Wednesday, 30 November 2016

I got up quite early this morning but didn't go out for a walk.

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

I did some grocery shopping before lunch.

My lunch consisted of a salad, 2 beets, and beans and weenies.

In the afternoon, I took a long walk up into the nearby hills, taking plenty of pictures. The sky was mostly covered with clouds, but I still got so warmed up from hiking that I took my shirt off for most of the walk. Of course I took many pictures, including today's pic of the day, a great view of Eilat and the Red Sea:

Just as I was almost home, it began to sprinkle. Before that, there had only been a few random drops from time to time. I was glad that I was nearly home!

I walked a total of 6.1 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

I got up a bit late and fairly tired this morning and didn't go out for an early-morning walk. Later, though, I did walk to the weekly English speakers' meeting at WIZO, of course.

We had a local representative at WIZO this week from the organization, "Women Waging Peace", who told us about their activities and showed us a movie, called "Pray the Devil Back to Hell", about how the women of Liberia were able to end the violence and conflict in their country.

Afterwards, I walked home a much longer way, even going up into the hills and following a bicycle trail for a while. I took several pictures along the way, including today's pic of the day showing some lovely bougainvillea up the street from my place in several different colors:

I had 2 tomatoes, a yellow bell pepper, a cucumber, and quesadillas (cheese in tortillas) for lunch.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 2:45-3:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I walked a total of 4.1 kilometers today.

Monday, 28 November 2016

I actually took today's pic of the day on my long walk on Shabbat. It's a view of the Nakhal Garuf Promenade (and surrounding area) as seen for a high hill aligned with the lower part of it southeast of it (the lower end of the promenade is just left of the center of the picture):

I got up very slowly and rather late this morning and so didn't go out for a morning walk at all.

I taught 9 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 9:45-11:15, 11:15-12:45, 2:30-4:00, and 4:00-5:30.

I had a salad, plus the rest of yesterday's soup with rice added to thicken it, for lunch.

I went for a long walk around the big loop, somewhat extended, this evening after my last class. I felt a bit tired, though, and rested 4 different times. Still, it was a good walk.

I walked a total of 6 kilometers today.

Sunday, 27 November 2016

I got up a bit late this morning and waited until after breakfast to walk. Then, I walked into town to do several things. First, I had to go to have my blood drawn to measure the how well the Coumadin (blood thinner) is working. Then I walked to the downtown SuperPharm to buy a couple of items. Finally, I went to the pet store near the bank to get cat food and a mouse for Goldfinger. I walked home fairly slowly, mostly because of all I was carrying and the fact that it was uphill. I took some pictures along the way, including today's pic of the day:

I had soup and cheese for lunch today, and then ate a couple more big bowls of the soup later in the afternoon. I had set it to cooking early in the morning in the crock pot, the first time I've used it since moving.

In the evening, I walked down to Fay's house for our weekly play-reading group. We started reading Tennessee Williams' famous play, "The Glass Menagerie" this evening, and it was very enjoyable.

I walked a total of 7.1 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 26 November 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but didn't go out for a walk because it was still pretty chilly out.

I started a load of laundry before breakfast. When it was done, I hung it out to dry on the racks in the hallway, and then I set out on a long morning walk. Now that the weather has cooled considerably, I can walk even in the middle of the day in the sun without overheating. I wore socks and shoes, short pants, and a t-shirt. I still got into the shade, though, when I could.

I walked down Argaman until just past the 60+ center, and then I cut over one short block, eventually coming out on Khativat HaNegev. Along that route, I captured today's pic of the day, a couple of really nice flowers high up in the sunlight:

I continued walking on Khativat HaNegev over into the Rova 6 area of the Shakhamon neighborhood (Shakhamon, as a whole, accounts for probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the entire city of Eilat, I think). Then I wandered around a bit in Rova 6. This is an area that is mostly not built yet, although the streets and most of the lots are pretty well laid out. A few buildings, especially apartment buildings, were completed before I moved to Eilat, and some houses have recently been completed, but there are LOTS of houses currently under construction, most of them unique designs and quite impressive.

