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.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
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!
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!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Just A Little Bit Warmer
it is 8:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed. i just broke my 12 hour fast. i really overate yesterday and didn't feel great at night. i had eaten a bit of breakfast before i got to work. i had two of my homemade blueberry oatmeal muffins and a couple of eggs. i gave the dogs some eggs and rice for their breakfast. the muffins have no added sweetener. the banana gives it a natural sweetness. sometimes i add a date or two. i use unsweetened almond milk and grind oatmeal into a flour. the dogs love the muffins, too.
i got to work at 1:00 p.m. and went straight to work. i serve lunch at 2:20 p.m. there was quite a bit of turkey chili leftover from the previous night and a lot of rice. i tasted the chili. it was yummy. i couldn't stop eating it. i add canned corn, onions, red peppers, fresh tomatoes and carrots. i have never seen any leftover chili. it is usually devoured. it's okay. there was more for me. i was planning on making couscous and a chunky soup for lunch. i use carrots, potatoes, green squash, onions, red peppers and pumpkin. i then add chick peas. there was red lentils leftover from the previous night; so i made patties. i took the leftover cut veggies from breakfast and added onions and made a dressing. i baked an eggless chocolate cake but it was too hot to serve with lunch. i brought it up to their place of learning.
i took the leftover rice and mixed it into the chopped beef. i filled 20 large red peppers with the mixture. i quickly made a tomato sauce and popped them into the oven. i made a bag of bulgur and added it to the leftover couscous from lunch. i quickly cooked up some squash and eggplant ala ratatouille. i added ketchup and a bit of vinegar to give it a sort of sweet and sour vibe. i did the washing up and left at 6:15 p.m. it was freezing outside so i cabbed it home. i got home after 7:00 p.m. and decided to eat more chili. i made a hamburger for the dogs and added some rice. i took a frozen portion of a fruit shake and heated it up with almond milk. i should have just had the drink without the chili. i definitely had a bit of heart burn.
i am planning on doing something with cubes of beef for lunch. I'm thinking oriental style beef on a bed of quinoa. i have no clue what to make for supper. i made tuna patties the other day. i usually make soup for their lunch but perhaps i'll reverse the order and make a pea soup for supper and corn pudding . i no longer have spaghetti so i can't make a noodle kugel. i might just fry up corn fritters. they seem to eat anything that is fried. i could make a vat of pasta. i don't think i will be getting a huge salary this month. i missed a few days while i went to Jerusalem to help the kids out. we also had an out Shabbat. and of course, February is a short month. i am dreading the electric bill. what can one do?. we had some truly cold days here.
i got to work at 1:00 p.m. and went straight to work. i serve lunch at 2:20 p.m. there was quite a bit of turkey chili leftover from the previous night and a lot of rice. i tasted the chili. it was yummy. i couldn't stop eating it. i add canned corn, onions, red peppers, fresh tomatoes and carrots. i have never seen any leftover chili. it is usually devoured. it's okay. there was more for me. i was planning on making couscous and a chunky soup for lunch. i use carrots, potatoes, green squash, onions, red peppers and pumpkin. i then add chick peas. there was red lentils leftover from the previous night; so i made patties. i took the leftover cut veggies from breakfast and added onions and made a dressing. i baked an eggless chocolate cake but it was too hot to serve with lunch. i brought it up to their place of learning.
i took the leftover rice and mixed it into the chopped beef. i filled 20 large red peppers with the mixture. i quickly made a tomato sauce and popped them into the oven. i made a bag of bulgur and added it to the leftover couscous from lunch. i quickly cooked up some squash and eggplant ala ratatouille. i added ketchup and a bit of vinegar to give it a sort of sweet and sour vibe. i did the washing up and left at 6:15 p.m. it was freezing outside so i cabbed it home. i got home after 7:00 p.m. and decided to eat more chili. i made a hamburger for the dogs and added some rice. i took a frozen portion of a fruit shake and heated it up with almond milk. i should have just had the drink without the chili. i definitely had a bit of heart burn.
