Pesach Cleaning Journal 2020

it is 7:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  i didn't do much today for pesach.   i wiped down the tops of the wall heaters and overhead fan and dining room candelabra.  i stood on the dining room table to wash the candelabra.  i felt very uneasy.  i stood on a chair to wipe down the ceiling fan.  i felt very shaky and dizzy.  i didn't do a great job.  last year i stood on a ladder.  this year i am not.  i threw away old makeup and tubes of things that haven't been used in years.  i discovered that i have two digital thermometers.  i put away old tooth paste and i threw away old tooth brushes.  i discovered that i have a small bottle of rubbing alcohol.  i wiped down the chactchkas shelf in dining room. i trimmed my finger nails and toenails.  i pulled out a few grey chin hairs.  i wiped down the bathroom shelves.  i put the kids' toys away and didn't bother to wash them this year.  i went through the closet and threw away old video machines from who knows when, threw away numerous cables from who knows what and tossed out tons of little lego boxes the kids had stored.  i kept the lego. oh, i wiped down the wine goblets closet...  last year i washed all of the glasses.  this year i didn't.  i took out the trash.  i didn't go down the street to the giant recycling cage.  i'm taking a break from recycling. 

Day Of The Jackal

it is 10:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed.  i took the dogs out at 7:00 a.m.  yesterday afternoon, i took them to the end of the road where there are no humans around and lo and behold, i saw a large animal that resembled a dog.  i always say a silent prayer that i should not run into viscous dogs.  lately, i have been praying that i should not run into any viscous animals.  i stared at the animal who was larger than my medium sized dog and it kind of hopped and ran away. i knew that this animal was too large to be a fox but it did have a fluffy tail and pointy ears.  it was beige and it was quite beautiful.

 i called my friend who sees jackals in the valley all the time.  she said that they run away from people and other dogs.  she told me to say a blessing upon seeing one.  apparently, there is a certain mystical and spiritual thing about these animals but i didn't find any jewish blessing to say.  i actually, didn't know that there were jackals in safed.  i certainly, never thought i'd see one in the neighborhood.

i saw a neighbor hanging laundry outside on her veranda and i told her that i has just seen an unusual animal near her house.  she knew immediately, what i was talking about.  it apparently, had been there for awhile.  i walk that path almost every day and have never seen it before. she told me in Hebrew what is was.  she didn't seem the least bit concerned.   i looked up the word on the computer and found out that it was indeed, a jackal.  i felt truly nervous.  i saw an old add by the local health administration in safed from 2018; searching for a rabid jackal.

i read all about them online.  this animal did seem docile.  there was a cat lying higher up on a rock and the jackal didn't do a thing.  he was lying down in the grass and seemed at ease with the world.  i read up about rabies in Israel ;especially in the region where i live.  there have been no cases of rabid dogs in safed.  the few cases of rabies in the north have all been by people bitten by jackals.  the animal wasn't foaming at the mouth like steven king's cujo, but none the less, i didn't sleep so well last night. i was thinking of letting the dogs roam free; in lieu of the virus and restrictions to stay in.

my male dog never got a rabies shot.  i did try a few times.  he got his first couple of puppy shots and then i waited awhile.  he threw up after his first visit to the vet.  when i went back to inquire about the rabies shot i was told that he had to be neutered, first.  according to jewish law, this is forbidden.  it is also expensive.  i called a private vet to the home but she said that i needed a form from the city. she didn't know where to get the form, either.  apparently, no one else did.  i asked all my pet loving friends and they didn't know. 

the city was giving rabies shots for 60 shekels down in the industrial zone. no one knew exactly where, either.  my dog was a lot larger now and most taxi drivers refused to allow dogs in their cabs. i called the official vet of the city and explained my dilemma.  he said i could bring him to the clinic, not far from my house.  i recently went back to the clinic to get the new puppy inoculated against rabies and she had to be registered and micro chipped.  it cost about 70 shekels for the registration, alone.  i asked if i could get the older male dog registered and they told me it was 760 shekels, according to a new law.  he was now 5 years old. 

