on the radio, or instead of my scratchy old 33 LP records! CDs? Yep, I've got them but not a decent CD player, although I could play them in the CD drive of the computer. Now that I'm into both Cajun and Bluegrass (I've been listening far more to the latter lately than to the former, I must admit), it's such a supreme pleasure to find the music on the web, and I must be the only one for many blocks around to play this stuff! I often wonder what people passing by my window think.... I really like to blast this stuff.
If anybody reading this is a Bluegrass fan, I suggest Wes Miller or the Earl Brothers. Both can be found on CDbaby.com. Write in the type of music you want to hear in the line on the upper right of the screen. These two and many others can be found. Disadvantage: Each song only plays for the first 2 minutes of it before going to another song (they want you to buy the MP3 download or the CD). Right now I'm listening to "Hillbilly Hero" by the Earl Brothers. I also discovered recently, the Daughters of Bluegrass and their CD Bluegrass Bouquet. Really good (except for one gospel-y song on it, which I always skip over).
Gotta prep for Slichot tonite, so gotta go. Two weeks' vacation are now in effect, and boy do I need them!
Shavua Tov!
I must say that after being without a computer for almost 3 weeks due to the motherboard going kaput, and after spending a mint of cash to get what amounts to a whole new computer, it's such a supreme pleasure to be able to listen to the music I want instead of the crap on the radio, or instead of my scratchy old 33 LP records! CDs? Yep, I've got them but not a decent CD player, although I could play them in the CD drive of the computer. Now that I'm into both Cajun and Bluegrass (I've been listening far more to the latter lately than to the former, I must admit), it's such a supreme pleasure to find the music on the web, and I must be the only one for many blocks around to play this stuff! I often wonder what people passing by my window think.... I really like to blast this stuff.
If anybody reading this is a Bluegrass fan, I suggest Wes Miller or the Earl Brothers. Both can be found on CDbaby.com. Write in the type of music you want to hear in the line on the upper right of the screen. These two and many others can be found. Disadvantage: Each song only plays for the first 2 minutes of it before going to another song (they want you to buy the MP3 download or the CD). Right now I'm listening to "Hillbilly Hero" by the Earl Brothers. I also discovered recently, the Daughters of Bluegrass and their CD Bluegrass Bouquet. Really good (except for one gospel-y song on it, which I always skip over).
Gotta prep for Slichot tonite, so gotta go. Two weeks' vacation are now in effect, and boy do I need them!
Shavua Tov!
Friday, June 27, 2008
JUSTICE, JUSTICE (OR AT LEAST A BREAK) - WHERE ARE YOU???
I'm still depressed after Wednesday's fiasco in court with my sweet friend E. She had a hearing and the judge refused - twice - to postpone it even though - through no fault of her own - her most recent lawyer quit on her. I went to the hearing in Ramat Gan to try to explain to the judge in Hebrew what my friend wanted to say in English. Neither of us were allowed to speak (the reason for my not being allowed was because I'm not a lawyer!).
At any rate, the judgment went against her and for the other side - completely.
Now she needs a top-notch lawyer who won't take any money up front, just a % of the winnings (if any). This lawyer needs to be the reincarnation of Clarence Darrow. Ah, he also needs to speak English fluently.
So the race for a new lawyer is on, as she has only till Sept. 1 to appeal Wednesday's fiasco.
Anyone out there a lawyer or know a lawyer? Please get back to me STAT!
In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom to all.
At any rate, the judgment went against her and for the other side - completely.
Now she needs a top-notch lawyer who won't take any money up front, just a % of the winnings (if any). This lawyer needs to be the reincarnation of Clarence Darrow. Ah, he also needs to speak English fluently.
So the race for a new lawyer is on, as she has only till Sept. 1 to appeal Wednesday's fiasco.
Anyone out there a lawyer or know a lawyer? Please get back to me STAT!
In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom to all.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A TISHA B'AV DITTY
Can't go to bed without putting in writing Cajun Kreplach's Tisha B'Av ditty:
My people don't wear no shoes
My people don't wear no shoes
My people don't wear no shoes
My people don't wear no shoes
(accordion solos in between singing of above lines several times)
My people don't wear no shoes
My people don't wear no shoes
My people don't wear no shoes
(accordion solos in between singing of above lines several times)
Adapted from "My Baby don't wear no shoes". If ya wanna hear the original, click the link at the bottom of the page and listen through the great songs!
(The song, admittedly, is a little too upbeat and happy for Tisha B'av - but a bit of whimsy never hurt anybody...)
NOW will you let me go to sleep?!
(The song, admittedly, is a little too upbeat and happy for Tisha B'av - but a bit of whimsy never hurt anybody...)
NOW will you let me go to sleep?!
Monday, June 9, 2008
SHAVUOT ET AL
I feel so disoriented right now from staying up all night - I figure this is the perfect time to blog away, just for closure on the day and on my feelings, before I take a shower and watch Law & Order...
At the Israel Center, where I spent the "meat" (better, "dairy"?) of Shavuot, I was there start to finish (including dinner). At about 1:30 a.m., though, I headed for the library there to do some studying on my own. It was starting to get a little boring at the shiurim after the shiur of Rabbi Ephraim Shprecher, who's a very hard act to follow... I was, btw, honored that he and his wife graced my table at dinner. On the way up, I spotted a book for sale about life after life, near-death experiences, the afterlife, you get the idea... I took the book upstairs to the library to devour its contents. Can you imagine, reading this stuff during the wee hours? Well, if I'm curious about something I don't care what time it is. Fascinating book, it drew tears to my eyes during the reading. I wonder sometimes what Ronnie my husband z"l, went through during his final moments and ascent to his Maker. I was there with him at the time of his death, so how can I not wonder?
Ah, enough of this morbid stuff! I got a phone call which kept me from continuing writing in this blog, and I gotta go shower now - TO BE CONTINUED...
Well. I'm back.... the next night. After a full day of work. Midnite, and I'm still up and feeling a need to finish this piece.
Now for a change of subject:
Does anyone out there ever feel the need to distance him/herself from people, places or things that are currently driving him/her just a little crazy? Well, I do. This is what I'm going through now. I can't share exactly what it is on this blog, because certain people read it, and the info. could get into the wrong hands.
It's hard to remove myself from people, places or things - sometimes excruciatingly hard - because it so goes against my natural inclination to want to be with...... but remove myself I must. It's a trial and a test for me. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it, as they say. And I know it's in the long run good for all concerned, including me.
I've only shared this with a couple of other people I trust. And that's the way I intend to keep it.
Laila Tov, Am Israel.
At the Israel Center, where I spent the "meat" (better, "dairy"?) of Shavuot, I was there start to finish (including dinner). At about 1:30 a.m., though, I headed for the library there to do some studying on my own. It was starting to get a little boring at the shiurim after the shiur of Rabbi Ephraim Shprecher, who's a very hard act to follow... I was, btw, honored that he and his wife graced my table at dinner. On the way up, I spotted a book for sale about life after life, near-death experiences, the afterlife, you get the idea... I took the book upstairs to the library to devour its contents. Can you imagine, reading this stuff during the wee hours? Well, if I'm curious about something I don't care what time it is. Fascinating book, it drew tears to my eyes during the reading. I wonder sometimes what Ronnie my husband z"l, went through during his final moments and ascent to his Maker. I was there with him at the time of his death, so how can I not wonder?
Ah, enough of this morbid stuff! I got a phone call which kept me from continuing writing in this blog, and I gotta go shower now - TO BE CONTINUED...
Well. I'm back.... the next night. After a full day of work. Midnite, and I'm still up and feeling a need to finish this piece.
Now for a change of subject:
Does anyone out there ever feel the need to distance him/herself from people, places or things that are currently driving him/her just a little crazy? Well, I do. This is what I'm going through now. I can't share exactly what it is on this blog, because certain people read it, and the info. could get into the wrong hands.
