Monday, 30 November 2015

I got up a little late this morning but went out for a walk anyway. I walked to the outdoor gym and worked out a bit, something I hadn't done in some time. It was great!

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00, 12:00-1:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I ate a simple lunch at home today. Afterwards, I went for a walk and was gone for nearly 2 hours. The weather was just perfect for walking this afternoon. Clouds covered almost the whole sky, keeping the sun from shining hotly on me, but the air was not cold and there was a cool and refreshing breeze.

Altogether, I walked a total of 12.6 kilometers today.

Sunday, 29 November 2015

I slept well but a little weirdly last night and didn't get up until late, so I didn't go for a morning walk.

I did the weekly grocery shopping this morning at Shufersal.

I had thin vegan shnitzel and a green salad with red bell pepper and a tomato for lunch at home today. I also ate a couple of cookies for dessert.

In the afternoon, I went over and picked up more boxes from our friends who moved.

From about 3:30 until 5:30, I took a very long walk over to a little past the apartment I'll be moving to and back again. It was a perfect time for walking, and I also took some gorgeous pics of the sunset as I was on my way back.

Altogether today I walked well over 11 kilometers.

Shabbat, 28 November 2015

I got up early enough to walk for more than an hour. I went up highway 12 to Ramat Yotam, then turned left on the road that goes by the huge oils tanks and left again back to the southwestern end of Shakhamon and home on Harim Road. Part way up highway 12, I snapped a lovely pic of the sunrise (it didn't actually come up until more than half an hour later) over the Jordanian mountains, the Gulf, and Eilat.

In the morning, I watched the recording of last night's BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) service and joined them in saying Kaddish for David.

I ate 2 cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch at home today.

In the afternoon, I drove over to Bassia & David's place and very much enjoyed chatting with their two guests, Sue and Ute, who are visiting from the U.S. to celebrate birthdays together with Bassia.

Then I came home and talked for a while with David's sister, Joyce, in Ohio.

In the evening, I spent a bit of time sorting through some drawers in the kitchen.

I walked a total of more than eight and a quarter kilometers today.

Friday, 27 November 2015

I got up early enough this morning to walk for almost an hour. Then, I later walked down to recycle cardboard and buy challah.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

For lunch, I treated myself to a Greek salad at the Gulf Restaurant (plus all their little free salatim and pita). Afterwards, I took a walk down the tayelet and back (along the north shore of our branch of the Red Sea).

Altogether, I walked about eight and three quarters kilometers today.

As the sun was hovering just above the Eilat Mountains to the southwest, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome this Shabbat.

I end with this quote in honor of the American holiday of Thanksgiving. It is the first verse of at least THREE different Psalms (107, 118, and 136):

הודו ליי כי-טוב כי לעולם חסדוGive thanks to the Eternal, who is good, whose favor is forever.

Thursday, 26 November 2015

I woke up quite early this morning but feeling tired and even a little depressed, so I didn't get up and go out for a morning walk.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:00-11:30, 12:00-1:30, and 3:00-4:30.

I drove over to Mercaz Big and got a pita with falafel for lunch today. It was nice to get out a bit. I also walked around while there and did a bit of window shopping, but, of course, I didn't buy anything.

After my last class, I took a long walk from here over to the apartment we're planning to move into in a few weeks and back. It took an hour and a half, total, and was a very nice walk.

After cooling down a bit, I drove over to the new apartment of some WIZO friends who just moved and picked up some of their freshly emptied boxes. On Shabbat, I'll go over again and pick up more (which are not yet emptied at this point).

My total walking distance for today is just over 10 km.

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

I got up reasonably early this morning and walked for nearly a full hour.

I taught 10 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30, 12:00-1:30, 3:00-4:30, 4:30-6:00 (an emergency replacement for another teacher), and 6:30-8:00.

I had cheese and whole-wheat tortillas for lunch at home today.

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

I woke up early but a bit tired this morning, so I didn't go out for a walk.

As always, I enjoyed the English speakers' meeting at WIZO today even though it was just conversation and announcements, with no special speaker.

I ate a cheese and tomato sandwich for lunch at home today.

Afterwards, I went for a walk for an hour, following a similar route to what I walked last night.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lesson today: 3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:30.

In the evening, I returned the walker I had gotten for David to Yad Sara, and I also donated the wheelchair to them.

When I returned, I parked my car up on Harim Road, as I've been doing lately in order for the "for sale" sign in the window to be seen by more people, and then I walked to the end of Harim Road and back before returning home.

