Unwelcome Guest

I was working late in our home office the other night when I heard a noise on the patio.  The office is in the basement, but there is a lower level patio cut out about 12 feet under ground level -- it's great because it gives the basement lots of natural light.  Anyway, I called up to Sweetie to see if he had thrown something down into the patio or something like that.  He hadn't.  He instructed me to close the shutters and we'd see what was out there.  So, I closed the shutters and turned on the patio lights.  He looked down from the upstairs and said, "It's a cat."  

A cat.  A small, very mangy, nasty-looking cat.  It had apparently jumped, or fallen, into the basement patio and now couldn't get back out.  We watched as it got up on the patio table and did a spread-eagled leap into the air toward the wall of the patio, falling to the ground like a ton of bricks.  Yeah.  He hadn't quite mastered the whole jumping thing.  

It is cases like this where my 7th and 8th-grade gifted students class ("Project Challenge," which my classsmates and I affectionately called "Project Reject") proves its worth.  I start brainstorming 101 ways to get a yucky cat out of a basement patio WITHOUT bringing it into the house and tracking fleas all over the place.

My first idea was to put our tall ladder on one of the patio chairs so that the cat could climb out and make the short leap to ground level.  So, Sweetie did that.  For the longest time, the cat wasn't getting it and kept leaping off the table fruitlessly.  

So, I put Plan B into action.  I put a bunch of canned tuna into an empty tea bag and tied a roll of string around it.  Then, I lowered the string down into the patio from outside, resting it near that chair with the ladder on it.  However, the cat didn't appear.  In fact, I couldn't see the cat anywhere on the patio.  Sweetie came to investigate and noticed that the ladder had moved.  The cat was gone.  Hooray.   And it was waaaay past our bedtime.

The Hunt

The Hunt for Irises
I have been reading about the legendary "black irises" which apparently can be found in Netanya (a city north of here), Mt. Gilboa (a mountain north of here and very close to the West Bank), and also in the Negev (the south of Israel).  The problem, however, is that newspapers and magazines in Israel are never specific about WHERE exactly things are located.  For example: WHERE  in Netanya, on Gilboa, in the Negev, can I find the irises??  No idea.  Anyway, I wanted to see the irises and decided that Mt. Gilboa was the best bet because there is only one road on it, so surely the irises would be along that road.

So, on Monday, Sweetie and I booked lunch at one of our favorite restaurants (called Herb Farm, located on Mt. Gilboa), and left a bit early so we could do iris viewing on the mountain.

We drove up the mountain and initially stopped off at the spot where I encountered Mr. Lizard last month.  But, everything was parched and the flowers were gone, so we didn't linger.  Sweetie took over driving at that point, because I was not well (the smog/sand that has been around for a week finally did me in) and though I didn't tell Sweetie, I had been feeling like I would pass out during the previous 1+ hour of driving.

We ventured on, with me going cross-eyed as I scanned the roadside for the elusive irises.  We eventually decided to give up and turn around in a parking lot labelled "The Irus Way."  Fortunately, Sweetie is not blonde like I am and he figured out that this was where the irises (with an "i") were.  So, we disembarked and wondered along the path.  We managed to find about four irises (or "iruses," whichever you prefer) and couldn't help but wonder if people had walked off with the rest (a la that Finn recently who knocked an ear off a Moai statue on Easter Island).  

Anyway, I felt a great sense of accomplishment that we found the irises!

Sweltering (and Coughing) in March

We're experiencing a "sharav" here in Israel this weekend.  It's basically a massive influx of hot air and dust from the desert areas east.  Usually, I'm not too bothered by it, but this one seriously has me coughing, much along the lines of the "Cairo cough" that plagued me in Egypt.  Today, I spent much of the day inside (some of the time wearing a surgical mask), while Sweetie was out basking in the sun.

