Can't Live Without

Super fun article - The 40 Things Jewish Girls (c'est moi!) Absolutely Can't Live Without!

I can live without a bunch of them I assure you but some of them were spot on:

Sushi - YES

Hummus - Yuck NO!

Israel - YES

Bagels - YES

Jewish men - YES, deep down we know they're the Best (and the only guys who’ll be able to put up with us)

Turquoise Hamza necklace - Love mine!
 
Complaining - Who Me??

Randomly using Yiddish words - YOU BET!

Knowing which celebrities are Jewish - YES

Disowning the Jewish celebrities we don’t like -YES, like Madoff

Nose jobs - NO

Israeli soldiers - YES

Hmmm. I wonder why MAJ JONG did not make the list?!?

;-)

Shehechiyanu

Apparently the online Medicare application system could not handle the fact that I retired from active employment over two years ago and that I still have healthcare benefits from my former employer.  This necessitated an in-person visit to my local Social Security Office this morning. It was not a wasted endeavor by any means as I scored both a delicious breakfast at the Fruitland Park Diner and a perfect red chair for the library from the Big Lots in Leesburg.

I am always a bit thoughtful at these types of excursions which I consider life milestones. Today's trip reminded me that growing older and applying for Medicare is an opportunity denied to many.

I watched one of my favorite shows last night, Rizzoli and Isles, and was reminded that one of those people was Lee Thompson Young, only 29, who died last year of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  Last night R and I did a touching tribute to this sweet and gorgeous young man, a gifted actor and a fan favorite since his days as a teenage actor. It was said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for which he had been taking medication and that he had been suffering from depression before his death.

Am I sad about turning 65? Not at all. We Jews have a prayer, the Shehechiyanu, for any time we celebrate a happy occasion or reach a milestone or even welcome the first snowfall or put on a new article of clothing: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.

I count my visit to the Social Security Office as one of those moments...

;-)

Bubbe

So I'm reading that Susan Sarandon is becoming a grandmother soon but has decided to eschew the name "grandma" or anything like it and instead plans to be referred to as "Honey".

Far be for me to tell anyone anything about being a grandmother but I must admit I love being called "Bubbe" or any reasonable facsimile even though I have done bubkus to deserve such a lofty title. Laura's little ones have no living grandmother on either side, and although Scott's little ones do have a living Jewish grandmother, she has graciously willed the title of Bubbe to me. I think she prefers almost any other variation of the name, hahaha.

The grand-god-kids will be here soon (at least two of them) and I plan to make sure they have the best time ever.  I hope they will come to feel the same way about visiting me as I did about visiting my own grandmother once a year.  With any luck they will associate visiting us with visiting The Magic Kingdom and the rest of Disney World.

Nothing warms my heart in quite the way as hearing the grand-god-kids call me Bubbe.

I think Susan Sarandon is nuts. But then again, I kind of always suspected that...

;-)

My Brush With Fame

As you know, Dear Diary, I am a big fan of "24", the best action series ever to grace the small screen. So it was not surprising I joined a FaceGeek community of other like minded aficionados called 24: Live Another Day.  And from there it was just a matter of time before I felt the overwhelming need to add my opinion, especially when the question was as intriguing as "which was the saddest death along the seasons?"

Oh Pa-leeeze! No question it was Edgar's death - the lovable, semi-bullied, chubby (OK, fat) geek who loved his mother and was such a "good boy" died an agonizing death from a weaponized virus while his co-workers looked on helplessly from behind a protective shield.

My comment - "Edgar, so sad I couldn't watch it a second time when I watched all the seasons over again" - was liked by 8 people (the highest number of likes I think for any of the comments).  And guess what, one of the likers was Louis Lombardi himself, the actor who played Edgar Stiles and who created the frightening images that caused me sleepless nights for weeks. Although he's not a member of our little FaceGeek page, I guess he appreciated a sincere compliment on his acting skill.

A small brush with fame for sure but it made my day... 

More 24 tonight! Yay!

;-)

 

The Sixties

CNN has a new multi-part documentary out called "The Sixties".  One of their subtitles is "the decade that shaped America". It's true - there has been no more challenging, explosive, strange, dynamic, angst-filled or life-altering time in American history. I say this without hesitation and with absolute certainty.

I have not watched the series.

I do not feel the need to relive this time because the events themselves are etched indelibly in my mind like a colorful tattoo that has not faded with the years.  From watching the Nixon-Kennedy debates in 1960 as a ten year old to my wedding day in 1969, I remember every year, every political rally and assassination, every march for civil rights, every song on the radio, every TV show and every horrific vision of war shown nightly on our black and white TVs.  I remember my first kiss and hearing of President Kennedy's murder. I remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and the Six Day War and the 1968 riot in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention.