I found one small group of tract houses near the center of Rova 6 (all being built on the same plan), and I walked into one of them that was partly done and had a look around. I thought it was very nice -- 4 bedrooms (one downstairs), an attached garage, a beautiful 2-story-high living room, a spacious upstairs balcony off the master suite, and a small, irregular L-shaped swimming pool. Here's a link to the page where the real estate agency is selling them. Exploring this house was the first major serendipity of this walk, but not the last.

I continued wandering around the area and eventually walked up the road at the south end, along the side of Nakhal Garuf. They've begun developing some sort of a strip park or promenade up there next to the road -- it's not clear exactly what it will be, but I'm sure it will be nice.

At the west end, the road goes down to connect with other roads, but I followed a somewhat precarious trail up the rocky hill there all the way to the peak. The views from up there are GREAT and would be even better on a day without haze. Today, however, I could barely see Aqaba (although yesterday would have been worse -- we couldn't see the Jordanian mountains at all!). Of course, I took quite a few pictures (check them out on Facebook if you're interested). Making it up this peak, which I hadn't really planned, was the 2nd serendipity of the day (and still not the last!).

The trail down the west side of the hill was steeper and rougher, but much shorter since it didn't have to go down nearly as far. I took it carefully, though, and had no mishaps. This got me to a large flat area that had obviously been leveled when they built the nearby apartments. Since this area is at the same level as about the 3rd or 4th floor of the apartment building, a couple of apartments at that end have large gardens with gates out to the open area.

In order to continue downward, I had to go around a construction site where they're building a new fire station at the very end of Sheshet HaYamim. From there, I could start up the Nakhal Garuf Promenade, where I encountered the 3rd serendipity: hundreds of beautiful butterflies flitting around everywhere! Of course, I snapped LOTS of pictures, some of which I later discarded because they weren't very good.

I didn't go all the way up the promenade this time. Instead, I took a short-cut up Ya'akov Avinu Street to Harim Road, on which I started heading back home. I stopped several times along the way, though, to crop photos, to rest, and to photograph yet another butterfly, near the Shakhamon high-rises, who stayed put much longer, allowing me to get closer, and was also well-positioned, with some delicate purple flowers nearby and a dark background behind. That was the 4th serendipity of the day. Here's one of my pics of this one:

After I got home and rested a while, I fixed lunch: a salad and eggs and rice, my usual for Shabbat.

In the afternoon, I mostly relaxed and even dozed a little. I also talked for more than an hour with David's sister, Joyce, and her husband, in Ohio.

I walked a total of 8.6 kilometers today.

Friday, 25 November 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but didn't go out for an early walk except to buy challah since it was a bit chilly out. Actually, though, I ended up having to walk up to the bakery TWICE because they didn't have the challah the first time.

I was scheduled to teach 5 units of Berlitz lessons today, but the 2nd lesson (2 units) turned out to be a late cancellation (which I only found out about after waiting 35 minutes), and the 3rd lesson turned out to be a no-show (for which, of course, I had to wait an hour): 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

I got all the weekly chores done early, thanks to the late cancellation.

I had a salad and weenies with ketchup wrapped in tortillas for lunch, plus 4 bread sticks.

I took a short nap in my chair after lunch, and then I went out for a walk for over an hour. There was so much dust in the air today that we couldn't even see Aqaba or the Jordanian mountains. But it did allow me to get some nice pictures, including today's pic of the day, a silhouette of the setting sun from the little park between the Shakhamon towers and the highway 12 (dolphin) kikar:

After returning home, I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome another Shabbat.

I walked a total of 5.8 kilometers today.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day in the United States, but in Jewish tradition, EVERY day begins with this prayer of thanksgiving:

מודה אני לפנך, מלך חיי וקיים, שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה, רבה אמונתך

I give thanks to you, living and enduring Ruler, who has graciously returned my soul within me. How great is your faithfulness!

Thursday, 24 November 2016

I woke up fairly early this morning and decided to go out for a walk. I didn't quite have time for the big loop, but I did walk all the out to the end of Harim Road and back, taking just over an hour. I took some cool silhouettes against the rising sun on the way back, one of which is today's pic of the day:

I taught 9 units of Berlitz lessons today (except that one 2-unit lesson ended up being only 1 unit because the student had thought that that's all it was): 9:15-11:30, 12:00-1:30, 3:30-5:00 (but actually only to about 4:20), and 7:00-8:30.

I had a salad and veggie burger/cheese sandwiches for lunch.