Veggies
I finally remembered to take a picture of my organic veggie box this week before putting everything away.  Doesn't it all look yummy?  I've really been enjoying having a nice, fresh salad every day.  Did you know that if you wash lettuce, break it into pieces, and put it in a tupperware container with some water in the bottom, that it will keep really well for about a week?  

I do have to be very careful washing the veggies though.  They are really fresh and not at all prewashed.  So, there are lots of spiders, caterpillars and other assorted guests in
with my veggies.  Today I actually had to throw away much of my broccoli because it had some bugs on it that I couldn't get off, even after soaking in vinegar-water and boiling!  Oh well....  That's the exception, though.  And I'd rather deal with some bugs than pesticides!

Technical Difficulties

These are the fresias blooming on our patio and making the whole garden smell wonderful!

Photography Stuff
In the past three days, to support my new-found photography habit, I have acquired a 70-200mm Canon f/2.8L telephoto zoom lens, a 1.4 Canon extender, a Kata Digital Rucksack, a very expensive B+W circular polarizer, and a 250 GB portable external hard drive.  Ayeye.  I've also downloaded a trial version of Adope Photoshop Elements, which is so confusing to me that I am really glad I don't have enough money to buy the full Photoshop software right now.  

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L telephoto zoom lens
Big thanks to MOM who contributed a big chunk toward this fabulous purchase!  It's a very serious-looking lens and I am so proud!  

For camera freaks out there, you might notice that this is NOT the IS version.  Of couse, I wanted the IS version, but right now, I don't exactly have an unlimited supply of money, and I read reviews for this lens (written by poor folks like myself, who only have $1200 to spend on a lens and not $1600) and those who have it are VERY satisfied with its performance.  With the caveat that if they had an extra $500 lying around, the would have gone for the IS version.

Canon 1.4x II extender
Again, the poor man's version (in a sense).  I didn't want to have to pay for a stronger telephoto, so I got this extender instead.  I opted for the 1.4 instead of the 2.0 because the 2.0 apparently degrades image quality noticeably and this is not what I wanted.  Also, it significantly multiples your minimum focal length, which is not good for me because I have the non-IS lens.  I need to maintain wide aperatures so I can keep the shutter speed up to account for any shake.  

B+W Circular Polarizer
This was basically the most expensive polarizer I could find.  But, it got great reviews, so knowing virtually nothing about polarizers, I decided to give it a try.  

Kata Digital Rucksack DR-467
Haven't tried to fit my new acquisitions into this bag yet (ironically, made here in Israel!), but am looking forward to it!

Technical Problem
I got a wonderful TINY external hard drive to support my photo habit, but it is totally slowing down my computer.  I think I made progress today toward getting things back in order (honestly, I think Photoshop was the problem).  Fingers crossed.

Anyway, my Easter weekend will be spent playing with my new toys.  The above photo was taken with the old lens (in full manual mode, and in RAW format -- hurray for me).  However, to upload it, I had to shrink the file size considerably, so it's not as good as the original.  Handy excuse:-)

Photo for Today

It has become clear to me that I need to get a macro lens for my camera.  I am taking lots of flower photos.  Unfortunately, this purchase will have to wait, as I have just shelled out lots of money that I shouldn't really be spending (the past year of unemployment has nearly decimated my savings, but it has been FUN!!) for a telephoto lens, a backpack that can hold my oversized media-verson laptop with my camera equipment, and an extender for my telephoto lens, none of which I have actually received yet, as the shipment is apparently being held in customs at Ben Gurion airport awaiting confirmation (from me, presumably) of what is inside.  Of course, no one has actually tried to contact me about the shipment, so I am just waiting.....