i am planning on doing something with cubes of beef for lunch. I'm thinking oriental style beef on a bed of quinoa. i have no clue what to make for supper. i made tuna patties the other day. i usually make soup for their lunch but perhaps i'll reverse the order and make a pea soup for supper and corn pudding . i no longer have spaghetti so i can't make a noodle kugel. i might just fry up corn fritters. they seem to eat anything that is fried. i could make a vat of pasta. i don't think i will be getting a huge salary this month. i missed a few days while i went to Jerusalem to help the kids out. we also had an out Shabbat. and of course, February is a short month. i am dreading the electric bill. what can one do?. we had some truly cold days here.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
The Longest Journey
it is 7:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed. i just got back from walking the doggies. it is pretty cold but it isn't raining now. i have to be in a nearby town at 9:30 a.m. to catch an express bus to tel aviv. then i have a 45 minute bus ride to the hospital. that should get me there by noon. i will have enough time, hopefully, to get something to eat at the food court and check out the mini maul. at Chanukah, i scored a fortnite monopoly set for my grandson. it was about $50. i walked past the shop twice before i finally bought it.
there is an orthopedic shoe store that i like to check out, too. all the stores are having huge sales. i need a new pair of rain boots. i bought a pair of black booties in Jerusalem, but they really aren't all that comfortable. i showered last night because i was afraid that i wouldn't have enough time this morning. i prefer to shower in the morning. i do not sleep the night before i travel. i am always afraid that i will oversleep. i almost always wake up about 6:00 a.m. but i still worry. alarm clocks never help. i am afraid that they won't go off or that i won't hear them.
i pulled an all nighter on Tuesday night. i went to see my friend's play and got to schmooze with a lot of people. i do not usually go out at night. after such a social event, i cannot sleep. the 4 bags of chai tea didn't help, either. i was practically staggering at work. last night i stayed until 9:00 p.m. i had to cook 4 meals and leave salads for Shabbat lunch. i said i would come in tomorrow to make the traditional Shabbat stew. i doubt that i will be up for coming in this evening when i return from the hospital. i need to see the pulmonary surgeon today. i hope he doesn't ask me to do a biopsy of my lung. i read that they can puncture your lung. they all say that it is rare, but my neighbor told me recently, that he actually did it to a patient once, and still relives the nightmare to this day. he has been retired for a few years..
i was feeling desperate about 8:00 p.m. last night. i was literally, falling off of my feet. i still had two meals to do and i was ready to throw in the towel. i quickly shredded some fresh veggies to the leftover lunchtime soup, made a quinoa salad and cooked some red lentils. i was too tired to fry up lentil patties at this point. i cooked up a slew of sweet potatoes for a mash, opened a huge can of corn and made some tiny turkey balls with soy sauce for the supper. i hope it's enough. i did leave a note for the manager to scramble up some eggs for lunch. the wash up took forever to do. my sleeves were soaked.
i took the leftover macaroni salad which had traces of tuna and boiled eggs and added a large tin of tuna, a ton of mayonnaise and the leftover pickles. i think it will stay fresh until Saturday. i cooked up some spicy beets and opened a huge can of olives. i need to make tahini and a pasta salad for their lunch tomorrow morning. i told the manger, who is my right hand man, to buy some shredded cabbage. i can't see myself dicing any more veggies. i left a huge pot of turkey chili and rice for their supper at 7:00 p.m. and made a sweet carrot kugel to cool the heat of the chili. the guys love it really hot. it is a sign of manhood. i don't think it was really all that hot.
it is dark and grey outside. i think it is raining once again. i think i will taxi it to the next town. it only is about ten minutes away. it's about a $12 fare but what can you do. a truly good pal of mine always says, when you have a 'situation; just throw money at it. i fell asleep least night about 3:30 a.m. i do not have the strength to walk down to the junction to catch a bus or taxi in this cold. last month, i was running late and under a lot of pressure. i waited for over 40 minutes. luckily, i finally caught a ride. i greatly fear missing the 9:30 a.m. bus.
