Happy New Decennia :D

Trying to unwind from some strains other people experience as freedom.... Will take some time. Is also very complicated because of the situation. When two things one yearns for most are conflicting life can become complex. But OK: here's a new decennia just begun and Hope is a never ending build-in feature with me so.... Let's start this new year with a short reflection on the last few days, photo-wise:

"Kitty" - a feisty kitten getting thru to you by aggressive behavior what still is endearing seen the circumstances this little creature has to survive - was waiting for a ride on the moto parked behind our apartment building, as can be seen. "Chicks" are described as 'pussycats' sometimes and I couldn't but imagine her wearing the typical outfit of the '60s when rock-n-roll movies featured many scenes of 'pussycats' strongly holding on to their 'hero' - the moto driver:

This is the tree they planted in Bialik street I have photos of earlier in this blog. Following up on it (as I then wrote I would do) shows it really is in rather poor condition. Perhaps it's only the 'winter' (ahum) but I doubt it.

Yesterday I was in a 'rebelling' mood and decided that after my dentist appointment I wasn't going to get back to work (to two of the three jobs I hold in order to keep my head above water - which I still hardly do, due to 'bizbuziem') and walked straight on to the Nemaal (but took these shots on the way there because they look so terribly tender and sweet - those little creatures, both pigeons and sparrows - have no idea how much they warm my heart by the mere existence of them) - First the 'bathing ritual' series:

Ms.Cat was surprised to see me. I usually don't come to the Nemaal anymore on weekdays (due to the obvious reasons) - and, though I doubt she knows what day it is, she still looked at me in surprise when she saw me. Actually ... she was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to the Nemaal - I hadn't seen her last Shabbat because the 'other thing' that I yearn for took precedence and I wanted to give her her can of food, she has started to look out for. No photos tho.... I decided against it because actually it is all a repeat of the 'same-same' - HOWEVER(!) gorgeous sea and gorgeous skies tempted me into sharing the following sights:

As can be seen there were very few people around and that's how I like the Nemaal the most. When it's cramping up with people on Shabbat's it actually is quite horrible. No difference between any other place people come to see people.... Iechss.

Of course, on my way to the Nemaal I had to pass the place this crazy Israeli was sitting in his ice-cube trying to and succeeding in breaking the Guinness record - though he couldn't be seen through the thick layers of ice that constituted the walls of his cube. If you read Hebrew (or want to see his 'coming out') click on this sentence.

And so.... life goes on. Another year, another decennia... who knows what will happen and which surprises this decennia may held in store... The last decennia proved that something I feared all my life (and that soon will be 53 years my dears) and tried to avoid happened anyway and I am still alive. Is Life intended to show us something?

Hanuka and other things

Here's a mini-reportage of the last 3 days:

Thursday we went to see the lighting of the 7th Hanuka candle at the Western Wall. It was b-l-i-s-s!!! A rainy, windy day - but my heart kept me warm because I was with the one I want to be with the most. It was a lengthy and tiring traveling day but the moments at the Western Wall were 'memory made' material. Some photos... Of the Wall, the women dancing, the Rav Amar who lit the 7th candle and some of Jerusalem 'on the way'.

"The Wall" is magic by night. It had me impressed and in awe.

Today I set out around noon on my route to the Nemaal. I didn't like it. Many cars, many people. Nothing of the things I like so much when walking to the Nemaal early in the mornings. But --- the sea was wild. Totally wild. And... brown. Well here are the photos. Seagulls included :)

Se'araat Regashot....

Vin, pain et du Boursin

That't what I'm consuming at this moment. Except for the pain (due to dietary reasons - I have gained 10 kilo in less than 5 months, grrrrr). I found a great tasting semi-dry red wine (which isn't easy to find in Israel I have come to the conclusion) and I am eating the Boursin 'au fine herbes' I bought y'day. So, life is good you would say. Well, I don't want to complain too much anymore. So: yes, life is good. However it's not due to the Boursin et la Vin. It's because of those truly MAGNIFICENT skies and the unbelievably majestic sea - that I am in trance right now. I'm high. Yes, I really am.

