Blimix

Two weeks ago, I wrote, "The hills southeast of Haifa are lovely." So when the subject of day trips came up, I recalled that area, and that's where we hiked last Monday: Mount Carmel National Park. I got at least one good picture, but (like all the others) it'll have to wait until I have time for editing and uploading. Lovely hills and canyons there.

I performed a major shopping trip alone, at a local grocery where they only spoke Hebrew and Arabic. (And many of the labels were likewise.) It felt like a bit of an adventure; I got most of what I needed (and was satisfied that they did not carry the two remaining items). I have since cooked my Irish sodabread and mushroom and barley soup, both acclaimed.

I walked Molly to the gym, and walked back, navigating the serpentine streets of Alfei Menashe alone for the first time. I didn't exactly get lost; I just didn't know where I was or where the house was. But I befriended a small dog on the way, and sat for a bit in a park. (I had no trouble returning to the house once I felt like it.)

Gabby's friends think I'm cute. This exasperates her, and she has to remind them that I'm thirty-one years old. (She did it in Hebrew, but I understood.) They and Cecelia have been giving me fashion tips. It's about time for a new pair of glasses anyway. I should bring Cecelia: She seems to have an impeccable sense of aesthetics and fashion.

I've started reading Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. It's been on my "Must Read" list for years (thanks to leora, I think), and is pretty interesting.

I've also been trying to read the Hebrew on street signs and candy packages. Cecelia was impressed when I asked, "Why do you have an Aegozi mug?" Aegozi (my translation) is a yummy candy bar that we enjoyed after the hike; I intend to bring some home.

Last night, we had a hot windstorm, complete with fine dust, blowing in from the desert. We've also been getting occasional, unseasonably late rains. But other days are quite nice.

I asked why Jews aren't aloud to speak the name of God. (I broke the rule as I asked.) I had thought there might be some deeply philosophical link between that and the idea that "The Tao that can be named is not the true Tao". But it turns out, in the great spirit of Jewish law, to be a rule put in place so that one doesn't accidentally break another rule (the restriction against taking His name in vain — that is, swearing falsely by it). (Every time I hypothesize a good reason for a rule, the truth disappoints me.)

Molly and I thoroughly cleaned her room yesterday. I took a break to play guitar for my cousins and their friends. We were exhausted by the end, but stayed up to split an avocado and some mild Camembert cheese.

Okay, time to do something other than write.