i also did not get the form that i need to pay for the surgeon's visit. he worst scenario is that i need to pay the hospital a certain fee and will get reimbursed when the form comes in. i was toying with the idea of going to the clinic soon to see if the form arrived but then again, it's another schlepp. there is an office at the hospital but I'm not certain that it will be open when i get there. i stopped off at the clinic yesterday because i lost my magnetic card, for the third time. i can remember that procedure being very costly and difficult back in the day. today, they process one in a second's time. i never checked to see if they charge you for it.
I've just had a small spelt roll with some natural peanut butter and of course, my morning 2 bags of chai tea. i have had to start my nightly fasting at 4:30 p.m. lately because i have been overeating at work and feeling very uncomfortable. i have been hitting the carbs pretty hard this season. i am thankfully, maintaining my weight. my tummy did puff out again but it is under control, once again. intermittent fasting is a great tool for nashers and grazers and would be bingers. i find that sugary foods hurt my stomach now. i do eat a dried date or two when i experience a sugar craving. it works.
there is an orthopedic shoe store that i like to check out, too. all the stores are having huge sales. i need a new pair of rain boots. i bought a pair of black booties in Jerusalem, but they really aren't all that comfortable. i showered last night because i was afraid that i wouldn't have enough time this morning. i prefer to shower in the morning. i do not sleep the night before i travel. i am always afraid that i will oversleep. i almost always wake up about 6:00 a.m. but i still worry. alarm clocks never help. i am afraid that they won't go off or that i won't hear them.
i pulled an all nighter on Tuesday night. i went to see my friend's play and got to schmooze with a lot of people. i do not usually go out at night. after such a social event, i cannot sleep. the 4 bags of chai tea didn't help, either. i was practically staggering at work. last night i stayed until 9:00 p.m. i had to cook 4 meals and leave salads for Shabbat lunch. i said i would come in tomorrow to make the traditional Shabbat stew. i doubt that i will be up for coming in this evening when i return from the hospital. i need to see the pulmonary surgeon today. i hope he doesn't ask me to do a biopsy of my lung. i read that they can puncture your lung. they all say that it is rare, but my neighbor told me recently, that he actually did it to a patient once, and still relives the nightmare to this day. he has been retired for a few years..
i was feeling desperate about 8:00 p.m. last night. i was literally, falling off of my feet. i still had two meals to do and i was ready to throw in the towel. i quickly shredded some fresh veggies to the leftover lunchtime soup, made a quinoa salad and cooked some red lentils. i was too tired to fry up lentil patties at this point. i cooked up a slew of sweet potatoes for a mash, opened a huge can of corn and made some tiny turkey balls with soy sauce for the supper. i hope it's enough. i did leave a note for the manager to scramble up some eggs for lunch. the wash up took forever to do. my sleeves were soaked.
i took the leftover macaroni salad which had traces of tuna and boiled eggs and added a large tin of tuna, a ton of mayonnaise and the leftover pickles. i think it will stay fresh until Saturday. i cooked up some spicy beets and opened a huge can of olives. i need to make tahini and a pasta salad for their lunch tomorrow morning. i told the manger, who is my right hand man, to buy some shredded cabbage. i can't see myself dicing any more veggies. i left a huge pot of turkey chili and rice for their supper at 7:00 p.m. and made a sweet carrot kugel to cool the heat of the chili. the guys love it really hot. it is a sign of manhood. i don't think it was really all that hot.
it is dark and grey outside. i think it is raining once again. i think i will taxi it to the next town. it only is about ten minutes away. it's about a $12 fare but what can you do. a truly good pal of mine always says, when you have a 'situation; just throw money at it. i fell asleep least night about 3:30 a.m. i do not have the strength to walk down to the junction to catch a bus or taxi in this cold. last month, i was running late and under a lot of pressure. i waited for over 40 minutes. luckily, i finally caught a ride. i greatly fear missing the 9:30 a.m. bus.