In all, I walked more that eight and a half kilometers today.

Monday, 23 November 2015

I slept well last night and woke up fairly early but rather tired, so I didn't go out for a morning walk.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00, 12:00-1:30, 2:30-4:00, and 5:00-6:30. All those 1-hour gaps were kind of useless for getting much done, except for the lunch break.

For lunch, I had breaded vegetarian shnitzels and a salad with greens and a cut-up tomato.

In the evening, after my last class, I took a somewhat longer walk for a full hour, and I enjoyed it very much.

Sunday, 22 November 2015

I got up reasonably early this morning and got in a full, lovely early-morning walk.

After breakfast, I planned a morning trip around town to take care of a number of tasks.

First, I checked out the grocery stores and bakeries near the building where I expect to be moving in about a month and was very impressed; they are well-stocked.
Next, I put an ad for my car at the main building of the university.

Then, I went to the pet store to order mice for my snake, and I told them about my car being for sale. They suggested that I advertise it in Erev-Erev, the local newspaper, and so I went over and did that. My ad will appear for 3 weeks in Erev-Erev, Ma Nishma (an advertising rag that is distributed free to every residence in Eilat on Friday mornings), and on their online site, all for only 140 shekels.

After that, I proceeded to the garage where I get my car serviced. I not only left an ad on their bulletin board (with their permission) but also talked to the head mechanic, who was happy to tell anyone interested about my car.

Finally, I went to my regular Shufersal and did the weekly grocery shopping.

For lunch, I had stuffed mushrooms at Café Café at Ice Park. I also claimed my free piece of cheesecake (one dessert available any one time during November, the month of my birthday). After eating, I walked around both levels of the mall several times before returning home again.

In the evening, I walked over to the green strip and sat there for a while, enjoying the lovely evening and the beautiful moon in the sky, before continuing my walk. Just after the top of the green strip I ran into my friend, Liz, who was out for a walk with her dog and her sister, who is visiting from England. We chatted for a while, and then I continued walking to the end of Harim Road, where I sat and read for a bit before walking back home.

Altogether, I walked more than 13 kilometers (more than 8 miles) today, the most in one day since my phone has been keeping records.

Shabbat, 21 November 2015

I woke up very early this morning, but I didn't get up right away even though I did NOT feel tired. When I did get up, I drank a cup of coffee and went on my computer a while before going out. The reason for all this was that I was planning to hike in Nakhal Yo'ash, and I needed to wait until it was a bit lighter out (no streetlights up there!). And so, I parked my car along highway 12 and hiked from about 6:00 until 8:00 a.m., up the Nakhal as far as one can go. It was as beautiful as I had remembered it, and the weather was absolutely perfect. Most of the time, I was hiking in the shade because the narrow canyon runs roughly north-south and there was also virtually no wind, and I was perfectly comfortable wearing short pants, a t-shirt, and shoes and socks. What a lovely, quiet, stunning place that is!

After breakfast, I watched the BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) services from last night, which included trans remembrance and was led by the assistant rabbi together with a trans person. Quite moving.

My friends, Bassia & David, had invited me for lunch today, and they also surprised me by celebrating my birthday. It was very nice, with delicious food and delightful company.

In the early evening, I had another enjoyable talk with my sister-in-law, Joyce, in Ohio.

Friday, 20 November 2015

I went to bed early last night, fell asleep fairly quickly, and slept well, but didn't get up until late, so I didn't go out for a morning walk other than the quick trip down to the bakery to buy challah.

I taught only one 2-unit Berlitz lesson today: 11:00-12:30.

I had soup and some kind of veggie meat in a sandwich for lunch at home today.

Just before the light began to fade from our valley, I lit candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome a new Shabbat.

Later, I walked over to the green strip and sat there for some time, enjoying the lovely evening. Then I walked up to Harim Road and walked all the way to its southern end, petting a couple of friendly cats there before return back home.

I leave you with a verse from Psalm 34 that is meaningful to me at this time:

קרוב יי לנשברי-לב ואת-דכאי-רוח יושיע

Close is the Eternal to the broken-hearted, and the depressed in spirit the Holy One will save.

Thursday, 19 November 2015

I got up bright and early this morning and went for a lovely walk before dawn. There was a definite "chill" in the air this morning, although I was comfortable (but just barely) wearing sandals (no socks), short pants, and a t-shirt.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:30-12:00, 12:00-1:30, 3:00-4:30, and 6:30-8:00.