Today was a 'windy' day. I realized how windy exactly when I reached the coast. When, in Dutch, they say "lekker doorwaaien" - that's what happened with me today. The wind was that strong that it literally blew right through me. And, with the roaring, wild sea and the totally impressive skies above me, I felt like I had been absorbed by nature. Became one with it. Which is a truly wonderful feeling....

I took too many photos of course. I will place some here with captions. I did want to mention one thing that isn't in line with the character of this blog though because it sounds political. I am totally embarrassed to look at those settlers in Judea and Samaria. It's why I prefer to watch movies these days instead of watching the news on t.v. I cannot be of help or have influence on anybody but, if I could I would like those who set fire on a mosque in a village not far from Tapuach (Jewish settlement) "if you complain about barbarism from the side of the arabs here in this country - why is it that you behave exactly in the same manner you are blaming them for?" I'll 'let go' now - but yes, I am angry. Bet that if they'd find out I am a gioret not keeping all mitzvot they'll revert to me by saying "you're not really jewish". Sad hey?

Flowers that seem to be rotting. Or, what is this? They're so beautiful but have this juicy, very dark substance at the heart of them:

I then saw a 'christmas tree' in one of the gardens of Abba Hillel st. (I will be posting photos of my Chanukah candles later this week because I already feel guilty mentioning the Christmas tree just because I saw it already - what a life of being accused of all evil all the time can lead to *sad* )

And this is its 'fruit'

Now I saw a white breasted Kingfisher. He came flying out of nowhere and landed on the railing of a laundry line. What a "laundry' to find!!! The first photo is him zoomed in and the other showing how it looks like from afar. Such a delight to have this little creature land on your 'lines':

Rose gardens are always associated to promises when I see those rose gardens (there aren't too many around) - I dreamed about my ex last night. Once I thought I'd get a Rose Garden but it's true: he never promised me one of those..... The bloody thing is that I didn't expect to be thrown in the gutters as well while all the while smooth-talking me. The shit was coming but I didn't (or refused to) see it :( What I'd like to ask is "am I not worth a rose-garden?"

Now. First there will be a series of photos of sights I saw today that had me feeling so humble, so small and feeling so truly lucky to be able to witness those. It is in absolute awe I stand and watch these phenomenal performances in Nature.

The sea was wild. The wind did that to him, I think. There were far less people around on the boardwalk than usual on Shabbats. I like that :-) I went as far up as to the new tayelet near Reading. They had closed the hole we could creep through last week. A man standing there and we both complaining about that asked if I was a professional photographer. I felt I started to shine but had to answer him truthfully "I wish!!". Here are some photos of the sea, both from near Reading and from near My Mezah....

I know this blog must be pretty boring to whoever reads it :-) It's repeating itself over and over again. It's just that I am so wanting to connect and share these wonderful feelings I have and hope others who read this have when seeing those wondrous sights. To me it's like I disappear... I feel absorbed in something much larger and more important than me (even to myself). I wish to share this. But am not sure people can actually share the same feelings...

The following are photos of seagulls and other birds - Lately I have developed a true admiration for birds. I love their freedom and their instinct to survive while flying as if they're floating on the currents of the winds... Like I would like to do:

Well, that gives a bit of insight into 'my world'. There are two more photos I forgot to mention. One of my one and only Ms. Cat (who's getting fatter and fatter all the time and after me feeding her once a week -I wish I could do this every day- with a can of liver didn't want to leave me today... I felt so sad to have to tell her to return to her own spot when she walked with me until almost the end of the wavebreaker :( ) and another photo of a kitten that started to 'talk' to me when I was taking photos of the Rose Garden in Pinkas - as if to say 'don't you see me??'

Time to prepare for the coming week. Work, work, work.... 5 days of stress - until I can relax again and divulge in what is really what I think is important. The little things that usually get looking past through when on route to fulfilling the necessities to keep one alive: money :-(