Day Off

it is 4:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  I just got home from the pool.  that's right. I had the day off from the yeshiva and decided to go to the pool with my friends.  I have never gone to a pool without taking a kid along.  maybe back in the day but not in the last 20 years.  I had a good time.  I don't know why I have resisted going to the neighborhood pool.  we had a small pool downstairs for the kids and I would stay wet all day in lieu of not having air conditioners; but you couldn't really do laps.  I cannot swim well but I do love being in the water.  I manage well under water.  it is very clean and they do not let the kids get too wild.  I used to go only on women's' hours  but as a senior, I am not that strict, anymore.  we had the entire pool to ourselves for most of the time there, when the kids were playing and eating.

it is only about a 7 minute walk there and it feels good to move.  my friend's husband came to pick me up to take me there in his golf cart.  it was so nice to be with adult friends.  I don't know why I feel guilty that I went without the grandkids.  I never take a day off from work and I never do anything fun for myself.  yesterday, after I was halfway through preparing supper; I was informed that the guys were all going to a local wedding.  the manager told me that I could leave it for today's lunch and he would put it out.  I was actually given the day off, without pay, of course, but still I was free.  I didn't have to make supper for the guys tonight because it was an off Shabbat.  I thought about going to Jerusalem to see the grandkids, but I decided that I needed a mini vacation just for myself.

last night I went with my friend to town for a ladino festival.  I was exhausted but I wanted to do something for a change.  we found a location of music in the artist's colony and sat on concrete steps.  it was actually very pleasant.  we didn't schlepp around at all because it was pretty crowded and we were both tired.  I don't do crowds anymore.  there was a large food court set up but I had eaten at home before I left.  I did bring along some cherries and nuts to nash.  I also brought a Bacardi breezer to share with my friend.  we stayed until midnight.  we did have to walk a bit back to the main bus station to get a taxi home but it was a good night out.

I just might go back to the pool tomorrow morning.  I don't think I will go back to town tonight for the festival.  it was nice but not great.  it has ben good for me to have a little action.  I usually go to work in the early afternoon and return home at night.  I eat my supper quickly because I'm on the intermittent diet plan and usually have a little time before I stop eating at 9:00 p.m.  this morning I didn't eat until 11:00 a.m.  I read that women should fast for 14 hours every day.  I have only been doing 12 hours for the past two months and I have been eliminating sugar.  my friend lost 13 pounds doing this and I am hopeful that I will be successful, too.