i also did not get the form that i need to pay for the surgeon's visit. he worst scenario is that i need to pay the hospital a certain fee and will get reimbursed when the form comes in. i was toying with the idea of going to the clinic soon to see if the form arrived but then again, it's another schlepp. there is an office at the hospital but I'm not certain that it will be open when i get there. i stopped off at the clinic yesterday because i lost my magnetic card, for the third time. i can remember that procedure being very costly and difficult back in the day. today, they process one in a second's time. i never checked to see if they charge you for it.
I've just had a small spelt roll with some natural peanut butter and of course, my morning 2 bags of chai tea. i have had to start my nightly fasting at 4:30 p.m. lately because i have been overeating at work and feeling very uncomfortable. i have been hitting the carbs pretty hard this season. i am thankfully, maintaining my weight. my tummy did puff out again but it is under control, once again. intermittent fasting is a great tool for nashers and grazers and would be bingers. i find that sugary foods hurt my stomach now. i do eat a dried date or two when i experience a sugar craving. it works.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
It' All A Bit Confusing
It is 9:00 a.m in the holy city of safed. I got a late start this morning. the dogs also 'slepped in'. i finally took them out at 7:00 a.m. we are all camped out in the television cove. my friend opened up the little couch and we are pretty much comfortable in that space. it's a tad short for sleeping but i manage. it is double the width now. i no longer have to roll myself into the fetal position on one side, anymore. there is an electric heater on the wall, above the television; which makes the area warm and cozy, most of the time. when you have such a large home, it is practically, financially impossible, to centrally heat here. most of the neighbors use wood burning stoves. i have managed well this winter. let's see what the damage is when i get the new bill.
i got to work yesterday before 5:00 p.m. i only had to prepare supper for the guys. it had been an out Shabbat. i had wanted to go back to Jerusalem for Shabbat but i was too tired. i was a bit confused earlier on and thought that i had to get to work at noon. i stopped off at a clothing store and tried on a sweater dress. it was a bit too tight. i might just go back and buy it anyway. it would be great to wear under other clothes on those freezing days and nights. it was only about $12. just when i start feeling thinnish, i get a reality check. Israeli clothes are another animal. they are made tiny. i'm fine in my old size 12 clothes. they are a bit loose. trying to buy clothes here is hard. i usually buy second hand American clothes. the quality is better and the sizes are fuller.
i got to work and the kitchen was on the dark side. the ceiling florescent lights were waning. it was very hard to work. i quickly peeled a bunch of carrots and sweet potatoes to make an orange soup. i only had two burners working, too. i quickly put up a bag of bulgur. i had to wait until the soup was done to make the hamburger patties. i opened up an industrial size can of corn and made a salad with pickles, onions and red peppers. i also made a salad with tomatoes and sliced onions. i realized when i left, that i had probably made too much food. i was confused and in my mind; i thought that they had fasted all day and needed two meals. i only hope that they put away the leftovers because i will be coming in late today.
i need to get the paperwork for my upcoming visit to the surgeon on Thursday. i am going back to the tel aviv area, yet, once again. they found a 'spot' on my left lung when i did a routine pet scan a few months ago. i had to go to the hospital to do a CT and then i had to go back to see the lung doctor. he felt that the growth was insignificant but in the end, he made another appointment to see a surgeon. i hope that the surgeon doesn't want to do a biopsy. i read that they can puncture your lung during the process. i expressed my concern with the doctor but he said that the chance of that happening was rare.
i am truly tired and i am very tempted to just blow off the visit. i am hoping that they will just want me to do another CT in another couple of months. we are getting closer to pesach and i do not cherish more travelling. i read that sometimes they use a camera down the throat instead of using the needle to do the biopsy. i do not wish to find out. my friend had it done and said she was hoarse for a few days afterwards. once you are in the medical system; you are trapped. every minor growth is a big megilah.