My Passport

Yesterday I made a long-awaited trek to the US Embassy for an appointment to get additional pages added to my passport.  Yes, my passport is nearly full, with four more years to go before it expires.  This is even considering the fact that I used my diplomatic passport for much of my travel (prior to last March).  So, I guess I've spent a lot of time on planes!  Anyway, I followed the directions on the embassy website and left ALL personal belongings in my car, with the exception of my passport, my application form, and my car keys.  As I arrived at the embassy, they swiped my hands for bomb residue and then I got to wait behind several dual-citizen families who had clearly paid no attention whatsoever to the embassy regulations and were trying to bring in electronic 
dictionaries, telephones, hair picks, etc.  I was less than pleased, as this was all delaying my progress in the line.  

And I must say that I was slightly dismayed that all the instruction were being given to me in Hebrew, despite the fact that I was waiting in line for American Citizen Services.  Anyway, I eventually made my way into the Embassy and waited about an hour until my name was called.  When I got to the window, the guy told me that I need not have made an appointment!  I waited four months for this appointment!!   Anyway, they did take care of it and I had my passport pages within the next hour, for which I was very grateful.

Anyway, I just checked the embassy's website, and indeed, it does state there that an appointment is REQUIRED.  So, I am completely perplexed.  

Note to any US citizens living in Israel: try to take care of all passport issues and other official business when you are back in the US visiting.

A Taste of Israeli Wine; My Favorite Show

Israeli Wine
Ever since I heard about it, I've been wanting to visit the Jerusalem Hills area and check out some of the vineyards there. On Sunday, Sweetie and I visited Tzora Vineyards in Bet Shemesh. I had previously tasted a Tzora bottle, and I have to admit it wasn't my favorite (to be fair - it was a bottle of their "Judean Hills" which is intended simply for everyday consumption - ie: it's nothing special), but Tzora was the only place I called that welcomed us for tasting that day, so off we went.

It was very easy to find and Shula who assisted us was really kind and helpful. She explained where the grapes are grown (at three different locations near Jerusalem) and the history behind the vineyard and its founder (who sadly just passed away a few weeks ago). I tasted a Merlot that I really liked, but Sweetie preferred the Cabernet. In the end, I decided to buy a bottle of their dessert wine called "Or" ("light" in Hebrew), which apparently received a tasting score in the low 90s from a renowned wine expert. They don't provide tastings of the Or due to its limited quantity, but I decided to take a chance. I'll let you know how it is. Sweetie picked up a few bottles of the Cabernet. Neither were cheap -- my dessert wine was 119 NIS (over $30). But hopefully the taste will be worth it!

We ate a picnic lunch on the tables outside of Tzora. There was a "sharav" that day -- a weather phenomenon that entails unseasonably hot, sandy weather. So, the views weren't that great. But, we were the only ones there and it was shaded and pleasant.

My Favorite TV Show
I have to confess that I LOVE watching American Idol. This drives Sweetie absolutely insane. He just barely tolerates it when, on Friday nights at 1930, I sequester myself in the bedroom to watch American Idol (while he goes to the basement to watch anything else). But, I LOVE music and I really love the show. This year, I am soooo impressed with the men on the show, and I have to say that at this point, there is not a single one who I think should be eliminated. They are all excellent. Of course, one of my favorites is David Archuleta -- he's just a perfect singer. But I am afraid he might be one who would not be able to sing hits. And ultimately, that's
what the show is/should be looking for.

I've been much less impressed with the women. That said, I did download Brooke White's version of "Love Is a Battlefield" from iTunes. Totally worth a listen if you have iTunes. It's a ready-made hit.

Cosmos

This cosmos in our yard finally bloomed. Hooray. I have been watching the stalk grow for months -- first straight upward, but then it got too tall and collapsed sideways under its weight. Even so, it stayed green and eventually blossoms formed and now it has bloomed.