last night i walked them in our usual way, towards the bus stop, about the length of 2 1/2 city blocks. we are not supposed to wander more than 100 meters from our homes.  it was 8:00 p.m.  i saw a police car speed by and then i saw a police van cruising near the synagogue.  they were checking to see if anyone was there.  according to the law, they must be locked. i saw the cops and i took off in a slow run.  i was so scared that they might give me a fine. who has any money now to pay for one?

i was talking  to my neighbor.  he has seen jackals running down this street looking for food.  where have i been all along?   my other neighbor also has seen this one, in particular.  he warned me about the dogs.  i am definitely, not having fun right now.

update:  it is now 1:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  i have been a busy lady.  i called the safed health department to report a jackal.  they referred me to another organization in the upper galilee.  i called the animal clinic here and they gave me the phone number for that group.  they took all of the information down.  they asked if the jackal was healthy.  i told them that i am not a doctor but yes, it did seem well.  then they referred me to another organization that i guess, deals with healthy animals.  they have not answered.  the only other choice is to call a local worker who rounds up sick cats and dogs.  how can he catch a jackal is beyond my imagination.  the only trick is that you have to call him the exact moment that you see the jackal.

aftermath:  finally reached someone and she took down my information.  what they do is beyond my comprehension. actually, she didn't explain anything about whom they are.  in the meanwhile; the Sephardi family wants to go back home.  it's too cold downstairs.  the father is tired of being left alone.  i couldn't amuse him for fear of catching the 'rona'.  i felt bad at first.  i thought i failed as the hostess with the mostest. everyone should be comfortable in their own space.  by now their house is probably, mold free and clean for pesach.  if i had been given advanced notice; i might have been able to go out and buy more heaters.  it is what it is.

What's For Supper?

It is 5:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  i think i'm on the mend.  i have been resting all day and slept a bit in the afternoon.  i drank plenty of hot liquids; something i never do.  i usually make tea and it sits somewhere and by the time i drink it, it is like warm or even,cold.  i have been chomping away on raw ginger.  it really brings the heat.  my throat feels a bit calmer.  i was thinking about breaking open the honey, but i have managed without sugar for nearly a year now and i will try do mend without it.  i, once again, threw in a package of frozen chicken wings into my large pot but this time i added more water, sweet potatoes, an onion, a carrot and an entire package of celery.  i even made packaged couscous, the yellow kind.  it is simply the best.  i was craving a hot meal. 

i stayed inside today and hardly spoke to anyone.  i did end up having a short schmooze session with my gardener.  and i spoke with my best friend for just a moment.  i definitely believe that we are meant to be quiet right now.  my nose is slightly runny and i will continue this regimen for a couple of more days.  i have time to finish the house for pesach; i hope.  i can't wait to have my couscous and chicken wings dinner.  i munched on fruit and ric ecakes and peanut butter all day.  i am hungry now.  i couldn't face opening yet, another can of tuna. i let the dogs out a little while ago.  they came in right away.  i think they are also looking forward to a hot meal.

if i am feeling better tomorrow, i might just call a taxi to pick me up and take me to the local supermarket and wait until i'm done shopping.  that just might be my last excursion out until after pesach.

stay well and healthy!

The Sounds Of Silence

it is 7:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed.  i took the dogs out but it was pretty cold and i came back pretty quickly.  i am a bit under the weather, as they say.  i have a slight cough.  i am chewing ginger and drinking water with lemon wedges.  i was on the phone for hours on Thursday and Friday.  i simply overdid it.  i spent Shabbat being silent.  i stayed in except for the few rimes i walked the dogs.  i said one sentence all of Shabbat.  i scrambled very last minute to make a bit of food for myself and straighten up the house .i managed to put away all of the laundry.

i threw a package of chicken wings into a huge pot and threw in the remainder of a bag of wheat berries.  i added some spices and voila, i had a meal.  i also baked a slab of salmon.  i tore up some lettuce and added some boiled eggs and i was truly satiated.  i had bought some natural peanut butter and munched on that with sliced apples and rice cakes.  i didn't buy my weekly cashews so the peanut butter was a good substitute.  it doesn't have any other ingredients except peanuts.  there is no added  oils, salt or sugar.

