Shloshim

Yesterday I mentioned that I took it upon myself to make sure the names of the fallen IDF soldiers are recited Friday night for Shloshim, the thirty day period of mourning. The Temple's office manager, Derrick, was happy to copy and paste all the names last week from the website I sent him but as the list has sadly grown this week I decided to do this chore for him. There are 53 names at this writing; let's pray there are no more.

While copying and pasting the names into a spreadsheet I looked at all the young faces of the fallen soldiers. They could be my sons, or let's face it, my grandsons. Some were only 18 or 19. Such gorgeous punims! Could there be anything more handsome than the warm smile and confident gaze of an Israeli soldier in uniform? How horribly sad that their young lives have been cut so short.

I also could not help but notice that no two seemed to come from the same town or kibbutz. It seems that the pain of our losses must be spread across all of Israel and felt in every community.

When I was in Israel in 2011 I learned that not every eligible young person can serve as a combat soldier. They take an exam that determines where they will serve and how they can best contribute. There certainly are enough support jobs to go around and each is important. But oh how special are those who put their young lives on the line to defend children and families and Holocaust survivors and refugees from other lands and victims of persecution.

May their memories be for blessing. Forever.

Standstill

Standstill is the perfect word to describe my life right now (have you noticed I have not been blogging?)

I do precious little everyday except read Twitter posts from five or six feeds from Israeli news sources and check Facebook every few minutes for posts about Israel, all while keeping an eye on CNN and even Al Jazeera America for breaking news developments in the Middle East.  I do not care about Maj Jong or calling friends (except to keep tabs on Harvey who is still in the hospital) or anything else that would tear me away from my mission to worry about the Israeli-Gaza conflict and the rising count of dead civilians and Israeli soldiers.

I have also tried to do my part to support Israel from my tiny vantage point here in the bubble of my retirement haven. I supply the list of Israeli soldiers who have given their lives in this most recent war to the shul for the Shloshim reading (the 30 day mourning period) Friday night. I re-post on Facebook the most compelling of pro-Israel posts. I recite the Shema every noon as part of a global initiative. I looked for a way to send monetary support to Israel and decided buying a substantial (for us) block of Israel Bonds was the best way (hopefully we bought a few Iron Dome defense missiles and helped save some lives). I sing Oseh Shalom as I do the housework. And I pray:

May the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens, let peace descend on us, on all Israel, and all the world.

I See

I see the world has not given up on their hatred for Jews and that anti-Semitism is alive and well and rampant.

I see that even when people pay lip service to fighting terrorism, they still appease and subsidize terrorism in its most brutal and dangerous forms.

I see synagogues, stores, and Jewish cemeteries attacked in France and Belgium and other countries who not that long ago, in the living memories of survivors, supported genocide. 

I see that people can declare a "Day of Terror" against Israel and I wonder what the world would say if Israel would declare a "Day of Terror" against anyone for any reason.

I see Jews labelled as uncaring monsters when the collective Jewish conscience is the most gentle, humane, generous, forgiving, thoughtful and righteous in the world.

I see a double standard where other countries can murder, pillage, torture, enslave and brutalize their populations with impunity while Israel's right to defend itself is questioned.

I see hatred for a people who through hard work and education have earned success in many fields, overcoming obstacles and never asking for charity. And then I see people who would rather spend their resources on terror than on schools and hospitals and who then look to other countries for handouts.

I don't know what the rest of the world is seeing when they look at Jews and Israel. They do not see what I see...

Florida

I read this article/slideshow on the Worst States To LIve In. Very happily, Florida was not included. It didn't make the Best States either but I really think it should have.

I've visited 48 of our 50 states (exceptions being Maine and Alaska) and Florida is certainly my favorite. I'm talking about to actually live in, not just to visit the beaches and Disney World.

The cost of living is reasonable especially here in Central Florida. There's no state tax and I believe inheritance taxes are non-existent. Fun touristy attractions from Key West to St. Augustine abound and you can grab a cheap cruise from Tampa, Port Canaveral, Miami or Fort Lauderdale at a moment's notice. It's pretty flat here, no scary mountain roads to navigate. Gorgeous weather, lush tropical greenery and stunning natural landscapes are a given. There's a soft Southern vibe mixed in with cosmopolitan offerings brought here by refugees from New York and other big cities. There's a ton of diversity (more so in South Florida) and a large Jewish population (delis!). There are great medical facilities to service our older population and of course, there's The Villages, a special world unto itself. If I had to be poor somewhere, I'd rather be poor in Florida.  Even the most modest of areas look better than the war-torn looking slums and housing projects I've seen in big cities. As an added bonus, you don't have to travel much to see your friends and relatives - sooner or later they will all be here for a visit!