In the early evening, I took a full walk around the big loop, even slightly extended.

I walked a total of 10.2 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

I woke up and got up quite early, but I didn't go out for a walk before breakfast. After breakfast, however, I walked the long way over to an appointment with my doctor at 9:00, and then walked back the other way, effectively going all the way around the big loop. On my way back, I also talked again with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv. I also took some nice pictures, including today's pic of the day, with a tree and a bicycle in Nakhal Shakhamon:

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 11:00-12:30, 3:30-5:00, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

After my first lesson, I did some grocery shopping.

I had a salad and rice and beans for lunch.

I walked a total of 6.3 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Today's pic of the day is actually one I took last night as I walked on the Ibn Gabirol bridge over the river in Tel Aviv on my way back to the airport:

After yesterday's long day and lots of walking, I slept very well last night but didn't wake up very early.

I walked over to WIZO this morning and didn't even go the shortest way. There was still enough of a cloud cover to block much of the sun's heat, and so it was very pleasant. I even wore a t-shirt instead of a tank top.

Our program at WIZO today was a fun game of Trivial Pursuits, pitting the women (14 of them) against the men (only 7 of us). The rules were a bit flexible, but we managed to come out at a tie, which seems appropriate.

It was a little warmer walking home, but I still took an even more circuitous route. I was talking to my friend, David, in Tel Aviv most of the way home.

I had a large salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 2:45-3:30, 4:30-6:00, and 6:00-7:30.

I walked a total of 3.7 kilometers today.

Monday, 21 November 2016

I got up just after 4:30 this morning and was out walking to the airport a few minutes after 5:00. I ate a challah from last Friday night and some cashews for breakfast as I walked down. Since I didn't bring anything to drink with me, I chewed very thoroughly and ate quite slowly. Of course, when I got to the airport, I drank some water.

The flight to Tel Aviv is always fun. We go up the Arava all the way to the Dead Sea. Then, near the northern end of it, we begin our descent to Tel Aviv as we bank steeply left and descend over the northern part of Jerusalem (and probably Ramallah, as well), passing north of the Ben Gurion airport (Israel's main one) and continuing out over the Mediterranean Sea to circle around and make the final descent and approach to Sde Dov, the small airport in northern Tel Aviv.

After landing, I walked to the Souraski/Ichilov Medical Center, taking a number of pictures along the way, mostly flowers. I also took today's pic of the day, a silhouette against the morning sun formed by some tall apartment buildings very near the airport:

I arrived more than an hour before my appointment time and checked in, but, of course, they had to take the people with appointments before mine in first anyway, and I ended up not getting in to see the doctor until nearly an hour and a half after my appointment time. It was a little boring waiting, but I managed to entertain myself fairly well.

The doctor did exactly what I expected and will set up new appointments with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist who, in turn, will schedule my surgery, which will probably take place somewhere around a month from now.

After the appointment, I walked over to the Tel Aviv Gay Center in Gan Me'ir (not far from Diezengoff Center), where I met my friend, David, who was attending a regular meeting of a gay seniors group he's a member of. I got to meet some of his friends from the group (who, of course, could not believe that I was 64, LOL).

Then David took me out to eat at a restaurant near his place, and of course we chatted a lot. All in all, I enjoyed a very pleasant day with him.

In the evening, I walked from his place back up to the airport and caught my flight home. I decided to take a bus home rather than walking, mostly for time's sake. I arrived home just after 9:00.

I walked a total of 15.1 kilometers today.

Sunday, 20 November 2016

I woke up and got up early this morning but didn't go out for a walk because I knew I'd be doing plenty of walking later in the day.

After breakfast, I walked down to get a mouse for Goldfinger. I deliberately didn't walk the shortest route either direction. There was a light overcast, enough to see the sun but also enough that much of its heat was blocked. I took some lovely pictures of flowers and also today's pic of the day, a crow strutting on the sidewalk:

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch.

Most of the day, I was quite lazy, knowing that I'll have a long day tomorrow in Tel Aviv.

In the evening, I walked down to Fay's house for our weekly play-reading group.

I walked a total of 7.4 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 19 November 2016

I didn't get up early this morning, but I went for a long walk around the big loop after breakfast. I took a number of pictures along the way, including today's pic of the day, this nice view of White Mountain and upper Nakhal Shakhamon:

I had my usual eggs and rice for lunch (plus a salad, of course).