i am very tempted to run to the supermarket but, i will stay in today and just rest.  i will not use any chemicals to clean the house.  my throat hurts a bit so i will keep gargling and keep silent.  when i sat shiva for my father, i spent days talking to throngs of people.  i felt that i needed to entertain them.  i have been speaking with friends all over the world and now i must keep quiet.  i had five of my in-laws staying downstairs for Shabbat.  i only answered the door to hand them things that they needed.  i took grape juice and dish soap liquid from my pesach stock and now i need to replenish it.  i know that i should just ask them to replace things that they borrow but somehow it never gets done.  i should have more trust in the Lord above, who is the source of everything; and just trust that it will all work out in the end.

the gardener is here and i usually sit outside with him and schmooze over a cup of coffee.  i need to pay him for the month and go back to resting.  my head hurts and i feel awful.  i don't feel up to being sociable.  it is truly hard for me. the world is involved in a pandemic virus and i'm worried about not being sociable.  people my age are being told to just stay inside.  i am trying to stay stress free. i am trying not to get crazy about pesach cleaning.  i am trying not to judge anyone, also.  i know i fall short of it all.  when i hear about someone having the virus; instead of feeling sorry for them; i panic.  what has happened to our humanity??

i did see the very cute and creative things that people posted using toilet paper.  the 'game of thrones' one was great as well as 'the safe room'.  i am not doing anything creative these days.  i guess i'm not really a creative person.  i used to enjoy doing costumes and looks for plays but even that, doesn't do it for me anymore. oh well......

Happy Camper

it is 4:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  i took it easy today.  my house looks like it was hit by a cyclone.  fortunately, most of the laundered sheets have dried and been put away.  it looks like rain but it is not freezing yet.  i invited the in-laws to stay in my guest apartment for the duration of the virus.  the Sephardi grandparents, both ten years younger than myself, need to move.  the grandfather is no longer able to do the steep staircase after suffering a stroke before purim.  the rehabilitation centers are closing.  their apartment took a beating from the rain this year and is covered with mold.  the logical conclusion was for them to come here.

the two young daughters came earlier and in just a couple of hours, the downstairs and roof top apartments were transformed.  they were scrubbed, bleached and spring cleaned to the max.  they were aired out and smell wonderful.  they even hung up curtains.  i could not have done this by myself.  i was planning on locking the apartments for pesach.  i pride myself as a polish cleaning woman and have been known to overdo on pesach.  i just don't got it in me anymore.  i have been finding that the more chemicals i use, the worse i feel.  the more my nose runs; the more my throat gets scratchy. i am using most of my energy staying healthy.

the restrictions here are getting tougher.  we are not allowed to venture out more than a city block.  i need to walk further than that for the dogs to do their thing and t get to the supermarket.  i doubt that the police in safed will be cruising for violators.  i will stay put for Shabbat.  i went to see my friend on the next block.  i only stayed for about 20 minutes.  i ate some nuts and drank a cup of hot tea.  i usually drink it lukewarm.  another friend in town, went to the pet food store and bought me a bag of pesach dog chow.  she sent it up to me by cab.  i guess i have no reason to go out for awhile.  i will walk the dogs a little later.

i will, hopefully, get the house straightened out for Shabbat.  i have another week to finish the cleaning.  i will try and get into the cooking out cove on sunday.  i think that i am pretty well fixed for food.  i might just cook up a package of hotdogs for me and the dogs for dinner.  i'm about ready to call it a day.  it is getting cold.  time to heat the house.  oh well, stay safe.