I think I'll stay...

;-)

Mad World

Yesterday was a strange and sad day and I could not tear myself away from the TV, Facebook and my smartphone alerts.

A jumbo jet carrying 298 souls was shot down "by accident".

Israel invaded Gaza and I hear there was one Israeli soldier killed, may his memory be for blessing.

The Dow was down 161 points.

The world seems a little crazier and a lot scarier today.

Yet life for me in my cozy bubble of The Villages continues. The scale is responding nicely to my efforts to blast off the offending weight gain, my letter to the Editor was published in yesterday's paper and I scored the absolute coolest top (just my style, Bohemian-Hippie) at the "50% off the clearance rack sale" at Bealls.

It is the counterpoint of small, happy, little things that keeps this Mad World sane...

;-)

More

We all want More right? There's a TV commercial out there for some kind of cell phone service (I think it's AT&T) that touts "more is better". OK, so sometimes Less is More but mostly More is More.

I saw this saying (where else? on Facebook) and got to thinking what More means to me. Most of these are spot on but of course I'll substitute coffee for tea, rides in the golf cart for long walks, and LIVE music for music.

Funny how more money seems to fade in importance in our later years. Was it ever really that important?

When we decided to move to Florida no job or incremental income would have substituted for living in a place with inclement weather and the feeling that life could only be enjoyed for six months out of the year. When I decided to retire I knew that no job, no matter how well-compensated, interesting or important, was going to continue to siphon off ten hours of my life every workday.

So yes, my life now IS filled with more of the above plus more friends and more time for quiet reflection and appreciation of all that I have.  More really is More!

;-)

What I Did On Tuesday

I was up at 6 and helped hubby with some research for his classes. I made coffee and read the paper. I went to Ross and bought two cute tops from the clearance rack and got the 10% Tuesday Senior discount. I met the neighborhood Lunch Bunch ladies for lunch and shmoozed. I cleaned out some old, worn items from my closet. I drove the golf cart to the pool for a half hour of sun and flipped through the new issue of Real Simple magazine. I got the mail and paid two bills and shopped on-line for a hard-to-find item. I read a few chapters of Top Secret Twenty-One and checked for news on Harvey (better!) and Israel throughout the day.

While hubby was at his Men's Discussion Group (tonight's topic: U.S. immigration policy) I did two loads of laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed and swept the garage and front walk. I watched Major Crimes (recorded) and Rizzoli and Isles (live). I texted gal-pal Kathy who is in Atlanta this week - she called twice, I guess she misses me :-)

Such is my life these days. Kind of dull compared to Stephanie Plum's in TS21 but not too bad, right? No complaints here!

;-)

New Years in July

It's been almost a year since we made the decision to move to The Villages and what a year it's been!  We sold three properties (Super Yay!) and bought this beautiful and comfortable home and fixed it up and decorated it to our liking. We got through the move and all the account and address changes. We joined a new Temple and made new friends. We explored Central Florida and hosted the kids and Harv and Vi. We went to a wedding in Canada, two business trips to Atlanta and squeezed in a cruise. We survived hubby's horrible sick time (Double Super Yay!). Life is good and I am happier than ever.

But some things could still use some attention. I've gained close to five pounds and am not happy about it. It gets harder than ever to keep one's weight down as the years progress. But I am not giving up.

Today I rededicate myself to my goal of staying slim and will be joining the Osteoporosis Low-Impact Strength Training classes offered twice a week near the house. I'll be curtailing my food intake and not finishing everything on my plate when we eat out. I'll go to the pool more often and paddle my way to fitness and a healthy glow.

No excuses! It's my New Years in July resolution!

;-)

Kindertransport

Kindertransport memorial  - Liverpool Station

A humanitarian crisis is taking place on our southern border with Mexico as tens of thousands of unaccompanied children and teenagers flee from their native Central American countries. I, like many others, am not at all happy about this. But I in no way want to send them back "home". 

My thoughts go to Nazi Germany when desperate parents tried any means to save their children, even if it meant they would be orphans in a strange country. Kindertransport was the name given to one specific operation where 10,000 children from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland were transported to the United Kingdom and placed in British foster homes, schools and farms. Often they were the only members of their families to survive the Holocaust. It is a black, black mark on the United States that we brought in only 1,400 such children and efforts to open our vast country to more were met with abject failure. How many more children could have been saved?