It's hard to remove myself from people, places or things - sometimes excruciatingly hard - because it so goes against my natural inclination to want to be with...... but remove myself I must. It's a trial and a test for me. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it, as they say. And I know it's in the long run good for all concerned, including me.
I've only shared this with a couple of other people I trust. And that's the way I intend to keep it.
Laila Tov, Am Israel.
Monday, June 2, 2008
THE CHAGBLOG
New Cajun Kreplach song, based on the song "Dance all Night" (to find it, click into that cool Cajun sound site URL at the bottom of my blog). And just in time for Shavuot!
LEARN ALL NIGHT
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
I tell you, we'll be the Shlock Rock of Cajun music one day (that is, if I can get the band to exist...)!
LEARN ALL NIGHT
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Learn all night
Stay a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Take out your siddur, pray a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Take out your Chumash, learn a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Take out your Talmud, learn a little longer
Watch your emunah get a little bit stronger.
(musical interlude)
I tell you, we'll be the Shlock Rock of Cajun music one day (that is, if I can get the band to exist...)!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
DYNAMITE PARTY = DYNAMITE PEOPLE
I am so happy and grateful that a dozen came to my birthday gathering on Sunday night. I hope at least a few of them get to read this.
We really clicked as a group, and each one added his/her own special uniqueness to the party.
There is one thing, however, that I neglected to do during the gathering. I had considered this earlier, but thought it might embarrass some people there, so I nixed the idea when I first thought of it and then forgot about it.
What we actually did was to go around the tables, each person introduced him/herself to the rest of the group. Everybody got to know everybody else that way.
I considered going around the table again, but this time I would do the talking and tell the group just exactly what it is that is unique and special and positive about each person there.
Since I lost a golden opportunity to do this at the party, I take the opportunity to transcribe this activity in this blog, for perpetuity.
Leah Levine: My substitute mother, my sister and my dear, close friend all in one. She's the first one I informed of my own mother's passing 8 years ago. She immediately volunteered to be my mother! I've shared many a man trouble with her, and at age 81, she's still a hot tamale and lots of fun to be with!*
Zvia Ben-Chaim: My "adopted sister", a dear friend I feel so free to share just about anything with. Her laugh and her smile light me up! She manages to laugh at all my jokes and clowning around, and I love her for that!*
Gila Ramirez: My dear, sweet, precious "Chiquitita Banana" (born in Puerto Rico) friend from way back in Philly, from the late '80's when I first met her in shul on Succot, trying to shake her lulav along with the guys below..... I knew then how special she is. We're close friends all of these years, and she's one of the most lively, intelligent, passionate and unique women I have ever met.
Dan Brock: Gila's husband, for whom she waited almost a whole lifetime to meet and marry! Gila used to tell me often that she wished she could meet a man who's a friend.... well, she's sure got him in Dan, whom she still refers to as "my friend".... how many married women refer to their husbands as "my friend"???? Dan's a total gem and a mensch, in every way, and very, very special to marry my dear friend Gila.
Harry Rosen: A sweet, sensitive guy who at first didn't want to come to the party, but I was told that in the end he was glad he came and thoroughly enjoyed himself! Harry was a member, along with myself, of the Israel Center singles' group many years ago. Had his share of marital troubles, but is now seeing my sweet friend ---
Chava (Evelyn) Tigris: Harry's friend, who has been a true friend for a good many years, since we both met at a mutual friend's Friday night Shabbat table. She has so patiently listened to me and my troubles over the years. We have shared both her tzarot and mine. She will always be near and dear to me - and she's sweeter than sugar!
Yair (whose last name I don't know): A young Dutchman who is Daniel Pinner's friend, whom I don't know but who filled in as Daniel's friend for some people who didn't make it (he wasn't originally invited). Soft-spoken, I felt that his birthday wishes for me were very sincerely meant. I've seen him around my circles, and he impresses me as a good, menschlicht young man.
Daniel Pinner: A hero and former Jewish prisoner of conscience who sat in jail for 2 years for firing in the air after being attacked by rocks thrown by 50 Arabs on the Gush Katif beach before the Expulsion. A man of many talents, an electrician and teacher by profession, and possessor of a brilliant wit, and as I found out two nights ago, a talented artist, too (on the restaurant napkin he drew the dome of the rock monstrosity being hauled away with a crane dropped down by a helicopter, which is now hanging on my fridge). A resident of Tapuach, now trying to get his life back together. We go back a long way, to the days of rallies with Rabbi Kahane HY"D.
Arlene Alyehs: A fairly recent addition to my life, she is one of the most creative and brilliant, savvy women around! Generous and sweet, too! She doesn't know it yet, but I am about to serve adoption papers on her (as another sister of mine!). She invited me last week to a very moving tribute to her father z"l, who was niftar 10 years ago. From him (and of course, from her mother, who is still with us), she gets her many unique gifts.*
Micha'el Rubinoff: A totally positive, upbeat man with a wild and crazy sense of humor, I just love his company and just being around him is a major lift for me! He always makes me laugh my socks off! Life of the party! He was definitely in "prime time" on party night and made me and everybody else there laugh our heads off! Plus, he had the audacity to pay for my dinner (am I complaining?!?!).
Chaim Tannen: There are so many, many things I like about Chaim, my friend and my neighbor.... what I really regret, with a giant sigh, is not being much closer to him in age..... well, that's another story. He's got all the right stuff, and I told his parents that when I met them this past Pesach. Fascinating stories he tells me about his Mishmar Hagvul service. He's one of my heroes! I am very gladly a frequent contributor to his Yahoo group. We are of one mind on many issues.... and I'm very grateful both for his presence in my life and for coming to the party! Sometimes he's like a reverse "sabra" (cactus) - sweet and gentle on the outside, but tough on the inside! May we stay friends forever, sweet Chaim!
* I went out after the party with these 3 for some good ice cream, letting our hair down and "girl-talk" (were anybody's ears burning???)
'Nighty-night to farts young and old,
Dina
We really clicked as a group, and each one added his/her own special uniqueness to the party.
There is one thing, however, that I neglected to do during the gathering. I had considered this earlier, but thought it might embarrass some people there, so I nixed the idea when I first thought of it and then forgot about it.
What we actually did was to go around the tables, each person introduced him/herself to the rest of the group. Everybody got to know everybody else that way.
I considered going around the table again, but this time I would do the talking and tell the group just exactly what it is that is unique and special and positive about each person there.
Since I lost a golden opportunity to do this at the party, I take the opportunity to transcribe this activity in this blog, for perpetuity.
Leah Levine: My substitute mother, my sister and my dear, close friend all in one. She's the first one I informed of my own mother's passing 8 years ago. She immediately volunteered to be my mother! I've shared many a man trouble with her, and at age 81, she's still a hot tamale and lots of fun to be with!*
Zvia Ben-Chaim: My "adopted sister", a dear friend I feel so free to share just about anything with. Her laugh and her smile light me up! She manages to laugh at all my jokes and clowning around, and I love her for that!*
Gila Ramirez: My dear, sweet, precious "Chiquitita Banana" (born in Puerto Rico) friend from way back in Philly, from the late '80's when I first met her in shul on Succot, trying to shake her lulav along with the guys below..... I knew then how special she is. We're close friends all of these years, and she's one of the most lively, intelligent, passionate and unique women I have ever met.
Dan Brock: Gila's husband, for whom she waited almost a whole lifetime to meet and marry! Gila used to tell me often that she wished she could meet a man who's a friend.... well, she's sure got him in Dan, whom she still refers to as "my friend".... how many married women refer to their husbands as "my friend"???? Dan's a total gem and a mensch, in every way, and very, very special to marry my dear friend Gila.