Another Day In Quarentine

it is 5:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  the Sephardi grandparents are coming back to safed.  they had to leave the rehabilitation center in hadera.  both of their families live close by there but they have decided they must come back to safed.  i offered them to stay downstairs for a month.  their house is covered with mold.  it was a vey hard winter.  i have some water damage but no live mold.  i am not doing any repairs this time right now.  i am doing the essentials this year.  i can do plastering later on.  i am not going to deal with the third floor roof apartment.  i will lock it for pesach.  and now the Sephardi family can clean the bottom apartment.

i have been eating all day long today.  i was feeling a bit unwell this morning.  i think it was a reaction to too much Windex, yesterday.  the house was cold and i had turned off the heat.  i was shivering and sockless and never got to take a hot shower.  i went to bed cold.  i would have loved to clean the stove and cooking area today but i wasn't up for it.  i have a runny nose but no fever.  i ate everything in sight today.  the gas company came with 3 balloons, so i'm set for the duration.  i did tons of laundry.  i was afraid to hang it outside so every closet door in the house has sheets hanging on it.  the Sephardi grandparents may come tomorrow.  i will have to grab up all the damp laundry and bring it up here.  i hope it will work out for them.  the apartment needs work.  i bought kitchen curtains but have never hung them up. my son took off with the rods when they moved out.  after a year, i gave up.

i actually , like looking out of the windows, which face the garden.  i would have loved to put in a new shower stall but the virus came and the money went.  it is always tricky when you deal with family.  in times like this we must all do whatever kindness that we can perform.  a neighbor stopped by yesterday on her way to the store, to ask if i needed anything.  i have not been on the best of terms with her husband of late, but i guess we must forgive and move on.  this is no time for petty judgments and old feuds.  the rabbi of the country called for a half day fast tomorrow.  i hope i'll remember.  i stayed home today but i really wanted to check out the supermarket for pesach dog food.  i hope my dogs won't bother the in-laws too much. they can get quite noisy.  both dogs escaped when the guys came with the gas balloons.   i had to bribe them back with cheese.

i think i'll take a hot shower now and get into bed under the covers.  maybe i'll have a hot drink first.  oh, decisions!  i have a basket full of sheets that i haven't washed all year. i guess i'll put them out on the porch.  it's only me here.  the sephardi grandmother said that they would bring their own bedding.  i probably have enough of everything to give them but most of my things are full of dog hair.  i gave the yeshiva my dryer.  there is one upstairs.  perhaps, i can hook it up and use it tomorrow.

i think david spade's home monologue's are the funniest and sharpest and craziest. like how his mind thinks. i'm tired of the rich and famous talking about how bored they are and how hard it is to be home with a couple of kids.  boo hoo!

Just Another Day in Quarantine

it is 12:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  it is sunny but quite cold.  i took the dogs out at 7:00 a.m.  i didn't feel like doing anything today and i didn't feel like going anywhere.  i did wash the four kitchen windows and the curtains.  i didn't do a great job.  i used a fair amount of windex and paper towels.  i have no newspapers lying around under the sink.  i don't care if there are smears and i couldn't care less if it storms again and stains the windows.  i know i cleaned them and that there are no traces of food or grease on them.  it was a bit nerve wracking standing up the windows against the walls.  the little dog kept coming over and i was afraid she'd knock one over.  i said a silent prayer that they shouldn't fall down and break.  i did a load of laundry and i will toss the long curtains into the machine in a moment. 

i am afraid to hang anything outside.  i will do a few things at a time.  i have a small dryer upstairs but I've never used it and it isn't hooked up.  hopefully, i'll manage hanging sheets over the closet doors.  i am tepted to run to the small supermarket to see if they got bonzo dog food for pesach.  i just had a tuna sandwich with chumus on a spelt pita.  i had a couple of handfuls of cashews and an oatmeal blueberry muffin for breakfast.  the dogs are super hungry being in quarantine.  i guess they are bored.  they keep on wanting to go outside and i think that they are looking for bread.  the neighbors always put out bread and leftovers for the cats.  perhaps they aren't as vigilant during quarantine.  i ran around with them several times yesterday in the cold.  i'm not dressed today and i'm freezing. 