i had made plans to go back to town to check out more clothes, when i remembered my doctor's appointment at noon. i have to stick around in my area until the appointment. i will probably catch a taxi to work. yesterday, i didn't get home until 8:15 p.m. i waited nearly a half an hour for the bus. i was really tired and wet so when i saw a taxi; i took it. i think i made a whole 65 shekels yesterday. i do not want to bother coming in anymore if it is just for one meal. i have to make 4 meals on Wednesday so i can leave 2 for Thursday. that's 12 different dishes. i think they will have rice and chopped meat casserole, spaghetti with meat sauce, hot dogs and anything else, that's easy to prepare.
i got to work yesterday before 5:00 p.m. i only had to prepare supper for the guys. it had been an out Shabbat. i had wanted to go back to Jerusalem for Shabbat but i was too tired. i was a bit confused earlier on and thought that i had to get to work at noon. i stopped off at a clothing store and tried on a sweater dress. it was a bit too tight. i might just go back and buy it anyway. it would be great to wear under other clothes on those freezing days and nights. it was only about $12. just when i start feeling thinnish, i get a reality check. Israeli clothes are another animal. they are made tiny. i'm fine in my old size 12 clothes. they are a bit loose. trying to buy clothes here is hard. i usually buy second hand American clothes. the quality is better and the sizes are fuller.
i got to work and the kitchen was on the dark side. the ceiling florescent lights were waning. it was very hard to work. i quickly peeled a bunch of carrots and sweet potatoes to make an orange soup. i only had two burners working, too. i quickly put up a bag of bulgur. i had to wait until the soup was done to make the hamburger patties. i opened up an industrial size can of corn and made a salad with pickles, onions and red peppers. i also made a salad with tomatoes and sliced onions. i realized when i left, that i had probably made too much food. i was confused and in my mind; i thought that they had fasted all day and needed two meals. i only hope that they put away the leftovers because i will be coming in late today.
i need to get the paperwork for my upcoming visit to the surgeon on Thursday. i am going back to the tel aviv area, yet, once again. they found a 'spot' on my left lung when i did a routine pet scan a few months ago. i had to go to the hospital to do a CT and then i had to go back to see the lung doctor. he felt that the growth was insignificant but in the end, he made another appointment to see a surgeon. i hope that the surgeon doesn't want to do a biopsy. i read that they can puncture your lung during the process. i expressed my concern with the doctor but he said that the chance of that happening was rare.
i am truly tired and i am very tempted to just blow off the visit. i am hoping that they will just want me to do another CT in another couple of months. we are getting closer to pesach and i do not cherish more travelling. i read that sometimes they use a camera down the throat instead of using the needle to do the biopsy. i do not wish to find out. my friend had it done and said she was hoarse for a few days afterwards. once you are in the medical system; you are trapped. every minor growth is a big megilah.
i had made plans to go back to town to check out more clothes, when i remembered my doctor's appointment at noon. i have to stick around in my area until the appointment. i will probably catch a taxi to work. yesterday, i didn't get home until 8:15 p.m. i waited nearly a half an hour for the bus. i was really tired and wet so when i saw a taxi; i took it. i think i made a whole 65 shekels yesterday. i do not want to bother coming in anymore if it is just for one meal. i have to make 4 meals on Wednesday so i can leave 2 for Thursday. that's 12 different dishes. i think they will have rice and chopped meat casserole, spaghetti with meat sauce, hot dogs and anything else, that's easy to prepare.