Harry Rosen: A sweet, sensitive guy who at first didn't want to come to the party, but I was told that in the end he was glad he came and thoroughly enjoyed himself! Harry was a member, along with myself, of the Israel Center singles' group many years ago. Had his share of marital troubles, but is now seeing my sweet friend ---
Chava (Evelyn) Tigris: Harry's friend, who has been a true friend for a good many years, since we both met at a mutual friend's Friday night Shabbat table. She has so patiently listened to me and my troubles over the years. We have shared both her tzarot and mine. She will always be near and dear to me - and she's sweeter than sugar!
Yair (whose last name I don't know): A young Dutchman who is Daniel Pinner's friend, whom I don't know but who filled in as Daniel's friend for some people who didn't make it (he wasn't originally invited). Soft-spoken, I felt that his birthday wishes for me were very sincerely meant. I've seen him around my circles, and he impresses me as a good, menschlicht young man.
Daniel Pinner: A hero and former Jewish prisoner of conscience who sat in jail for 2 years for firing in the air after being attacked by rocks thrown by 50 Arabs on the Gush Katif beach before the Expulsion. A man of many talents, an electrician and teacher by profession, and possessor of a brilliant wit, and as I found out two nights ago, a talented artist, too (on the restaurant napkin he drew the dome of the rock monstrosity being hauled away with a crane dropped down by a helicopter, which is now hanging on my fridge). A resident of Tapuach, now trying to get his life back together. We go back a long way, to the days of rallies with Rabbi Kahane HY"D.
Arlene Alyehs: A fairly recent addition to my life, she is one of the most creative and brilliant, savvy women around! Generous and sweet, too! She doesn't know it yet, but I am about to serve adoption papers on her (as another sister of mine!). She invited me last week to a very moving tribute to her father z"l, who was niftar 10 years ago. From him (and of course, from her mother, who is still with us), she gets her many unique gifts.*
Micha'el Rubinoff: A totally positive, upbeat man with a wild and crazy sense of humor, I just love his company and just being around him is a major lift for me! He always makes me laugh my socks off! Life of the party! He was definitely in "prime time" on party night and made me and everybody else there laugh our heads off! Plus, he had the audacity to pay for my dinner (am I complaining?!?!).
Chaim Tannen: There are so many, many things I like about Chaim, my friend and my neighbor.... what I really regret, with a giant sigh, is not being much closer to him in age..... well, that's another story. He's got all the right stuff, and I told his parents that when I met them this past Pesach. Fascinating stories he tells me about his Mishmar Hagvul service. He's one of my heroes! I am very gladly a frequent contributor to his Yahoo group. We are of one mind on many issues.... and I'm very grateful both for his presence in my life and for coming to the party! Sometimes he's like a reverse "sabra" (cactus) - sweet and gentle on the outside, but tough on the inside! May we stay friends forever, sweet Chaim!
* I went out after the party with these 3 for some good ice cream, letting our hair down and "girl-talk" (were anybody's ears burning???)
'Nighty-night to farts young and old,
Dina
Saturday, May 10, 2008
KUM HAMEDINA V'KUM DINA: Reflections on 60
The twins - HaMedina (i.e., State of Israel) and Dina (me) - are each celebrating the magic 60th in our respective lives. Actually the Dina of the twins (the normal one, between the two of us) is a bit younger, having missed by hours the first Yom Ha'Atzmaut (I was born at 3:07 a.m. Shabbat Parshat Kedoshim, the day five Arab armies attacked my dear twin sister, only because I refused to declare independence from my mother's womb when I was supposed to).
Seriously now, Sis and I both face a MAJOR, MAJOR undertaking, now that we've both reached middle age (hey, what do we say in Israel when someone has a birthday? AD MEA V'ESRIM! And half of 120 is.....): What do we do with the rest of our lives?
My Sis has to decide whether to stay the current course and continue on the path of major giveaways of our precious G-d given Jewish land to our worst enemies, so they can turn it into bases for terror and murder and planning another Final Solution for her, which would include me and all the rest of the Jews here, whether Left, Right or totally non-political. Or whether she's finally going to stop listening to the world and start listening to G-d, reform herself from top to bottom according to the Torah and thus save herself from her own personal Naqba that the Arabs want to give back to her. It's decision time, Sis. What's it gonna be? Are you going to continue burying your pretty but weary and confused head in the sand and pretend that everything's just dandy and stay the futile course of kissing the ass of the world while pretending this is going to gain the world's love for you? Or are you finally going to do what's best and what's right for G-d and for your own Jewish people and tell the world to go fuck itself? What do you REALLY want to do, Medina????
And as for Medina's twin, Dina: I've got decisions to make, too. Maybe not so earth-shaking as my sis's. But decisions that will affect the rest of my life, no matter how long or how short G-d intends it to be. Do I keep my own pretty and sometimes weary and confused head buried in the sand, just plod along with work, shopping, phone conversations with friends, TV, listening to Cajun music (oh, yeah!) and/or whatever else I do that I can't think of as I write this - or do I try to shake up my life a little with some things for people to remember me by? Hey, I ain't gonna be working forever. In 2 years, I retire. Then what? How much longer, though, can I put my life on hold? What do you REALLY want to do, Dina????
Reminds me of how a 6th grader, who was a client of mine when I was a guidance counselor, replied when I asked her what she would like written on her gravestone about her after she died. She said: I tried and tried and finally died.
I'd like to think I can go a lot deeper than that 6th grader.
How about: Enjoyed success, with a minimum of mess, how 'bout it G-d, my soul to bless?
(That sucked.)
For myself, I would like to have my own personal Geula d'achishena, rather than a Geula b'ita.... and I would much prefer to think that my twin, Medina, wants the same thing as I do.
How do Medina and Dina both live up to their maximum potential??? The Question of age 60.
Ah, long live mid-life crisis.... it's definite proof that the Medina and Dina are still very much alive!!!
The following was sent to me by a couple of friends. I was very touched by it. Of course, the opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of this blogger (especially the implication of old age!):
Seriously now, Sis and I both face a MAJOR, MAJOR undertaking, now that we've both reached middle age (hey, what do we say in Israel when someone has a birthday? AD MEA V'ESRIM! And half of 120 is.....): What do we do with the rest of our lives?
My Sis has to decide whether to stay the current course and continue on the path of major giveaways of our precious G-d given Jewish land to our worst enemies, so they can turn it into bases for terror and murder and planning another Final Solution for her, which would include me and all the rest of the Jews here, whether Left, Right or totally non-political. Or whether she's finally going to stop listening to the world and start listening to G-d, reform herself from top to bottom according to the Torah and thus save herself from her own personal Naqba that the Arabs want to give back to her. It's decision time, Sis. What's it gonna be? Are you going to continue burying your pretty but weary and confused head in the sand and pretend that everything's just dandy and stay the futile course of kissing the ass of the world while pretending this is going to gain the world's love for you? Or are you finally going to do what's best and what's right for G-d and for your own Jewish people and tell the world to go fuck itself? What do you REALLY want to do, Medina????
And as for Medina's twin, Dina: I've got decisions to make, too. Maybe not so earth-shaking as my sis's. But decisions that will affect the rest of my life, no matter how long or how short G-d intends it to be. Do I keep my own pretty and sometimes weary and confused head buried in the sand, just plod along with work, shopping, phone conversations with friends, TV, listening to Cajun music (oh, yeah!) and/or whatever else I do that I can't think of as I write this - or do I try to shake up my life a little with some things for people to remember me by? Hey, I ain't gonna be working forever. In 2 years, I retire. Then what? How much longer, though, can I put my life on hold? What do you REALLY want to do, Dina????
Reminds me of how a 6th grader, who was a client of mine when I was a guidance counselor, replied when I asked her what she would like written on her gravestone about her after she died. She said: I tried and tried and finally died.
I'd like to think I can go a lot deeper than that 6th grader.
How about: Enjoyed success, with a minimum of mess, how 'bout it G-d, my soul to bless?
(That sucked.)