perhaps, i'll throw on a long skirt and socks and boots and walk the dogs.  i delivered books to my friend this morning.  she has something to read now.  i am craving hot food.  i'd love to eat some hot soup but i don't have anything to make soup with. last night, i heated up a small can of baked beans and added a can of tuna and some beets.  i know the dogs would love some hotdogs but i'm not in the mood.  maybe i should make a supermarket run to buy veggies.  i could even go for some hot pasta right now.  my throat is beginning to burn a bit.  i guess it's time to have a really hot drink.  i think i'll go check the pantry for rice or something.  i'm sure the windex wasn't great for me.  my nose is running.

aftermath:  it is now 3:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  i threw a package of frozen chicken wings into a large pot, added water and tons of spices.  i don't have any vegetables.  i covered it with turmeric, garlic, ginger, curry, cumin and sprinkled a bit of oregano.  i added a cup of dried wheat berries.  as i walked the dogs it started sprinkling.  it was actually quite warm outside.  it's freezing inside.  i did a bit more laundry and cleaned the windows in the blog room.  while i was downstairs doing laundry; i cleaned the small fridge downstairs.  i only use it for parties.  i stripped the beds in the safe room, where the married kids prefer to sleep.  i think i am finished for today.  i will have an early supper and call it a day.  my joints are killing me.

did you all see the Israeli's in tel aviv hanging out on the board walk near the beach???  the government said we could exercise for 10 minutes and walk our dogs.  these people were doing a full on class and walking in groups of three.  oh veh!

Coasting Along

it is 1:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  it is still cold but quite sunny today.  i ventured out of the neighborhood for a short while this morning.  i needed to cash a dollar check at the money changer which is about a 20 minute walk or a 7 minute bus ride from my house.  the money changer was open but they do not cash checks. i was next store to the large supermarket so i ran in briefly.  i bought 2 bags of unshelled walnuts for pesach.  they didn't have almonds yet.  i bought a bottle of wine and a celery root.  they don't have horseradish roots yet.  i stopped in the health food store to see if there was any almond flour or milk for pesach.  there isn't.  i bought another two boxes of chai masala tea and a bag of spelt pitas.

i walked over to the bank and was told that i could not deposit an American check digitally on the outside of the bank.  i need to see a clerk inside.  and today was sunday so i couldn't make such a transaction, anyway.  the bus was coming in another half an hour so i strolled home.  it was a lovely and brisk walk.  the busses are running but they remain virtually empty.  my neighbor had offered to take me on errands but i wanted to navigate by myself this morning.  i need to check out if the private check cashing guys are still doing their trade downtown.

i had a nice Shabbat by myself.  i made pretty tasty and healthy food.  i am thinking about doing my pesach seder alone this year.  i think i want to eat my own food and read the hagadah in English.   i do not want to be at the mercy of my hosts; answering mundane questions and patiently following along with the service.  i can go along at my own pace and eat what i like and then call it a night.  i can be in my jammies, even though we are supposed to get dressed up.  we still have a couple of weeks left to make any decisions.  my neighbor came over yesterday to check up on me.  i spoke with her from my opened dining room window.  after she left, i realized that i should have at least invited her in, or given her a hot drink or offered her some spicy bean stew.  my brain is not fully connecting these days.

my friend is afraid to leave her home.  i was genuinely scared during the last war because missiles were falling all around us.  i used to go once a week by taxi to buy food and then return home.  i always had the driver wait for me.  my mother and myself, at one point; were the only soles left on the block.  that was a bit scary.  this health crisis doesn't scare me as much.  i am not getting too cozy next to people and i am washing my hands with soap a lot.  i went out on Purim and i was amongst many people.  i could have been exposed to the virus then.  i am going outside every day to get fresh air and i am eating well.  i am sleeping a lot and i am remaining relatively, stress free.  hopefully, my immune system is working well.  i am not sleeping with germ carrying children right now so hopefully, i will survive this virus if i get it.

i'm talking the day off from pesach cleaning.  i am a bit tired.  i have been watching all of the you tube home monologues of jimmy kimmel, jimmy falon and david spade. i am not going mad at home.  i am comfortable.  i am not working and i am enjoying myself.  i am also nearly 70 years old and have nothing to prove.  i do what i like and when i want to do it. if it is raining too hard i let the dogs outside by themselves.  i am making the best of a terrible situation.