コスモスです。我が家の庭に咲いています。九州の行橋市の市の花ですね。行橋に住んだときから好きで、ここに引っ越してきたときに庭師に頼んで植えてもらいました。椿も今咲いていますよ。でも椿の花はすぐ落ちますよね。

I've had it

Today I am really thinking evil thoughts toward Israel and most Israelis (I say "most," because some truly are nice and this doesn't apply to them). Why? Well, last night at 0230, Sweetie and I were very abruptly woken by an ear-piercing house alarm. We both were jolted out of bed by it and upon investigation, discovered that the house under construction behind us (which has already ruined large portions of our lives/time here in Israel) had a house alarm fitted. And it was going off. And we thought, no wonder because the house has no windows, no doors, no gate, etc. DUH! Anything could get in there (eg: birds, cats, dogs, etc.) and set the alarm off at any time!

It went on for about 10 minutes. Both of us were entirely too disturbed after the alarm finally ceased to get back to sleep. I think I was awake another hour seething with anger at people's complete lack of consideration for others. I was trying to decide how I would handle it -- who to talk to about it, what would be likely to get them to do something about it/care, etc.

Long, irritating story short, our kind, quiet next door neighbors know the lady building the house and told her to turn the alarm off. Apparently, the lady (we call her FB) was going out of town and gave our neighbor the alarm code. But, like us, the neighbors were rudely awoken by the alarm at 0230 and our neighbor said "What, does she expect me to get up in the middle of the night, get dressed, and walk over there and shut it off?? And to have my whole family woken every night?" Indeed. And frankly, anyone who wants to mess with a crappy unfinished house rather than robbing any number of luxuriously appointed, occupied homes in the area has a serious priority problem.

I've just really had it with noise and lack of consideration for others in this country. Our whole neighborhood is a giant construction site. Virtually every third house is being either torn down or gutted and renovated. We might as well be living in the middle of the Big Dig. Sundays are ruined. Every day from 0700 until at least 1500 is just full of noise. We can't wait to leave.

私の急須

私が5年ぐらい使ってきた急須です。とてもおいしいお茶ができました。だけど、この急須はもう古くて、蓋を2回も割れちゃって、中についている網にゴミが溜まってお茶があまりでなくなって、捨てることにしました。

南部鉄瓶の急須があるからそれを出しました。だけど、使ってみたらお茶があまり美味しくできません。網が口についていなくて、網みたいなものをポツンと入れるものがあるのです。そのせいですかね。

今度日本へ行ったときに新しい焼き物の急須を買いましょう。

Flowers

For some reason, I find myself photographing a lot of flowers lately.  'Tis the season, I suppose.

This is from my camellia bush which FINALLY bloomed.  I've only been saying to Sweetie for about 6 months that it's going to bloom "any day," and it finally did.  I sacrificed one bud for my elegant vase (for the tea ceremony) but learned that they wilt quickly!  This was taken after just a half day....

Giving up the veg

I've been vegetarian for about ten years.  And I've decided that I'm going to try to start eating fish again.  I originally became vegetarian for health reasons, but for the past 4 1/2 years, I've found myself getting sick way too frequently.  I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the lack of fish or meat (or even dairy, as I don't consume much of that either), but I'm going to TRY to start eating fish again (I say "try" because after not eating it for so long, it is completely unappealing to me!) and see what happens.   My other possible explanation for my health issues is that I've been living in warm climates (where during a "cold" winter it gets no lower than 50F) the past 4 1/2 years and perhaps there are different bugs in these climates that my body just can't handle.  Not 
sure, but I need to try something different and since I can't exactly up and move right now to a cold place (nor do I really want to!  I'm not a fan of winter).

That said....
That said, I just got my first delivery today from an organic vegetable farm.  Woohoo.  Very exciting.  I was impressed with the assortment -- cucumbers, red bell peppers, beets, yams, onions, beet greens, lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, fennel, carrots, kohlrabi....all in excellent condition.  And it's a luxury to have enough time to actually plan out how I am going to use all 
these vegetables.  I might as well take advantage of that time while I can!