Between my last 2 classes, I took another walked for more than 40 minutes.

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

I woke up quite tired this morning and so didn't get up until very late. I only went out for a walk AFTER my first lesson.

I taught 7 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 12:00-1:30, 4:00-5:30, and 6:30-8:00.

I had Heinz's beans and vegan weenies, with a salad on the side, for lunch at home today.

After lunch, I decided to take the records (LPs) I'm getting rid of down to the trash. I was actually planning to leave them next to the bin rather than putting them in it, but a woman who happened to be out there stopped me and was interested in them. She lives in Jerusalem, but her son and his family live in an apartment on the ground floor of my building. So I instead left them with her. I was very happy that someone actually wanted them!

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

I slept well and also LONG last night, and didn't get up until 7:00, which is VERY late for me. But, for some reason, I just needed the sleep.

I enjoyed the WIZO English speakers' meeting this morning, as always.

After the meeting, David and Bassia came with me to my house to have a look at the things I have and to talk a bit about what might be useful to bring when the 3 of us move in together. Then I took them home.

I had a vegan breast and tomato sandwich for lunch today, with water to drink and carob-peanut spread on the end-piece of the bread for dessert.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today, all to people in France (in the middle lesson, they actually talked briefly about the terrible attacks in Paris -- one of the 2 students lives in the Paris area): 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30, and 6:30-8:00.

Monday, 16 November 2015

I woke up early this morning and quite well rested, and so I got in a very nice morning walk in really pleasant weather.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00, 2:30-4:00, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had some people who were about to buy my car today. They took it to a mechanic to be checked, and he told them it was in excellent condition. But they didn't have cash, so they said they'd apply to the bank for a loan. However, a little later, the young woman (whose car it was to be) sent me a polite note saying she didn't want it. Actually, I think the bank probably refused to give her a loan. Oh well.

I had a cheese and tomato sandwich, additional cheese, and half a white chocolate bar for lunch at home today.

Sunday, 15 November 2015

I woke up a bit late and tired this morning, but I still went out for a nice morning walk -- very refreshing and invigorating!

I did the weekly grocery shopping at Shufersal today.

In the early afternoon, my friend, Moshe, came over to see which of my records and CDs he might like. He took a few of the records and a larger number of CDs. I also took the opportunity to see which ones I wanted to keep. I threw away the rest of the CDs, and later I'll do the same with the records I don't want.

I had a vegan schnitzel, a salad, a couple of cookies, and a little halva for lunch at home today.

In the evening, 2 women came to look at my car. The younger, who needs a car, took it for a little drive (I went along, of course), and they clearly liked it. Tomorrow, they'll return and take it to a shop to be checked. I think there's a pretty good chance they'll buy it, so I'm happy about that.

Shabbat, 14 November 2015

I slept very well last night but had a little trouble dragging myself out of bed in the morning. Nevertheless, I went out a bit late for a lovely morning walk.

In the late morning, I watched the BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) service from last night and enjoyed it very much.

Before lunch I took a short nap with the warm sun shining on my body through the open bedroom window. It felt wonderful.

I had a cheese and tomato sandwich for lunch at home today.

Between about 3:00 and 4:30, I drove up on highway 12 to Nakhal Shlomo, parked the car just off the road, and walked to the end of the nakhal. It was very nice out, and I felt comfortable wearing just socks and shoes, short pants, and a tank top. Part of the walk was in the sun, but mostly I was in the shade.

In the early evening, I talked with Joyce, David's sister in Ohio.

Friday, 13 November 2015

I had trouble getting to sleep last night, but I eventually did and slept well. However, I didn't get up in time for a walk, and I was also a bit depressed and anxious when I first woke up. I felt better after I got up, though, of course, and I did walk down before breakfast to buy challah for Shabbat.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today, back to back: 10:00-11:30 and 11:30-1:00. The first student was located in the south of France, and the second one in Finland.

I went to an appointment with my psychiatrist today at 1:30, and it was good to be able to talk a little with him about my current crisis. I'm thankful that at least I'm not at all suicidal -- that would REALLY scare me!

I had a simple lunch of vegan weenies wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla, chips and salsa, and another tortilla with carob-peanut spread. For dessert, I ate half of a white chocolate bar.

As the sun was about to disappear from our beautiful valley, I lit candles (and sang the blessing while gazing out the window at the mountains of Edom), drank a little sweet red wine (after singing the blessing while looking the other direction at a mountain in Egypt -- the blessing specifically mentions the exodus from Egypt), and ate a bite of challah to welcome Shabbat.