Most of the day, I just relaxed and took it easy, including a short nap or two. In the late afternoon, I had a nice chat with David's sister, Joyce, in Ohio.

In the evening, I went for another walk around the big loop, slightly extended in a couple of places. I also stopped and worked out for a little while in one of the outdoor gyms (on Sheshet HaYamim, near Ein Netafim).

I walked a total of 12.3 kilometers today.

Friday, 18 November 2016

I got up fairly early this morning, but I only went for a short walk, stopping to buy challah on the way back. Unfortunately, they didn't have the whole-wheat kind, so I had to buy the other. I took a few nice pictures, including today's pic of the day, the sunrise from just in front of my gate:

I was scheduled to teach 3 units of Berlitz lessons today, but the second student was unable to enter the classroom successfully due to internet connection problems on his end.

I got all the weekly chores done between my lessons this morning.

I had a large salad, beans and a few weenies (there were 7 left in the package), and some cookies for lunch.

I just relaxed and even napped a little in my chair this afternoon. It's been a busy week!

As the daylight began to fade, I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome Shabbat.

Then I headed out for a long walk (further than the big loop). I walked down to the newest area of Shakhamon, where there are many beautiful new houses and many more still under construction. There's a path that cuts across the area, going up and down over the ridges. I walked up 96 steps, down 125 steps, and up 46 more steps, and all of this was in a lower area, so I had to walk up the road just to get back to Sheshet HaYamim. It was very enjoyable, though.

I walked a total of 8.7 kilometers today.

Thursday, 17 November 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but still decided not to go out for a walk.

I taught 9 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-11:30, 12:00-1:30, 2:30-4:00, and 5:00-6:30. Today's pic of the day shows Pascal keeping me company during a lesson:

I had a salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch.

After my last lesson, I went for a long walk around the big loop, extended in a couple of places.

I walked a total of 6.7 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

I didn't try to get up early this morning because I knew I'd have time later in the day for walking.

I was scheduled to teach 6 units of Berlitz lessons today, but the first lesson (2 units) was canceled after the tech support tried unsuccessfully for a whole unit (45 minutes) to get the students' headsets working. I still get paid for the 2 units, of course. The lesson times were: 9:30-11:00 (which I was actually able to leave at about 10:15), 3:30-5:00, and 7:00-8:30.

I took advantage of the extra time in the morning to walk around the big loop, somewhat modified to minimize time in the sun. I took some lovely pictures of flowers and of Nakhal Shakhamon. One of the latter is today's pic of the day:

I had a salad, cheese and tomato sandwiches, breadsticks, and some carob-peanut spread for lunch.

In the early evening, I took another walk for over 50 minutes, going the opposite direction on Sheshet HaYamim.

I walked a total of 9.6 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

I got up a little late this morning, but I still went out walking for about half an hour. I took several pictures of the sunrise, including today's pic of the day, a few minutes before the sun actually appeared, as seen from Harim Road looking down Yahel Street:

I walked over to the WIZO English-speakers' meeting and back, as well, again taking several pictures (flowers and a crow). Today, we had a nice presentation on the history of Israel and its problems and conflicts. Afterwards, I also stopped and bought an item at Shufersal. I was a little disappointed, though, that I couldn't use my gift card from Berlitz there. I was hoping I could use it anywhere, but I may be limited to overpriced chain clothing stores (and I really don't need any new clothes). Oh well, beggars can't be choosers, right?

I had my usual Shabbat lunch for lunch today: eggs and rice. That's because I was at Gladys's for lunch last Shabbat.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 2:45-3:30, 4:30-6:00, 6:15-7:00, and 7:00-8:30.

I walked a total of 5.4 kilometers.

Monday, 14 November 2016

I got up late this morning and didn't go out for a walk.

I taught 11 units (8.25 hours) of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 9:45-11:15, 11:15-12:45, 4:00-5:30, 5:30-7:00, and 7:00-8:30.

I had beans and weenies, corn on the cob, and a salad for lunch.

After lunch I took a long walk only a little shorter than the big loop, taking several pictures along the way, including today's pic of the day, a view of the new synagogue along Harim Road as seen from below:

I walked a total of 5 kilometers today.