For myself, I would like to have my own personal Geula d'achishena, rather than a Geula b'ita.... and I would much prefer to think that my twin, Medina, wants the same thing as I do.
How do Medina and Dina both live up to their maximum potential??? The Question of age 60.
Ah, long live mid-life crisis.... it's definite proof that the Medina and Dina are still very much alive!!!
The following was sent to me by a couple of friends. I was very touched by it. Of course, the opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of this blogger (especially the implication of old age!):
Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror,
but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.
As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avantgarde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood
the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I,
at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body,
and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying
glances from the jet set .
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.
How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray,
and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.
Idon't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become.
I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
FRIENDS FOREVER!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
BARUCH DAYAN HAEMET
Shavua tov to all,
Approximately 10 minutes after Havdala tonite, I got a phone call informing me that my friend's mother (Nechama bat Runya, who I wrote about last Monday) was niftar today. The funeral took place tonight at Har HaMenuchot.
A tzadeket she certainly was during her lifetime, and her passing on Shabbat confirms that.
Since Pesach 2001, my friend lost first her father z'l, then her married brother z'l a few years later, then almost exactly a year later, her twin brother z'l. Now her mother z'l.
Her mother shared the same "loazi" birthday as me (May 15). Then again, so did another friend, Sara Popper z'l, who with her 6-yr. old son Shimshon z'l lost her life in a head-on collision on the Arava road in a car driven by her husband Ami.
Now I am the only "May 15th-er" left among my friends.
May her memory be a comfort and a blessing to the remainder of the family and to all who knew her.
Please pray for Sara bat Nechama (my friend/daughter of the deceased) and her brother Ze'ev (from NYC). These are the only two family members left.
If anybody's reading this and wants info. re the shiva, please comment back and I'll reply.
B'surot tovot to all of Am Israel.
Approximately 10 minutes after Havdala tonite, I got a phone call informing me that my friend's mother (Nechama bat Runya, who I wrote about last Monday) was niftar today. The funeral took place tonight at Har HaMenuchot.
A tzadeket she certainly was during her lifetime, and her passing on Shabbat confirms that.
Since Pesach 2001, my friend lost first her father z'l, then her married brother z'l a few years later, then almost exactly a year later, her twin brother z'l. Now her mother z'l.
Her mother shared the same "loazi" birthday as me (May 15). Then again, so did another friend, Sara Popper z'l, who with her 6-yr. old son Shimshon z'l lost her life in a head-on collision on the Arava road in a car driven by her husband Ami.
Now I am the only "May 15th-er" left among my friends.
May her memory be a comfort and a blessing to the remainder of the family and to all who knew her.
Please pray for Sara bat Nechama (my friend/daughter of the deceased) and her brother Ze'ev (from NYC). These are the only two family members left.
If anybody's reading this and wants info. re the shiva, please comment back and I'll reply.
B'surot tovot to all of Am Israel.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
ROCK AROUND THE CROSS
I just gotta conclude my blogging for today with a little ditty I learned from JDL buds, that I still laugh at after many, many years....
It's called Rock Around the Cross and goes to the tune of Rock Around the Clock (the old Bill Haley & the Comets song):
It's called Rock Around the Cross and goes to the tune of Rock Around the Clock (the old Bill Haley & the Comets song):
Joseph said to Mary, I like your bod
Let's have sex and blame it all on G-d!
We're gonna rock around the cross tonite
We're gonna rock, rock, rock till the broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock around the cross tonite!
Mother Mary
She's the Most!
She got screwed by the holy ghost!
We're gonna rock around... (see above)
Ta till next time.
LATE-NIGHT RECUPERATION THOUGHTS
Since I didn't get to sleep last night/this morning until after 3 a.m., not doing much of anything today. Good opportunity to blog whatever comes to mind.
I just posted an ad in Janglo asking whether there are any female Jews out there from Cajun country, and that whoever replies, I'll tell them why I'm asking. Been meaning to do that for a very long time now, and finally took the plunge. Gotta start somewhere.
I feel that this blog is a G-dsend. The reason I created it was not to get publicity or rave reviews from readers, but to be able to express myself fully when there doesn't seem to be anybody to listen fully and be fully attentive to me when I'm talking to them. This has been happening to me lately, just a few times too many not to notice. I find it very hard to take. I tell myself often these days that I need to find a whole new set of friends, who can fully relate to me and be 100% there for me. I know everybody has his/her own set of problems and distractions. But this kind of thing just seems to be happening to me a little too often, and I'm feeling that G-d is trying to tell me something... In the meantime, this blog allows me to fully express myself for as long as I want - the blog always has time for me! Anytime! It's a great invention.
I find it hard these days to find people to whom I can relate, or who can relate fully to me. It's very frustrating. Which is why I'm now writing in this blog at 4 pm in the middle of Chol HaMoed Pesach.
I feel in my gut that there are big changes coming in my life, but I can't pinpoint or even guess what these might be.
And then there's the problem of men.... Those very, very few (well, at the moment I can count them on 20% of one hand) I am immensely attracted to, but for whatever reason are wrong for me. And those many who repel me (or perhaps are repelled by me?), or to whom I'm indifferent. The problem of not feeling sexual at all for a very long time. And the question that I have yet to answer satisfactorily to myself: What if I'm in the same place with a guy I'm attracted to, and he starts coming on to me???? Oh, I'm great at planning scripts of what I would say, I have it all mapped out in my head. Like, the fact that I'm looking for either 100% or 0% in relationships, no more flings, affairs or one-night stands. Been there, done that... not being exactly proud of all I've done sexually. But then again, I haven't been tested for a very, very long time... the last time, years ago, I failed the test miserably with a guy I should never have gotten involved with in the first place (he was married). So what guarantees me that I would pass any future test? Especially with a guy I feel an amazing kinship to (not necessarily a sexual attraction)? Could I/would I resist? I'm kind of hoping that I've learned something from past mistakes and resultant hurts and that therefore the answer's a resounding YES.
These are current turmoils in my heart and soul that I have to grapple with, and I'm hoping that, like those sick people who created and wrote their own turmoils in their own blogs and eventually found solace, that I, too will arrive at some definitive resolution...
I just posted an ad in Janglo asking whether there are any female Jews out there from Cajun country, and that whoever replies, I'll tell them why I'm asking. Been meaning to do that for a very long time now, and finally took the plunge. Gotta start somewhere.
I feel that this blog is a G-dsend. The reason I created it was not to get publicity or rave reviews from readers, but to be able to express myself fully when there doesn't seem to be anybody to listen fully and be fully attentive to me when I'm talking to them. This has been happening to me lately, just a few times too many not to notice. I find it very hard to take. I tell myself often these days that I need to find a whole new set of friends, who can fully relate to me and be 100% there for me. I know everybody has his/her own set of problems and distractions. But this kind of thing just seems to be happening to me a little too often, and I'm feeling that G-d is trying to tell me something... In the meantime, this blog allows me to fully express myself for as long as I want - the blog always has time for me! Anytime! It's a great invention.
I find it hard these days to find people to whom I can relate, or who can relate fully to me. It's very frustrating. Which is why I'm now writing in this blog at 4 pm in the middle of Chol HaMoed Pesach.
I feel in my gut that there are big changes coming in my life, but I can't pinpoint or even guess what these might be.
And then there's the problem of men.... Those very, very few (well, at the moment I can count them on 20% of one hand) I am immensely attracted to, but for whatever reason are wrong for me. And those many who repel me (or perhaps are repelled by me?), or to whom I'm indifferent. The problem of not feeling sexual at all for a very long time. And the question that I have yet to answer satisfactorily to myself: What if I'm in the same place with a guy I'm attracted to, and he starts coming on to me???? Oh, I'm great at planning scripts of what I would say, I have it all mapped out in my head. Like, the fact that I'm looking for either 100% or 0% in relationships, no more flings, affairs or one-night stands. Been there, done that... not being exactly proud of all I've done sexually. But then again, I haven't been tested for a very, very long time... the last time, years ago, I failed the test miserably with a guy I should never have gotten involved with in the first place (he was married). So what guarantees me that I would pass any future test? Especially with a guy I feel an amazing kinship to (not necessarily a sexual attraction)? Could I/would I resist? I'm kind of hoping that I've learned something from past mistakes and resultant hurts and that therefore the answer's a resounding YES.