When I look back on The Sixties, I see the legacy of my generation. I am proud of my contemporaries for protesting and resisting a war that shed over 50,000 American lives for (let's admit it) absolutely nothing, for assuring equal rights for people of color and minorities, for challenging laws that prohibited inter-racial marriage and for eliminating back-room abortions. We Boomers made a positive difference and truly "shaped America". And the Sixties shaped me as well...

Groovy!

;-)

Bring Them Home

I took this picture in Hebron 11-11-11

Three teenage boys on their way home from their yeshiva classes in the West Bank near Hebron were kidnapped last week. Prayers for their recovery have filled the heavens and the wedding Sunday started with a heartfelt prayer for their safe return.

The West Bank is not the safest place to be and although I visited Hebron both in 1974 and 2011 it was scary both times (but well worth it to visit the tombs of our Ancestors).

Yet even as tensions mounted in Israel, the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas chose a private clinic near Tel Aviv to have surgery performed on his wife. Perhaps that is partially the reason for his efforts to retrieve the kidnapped teenagers, who knows?

I am reminded of Dudu Fisher's rendition of Bring Him Home, a favorite from Les Miz and sung here for the safe return of Gilad Shalit. Of course the capture of three school children on their way home is more heinous than the capture and lengthy imprisonment of a soldier in uniform.

Bring them home, dear God, safe and sound and speedily... 

Father's Day at the Dawes Road Cemetery

My Zayde, Avraham Shmuel Tzvi Hersh Silverstein, was known as the Beizechiner Rav or the Vierzbeniker Rav. Rabbi Silverstein died in Toronto in 1951 and was laid to rest at Dawes Road Cemetery, in the only tomb allowed in the entire cemetery. The Dawes Road Jewish Cemetery was established in 1903 and holds over 13,000 graves.

My cousin Frimette recalled: “He was buried in a coffin made out of the shelves on which his Holy books had rested. The streets were cleared on the day of his funeral. During the funeral procession there was no traffic allowed on Spadina from College to Dundas, and a thousand people marched behind the coffin to the Kielcer Shul at Dundas and Huron."

I am named for her.

I remember the old Kielcer Shul and thanks to our recent visit to celebrate David and Sharona's wedding I got to visit my grandfather's tomb and grandmother's grave (she died before him and so was not laid to rest inside his tomb) on (appropriately) Father's Day. This visit was not on my Bucket List but it definitely should have been. 

It was an incredible experience...

:-)

The Little Things

It's the little things that make the difference between happiness and frustration. I think that's true in human relationships as well as with one's satisfaction with all the material things we buy and use. It's definitely true with hotels.

My friends at Orbitz, where I make most of our travel arrangements, promised me a 15% off coupon if I submit a review of our most recent stay at the Toronto Holiday Inn Yorkdale.  Usually this offer does not entice me but not this time.  While it is still fresh in my mind I wrote the following review. 

This is the second time we've stayed at this hotel which we chose for its proximity to family. This last stay, in June 2014, was significantly worse than the first stay. The parking card did not work, the pay-per-view did not work, the room key suddenly stopped working and we were locked out of our room, both elevators were being serviced and we waited 10 minutes before using the house phone to call for help. The staff said to use the service elevator which needed special instructions on how to use. We complained to the manager and she comped our parking ($10 a day, they don't tell you that up front) and a breakfast.  The breakfast buffet is great (fruit and fish etc.) but the "hot" food was cold (especially the bacon and eggs) and that was as soon as it was set out. The coffee was not ready when the buffet opened. I get home and find there is an unauthorized charge on my credit card which I am told is "normal" and will be reversed in 5 days! That's new I think. "Just in case" we spent something which we did not;  Our bill showed no charges due. The super-size pillows were hard to sleep on and gave us neck aches. All in all, it was the little things that made this stay so unpleasant...

On the plus side, I cannot argue with the lox, smoked fish, raspberries and exotic fruits on their scrumptious breakfast buffet and the pretty decor inside the hotel. I'm guessing we'll be back because it is the only hotel close to the family and venues we are likely to visit. But I can definitely wait awhile!

;-)

Walk Right In

I volunteered to co-ordinate the November Royal Oak Social Club event. My brainy idea is to make it a Beatnik Coffee House complete with smoke from my Halloween "smoke" machine (actually safe water vapor), candles in votive holders on the tables (actually little battery powered fake candles), "special" brownies wink wink (actually from Publix) and The Villages own Folk Music traveling band. I'll instruct everyone to wear black tops (too hot here for turtlenecks), blue jeans and sandals. I ordered 5 black berets for the organizers and volunteers from eBay (only $13.55 with free shipping!) and I'll try to pick up more if I see them at a good price. Sounds like fun, no?

I even have a budget ($300.) and a "helper", Ellie. Today we took her golf cart to a snowbird neighbor's garage where big bins of decorations are stored for all the Royal Oak events. The votive holders are already there along with big coffee filters. Ellie has promised to sing a Joan Baez song (she's really good, you should hear her do "Cry Me A River"). 

So Royal Oak neighbors, Walk right in, Sit right down, Daddy let your mind roll on...