Sunday, 13 November 2016

I didn't even plan to get up early this morning. I actually woke up fairly early, but I lay in bed quite a long time, not really feeling particularly tired or sleepy, but thinking, planning, relaxing, and just enjoying a quiet, slow beginning for my day.

After breakfast (a little later than usual) I headed into town. First, I needed to withdraw money from my U.S. account to put into my Israeli account. Then I headed over to the pet store (very near the bank) to buy a mouse, which, luckily, they had this week. I then headed home. Along the way, I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, which I think is the best I've gotten yet of these tiny white flowers that are blooming everywhere now:

I had a salad, quesadillas, beets, and 4 bread sticks for lunch.

In the evening, I took a long circuitous walk to Fay's house, making sure to stop by the post office to pick up a Rosh HaShana gift that Berlitz had sent me some time back, which turned out to be an card with 250 shekels loaded onto it. That will definitely come in handy! Finally, I arrived at Fay's for our weekly play-reading group.

I walked a total of 7.4 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 12 November 2016

Since I got back late last night, I went to bed late and got up late this morning.

I managed to get a load of laundry done this morning. It's still out on the drying racks in the hallway to my apartment since I haven't taken the time to put it away yet.

For lunch, Gladys invited me to her place. She's a 91-year-old American who has lived in Eilat for decades and whom I know from WIZO. This was the first time I've been to her apartment. She also invited "the boys", 2 brothers from England who have an apartment here in Eilat and come here for extended visits twice a year. She and they are very close. On my walk down there and back, and took some nice flower pictures, including today's pic of the day:

In the afternoon, I got a small amount of work done on my symphony. I'm still a little unsure about exactly how it should go now, and I'm worried that it's beginning to wander a bit.

Later, I talked with David's sister and her husband in Ohio. They've been keeping quite busy, and we all enjoyed a nice chat.

After that, I walked down to Fay's book exchange night at her house. These are always fun social events for me even though I rarely even look much at the books and never bring any home with me.

When I left there, I took a very LONG way home, going way over into Shakhamon and past my old place before coming back on Harim Road. It was so LOVELY out this evening! Of course, this means I'm going to bed very late again tonight, but it was worth it.

I walked a total of 9 kilometers today.

Friday, 11 November 2016

Last night I woke up to pee a little before 1:00 and then couldn't get back to sleep for about 2 hours (for no known reason). I stayed in bed, though. But, of course, I got up quite late. I only went out to buy challah before breakfast. Today's pic of the day is the view I got immediately after stepping out of my gate this morning:

I taught 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 11:30-1:00.

Between the 2 lessons I got all the weekly household chores done.

In the evening, I took a fairly long walk and then ended up at David & Bassia's place for a lovely evening meal. They also made a point of celebrating my birthday (4 days early).

I walked a total of 6.1 kilometers today.

Thursday, 10 November 2016

I woke up and got up fairly early this morning, and I went for a walk around the big loop just slightly contracted. Not only was the walk itself very enjoyable, but I also arrived at the Sheshet HaYamim bridge across Nakhal Shakhamon precisely in time to catch the most colorful view of the eastern sky, including today's pic of the day:

I taught 11 units (8.25 hours!) of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-11:30, 12:00-1:30, 2:30-4:00, 4:30-6:00, and 7:00-8:30.

I had a salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch.

Before my last lesson, I took another short walk (about 20 minutes).

I walked a total of 7.3 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

I'm getting to bed later than usual lately because I've been having more and more lessons that run to 8:00 or 8:30, and I find that I can't just go to bed immediately; I need to unwind a bit first. The result is that I then get up late, too, of course. This isn't all bad, though. In fact, it's now getting a little chilly to be out walking early in the morning, and, on the other hand, it great to walk in the evening and even, sometimes, in the middle of the day.

I did get out and do some grocery shopping after breakfast this morning but before my first lesson.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lesson today: 9:30-11:00, 11:00-12:30, 3:30-5:00, and 6:45-8:15.

I had a nice salad (fresh salad greens, cucumber, tomato, and sunflower seeds) and veggie burgers and cheese in a pita with ketchup.

After lunch, I scanned the first play from a book of plays that Bassia bought in New Orleans. Then I e-mailed to another member of our play-reading group who will print it out for us.