These are current turmoils in my heart and soul that I have to grapple with, and I'm hoping that, like those sick people who created and wrote their own turmoils in their own blogs and eventually found solace, that I, too will arrive at some definitive resolution...
CAJUN KREPLACH: AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME!
Well, it's past time! Last night I attended the Jewish rock & soul festival at the Dead Sea. Nice, but - just nice.... Group after group after group - each one sounding, looking, playing and singing exactly like every other group. Not saying they were no good, and I like Carlebach as much as the next person. But it seems to me that EVERY religio-rock band does exactly the same kind of music, lyrics, and some bands even share members, as I witnessed last night... Gets boring. I finally decided I'd had more than enough over-saturation of the same kind of music all evening and got back home a little earlier than expected.
I don't know, it seems like I just can't communicate my enthusiasm for Cajun music to anyone else I know. It's just not contagious! Their eyes immediately glaze over because they are either unwilling or unable to relate. One friend told me last night, everything starts with a dream. Yep, everything, even starting my own female Cajun Jewish group. Herzl said, if you will it, it is no dream. Well, Herzl, with all due respect, never tried to get a Cajun Jewish band off the ground...
Hell, even the audiences all look alike at these events. Last night was by far not the first such event I've attended over recent years. The difference was the open-air, Dead Sea warmth and the Sea itself glistening in the background.
I can almost picture my girls up on last night's stage, performing our guts out and letting it all hang out musically, and the people dancing in the aisles, or in last night's case, the sands. NOBODY - but NOBODY - can stay plastered in their seats for long with OUR music playing! That's how I see our as yet non-existent group. Maybe in Israel nobody knows what Cajun music is, but it's about time - past time - they found out. Oh, of course, everybody knows what Cajun food is.
I was so saturated and Carlebached-out by the time I left, I missed the one group I was really interested in seeing, Reva l'Sheva. I guess they saved the best for last.
Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not sorry I went last night. The proceeds from the event are going towards protecting buildings in Sderot. Also, on the bus on the way to, I was sitting next to a guy from Brooklyn, to whom I pointed out various landmarks and objects and places along the way, for which he thanked me "for the guided tour". He looks like somebody I could be interested in... but he was with a female friend (for some inexplicable reason she was sitting in a different part of the bus) and he's going back to Brooklyn soon.
I also met two girls on the bus, both in their early 20's, and I immediately noticed that one of them had R. Kahane's book, Why be Jewish, with her and was reading it avidly. We got talking at length, and it turns out the book speaks to her exactly as it spoke to me back in the late '70's when it first came out and when I first read it. G-d bless these young people, who either weren't even born yet or were only little kids when the Rabbi was murdered, yet they are as enthusiastic Kahanists as the generation before them who knew R. Kahane, HY"D. It's very, very heartening personally to me, to see this phenomenon. Also of little kids of age 10-15 giving out Kahane literature on the streets, who weren't even born yet when the Rabbi was murdered. It just goes to show that the Truth never dies, even though its purveyors will, someday.
And you know what? This scares the shit out of the powers that be here in this country... that they can never kill the truth, no matter how hard they try!
Short intermission to post an ad in janglo...
I don't know, it seems like I just can't communicate my enthusiasm for Cajun music to anyone else I know. It's just not contagious! Their eyes immediately glaze over because they are either unwilling or unable to relate. One friend told me last night, everything starts with a dream. Yep, everything, even starting my own female Cajun Jewish group. Herzl said, if you will it, it is no dream. Well, Herzl, with all due respect, never tried to get a Cajun Jewish band off the ground...
Hell, even the audiences all look alike at these events. Last night was by far not the first such event I've attended over recent years. The difference was the open-air, Dead Sea warmth and the Sea itself glistening in the background.
I can almost picture my girls up on last night's stage, performing our guts out and letting it all hang out musically, and the people dancing in the aisles, or in last night's case, the sands. NOBODY - but NOBODY - can stay plastered in their seats for long with OUR music playing! That's how I see our as yet non-existent group. Maybe in Israel nobody knows what Cajun music is, but it's about time - past time - they found out. Oh, of course, everybody knows what Cajun food is.
I was so saturated and Carlebached-out by the time I left, I missed the one group I was really interested in seeing, Reva l'Sheva. I guess they saved the best for last.
Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not sorry I went last night. The proceeds from the event are going towards protecting buildings in Sderot. Also, on the bus on the way to, I was sitting next to a guy from Brooklyn, to whom I pointed out various landmarks and objects and places along the way, for which he thanked me "for the guided tour". He looks like somebody I could be interested in... but he was with a female friend (for some inexplicable reason she was sitting in a different part of the bus) and he's going back to Brooklyn soon.
I also met two girls on the bus, both in their early 20's, and I immediately noticed that one of them had R. Kahane's book, Why be Jewish, with her and was reading it avidly. We got talking at length, and it turns out the book speaks to her exactly as it spoke to me back in the late '70's when it first came out and when I first read it. G-d bless these young people, who either weren't even born yet or were only little kids when the Rabbi was murdered, yet they are as enthusiastic Kahanists as the generation before them who knew R. Kahane, HY"D. It's very, very heartening personally to me, to see this phenomenon. Also of little kids of age 10-15 giving out Kahane literature on the streets, who weren't even born yet when the Rabbi was murdered. It just goes to show that the Truth never dies, even though its purveyors will, someday.
And you know what? This scares the shit out of the powers that be here in this country... that they can never kill the truth, no matter how hard they try!
Short intermission to post an ad in janglo...
Monday, April 21, 2008
YOUR PRAYERS ARE URGENTLY REQUESTED
If anybody's reading this blog at this time, please pray for a refuah shlemah u'mehira for Nechama bat Runya, age almost 81. She's the mother of a dear friend who collapsed after getting dialysis last Friday and she has been lying unconscious in Sha'arei Tzedek Hospital ever since, and her daughter - my friend - has never left her side. This is where she spent Shabbat and Pesach.
Her mother is currently sedated but is being weaned off the sedation and breathing machine and is being fed intravenously with liquid food.
I was there today to visit and to help however I could. The big question is whether she will be coming out of the unconscious state enough to get another dialysis tomorrow morning. If she's too weak and still unconscious, she will not be getting dialysis.
My friend has lost her father (first day of Chol HaMoed Pesach 2001) and two out of three of her brothers (one of whom was her twin brother) since their father's passing. She has no other family left except for another brother (who lives in NYC and who will be arriving be"H this coming Wednesday).
We, her friends, are all very worried about what will become of her when the inevitable happens...
Pray hard for her.
Her mother is currently sedated but is being weaned off the sedation and breathing machine and is being fed intravenously with liquid food.
I was there today to visit and to help however I could. The big question is whether she will be coming out of the unconscious state enough to get another dialysis tomorrow morning. If she's too weak and still unconscious, she will not be getting dialysis.
My friend has lost her father (first day of Chol HaMoed Pesach 2001) and two out of three of her brothers (one of whom was her twin brother) since their father's passing. She has no other family left except for another brother (who lives in NYC and who will be arriving be"H this coming Wednesday).
We, her friends, are all very worried about what will become of her when the inevitable happens...
Pray hard for her.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
LET-IT-ALL-HANG-OUT RAMBLE
Well, here goes, haven't blogged for a couple of days, and I just need to get it out of my system before I hit the sack tonite. At least I'm taking off work tomorrow to finish as much Pesach cleaning as I can, plus some other things.