;-) 

Orange Is The New Black

Two of my cousins convinced me that Orange Is The New Black would be worth a try.  They are addicted. So I ordered the first 4 episodes from Netflix and made it through 3 and a half of them. 

Especially interesting are the background stories told in flashback about how each inmate wound up in this women's prison. Most had made a conscientious choice that landed them in the hoosegow but some seemingly had no alternative but to sink to a life of crime.  Although there are some moments of "humor", I did not find any of it funny and I won't be watching any more episodes.

It is simply too scary. How easily we can take a terrible detour that changes our lives forever. How easy it is to lose everything - wealth, health, family, friends, self respect and hope for the future. How wonderful it is to be able to shower, sleep, pick up the phone, raid the refrigerator and go wherever we want whenever we want.

I think black is still the new black...

;-)

TOA

Tomorrow will mark a milestone for me. It is the first day I can apply for Medicare. Thanks to generous retirement benefits I only need to apply for Part A which is free. So the day will be more of a mental milestone than a Big Change in lifestyle or finances.

True Older Age (TOA) looms on the horizon (as if I had any doubts). I found myself reading the entire detailed circular on the area's newest "Senior Living" facility which was included in today's paper. They promise all meals, paid utilities, and an easy transition to their Memory Care section when the time comes. They will even fix you up with a room-mate for cost savings and a "new friendship". When this starts sounding good you know you are closing in on TOA!

Seriously, I am very glad such places abound and I can see where communal living may be preferable to a solitary existence. Although I consider myself a strong, independent and self-sufficient woman, in truth I have never lived alone and although others love it I'm not sure I would.

Am I wandering too far afield with my thoughts on a far distant future? I think maybe yes because I also spent a little too much time on the ad for cremation services in today's paper.

;-)  ;-)

Kiddush Cup

I am cleaning my jewelry, packing my best make-up and straightening iron, trying to remember extra contact lenses and panty hose, and gazing lovingly at my new little black dress - all in preparation of attending Sharona and David's wedding. 



Avignor Ezra Silverstein

Would this be a good time to pass on one of my most prized possessions - my great grandfather's Kiddush cup?  Will David - his great-great-great-grandson - cherish this small silver cup, now 130 years old, and use it lovingly every Friday night?  Will he treasure it and pass it on to a seventh  generation?

I am thinking yes. After all, he read directly from our family's ancient Megillah on Purim. He must be a such a mensch!  Just to make sure, I will ask his father. Perhaps Chuck would like to see this cup go to one of his other four children?  I have my grandfather's large Kiddush Cup (I use it on Passover for Elijah's Cup) and my father's small cup also - they too will someday need new homes.

But not quite yet.  It will be hard enough to part with Avignor's Cup...

;-)

 

The Fault In Our Stars

Cassius:
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
Julius Caesar (I,ii,140-141)

Ah, I loved this quote since I was forced to read Julius Caesar as a freshman in high school. I guess it set the stage for a lifetime of me feeling I have only myself to blame for my own actions.

Yet not everything in in our control. In some cases it is indeed the stars and not us who determine our destiny.

Hadassah is sponsoring a movie day at the Rialto in Spanish Springs and if I get there by 10 am I can see "The Fault In Our Stars" (opening today) at 10:20 for only $5. which will go to Hadassah.  I will try although it will be tough to see this 2 hour and 5 minute movie and make it to Maj Jong at 1 pm. This is a great movie to see with the ladies as it definitely qualifies as a "Chick Flick".

Will I make it in time? And will I make my nail appointment at 3 after only an hour and half of Maj? And will I be ready for dinner and a live show at 6 pm with new friends? The fault for this over scheduling lies definitely with moi!

;-)

Bingeing

I've been bingeing for the past few weeks. Oh no, not on Cookie Dough Ice Cream but on past seasons of 24. I understand I am not the only one who binges in this way - it seems to be a new alternative to waiting a week to watch a single episode of one's favorite shows at a time. Plus the DVDs do not contain those distracting commercials that interrupt the action. 24 is especially an excellent choice for binge watching since the episodes flow seamlessly from one to the other and the seasons build on the characters and events of the one before it.

I first started watching 24 after it was well into its run so I had to catch up by reserving single DVDs (they each held four episodes) from the library and waiting for each to arrive. As a result, I saw the seasons out of order and in sporadic bursts so I missed a bit of the flow and character development.

This go-round is much better as I did not fool around with the library or Netflix but bit-the-bullet and ordered the ginormous "complete set" of all eight seasons plus the made-for-TV movie and special features from eBay for the paltry sum of $109.99 with "free" shipping. Well worth it. I calculate it's about 130 hours of quality entertainment in 57 DVDs.

I am halfway through the last season so my bingeing days will soon be replaced by my former activities of watching the news, cleaning the house, blogging and bathing.

But of course, Season 9 (Live Another Day) should be out on DVD in a few months. I will live to binge again!

;-)