Before my last class, I went for a nice walk for more than 45 minutes. I took a little time out to pet 3 cats who soaked it up.

I walked a total of 3.9 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

I was about to get up reasonably early this morning when Pascal came in to snuggle with me, so I petted him, relaxed, slept a little more, and got up quite late. It was a good morning, though. :-)

I walked to WIZO today, and I was also the program there. I talked about some of my experiences walking around town and gave them a slide show of one of the nicest pedestrian walkways that I have found. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

After that, I walked down to the computer shop where they were just finishing up fixing my computer. I paid them 220 shekels, which is very reasonable, and brought the computer home with me. I'm really happy to have my main computer working again!

I had a salad of cucumber, red bell pepper, tomato, and sunflower seeds (with 1000 island dressing) and vegetarian "grilled breasts" for lunch.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 2:45-3:30, 6:15-7:00, and 7:00-8:30.

After my first class, I went for a long walk around the big loop but extended somewhat. In particular, I walked out to a couple of hills in Shakhamon to take some nice dusk pictures of Aqaba, the Red Sea, and Eilat. Today's pic of the day is one of them:

I walked a total of 11.1 kilometers today.

Monday, 7 November 2016

I got to bed late and tired last night and so also got up late this morning and went for no morning walk.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:00-11:30, 4:00-5:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had a cucumber, a tomato, and weenie sandwiches with ketchup for lunch.

In the evening, before my last class, I walked out Harim Road to the end of the sidewalk (just before the new synagogue) and back.

I walked a total of 4.3 kilometers today.

Sunday, 6 November 2016

I deliberately didn't get up early this morning because I knew I'd be doing plenty of walking later in the day.

I walked down to the Soleil Boutique Hotel for the WIZO breakfast this morning and really enjoyed it. Today's pic of the day shows the whole group except for one who was out smoking (I think) and was taken by one of the servers (using my phone):

Afterwards, I walked over to the pharmacy and picked up my monthly prescriptions, went to the computer store to talk about my computer's problem, and tried to get a mouse for Goldfinger (but the store did't have any). Then I took a bus home.

Since I had a big, late breakfast, I didn't really eat lunch at all. I just ate a few macadamia nuts and some carob-peanut spread.

In the afternoon, I took my Mac that is having the problem down to the Mors computer place (traveling by bus, of course), and they will try to fix it.

I hung around in that area for a while, browsing the stores and enjoying the beautiful weather. Then I walked on back home.

In the evening, I walked down to Fay's house for our resumed weekly play-reading group. We started reading and read most of Lysistrata, a play written more than 24 centuries ago by Aristophanes that is as relevant as ever, and quite a bit of fun.

I walked a total of 8 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 5 November 2016

I got up a little late this morning, but I still went out for a long walk. This time, I walked up bicycle trails in the nearby hills, all the way to a table and flag along a ridge with a fabulous view of Eilat, Aqaba, the Red Sea, and the Eilat Mountains, especially White Mountain. Of course I took a lot of pictures, mostly of the mountains (because the ones of Eilat were against the rising sun). This selfie, with White Mountain in the background) is today's pic of the day:

I had my usual eggs and rice for lunch, plus a couple of beets.

In the afternoon, I had a nice talk with David's sister and her husband in Ohio.

In the evening, I took a walk around the big loop, somewhat extended. I wore flip-flops, short pants, and a tank top and was perfectly comfortable the whole way.

Exactly 122 years ago today, my father, Benton Wareham z"l, was born in Ft. Benton, Montana.

I walked a total of 12.1 kilometers today.

Friday, 4 November 2016

I got up late this morning and so only walked up to buy challah before breakfast.

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

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch.

After lunch, I finished doing the weekly chores.

In the evening, I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome Shabbat.

After that, I immediately set out on a walk around the big loop with several extensions. I took a number of pictures, including today's pic of the day, the magical evening sky with the last light of the sun, the crescent moon, and the evening star (which must surely be a planet) of Nakhal Garuf:

I walked a total of 7 kilometers today.

I leave you this evening with a prayer of thanksgiving from the Amidah, the central part of nearly all Jewish services:

מודים אנחנו לך,

שאתה הוא יי אלהינו ואלהי אבותינו ואמותינו לעולם ועד.