Seriously, I don't know how I would ever get through Pesach cleaning without my Cajun music! To have cleaned the fridge without it playing in the background - and all my favorite Cajun tunes yet - would have been unbearable torture!
I don't think I'll ever understand G-d. There are so many seemingly endless preparations involved for Pesach - cleaning, purchases, selling chametz, putting away chametz utensils, dragging out the Pesach utensils, etc. etc. etc. ad infinitum. And all this huge effort - for one very short week! Why didn't G-d at least make it all worthwhile by making Pesach for 2 weeks? Heck, I can eat matzah for 2 weeks - especially if it's light bran.
I read today in A7 how the security prisoners are pushing for a release of Jewish prisoners by Israel's 60th birthday, as an evenhanded gesture and counterbalance to releasing Arabs. Especially in light of the fact that the govt. is releasing two notorious Arab murderers. Hell, poor Jeff gets no furloughs and no third-off, no breaks at all. And he didn't even have the gun in his possession!
Don't you just hate that powerless feeling you get when you've batted your head against the wall looking for solutions that can help people you know who are in trouble, and yet you run up against a brick wall and realize there really isn't anything further you can do...... When I talk to Jeff, this is the feeling I get. Here's a poor simple-minded hick from the hills of N. Carolina, whose mentality is so different from the Israeli one, and even from that of most Americans. The Shabak, the judges, the cops don't want to be bothered trying to understand him and where he's coming from...
Same story of frustration with my dear friend in Tel Aviv. It so aggravates me and frustrates me that things only get worse for her, never better. Now she's come to the conclusion her phone is bugged and so she called me tonite from a pay phone. I didn't even get a chance to ask her where she's going for Seder. She was clearly frazzled and disturbed, and I think she's heading for a nervous breakdown, but I'm powerless to do anything about it. It is so destroying her, living in that place.... and yet she can't afford to move anywhere else. What do I tell her, how do I help her?? I suppose she just needs somebody to listen to her. But now I can't even call her, she's severely restricting her use of the phone because of the apparent tap on her phone. It's so freaking frustrating for me. Personally, I like to be on top of things and in control and in order. When I see my friend's life so disordered and out of control, it just makes me want to scream!
So my day off tomorrow will be preoccupied with cleaning, with Post office, and whatever my fertile and overdeveloped superego comes up with.
Oh, hell, I forgot to write those thank you's to Jeff's donors, that I've been putting off for days now. Gotta stop the rambling temporarily....
Seriously, I don't know how I would ever get through Pesach cleaning without my Cajun music! To have cleaned the fridge without it playing in the background - and all my favorite Cajun tunes yet - would have been unbearable torture!
I don't think I'll ever understand G-d. There are so many seemingly endless preparations involved for Pesach - cleaning, purchases, selling chametz, putting away chametz utensils, dragging out the Pesach utensils, etc. etc. etc. ad infinitum. And all this huge effort - for one very short week! Why didn't G-d at least make it all worthwhile by making Pesach for 2 weeks? Heck, I can eat matzah for 2 weeks - especially if it's light bran.
I read today in A7 how the security prisoners are pushing for a release of Jewish prisoners by Israel's 60th birthday, as an evenhanded gesture and counterbalance to releasing Arabs. Especially in light of the fact that the govt. is releasing two notorious Arab murderers. Hell, poor Jeff gets no furloughs and no third-off, no breaks at all. And he didn't even have the gun in his possession!
Don't you just hate that powerless feeling you get when you've batted your head against the wall looking for solutions that can help people you know who are in trouble, and yet you run up against a brick wall and realize there really isn't anything further you can do...... When I talk to Jeff, this is the feeling I get. Here's a poor simple-minded hick from the hills of N. Carolina, whose mentality is so different from the Israeli one, and even from that of most Americans. The Shabak, the judges, the cops don't want to be bothered trying to understand him and where he's coming from...
Same story of frustration with my dear friend in Tel Aviv. It so aggravates me and frustrates me that things only get worse for her, never better. Now she's come to the conclusion her phone is bugged and so she called me tonite from a pay phone. I didn't even get a chance to ask her where she's going for Seder. She was clearly frazzled and disturbed, and I think she's heading for a nervous breakdown, but I'm powerless to do anything about it. It is so destroying her, living in that place.... and yet she can't afford to move anywhere else. What do I tell her, how do I help her?? I suppose she just needs somebody to listen to her. But now I can't even call her, she's severely restricting her use of the phone because of the apparent tap on her phone. It's so freaking frustrating for me. Personally, I like to be on top of things and in control and in order. When I see my friend's life so disordered and out of control, it just makes me want to scream!
So my day off tomorrow will be preoccupied with cleaning, with Post office, and whatever my fertile and overdeveloped superego comes up with.
Oh, hell, I forgot to write those thank you's to Jeff's donors, that I've been putting off for days now. Gotta stop the rambling temporarily....
Saturday, April 12, 2008
SHABBAT THOUGHTS AND STUFF
Today I read an article in the JPost re one Benny Morris, an author who has come to the conclusion that it's either them or us in this country; that it was always 'jihad' since the beginning of their wars against us; that this isn't a war over territory, but a religious war. Hmmm..... where have I heard those sentiments expressed before? It was also written in the same article that Morris was once a darling of the Left. I doubt that, after writing the above, he's such a darling to them anymore.
But he does differ in a big way from Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D: No mention of Israel's existence, and subsequent successes, being brought about by G-d. In fact, G-d gets no honorable mention anywhere by Benny Morris. He just throws up his hands and says he doesn't know what to do about the problem. And to him, it's still not possible, for moral and practical reasons, to throw out the Arab enemy.
Boker Tov Benny! You came to all the right conclusions but for the wrong reasons. Israel came into being - because G-D WANTED IT TO! There is a G-d in this world, Benny! A G-d of reward and punishment. YES - AND PUNISHMENT! One Who punishes us collectively for not making the kind of state that He wants. For not at least protesting the kinds of horrific things that go on here. For being apathetic, individualistic and burying our heads in the sand and in that way, hoping that the problems will just go away.
Today I was sitting outside reading the paper and observing people. Israel is a beautiful country - but it contains a lot of people who are negative, confused and spiritually very ugly. This spiritual ugliness a lot of time is reflected in physical ugliness, too. You see it even in beautiful women and men. There's a certain "hardness" to that beauty. Hard to explain, but I see it.
I want to be around the Beautiful People - those with beautiful souls and minds and hearts, and they shine on the outside because of it! People who have their heads on totally straight. People who "know what's important" (this was the advice R. Kahane always gave). Don't want to be around apathy, ignorance, boorishness and ugliness any more.
Tough week coming up. Lots of heavy-duty cleaning. Shavua Tov to all!
But he does differ in a big way from Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D: No mention of Israel's existence, and subsequent successes, being brought about by G-d. In fact, G-d gets no honorable mention anywhere by Benny Morris. He just throws up his hands and says he doesn't know what to do about the problem. And to him, it's still not possible, for moral and practical reasons, to throw out the Arab enemy.
Boker Tov Benny! You came to all the right conclusions but for the wrong reasons. Israel came into being - because G-D WANTED IT TO! There is a G-d in this world, Benny! A G-d of reward and punishment. YES - AND PUNISHMENT! One Who punishes us collectively for not making the kind of state that He wants. For not at least protesting the kinds of horrific things that go on here. For being apathetic, individualistic and burying our heads in the sand and in that way, hoping that the problems will just go away.
Today I was sitting outside reading the paper and observing people. Israel is a beautiful country - but it contains a lot of people who are negative, confused and spiritually very ugly. This spiritual ugliness a lot of time is reflected in physical ugliness, too. You see it even in beautiful women and men. There's a certain "hardness" to that beauty. Hard to explain, but I see it.