The Shabbat To End All Shabbats

it is 4:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed.  we are about an hour or more away from candle lighting for shabbat.   i wanted to call a good friend who lives in Netanya all morning long.  i thought that it might be a tad early to call her at 8:00 a.m. so i did some errands first.  i took the dogs out at 6:30 a.m. and it was cold and rainy.  when i got back it was pouring.   i needed to pick up a registered check from the post office/bakery.  yes, i receive parcels at the local bakery.  the young gal there immediately handed me a pair of disposable gloves.  i wasn't planning on buying rolls there because i am sticking to packaged breads.

i looked around and saw barekas and some pastries.  i'll admit that i was a bit tempted to buy some.  i walked home in the pouring rain.  it was the first time all winter that i got wet.  i took out alcoholic  baby wipes with aloe vera and began wiping down all of my pictures and paintings.  i usually use windex but with the current heath hazard i went with the wipes.  i also want to limit the amount of caustic cleaning supplies to avoid getting bells palsy again.  interestingly enough, the homeopathic remedy to cure the palsy is called causticum.  i read today that it helps with respiratory ailments, like we see in corona.  i am not promoting anything at all.

i made a white bean stew with carrots, onion, beet leaves and canned tomatoes.  i call it stew because the soup that i made; nearly evaporated. i was on the phone with the good friend from Netanya.  i first ate a banana to break my 13 hour fast.  i was hungry today.  i then chomped on apple slices and had a huge avocado.  i made some hamburgers for dinner and ate one.  the dogs also got one.  i went to pick up the phone to call my friend and she beat me to it.  we schmoozed for awhile and said our goodbyes.  she did tell me that the country was on complete lockdown.  you can only go out to the supermarket or doctor.  she advised me against walking the dogs.  safed is a lazy little town.  i doubt that the police will be patrolling the neighborhood to catch dog walkers on the weekend.

the synagogues are closed, supposedly.  local groups will be having services for ten.  i think i will stay put.  my friends invited me for Shabbat lunch.  i feel like staying in.  i made a piece of salmon and i have some boiled eggs and a bit of salad for supper.  i also bought chumus.  i have the stew and hamburgers for lunch and i baked a dozen oatmeal blueberry-banana muffins.  i have reading materials and the heaters are on.  it is freezing and pouring.  i'm hoping that all the rain can wash away the corona.  Shabbat shalom!  stay warm and dry and safe!

Is Anyone Out There?

It is 8:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed.  i just had a moment with the gardner.  we drank our coffee and teas and schmoozed a bit.  it was the first contact with a human being at my home in a couple of weeks.  the kids were here before purim and i managed to catch something from my grandson; who eagerly coughed and sneezed in my face all of that Shabbat.  i am pretty sure that he is okay but i am still feeling a bit unwell.

it of course, could be a lot worse.  safed is a ghost town.  you don't see people or hear children outside.  i have had an occasional offer of help from a neighbor or two.  i managed all on my own to get to the local supermarkets to stock up and buy supplies and food for pesach.  i got the round matzahs and some grape juice.  a very good friend sent me some money to help out.  i am not cooking at the yeshiva now.  i am staying put and inside.  i take the dogs out a few times a day for about 10 minutes.  that's what the experts recommend.

i am in that high risk category.  it was a hard decision to stop working.  i basically, eat all day, sleep in the afternoon, watch tons of movies and fast in the evening.  i haven't managed to drink much water but i have been eating fruit and nuts. everyone says that i look radiant and strong.  not schlepping to and from work seems to agree with me.  i haven't done too much cleaning.  the weather turned freezing and stormy after a few summer like days.  i did do my freezer and refrigerator and kitchen closets.  i have decided not to do windows this year.  my right arm is hurting and i simply, do not have the stamina for spring cleaning.

 the dogs aren't all that eager to be outside.  they definitely sense something is wrong.  there isn't any food thrown out for the cats now so there isn't really any reason for them to linger on the street. you don't even see other dogs out there.  we are very close these days.  pets are very happy to be in with their owners.  we all snuggle together on the opened little t.v. couch; under the heater and comforter.  i have been giving them tons of comfort food.  they love hot dogs and tuna.  i am covered in pet hair.