In the evening, I spent some time composing a message which I plan to send out to a list of close friends and family members, probably tomorrow, telling more details about my current situation. I also plan to post it for friends on Facebook.

I leave you with the first words from the 23rd Psalm, which I took as a personal promise to me this morning when I was feeling anxious:

The Eternal is my shepherd, I will lack nothing     יי רועי לא אחסר

Thursday, 12 November 2015

I got up early this morning and got in a great walk. I even jogged a couple of times (about a block or 2 each) during the walk.

I taught only 4 units of Berlitz lessons today (and the 2nd 2-unit lesson turned out to actually be a late cancellation): 10:00-11:30 and 3:00-4:30.

I showed the car today to someone who was interested, but he thought the mileage was too high and didn't really want a manual. The price he was willing to pay was too low for me to go. At least someone was finally interested in it.

I had a salad and a vegan "chicken" breast sandwich for lunch at home today. I also finished some ice cream that I had.

In the early evening, I took 12 boxes full of books to Fay's place.

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

I got up early this morning and got a nice walk in. My heel seems less sore today, and I wore socks and shoes this morning for the first time in many months. I even jogged a little for 2 short blocks!

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

I received my first call inquiring about the car today. They will probably be looking at it tomorrow.

I had Heinz's beans and little vegan weenies for lunch at home today.

After lunch, I took a bag of shoes to WIZO (and left it there, even though they weren't open). Then I tried to take 4 boxes of books to the library, but they wouldn't accept any. Next, I went to an office supply store to buy more boxes (I bought 10 of them).

Later, I called Fay, and she said I can bring the books to her place. This is good, because I really can't bear to just throw them away.

In the evening, I packed 6 more boxes full of books to give away, and there's still more than enough to fill at least one more box. If I sell my car, I'll have the additional problem of how to get them all to Fay's house.

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

I slept weirdly in the latter part of the night and got up too late to go for a walk. Also, the problem with my right heel is still there, and I still can't tell exactly what it is.

I enjoyed the WIZO meeting this morning, as always. My new friend, Bassia, gave an extemporaneous talk about her love of languages and language-learning. Quite impressive!

I had Brussel sprouts and a cheese-and-tomato sandwich for lunch at home today.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

Monday, 9 November 2015

I woke up early enough to go out for a walk, and I started on it. But my right heel was hurting at the side, and I was afraid that too much walking might make it worse, so I came back home after only walking around the block. I'm still not sure what's wrong with that heal except that it's only on the skin. I don't really SEE anything, though.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30, 11:00-12:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

At my big break, I drove over to the big Shufersal to try to get some empty cardboard boxes, but they had already all been crushed. While I was over in the area, though, I decided to get falafel for lunch at Mercaz Big.

Sunday, 8 November 2015

I got up early this morning and so got in another wonderfully pleasant walk.

In the morning, I drove over to the used car dealer to see if I could sell my car to them. They told me, though, that they don't BUY cars -- they only accept trade-ins. So, that was that. I'll have to continue trying to sell it privately. Today, I lowered the price to 27,000 shekels, which gets you a red 2011 Fiat Panda with a 5-speed manual transmission and about 129,000 km on the odometer. This is WELL under the book price, so grab it quick while it's still available!

After that, I went to Shufersal and did my weekly grocery shopping.

Later in the morning, I refilled the 4 boxes I have with more books to give away, but I didn't take them to the library yet.

For lunch, I had a sandwich with whole-wheat bread, vegan chicken breasts, tomato, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise. It was delicious!

After lunch, I went to the pharmacy to pick up my monthly prescriptions and a couple of other items.

Later on, I sorted through my shoes and flip flops and set aside those that I'll give away.

I had an interesting experience this afternoon. Someone called taking a survey about how I was treated by the police. I generally gave them very high ratings because they were very professional and compassionate in all their dealings with me. I was glad to do this for them, and also pleased that I was able to do it in Hebrew, although the interviewer had to repeat several of the questions before I got what he was asking.

After the sun disappeared between the mountains but before it got dark, I walked over to the green strip and sat there a bit. Than I walked up it, turned left, and walked all the way to the end of Harim Road before returning back home. It was so lovely out!

Shabbat, 7 November 2015

I got up early and got in another lovely walk this morning.

Later in the morning, I watched the BCC service from last night.

I enjoyed a delicious lunch and good conversation with my friends, Basia and David, at their place today.