I want to be around the Beautiful People - those with beautiful souls and minds and hearts, and they shine on the outside because of it! People who have their heads on totally straight. People who "know what's important" (this was the advice R. Kahane always gave). Don't want to be around apathy, ignorance, boorishness and ugliness any more.
Tough week coming up. Lots of heavy-duty cleaning. Shavua Tov to all!
Friday, April 11, 2008
SHABBAT SHALOM DEAR FRIENDS
This blogger had better get her a-- off of this chair, her computer off and start prepping for Shabbat!!
Why do I bother getting the newspaper, listening to the news, all I hear is things that frustrate, anger and even infuriate me - if I didn't put them immediately out of my mind (the front part - these things always go to the back of my mind and stay there, they never really leave).
Shabbat Shalom - TRUE Shalom - the kind that brings Mashiach - or that only Mashiach can bring...
Why do I bother getting the newspaper, listening to the news, all I hear is things that frustrate, anger and even infuriate me - if I didn't put them immediately out of my mind (the front part - these things always go to the back of my mind and stay there, they never really leave).
Shabbat Shalom - TRUE Shalom - the kind that brings Mashiach - or that only Mashiach can bring...
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
I WOULD WISH THIS DAY ONLY ON MY WORST ENEMIES!
This was a day I should not have even gone to work, except to pick up that damn package of Royal Jelly from Fedex. It would have been such a hassle to get the package delivered to me here at home. Plus, the delivery coinciding with the beginning of a stupid staff meeting, chaired by none other than my boss's boss's boss, Carmi Gillon. Plus a new computer not working like it should. Plus, plus, plus....... I was so glad to get home in the end. Actually, I suppose I could have just gotten sick all of a sudden and left once my package was delivered.... but dear old responsible, overdeveloped superego me, wouldn't allow myself or I to do such a despicable, abominable thing...
Carmi Gillon.... I looked deeply at him today, both in the hall during the toast to Pesach, and during the meeting in the seminar room.... the man appointed by Shimon Peres to "take care of" Yitzchak Rabin. The creator and head of the "Jewish Department" of the Shabak. Ugly on the inside, ugly on the outside... and one of the worst public speakers I have ever heard. I looked at him with such contempt - if he had looked directly at me, I'm sure he would have noticed the expression on my face. I also noticed the expressions and faces of the rest of the staff who were hanging onto his every word and laughing right along with him. HE DOESN'T DESERVE YOUR RESPECT, YOU MORONS! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO CARMI GILLON IS????? This man is the epitome of Evil Incarnate. Laughing and joking and relaxed, the Big Honcho of the staff - but NONE OF THESE MORONS KNOW WHO THE REAL CARMI GILLON IS AND THE EVIL THINGS HE'S DONE TO HIS OWN PEOPLE! Today Natalie (whom I can take only in very minute doses) said during the meeting that the guest of honor at one of the dinners to be thrown at that ostentatious display of extravagant waste they call the Board (Bored) of Governors, will be Shimon Peres. Carmi's old boss. In my mind, having an appetite for dinner is in inverse proportion to the presence of Shimon Peres. Throwing up in his presence would be more my style.
I look at these people I work with and realize that I'm moving farther and farther away from them.... It's like watching a movie, from the outside looking in. Still there physically, and I'm very good at my job, but counting the days till my retirement in just over 2 years. Just do my job and pretty much keep to myself.
So it's been that kind of a day. Back in the Rat Race Big-Time (and then some). I should be listening to Hooker 'N Heat or Michael Doucet..... but I'm just interested in getting all the crap out of my gut before attempting to sleep.
I find blogging to be a great outlet. Told others about it. About to send the URL of the homepage of making a blog to Levy.
Hey, at least my new computer at work has sound this time! And you know what that means? Today I played the H&H CD - wanted to turn the sound up full-blast, but after all, there are others around who wouldn't appreciate it.
B'kol zot, got a lot done today, mostly personal stuff. Feel fairly accomplished and didn't leave too many loose ends.
Tomorrow, cleaning out the food closet. One of the big three and a half (in terms of cleaning for Pesach): Food closet, refrigerator, sink/cabinet area and oven/stove (the "half" is the sink area, it's relatively easy to clean).
Well, I expect that shit of a landlord to get my registered letter either tomorrow or Friday or Sunday.... then will the shit hit the fan or not??? Question of the month.
Sleeeeeeeeeep time is here... In my head I keep hearing Canned Heat's harmonica, it's my lullaby...
G-d rescue me from petty, small-minded, mean, ignorant, phoney-baloney, "poser" lefties!!!
Before I sign off, here's a little treat for anyone out there who has taken the time and trouble to get into my blog and actually read what I wrote: The gift of music to you at http://www.tropicalglen.com/
Carmi Gillon.... I looked deeply at him today, both in the hall during the toast to Pesach, and during the meeting in the seminar room.... the man appointed by Shimon Peres to "take care of" Yitzchak Rabin. The creator and head of the "Jewish Department" of the Shabak. Ugly on the inside, ugly on the outside... and one of the worst public speakers I have ever heard. I looked at him with such contempt - if he had looked directly at me, I'm sure he would have noticed the expression on my face. I also noticed the expressions and faces of the rest of the staff who were hanging onto his every word and laughing right along with him. HE DOESN'T DESERVE YOUR RESPECT, YOU MORONS! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO CARMI GILLON IS????? This man is the epitome of Evil Incarnate. Laughing and joking and relaxed, the Big Honcho of the staff - but NONE OF THESE MORONS KNOW WHO THE REAL CARMI GILLON IS AND THE EVIL THINGS HE'S DONE TO HIS OWN PEOPLE! Today Natalie (whom I can take only in very minute doses) said during the meeting that the guest of honor at one of the dinners to be thrown at that ostentatious display of extravagant waste they call the Board (Bored) of Governors, will be Shimon Peres. Carmi's old boss. In my mind, having an appetite for dinner is in inverse proportion to the presence of Shimon Peres. Throwing up in his presence would be more my style.
I look at these people I work with and realize that I'm moving farther and farther away from them.... It's like watching a movie, from the outside looking in. Still there physically, and I'm very good at my job, but counting the days till my retirement in just over 2 years. Just do my job and pretty much keep to myself.
So it's been that kind of a day. Back in the Rat Race Big-Time (and then some). I should be listening to Hooker 'N Heat or Michael Doucet..... but I'm just interested in getting all the crap out of my gut before attempting to sleep.
I find blogging to be a great outlet. Told others about it. About to send the URL of the homepage of making a blog to Levy.
Hey, at least my new computer at work has sound this time! And you know what that means? Today I played the H&H CD - wanted to turn the sound up full-blast, but after all, there are others around who wouldn't appreciate it.
B'kol zot, got a lot done today, mostly personal stuff. Feel fairly accomplished and didn't leave too many loose ends.
Tomorrow, cleaning out the food closet. One of the big three and a half (in terms of cleaning for Pesach): Food closet, refrigerator, sink/cabinet area and oven/stove (the "half" is the sink area, it's relatively easy to clean).
Well, I expect that shit of a landlord to get my registered letter either tomorrow or Friday or Sunday.... then will the shit hit the fan or not??? Question of the month.
Sleeeeeeeeeep time is here... In my head I keep hearing Canned Heat's harmonica, it's my lullaby...
G-d rescue me from petty, small-minded, mean, ignorant, phoney-baloney, "poser" lefties!!!
Before I sign off, here's a little treat for anyone out there who has taken the time and trouble to get into my blog and actually read what I wrote: The gift of music to you at http://www.tropicalglen.com/
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
ACCOMPLISHED!
Well, I went and did it! The letter to the BIG, BAD LANDLORD is officially DONE!! Will get sent registered/return receipt req. tomorrow.