 For the Israel-dwellers
On our recent trip to the Galilee, we had dinner at Auberge Shulamit -- a restaurant in Rosh Pina that I have read great things about.  I was excited to finally give it a try.   It was lovely -- nice setting, quiet (we were one of only two tables occupied -- great for us, but doesn't necessarily bode well for the restaurant).  It is on the old road to
 Tsfat (nightmarish twisty turny road up and around mountains) -- but not far along that road at all - just enough to get up the hill and see the twinkling lights of Rosh Pina.  

The food was fine, but I was not overly enthusiastic.  I had chestnut soup, which was lovely, but not exceptional.  My pasta was really good, but not THAT memorable.  And Sweetie's and his sister's chops were rather thin -- they said they would have preferred fewer, thicker chops.  Dessert was just okay.  When I ordered
souffle, I was expecting a REAL souffle, not the typical microwaved one that you can get at any coffee shop in Israel.  So, it was a bit of a disappointment given the amazing reviews I had read.  That said, the service was excellent and I would return.

The sounds of Israel

Here's a pic from the waterfall (yes, a waterfall in Israel! It was a wondrous sight!) at Gamla Nature Reserve in the Golan. A gorgeous place and an easy, fairly level walk to the waterfall.

Noise
Now, let me tell you something.  Israel is not quiet place.  It really isn't.  Rocket attacks and jets and army helicopters flying overhead aside, it's still not a quiet place.

For example, in good times, the sweet sounds of birds chirping in our garden is completely drowned out by either:

1) someone's house alarm, since apparently few people in our neighborhood have actually bothered to hook theirs up to a monitoring company.  The alarms can go off incessantly for hours.

2) someone's car alarm.  You might be surprised to learn that 9 times of out 10 that I hear a car alarm, it was set off by the owner.  For some reason, people here can't seem to figure out the basic workings of a car alarm.  If you've ever had one, you know who utterly simple they are.  Nevertheless, many, I dare say MOST, people in my area can't seem to get in or out of their car without setting off the alarm.

3) a backhoe tearing apart cement and/or blacktop (either a street or a house that's being torn down).  The past 4 days, I have nearly been driven insane by the sound of a little JCB (mini backhoe thing) tearing apart a house 3  lots away with its constant revving and then BEEPBEEP as it backs up.  On good days, I merely have to listen to the posse of diggers that have been tearing up some of the surrounding streets (thank goodness not ours, YET) for some sort of drainage project (mind you -- I have seen no progress whatsoever in the past 5 months of this).

4) Neighbors/workers on houses under construction playing loud music.  Saturday, our neighbors across the street decided to blast Garth Brooks into our house and garden.  There is a time and a place for Garth Brooks and a Saturday afternoon in Israel was definitely neither.

5) Barking dogs.  Our neighbors (not the Garth Brooks ones - neighbors on the other side of the house) have a dog with serious issues.  We have nicknamed him "Buster."  He looks something like a Bull Mastiff and he produces the loudest sound known to the animal kingdom.  He has incredible stamina, too.  Can go on barking for a solid hour.  Needless 
to say, we can hear him through our double-glazed windows and shutters.  Likewise, we can hear him when he is INSIDE the neighbors house with all their windows closed and all of ours closed as well.  He is the bane of our existence.  

We've talked to Buster's owners and the situation has improved somewhat, but that isn't saying much as Sweetie and I had basically permanently encamped in his daughter's room at the opposite end of the house on two twin beds before we spoke to them.  

Something is definitely not right with Buster though.  Sweetie ran into him yesterday in front of our house (the owners just let him roam freely now and then, though unfortunately he doesn't go farther than one block and always comes back.)  Sweetie stepped toward Buster threateningly, and Buster completely cowered.  A dog like that should not be cowering.  So now we wonder if he's being mistreated.  Well, clearly he's not being treated well since he's barking (and howling -- now that's something to hear) all the time, but maybe it's more than that.

Anyway, all this noise makes me really want to go find a quiet island with no cars, no electricity (and no dogs!) :-)