israeli politics

Apparently, people my age are not supposed to be standing in lines.  I’m old – even though I think I don’t look my age.  So I can forgive the people who don’t offer to give me their place.  But the guy today who complained that he should have been before me in line went a little further than usual.  In a loud tone, he told the saleslady that I wedged in the line after he’d been waiting.  The saleslady, who had been busy on whatsapp the whole time I was standing there, shouted back at him that she’d been taking care of me for half an hour and he had some nerve.  His response was to dump his shopping basket on the floor and stomp out of the store.   

Since I haven’t been out shopping for a long time and today I did a lot of errands, I was suddenly reminded of the behavior difference that people have been complaining to me about.  I mean the lack of sympathy and awareness of others.   Other people have become dangerous to us.  And both the saleswoman and the customer reminded me of it.

 

in line – august 15, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

We were driving down the sea road to tel aviv when one of Zvika Pik’s songs came on the air.  As we sang along, I stopped and said, “He must have died.”  And indeed a few moments later the announcement came.  it didn’t really seem possible – he was only 72 – and despite his stroke, he was almost ready for a new round of concerts. 

And then I remembered that I had last seen him long ago, in 2004 at Natan Yonatan’s funeral.  He was very tall and stood a head above the others.  We didn’t know each other well, but exchanged a few polite words of respect for a fine poet, and I was surprised by how noble he too was. 

May his memory ever be for a blessing  

zvika Pik z”l – August 14, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

I’ve been conceiving of this evening of 5 languages for weeks.  Everyone has been so wonderfully compliant that it should be easy to put this idea of poetry as transcending languages and culture and its antithesis as well.  But putting the concept together and executing an abstract with my own poems is going to be really difficult.  Why can’t I just be a poet?

And there are so many other issues to worry about!

Having given up on the concept of rebuilding our building for the moment, my neighbors have been arguing about what color to paint the columns – which shade of grey.  Finally I suggested that no matter what shade we ultimately decide on, we should make sure to have a photograph of all the tenants before the house when it’s been painted.  That, we agreed on.

 

5 languages – August 12, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

Richard – How often we would sit together at lunch and he would notice something special about me – my dress, my earrings, my nail polish, my poems, my research.  How often his courtly behavior impressed me – so unlike Israeli gentlemen.  Even when his Parkinson’s progressed to the point where it was difficult to have a conversation with him, I loved sitting with him.  

So tonight we went to a memorial ceremony for him – and in his honor we sang “American Pie.”  What a strange and appropriate memorial – noble and generous – just like him.  Will we ever see the likes of him again?

 

memorial for Richard – August 11, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

It looks like lots of the old favorites are gone, have lost in the primaries, or are demoted to lower positions in the parties.  It’s not necessarily better, or worse.  But so many changes have been worse lately that we tend to expect that things can’t get better.  Me, I worry more and more about Putin, nuclear wars, and worst – losing my friends.

 

 

 

Au Read Post »

israeli politics

It’s finally happening.  After at least 15 years I have managed to convince Ezi that he will not paint the living room himself …eventually.  And a wonderful painter arrived today.  Last night at Manta Rei softened the blow, and we hope to make it back to the beach this afternoon.  The beach really is a curative to the mess we have created and the fact that it is all my fault.  

We usually go to the beach and bathe  before sunset and then we have a snack and go home to sleep.  But the innumerable Arab families who bring tables and chairs and barbeques and boom boxes come a bit later.  Rarely have I managed to engage any one in a real conversation, but that’s more because I’m shy and passive.  (I know, you don’t believe it, but it’s true)

Tonight I will make a special effort, because the need is so great.  It always feels fake and insignificant, but it isn’t.  One on one relationships have an effect as well as peace arrangements.

 

Beach and Painting – August 10, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

Why did we start this mess to begin with?  We seem to be claiming that we succeeded very well, but  It’s just going to flare up into a much bigger conflict.  I have a feeling the whole thing was politically motivated to give the interim government a little show of strength.

And I’m not happy about the Labor party either.  When I voted in the primaries today I got the feeling the ballot was rigged when I got asked if I was m/f.  There were a few other questions like that – I wanted to slap the makers of the ballot.  And I may quit the party at long last.

But what would I join?  Meretz?  Again?  

why did we do it? -August 9, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

PRT?  post-rocket trauma?  I can barely get out of bed today, much less take on some of the tasks I promised to finish.  I tried to do a facebook event for the 25th,  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161894307223712&set=gm.383585530557766  here

but I made one mistake after another, and really screwed up people’s names, languages, etc.  It turns out I also insulted a few people who thought I was asking them to serve food when I thought I was being cute.  

Who else feels like a motherless child?  I certainly do.

post-rocket? – august 8, 2022 Read Post »