To reward myself, here I am at almost midnite (long after promising myself to get to bed earlier), writing this post and listening, not to Cajun, but to rare and wonderful find I purchased in the FYE store in Philly - Hooker 'n Heat "Boogie Chillen"! John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat are truly an unbeatable combo! I went in looking for Cajun CDs and came out with this fantastic consolation prize (after all, who in Philly ever heard of Cajun music??? Where'd I think I was, New Orleans?). This is truly blues and boogie as they were meant to be!
Now, on a totally unrelated topic, I really pray that all my friends' various bags of tzarot get emptied real soon. Yep, it's the birthpangs of Mashiach all right, everybody has extra individual tzarot to cope with. Seems like everyone I know's got 'em. Including Yours Truly.
Hell, it's back to work for me tomorrow, so as soon as I stop Boogie'in' (while occasionally watching Annabelle the sheep dance to it on my screen) - I'M OUTTA HERE and off to bed.
Wubby dubby to all, and keep commenting....
To reward myself, here I am at almost midnite (long after promising myself to get to bed earlier), writing this post and listening, not to Cajun, but to rare and wonderful find I purchased in the FYE store in Philly - Hooker 'n Heat "Boogie Chillen"! John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat are truly an unbeatable combo! I went in looking for Cajun CDs and came out with this fantastic consolation prize (after all, who in Philly ever heard of Cajun music??? Where'd I think I was, New Orleans?). This is truly blues and boogie as they were meant to be!
Now, on a totally unrelated topic, I really pray that all my friends' various bags of tzarot get emptied real soon. Yep, it's the birthpangs of Mashiach all right, everybody has extra individual tzarot to cope with. Seems like everyone I know's got 'em. Including Yours Truly.
Hell, it's back to work for me tomorrow, so as soon as I stop Boogie'in' (while occasionally watching Annabelle the sheep dance to it on my screen) - I'M OUTTA HERE and off to bed.
Wubby dubby to all, and keep commenting....
WOE IS ME!
I simply had to turn off the captivating Cajun music I was listening to, to compose a letter to my landlord - in Hebrew. Always takes me a while to get started if I have to write in Hebrew, even tho I've been living in Israel for 23 years and my Hebrew is good.
So this letter has to get written, and I'm writing this to my blog in the hopes that I will be duly inspired to keep it powerful and effective, yet short. Seems the slime is billing me for repairs that I'm not responsible. He's mad at me for hanging up on him when I called him and complained about all the dirt the Arabs doing shiputzim were leaving on the sidewalk in front of my door.
Now the question is, should I bring up the issue of employing our Arab enemies, and how I'm a woman living alone here, and how I have no defense against them, and how it doesn't bother him to endanger my life and the lives of everybody around here just to save a few shekels. I don't know if I should even bring this up, as I may technically not have a legal leg to stand on...
As the late, great Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D said, the greedy Jewish boss would rather hire two Arabs for the price of one Jew.... and Izzy Danzinger (of Mishmeret Yesha) said he doesn't speak to neighbors of his who hire Arabs to do work. "Anyone who endangers my life just to save a few bucks, is no friend of mine". Right on, Izzy.
So you see, reader (I don't know if you qualify for being called "Dear" reader or not!), this blog can be about serious stuff, too.
I was home sick today and could have done this letter a lot earlier. Ah, the joys of procrastination..... and the problems it creates.
I guess one reason I didn't get to this task earlier, is that all day I've been more or less involved in the problems of other people. Trying to keep a prisoner's pregnant wife and 3 little kids from getting evicted.... keeping in touch with my friend whose mother's in the hospital, which is making her a basket case.... Having trouble with Fedex making a delivery of a needed product to my house instead of my workplace, since I was unexpectedly home today.... a problem with a prissy Brit who makes the stuff I need to receive tomorrow....etc. etc.
But sometimes ya gotta just do nothing. "La dolce farniente" - Sweet nothing to do.... and here it is a week and a half till Pesach!
I think whenever I write e-mails from now on, I'm going to sign off with the URL of this blog, so people can comment.
One day I'll add photos, etc. Who knows? Right now it's an emotional outlet for me, when there's nobody around who is an able or willing receptacle for my thoughts/views/feelings.
Back later.....
So this letter has to get written, and I'm writing this to my blog in the hopes that I will be duly inspired to keep it powerful and effective, yet short. Seems the slime is billing me for repairs that I'm not responsible. He's mad at me for hanging up on him when I called him and complained about all the dirt the Arabs doing shiputzim were leaving on the sidewalk in front of my door.
Now the question is, should I bring up the issue of employing our Arab enemies, and how I'm a woman living alone here, and how I have no defense against them, and how it doesn't bother him to endanger my life and the lives of everybody around here just to save a few shekels. I don't know if I should even bring this up, as I may technically not have a legal leg to stand on...
As the late, great Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D said, the greedy Jewish boss would rather hire two Arabs for the price of one Jew.... and Izzy Danzinger (of Mishmeret Yesha) said he doesn't speak to neighbors of his who hire Arabs to do work. "Anyone who endangers my life just to save a few bucks, is no friend of mine". Right on, Izzy.
So you see, reader (I don't know if you qualify for being called "Dear" reader or not!), this blog can be about serious stuff, too.
I was home sick today and could have done this letter a lot earlier. Ah, the joys of procrastination..... and the problems it creates.
I guess one reason I didn't get to this task earlier, is that all day I've been more or less involved in the problems of other people. Trying to keep a prisoner's pregnant wife and 3 little kids from getting evicted.... keeping in touch with my friend whose mother's in the hospital, which is making her a basket case.... Having trouble with Fedex making a delivery of a needed product to my house instead of my workplace, since I was unexpectedly home today.... a problem with a prissy Brit who makes the stuff I need to receive tomorrow....etc. etc.
But sometimes ya gotta just do nothing. "La dolce farniente" - Sweet nothing to do.... and here it is a week and a half till Pesach!
I think whenever I write e-mails from now on, I'm going to sign off with the URL of this blog, so people can comment.
One day I'll add photos, etc. Who knows? Right now it's an emotional outlet for me, when there's nobody around who is an able or willing receptacle for my thoughts/views/feelings.
Back later.....
Sunday, April 6, 2008
PEEEEE.ESSSSS.....
Are there any females out there who can:
- Sing in French
- Play the accordion
- Play the violin
- Play the washboard
Thinking about forming "Cajun Kreplach" all-girl group sings Cajun-style but with Jewish themes...
OMG!
Here it is, almost midnite and I have to get up early to visit "Jailbird Jeff" tomorrow.....Kassams or not! Well, sleep on the bus then.....
BTW, "The Big Mamoushka" is a reflection of my love for Cajun music, which I'm listening to right now, not that I'm Cajun myself. Actually I'm Israeli-American Jewish and live in Jerusalem.
I've come to the conclusion that if I write something every nite before bed, I'll sleep better. Hey, I can't think of any better way to get it all out of my system, since my friends don't/can't really relate to the inner me.... so what's a Cajun Kreplach to do??? I got inspired to open my own blog by reading a Jerusalem Post article about people with serious illnesses writing their feelings in blogs to help them cope better. Sounds like a damn good idea!
I'm getting tired..... While listening to Michael Doucet singing "Zydeco Hog" (not very kosher!), I'm signing off till next time....
BTW, "The Big Mamoushka" is a reflection of my love for Cajun music, which I'm listening to right now, not that I'm Cajun myself. Actually I'm Israeli-American Jewish and live in Jerusalem.
I've come to the conclusion that if I write something every nite before bed, I'll sleep better. Hey, I can't think of any better way to get it all out of my system, since my friends don't/can't really relate to the inner me.... so what's a Cajun Kreplach to do??? I got inspired to open my own blog by reading a Jerusalem Post article about people with serious illnesses writing their feelings in blogs to help them cope better. Sounds like a damn good idea!
I'm getting tired..... While listening to Michael Doucet singing "Zydeco Hog" (not very kosher!), I'm signing off till next time....
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