In the evening, I took 4 boxes brimming full of books to the WIZO book exchange at Fay's house.

Friday, 6 November 2015

I got up early this morning and got in a GREAT morning walk. Such perfect weather for walking! I wore a t-shirt and was comfortable, but a tank top probably would have sufficed. I also walked down a little later to recycle cardboard and buy challah for Shabbat.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00 and 11:30-1:00.

I went with my friend, Basia, to look at an apartment today that she and her husband and I may possibly share. We were quite impressed, and both of us felt that it could meet our needs. There are a number of details to be worked out, but it looks like it may be a great solution for me especially.

I had a can of Mexican-style brown beans for lunch at home. It was just slightly spicy-hot, but very good.

I filled the 4 empty boxes I had with books to be given away today, but it's only a small fraction of the books I intend to get rid of.

At the sun disappeared between the Eilat Mountains this evening, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet wine, and ate a bite of challah to welcome Shabbat.

Some verses about a new beginning, from the beginning of Psalm 40:

קוה קויתי יי ויט אלי וישמע שועתי:

ויעלני מבור שאון מטיט היון ויקם על-סלע רגלי כונן אשרי:

ויתן בפי שיר חדש תהלה לאלהינו

I waited patiently for the Eternal, who bent to me and heard my cry,

And raised me from the pit of despair, from the mire,

and set my feet on the rock and established my footsteps,

And put into my mouth a new song, a prayer to our God.

Thursday, 5 November 2015

I woke up early this morning but didn't feel really good. Also, there was still obviously a lot of dust in the air, so I decided NOT to get up and go for a walk and, instead, lay in bed for about another hour. Pascal (my cat) appreciated the attention that he got as a result. LOL

Today was a VERY long day -- I taught 12 units (NINE hours!) of Berlitz lessons: 9:00-10:30, 10:30-12:00, 12:00-1:30, 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30, and 6:30-8:00.

I ate a simple cheese and tomato sandwich for lunch at home today. After lunch, I continued sorting my books into ones I'll keep and ones I'll give away.

In the afternoon, we got a bit of welcome rain. I had all the windows in the house open most of the day today, including during the rain, and yet I was comfortable sitting shirtless at my desk. Beautiful weather!

On this day 121 years ago, in 1894, my dad, Benton Wareham, was born in Ft. Benton, Montana, a town on the banks of the Missouri River. I have visited there twice, the first time with my family (including my dad) when I was a kid, and the the second time with David, in 2002.

Wednesday, 4 November 2015

I slept a little irregularly last night and didn't feel very good this morning. This is at least partly because I have some kind of cold or sinus disturbance. I'm not sure which yet. In any case, I didn't get out for a walk at all.

I taught 7 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, 2:30-4:00, and 6:30-8:00.

I ate lunch at home and didn't go out at all today except for a short walk to the green strip before my last class. I was feeling a bit depressed today and having some trouble shaking it.

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

I got up early and had a wonderful walk this morning.

I especially enjoyed today's WIZO meeting. A woman told us about and led us in a session of "laugh yoga", and it was really great!

I had an appointment with the urologist today, and he checked my prostate. He told me that it is NOT enlarged and ordered another PSA test to be done in 2 months. The only reason for the visit was that my PSA level in the test a couple of weeks ago was 6.2, whereas the top of the "normal" range is supposed to be 4.

I ate a cheese and tomato sandwich for lunch at home today.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lesson today: 3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:30.

Monday, 2 November 2015

I slept quite well last night but woke up tired and got up late. So I didn't go out for a walk at all.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:00-11:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had to resolve a problem with my ISP that was causing me not to be able to get to the Berlitz website at all. The tech person from Berlitz gave me a work-around so that I could teach my first lesson, but I had to get on the phone to HOT Net to get the Berlitz site unblocked. This happened once before, as well, and I have NO idea why.

My friend and I ate lunch today at the Gulf Restaurant and then spent a little additional time together. She got the good news that her husband will be released from the hospital and will return home tomorrow.

Sunday, 1 November 2015

I got up early this morning and had a wonderful walk. I was very comfortable the whole time in a t-shirt, short pants, and sandals.

After breakfast, I did the weekly grocery shopping at Shufersal.

During the day, I managed to sort out the things to keep and the things to get rid of in David's desk and its bookcases and in 3 of the 4 bookcases in my office.

In the evening, I went over and spent some time with my new friend, Basia. The company was good for both of us.