i am grateful to have my intermittent fasting routine in check.  i sometimes overeat during the daytime and stop eating before 4:00 p.m. because i am truly stuffed.  i am not tempted to eat sugar or candy.  i have been hitting the carbs pretty hard.  i have never eaten so much bread in recent years.  i hit the sunflower seeds the other day.  i was all out of my stock of cashews.  i hear that the seeds are chocked with magnesium.  they are also very caloric.  there are some days that i eat continually throughout the 12 hour food window.  i haven't broken my fast yet.

i had a decent purim this year.  i decided not to travel to be with the kids and the Sephardi family out of town.  i wasn't feeling all that great and i didn't have the strength to get on a bus.  i was tired and concerned about being on a crowded bus, to boot.  i went to the local synagogue down the street to hear the megillah.  i was fasting all day from the morning on and went into work for just a few hours.  i stopped off at a great new spice and nut shop and bought packages of special middle eastern treats.  i was still planning to travel the following morning and needed to give out small food parcels for purim.

i got home from work about 15 minutes before the megillah reading.  i raced to take the dogs out and find a little disguise to wear.  i threw off my sweaty and greasy work clothes and threw on a clean skirt and sweater.  i didn't have enough time to shower.  i wore a gray wig and a gold lame jacket and put on a bit of gold eye makeup and some lipstick.  that was my costume.  i was a glamorous oldish lady.  my friend said that i channeled Martha stewart.  you just don't see old ladies in the religious community donning grey wigs.  i don't often wear the wig.  i am pretty much through with wearing red or blonde wigs. 

there was a huge turnout for the megillah and you couldn't really hear it so well.  downstairs, they held a huge party for the kids and a very nice and elaborate feast to break the fast, for the adults.  the Sephardim like their food. my friend and i ate to our heart's delight and went back for seconds and even third helpings.  i went home after i was satiated.  i was pretty worn out.  there was a party in town for the cool and hip anglos in the artist colony.  i simply was too tired to go.  i even tried on a few costumes.  i may look well but i am definitely not thin again.  the theme of the purim skit was the current state of the government and of course, the corona virus.  i tried getting into a doctor's coat but it was snug.

i went to the local synagogue at 7:00 a.m. to hear the megillah.  i usually go to the women's reading at 10:00 a.m. but i still had the idea of getting on a bus at 11:00 a.m.  i'm usually tired and a bit hangover.  after the reading, i went back to my friend's house for breakfast and a beer. i stayed for awhile and she played live purim music and show tunes.  i felt very good.  i usually start to drink as soon as i get up.  i always make a strong pitcher of sangria and stay inebriated throughout the day. in the past it was pina coladas. i was not up to it this year.  around 2:30 p.m. we went over to a local Sephardi make shift synagogue and had wine and barbecue for hours. it was definitely a younger crowd.   the hostess was very warm and accommodating.  the small kids were actually, very well behaved.   i ate way too much and couldn't eat the steaks.  the home made kabobs were spicy and fresh.  i was happy nursing a cup of wine and munching on cut veggies.  we left in the early evening and i was pretty tipsy.  it was hard to walk.  i went back to my friend's house to regroup and then made it home.  all in all, i had a decent purim.

i didn't make it to services on Shabbat.   the weather was awful and i didn't feel like braving the cold.  i took the dogs out and then went back to bed.  i actually lost track of time.  i had no idea what the day was today.  i lost two days this week.  there was no outdoor market this week.  i thought about schlepping to town to have my new smart phone activated but i am not sure the shop is open.  maybe next week.  it would be ideal to have what's up now.  i could see the kids.  i do not know if they will come here for pesach.  they are warning people not to visit their elderly parents.  i would have to insist that the kids do not sleep with me.  i should get a bottle of Lysol but i do hate the smell. we will just wait and see what happens.

it is vital to eat well, rest and be in touch with friends.  i spend hours on the phone with my gal pals.  stress is a killer.  stay warm.  stay healthy and safe.