A New Day Has Begun

it is 8:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed.  i just got back from walking the dogs.  i didn't shoot out of bed at 6:00 a.m. this morning;  like i do every day.  the dogs had to rouse me this time and they tried very hard.  i felt like sleeping beauty; being licked and kissed and even yanked a bit.  it was like rising from a drug induced coma.

we took the back street and luckily for me; the dogs made.  i saw more badgers.  i saw a mom badger with her baby badger.  who knows? maybe yesterday's 'minyan' of badgers were performing an ancient ceremony like we do, a bris.  the mom stared at me and i stared right back at her.  two mothers grappling with the new world order during the rona.  it was quite splendid.  i felt a moment of true joy.  of course the dogs were going crazy and wanted to take off after the creatures.

today is the second pesach.  we have the custom to eat some matzah.  i won't go into the details of this symbolic day.  it is basically, a day ripe with second chances and new decisions.  it is a very hopeful day.  i can't' wait to get into the kitchen and make a matzah brie.  i feel inspired.  perhaps, i'll make a banana matzah kugel like we did; back in the good old days.  the darkness seems to have lifted a bit.

i can remember being alone in the radiation room during cancer treatment; feeling all right with the world and bathing in the love of the Lord.  i can remember the love and devotion i felt and the special time it was for me.  i can remember hearing Abba music during one of these sessions and feeling so happy. i need to trust more and give it all up to the higher power.  i need to chill out and appreciate every lovely moment that comes my way.  i need to remember and cherish the love i felt for the badger mom and her precious baby.

i just made my morning elixir and will take it outside and drink it in the sun.  it is a very warm day.  i am looking forward to making my breakfast this morning. i am actually looking forward to having some matzah.  i am also looking forward to another lovely Shabbat and cooking chicken and bulgur for Shabbat dinner.   i have been given a second chance this morning.  sure, i didn't see a rainbow or a unicorn but i did see a little baby badger and it melted my cold heart.

5:30 p.m. update:  the food is on the electric platter heating up.  i made buckwheat goats, stewed chicken with orange and ginger, chicken wing soup, salmon fillet and chumus.  i threw fresh garlic and ginger into the buckwheat after it was cooked; otherwise, it is a very bland dish.  i didn't even add salt.  i threw a small salmon fillet in the toaster oven for a few minutes.  i didn't add anything.  after it was ready, i squeezed lemon juice on it.  i added a strong middle east spice to the chicken soup and i am not really digging it.  it tastes very smoky.  the chumus is grainy and lumpy.  i added tahini but it was already dried up and didn't add any creaminess.  so much for trying to be creative.

last night, while i was on the phone; the Sephardi grandpa, ten years my junior; was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  i didn't hear a thing.  i just found out.  i feel really awful.  i was out with the dogs while he had an episode.  apparently, his blood pressure went soaring sky high and he nearly collapsed.  i can't believe that i missed the entire emergency; not that i am sure i could have helped out.  i was invited for dinner downstairs but i will stay here and go to bed early.

their little 2 1/4 year old granddaughter is sleeping downstairs with her parents.  i was with all of them on independence day outside for a barbecue.  inside, is a whole other scenario.  two young kids came by earlier to play with my puppy.  i had just told my friend that i am not letting the dogs get too close to people to avoid their getting the rona.  the puppy, soon to be a year old next month; was actually these kids' dog.  their mother gave her to me when she was four months old.  i was in sheer panic while these kids played with my 'teeny'.  'tiny' wanted in on the action but they weren't interested in him.

i wouldn't let them take the dog back to their house, on the next block.  i kept my mask on and a good distance from the kids.  isn't life grand!