For a few seconds last night, the lights flickered in our neighborhood. And ‘whatsapp’ went wild. Even we are fearful of losing power. Every aspect of our lives is dependent on energy – not our own. But for the Saudis it’s even more important. They are raking it up right now – buying from Russia at discount and selling for double. At least that’s what Reuters says.
We have a generator. It’s my transitional object
there was no way I would miss my nephew’s widow’s father’s shiva. He was a good man, and wortghhy of respect, but the fact that my the anniversary of my nephew
s death comes up in 2 days, and the fact that Yankele did everything he could to replace the nephew, especially for his three distraught grandchildren, was too much to ignore.
It finished me for the day, however, and I don’t remember anything else.
shiva – july 17, 2022 Read Post »
Raymond Federman was shoved into a closet by his parents on this day, eighty years ago. He really had to go to the bathroom, but he stayed there for days before he finally snuck up to the roof to relieve himself and return to the closet. Over 13000 Jews were collected and sent to camps that day. Most didn’t survive.
For some reason he was with me all today, even before I realized what date it was. Maybe someone at the shiva I was at reminded me of him – only because he looked like him. But I haven’t been with anyone as wild and crazy as Ray for almost 15 years. His character was unique – see if you can find his books and bring him back to life.
july 16, 2022 -French Jew Round-up Read Post »
“Where shall we go for our anniversary?” I was thinking. Our wedding in Cyprus, 42 years ago, was followed by a dream trip around the island and I was thinking that this time we would go to Ashkelon and points south in the desert. But as soon as I said it, a rocket fell in Ashkelon. I’m still going there.
ashkelon – July 16, 2022 Read Post »
I watch Biden’s plane taking off and I fear for him – and I fear for the future. As mellow and warm as he is, he knows how desperate the situation is – for the US, for Israel, for the middle east.
Somehow here we seem to be rejoicing in one detail – the fact that we can fly over and to Saudi Arabia. We know that we are all coming together because of a common enemy, but we ignore the fact that we are just as much in trouble with the Palestinians as ever, that no progress was made. The desperation of the Palestinians is not good for anyone, and they are – excuse me for saying – more important to me than the Saudis.
There goes our last friend, I say, as the plane takes off.
As soon as I get out of quarantine, I have to start pressing our neighbors to fix the floor of the bomb shelter.
love and fear – july 15, 2022 Read Post »
I don’t know if it will help anyone – but I’ve had quite an experience with Paxlovid and since I couldn’t find the same experiences documented anywhere, I’ll share them as either unrelated to the medication and the product of my imagination or significant additions. 2 nights ago I scared myself after I took the third dose with the sense that all my blood was rushing to my head. It obviously wasn’t externally visible since – while I was rendered speechless and couldn’t even complain, Ezi kept munching his cucumber, indicating there were no other major physical signs. My old habit of automatically telling myself that my limbs were heavy and warm – meant to relax circulation – seemed to help, and after a few minutes I was back to just feeling weak and unable to eat. But it scared me, and I couldn’t sleep all night. In the morning I still felt weak, with swollen lips and a sense of a battle going on in my body. I contacted the authorities – after a long wait on the phone – and asked what to do. It’s okay, said the nurse, but it’s probably not related to the baxlovid, (which gave me an indication of his racial persuasion since the b/p substitution is typical of Arabic speakers) . He (the nurse) listened politely and intensely to every one of my kvetches – dividing the ones that are typical of COVID from the ones that are characteristic of allergies, and the ones unique to hysterical patients, and recording everything for the doctor who called me a while later.
By the time I spoke to the equally patient doctor, a young Russian lady, I was feeling a bit better, and although she assured me that my symptoms were not necessarily due to an allergy to Paxlovid, and might well be linked to reactions to the virus itself, she gave me the kind of responses I remember being surprised to receive when I first came to Israel. “Do you think I could stop the medication?” “If you want to stop, stop. It just means there will be no benefit from what you’ve already taken.” “So you think I should suffer and continue?” “Sounds good.”
There were a series of questions and answers and I can’t remember the details now but I do remember that both of us laughed a lot. And the call ended with many good wishes for a speedy recovery “And don’t forget to drink a lot of water,” she reminded me. “At the very least it will keep you busy.”
During the day I began to experience a dramatic increase in energy and mood, and although I’m still testing strongly positive, I almost feel normal.
(p.s. In case I have not told you before, my first experience with an Israeli doctor, 40 years ago, provided me with the touchstone for medical consultations.
I came to the nearest doctor in my neighborhood, walking a long way in the hot sun on an unpaved road, because there way no other transportation, and enumerated to him my long list of numerous symptoms. He listened intently, thought for a moment, and asked, “Did you ever have this before?” “Yes,” I responded tearfully. “Well, you have it again!”
paxlovid progress – July 14, 2022 Read Post »
Whatever he accomplishes, one thing you know is that he cares and tries his best. I think that’s what keeps healthy. Joe Biden proves every day that he is a real mensch and for me that really counts. I don’t think it will help with making peace in the middle east, but it sure helped me feel better today. Since I can’t do anything else, I watched the entire visit – from Biden being browned up by our hungry politicians to Biden turning on his full charm with two holocaust survivors – blarney at it’s best.
And I melted.
Can that charm work as well on Abu Mazen as it worked on those two ladies and me? I doubt it, but it would be good to know that Abu Mazen trusts him to try.
mensch – July 13, 2022 Read Post »
This morning a nurse called me to tell me how to get along with the Plaxovid. When we finished our conversation I turned to Ezi to explain what she said and realized I’m speaking in an Arabic accent. Why not? The doctor who ordered the medication, and the man who delivered it, as well as the nurse who explained it – all had the same accent. And they have all helped me feel better today.
caregivers – July 13, 2022 Read Post »
