Friday, 18 September 2015

I got up early this morning and so easily got in my full exercise. I also walked down to the bakery later, still before breakfast, to buy challah for Shabbat.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today (more than any other day this week!): 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

I had my traditional whole-wheat spaghetti with Palermo sauce for lunch at Il Pentolino today.

I didn't use the elevator at all today, which means that I climbed the 72 stairs up to my apartment 3 times in all.

As the light was about to fade from our beautiful valley, I lit candles, sipped a bit of sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome this Shabbat, Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of return.

I close today with the refrain from my favorite High Holy Day prayer, Avinu Malkenu, the very first Jewish prayer I ever learned (in high school), LONG before I had any idea what it meant or knew any Hebrew at all:

אבינו מלכינו, חננו ועננו כי אין בנו מעשים

עשה עמנו צדקה וחסד והושיענו

Our Parent, our Ruler, have mercy on us and answer us, because we have no deeds.

Do for us alms and favor, and save us.

     [my gender-neutral translation]