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.