Saturday, February 15, 2020
So Very Tired
it is 8:00 a.m. in the holy city of safed. i took the dogs out at 7:00 a.m. i haven't had my morning tea yet. i am addicted to chai and now, I'm mad about Bengal tea by celestial seasonings. i bought a slew of these teas last month and lost them during a storm; on the way to work. i ordered more from two different health food stores. i went to one sore on Thursday and bought 8 boxes. now, the other store called to tell me the new shipment came in. i seem to need to use two chai bags in every cup of tea, i make. i also need my almond milk to put in tea. i started using rice milk with almonds. it is more difficult to find the sugarless almond milk here. i got the grandkids hooked on the chai, too. the black tea isn't, probably, the best thing for them.
the last couple of weeks have been pretty intense here. there was a terrorist attack at my son's place of work in Jerusalem. it happened at 2:00 a.m. so he was already at home. someone plowed into a crowd of 14 soldiers with his car. one soldier is fighting for his life. the others made it to their swearing in ceremony at the kotel, later that day. this happened, apparently, in the parking lot behind my son's gallery. i have been there in recent times, on several occasions. one must understand that these soldiers are merely, kids.
my daughter-in-law's father had a minor stroke. i went to the hospital each evening that week, to visit and bring soup to his wife. i knew, very well, that she wasn't eating. he is currently in rehab in another town. his wife is by his side but has the support system of her family in that town. my brand new grandson underwent hernia surgery. i was there for a couple of days to help out with the older kids. i came back from Jerusalem and went straight to work. i wanted to go back for Shabbat but honestly, i was too tired to make another trip. the weather has been freezing and storming for weeks. we have had a miraculous amount of rain. i have been navigating in this weather all winter long and it has been rough.
i have been watching a lot of movies, lately. i never used to have the patience and concentration span to follow a plot for so long. I've seen a few foreign films lately but it was quite challenging reading Hebrew subtitles. thank goodness for google. i was not surprised that "parasite" won. it was truly an amazing movie. i loved "joker" and want to view it again. "pain and glory" was also glorious. i saw a greek film from 2017, "what if" and it was wonderful but i was very unsure of what was being said.
i am doing well with my intermittent fasting and have lost nearly 20 pounds. i feel so much better about myself. my stomach is more or less flat and i can fit into my clothes again. i am still not back to size 10 but some 12's are too large. i haven't been successful in clothes shopping but i did acquire some nice things from my friend, who has lost nearly 30 pounds. i haven't weighed myself lately but i am not fixated on any particular number. i actually tossed out my fat clothes.
the last couple of weeks have been pretty intense here. there was a terrorist attack at my son's place of work in Jerusalem. it happened at 2:00 a.m. so he was already at home. someone plowed into a crowd of 14 soldiers with his car. one soldier is fighting for his life. the others made it to their swearing in ceremony at the kotel, later that day. this happened, apparently, in the parking lot behind my son's gallery. i have been there in recent times, on several occasions. one must understand that these soldiers are merely, kids.
my daughter-in-law's father had a minor stroke. i went to the hospital each evening that week, to visit and bring soup to his wife. i knew, very well, that she wasn't eating. he is currently in rehab in another town. his wife is by his side but has the support system of her family in that town. my brand new grandson underwent hernia surgery. i was there for a couple of days to help out with the older kids. i came back from Jerusalem and went straight to work. i wanted to go back for Shabbat but honestly, i was too tired to make another trip. the weather has been freezing and storming for weeks. we have had a miraculous amount of rain. i have been navigating in this weather all winter long and it has been rough.
i have been watching a lot of movies, lately. i never used to have the patience and concentration span to follow a plot for so long. I've seen a few foreign films lately but it was quite challenging reading Hebrew subtitles. thank goodness for google. i was not surprised that "parasite" won. it was truly an amazing movie. i loved "joker" and want to view it again. "pain and glory" was also glorious. i saw a greek film from 2017, "what if" and it was wonderful but i was very unsure of what was being said.
i am doing well with my intermittent fasting and have lost nearly 20 pounds. i feel so much better about myself. my stomach is more or less flat and i can fit into my clothes again. i am still not back to size 10 but some 12's are too large. i haven't been successful in clothes shopping but i did acquire some nice things from my friend, who has lost nearly 30 pounds. i haven't weighed myself lately but i am not fixated on any particular number. i actually tossed out my fat clothes.
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