November 26.2019
I found the Jewish/Arab poet of the sixth century of which my taxi driver spoke: here.
why am i not talking about how Bibi has to step down? it breaks my heart. he has ruined the economy in my view, he has broken the morals and the morale of Israelis, and he has more than once made me feel that a con man is conning the world and us, But he is a dedicated person who was voted into office and he deserves respect, not humiliation.
November 27, 2019
One thing more about the business of morality. We are all human beings and all of us fail at one time or another, and these failures should be recognized and condemned. if the failures are recognized and regretted, then as human beings we should forgive. There have been several 'heroes' of mine who were 'exposed' lately - from Degas and Gaugin to Woody Allen and Louis C.K. - but I will not stop admiring them. This is true of Bibi as well. I won't choose him as my leader, and i won't forgive the crimes he has committed against Israeli society, but i will continue to admire some of his achievements. As I write this, however, i'm appalled by most of these 'achievements.' and double-back thinking i can't forgive him. there's a difference between an artist and a prime minister
"I can't! I can't," my friend screamed, when my other friend across the table, mentioned something about the political situation. it is so close to the nerve. The rest of the evening was wonderful.
November 28, 2019
I'm writing this while Ezi watches a show on TV about the recovery of a seriously injured soldier intently. I can't bear the fact that such a fine person was mutilated in such a drastic way and has only recovered because of his father's devotion. In fact there are many truths that I can't seem to be able to bear anymore. Rather than becoming more hardened to the tough realities around me I've become over-sensitized and therefore less able to deal with them and help to alleviate them. Being vulnerable is the antithesis of being sensitive. Sensitive is when you can feel the pain of others and help them, vulnerable is when you are personally pained by them.
November 29, 2019
A memorial service for my sister-in-law's sister-in-law. She is buried near her brother in a civilian cemetery, quiet and natural, and some of the graves have fruit trees growing from them - pomegranates and oranges - and the possibility of doing good beyond the grave elevated my morale greatly. the religious cemeteries where most of the people i know are buried, are crowded, stony, depressing, perhaps because our religion makes death the end, and the grave to be kept carefully only because of the messiah's coming and jubilation. Survivors don't have to visit the grave to be able to remember the dead. Still, the mourners deserve to be comforted, and a pleasant place to mourn makes a difference.
November 30, 2019
Our first Thanksgiving in years, a few days late. We're grateful Oren came home - so last week I decided we have to have a turkey and trimmings. Try to get a whole turkey around here. We started at the supermarket. When online didn't work we actually went there. You have to order, it turns out, a week in advance. My butcher was next - but they don't work with turkeys, he said. So it was time to go to the Russian supermarket. they had one left - 7 kilo - far far bigger than i've ever needed, and although it was amazing, we will have to eat turkey for the next month.