צור חיינו, מגן ישענו אתה הוא.

לדור ודור נודה לך, נספר תהלתך,

על-חיינו המסורים בידך, ועל-נשמותינו הפקודות לך,

ועל-נסיך שבכל-יום עמנו, ועל-נפלאותיך וטובותיך שבכל-עת,

ערב ובקר וצהרים.

הטוב כי לא-כלו רחמיך, והמרחם כי לא-תמו חסדיך,

מעולם קוינו לך.

ועל כלם יתברך ויתרומם שמך, מלכנו, תמיד לעולם ועד.

וכל החיים יודוך סלה,

ֿויהללו את שמך באמת, האל, ישועתנו ועזרתנו סלה.

ברוך אתה, יי, הטוב שמך, ולך נאה להודות.

We give thanks to You,

That you are Adonai our God and God of our fathers and mothers forever.

The Rock of our lives, and the Shield of our salvation are You.

From generation to generation we will give thanks to You, and will relate your praises,

For our lives which are in Your hands, for our souls which are in your charge,

For Your miracles that are with us every day, for Your wonders and favors at all times,

Evening and morning and noontime.

How good that your mercy never ceases, how merciful that your kindness is real,

We have always trusted You.

So for all of this, may Your Name be blessed and exalted, Our Ruler, always and forever.

And all Life will give thanks to You,

And will truly praise Your Name, God, our Salvation and our Help.

Blessed are You, Adonai, Goodness is Your Name, and to You are due all thanks.

Thursday, 3 November 2016

I was like a naughty child last night refusing to go to bed. I actually didn't go that late, but it was later than usual for me, and so I also got up late and didn't go out for a walk this morning.

I taught 7 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-11:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I did a little grocery shopping at the Elimelech Supermarket after my morning class.

I had a salad, beans and weenies, and some labaneh (a kind of soft white cheese) for lunch.

In the afternoon, I had the feedback session for my lesson yesterday that was observed. As I already knew myself, the lesson didn't go very well, but I think the guy giving me the feedback did manage to give me some useful help. I hope that I'll be able to apply it well.

I walked a total of only 0.33 kilometers.

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

I got up a little late this morning but still went for a medium-length walk. I took quite a few pictures. Since there were some clouds to the east, I hoped for some nice sunrise color, but there wasn't very much. Still, the pictures are nice, including today's pic of the day:

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-10:00, 3:30-5:00, and 5:00-7:30.

After my first lesson, I walked down to the optometrist's to get my picture taken for my renewed driver's license, which will be mailed to me.

On the walk down and the walk back up, I went along my favorite walkway. In both directions, I took quite a few pictures that can serve as a sort of "tour" of the walkway. I've both both sets (one for each direction) publicly on Facebook.

I had vegetarian "chicken breast" pieces, a salad, and 4 breadsticks for lunch.

My 3:30 lesson is to be observed. It was a little rough in spots, which I'm not happy about, but that's just how it went. In the great scheme of things, it won't really matter much.

I walked a total of 5.9 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

I got up early this morning and took a nice walk around the big loop, somewhat extended. I took several pictures and a video, including today's pic of the day, the Red Sea and Aqaba in the very early light, as seen from the Sheshet HaYamim bridge over Nakhal Shakhamon:

I walked to the WIZO meeting this morning, where, in addition to our usual socializing, Sharona led us in a singalong with lyrics on the screen. I actually knew a couple of the songs, and we all had a great time. Afterwards, I walked back home by a somewhat more circuitous route.

I had a salad, weenies wrapped in tortillas, and 3 slices of bread for lunch.

I was scheduled to teach only one unit of Berlitz today, but no one actually showed up: 2:45-3:30. The reason for all of this is that today was All Saints' Day, which is a big holiday in most of Europe.

I managed to call and find out what I needed to do to get my renewed driver's license. It turns out that I needed to go to an automated machine located at the SuperPharm in Mercaz Big to pay via credit card, so I walked down there in the evening and did it. The machine issued me a temporary license, and then I need to go back to the optician's to get my picture taken. I'll try to get that done tomorrow morning. Before leaving the area, I visited 2 health food stores there and bought myself some nice goodies. I walked up to the bus stop by the university, from which I caught the number 2 bus the rest of the way home.

I walked a total of 13.9 kilometers today.