Getting Out

 it is 9:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed.  yesterday, a friend took me to a recycling machine in safed; where i was able to return 170 assorted cans, plastic and glass bottles and get my deposits back.  it was outside of a supermarket in the south of safed.  i usually do not shop there when my friend is not around.  it is a 2 bus trip and i can't be bothered; usually.  returning bottles in two other supermarkets is a bit of a hassle.  the supermarket near me, makes you hand each bottle over to the clerk and she puts them in designated bags and counts them.  you then get a receipt and get a credit in the store.  they limit you to 50 bottles.  for 50 bottles, you get a whole 15 shekels, which is the equivalent of $3.71.  you kind of wonder why anyone would bother for this little amount of money. yesterday, i received S12.59 for the bottles.  that is half the amount i used to make for an hour's work when i was cooking for a yeshiva.

i used to throw my bottles out or bring them to a recycling bin. once they started putting deposits on bottles of mineral water, i began to bring them back to the store.  it is amazing how many bottles you find on a daily stroll.  people leave them behind at bus shelters and in garbage recepticles arund the neighborhood.  i feel that i am helping to clean up the environment, while i make a bit of money.  i still have another 50 bottles to bring back.  one supermarket, that i usually walk to; is currently not receiving bottles. they give you cash but also restrict you to 50 bottles at a time. i can easily, take 50 plastic bottles with me on the bus.  they are virtually, weightless but the glass bottles are pretty heavy.  it also makes me feel usefull.  right now, i am feeling pretty vulnerable and useless.

you do not see many people out and around although it has been very quiet in safed.  we pray that it will stay like that but most women and children are inside these days. it is quite reminiscent of the covid years without the sirens blasting.  i did see some people yesterday jogging and going out for a walk.  it gave me courage.  i finally took a walk in the late evening.  i didn't to the entire neighborhood because i am still nervous about walking near a large area without houses nearby.  it was nevertheless, a small victory.  we have had a slew of soldiers in safed lately.  i get a real kick out of seeing these beautiful young people.  they are so upbeat and courageous.  i want so desparately, to be able to help out the war effort but my current financial situation, prevents it. i can't really donate pillows,and blankets.

i am no longer up to baking cookies or preparing sandwiches.  i have come to the realization that by keeping myself sound and fit, and not being a burden on anyone, it is quite enough.  ialso have started to pray, again.  i heard once, that G-d loves the prayers of old women.  i bless each and every soldier that passes me and thank them.  yesterday, i encountered a lovely young soldier at the supermarket. i blessed him and handed him a 50 shekel bill. he smiled so brightly.  i felt like i was giving a grandson some money to buy something he liked.  i wish i could do more.  i guess i should get out and look for some more bottles. LOL