Do I know what is going on in the Central American countries that is compelling parents to send their children into an unknown future that might result in death, human trafficking, slavery or sexual abuse? I do not. But I surmise that whatever terror is lurking in their home countries is resulting in the same hopelessness, desperation and fear felt by Jewish parents trapped in Nazi hands.

So in good conscience, I cannot help but hope these smallest and most helpless of immigrants find sanctuary and a brighter future in a safe and hospitable haven.

The Grief Toolbox

I stumbled upon a Facebook site called "The Grief Toolbox" about a week ago. It grabbed me and pulled me in even though to the world it would not appear like I am in mourning - Baruch Hashem!

Yet I relate to the words of comfort and the feelings expressed through the poetry of others that are posted on this site. It's true, I have lost parents, grandparents and my lifelong friend to death. But I have also lost people that I cared about, people who are still living but for some reason are no longer in my life. This feeling is also grief.

I also feel for others who are working their way through grief to - hopefully - acceptance and a new reality. I think that is another reason this site resonates with me and touches my heart. I have tried to gently recommend it to bereaved friends.

Thank you Grief Toolbox...

The Week Ahead

Mount Dora FL

I love looking at my calendar for next week - it's filled with fun things I can't wait to do.

A day trip with good friends to Mount Dora, a super cutesy antique village.

The Temple's annual Sisterhood/Brotherhood BBQ.

Maj Jong with 3 of my favorite neighbors.

Maj Jong with 3 of my "beginner" friends where I (Heaven Help Us) am the "teacher".

Bottle lights painting with yet another favorite friend.

Another "blind date" with two new couples from the Borscht Belt Club.

Friday night services.

Saturday night out with a great couple from our neighborhood.

I understand that Inside Edition will soon be coming out with an exposé of the so-called "scandalous stories" about The Villages. But for me, I am so happy and grateful to be living this life. Thank you Villages for this perfect, welcoming, fun and un-scandalous place to spend the best years of my life!

;-)

Retail Therapy

I have repeatedly vowed to "use up" everything in my closet and not buy anything new. But sometimes the shopping bug stings me and I am drawn to either eBay or the brick-and-mortar shops as if I hear a siren song playing in my head. Is there a trigger for such oddly irrational behavior? You bet.The ubiquitous XX% OFF! coupons in my morning newspaper or in my email.

I scour my mental Wish List for items that I could use my coupon to purchase. Do I really need another pair of jeans or shorts? Could I use a more comfortable "everyday" shoe? Do I have enough mascara and eyeliner to get me through say the next decade? Cute tops for going out or synagogue? Surely there must be something perfect out there to round out my wardrobe!?!

It's the Fourth of July and I'll spend the morning with a gal pal trolling the Market of Marion. I'm pretty safe there because their selection is rather limited in the fashion department. But I better watch out for that great smelling Kettle Corn!

;-)

Life Hacks

I've started a new file folder in My Favorites (bookmarks) called "Life Hacks". I was inspired by a new Facebook feed I'm getting called "Marc and Angel Hack Life". Most of their life hacks I am well familiar with and try to apply every day. But like everyone else, I can use a refresher now and then on the stuff I know I should be thinking or doing and occasionally these super smart young people throw me a new curve.

Here's a favorite from each of the three Life Hack columns I've bookmarked so far.

16 Things You Shouldn’t Have to Justify to Anyone Else
Your weirdness. Everybody is weird in some way. I celebrate my individuality and my own weirdness!

29 Signs You’re Doing Just Fine (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
So many good points in this article! Here's just one:
You are choosing to be happy in your own way.  I don't care about everyone else’s definition of happiness, I'm following my own path (and I always have).

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons.  Making new friends is important to me in my new environment. I plan to choose new relationships with people I admire, who show me love and respect, and who reciprocate my kindness and commitment.

Thanks Marc and Angel Chernoff! I'm hacking life pretty well I think...

;-)

Blind Date

I am going out on a "blind date" tonight. The Borscht Belt Club here TV has initiated a "dining out" group where you are assigned two other couples every month (not sure how it works for singles). You receive their emails and phone numbers and then it's up to you to schedule a date and restaurant to meet and eat and shmooze.

Tonight will be our first excursion with the "dining out" club and I am definitely looking forward to it. I've chatted with one of the men on the phone and via email and since he is the organizer of the BB Club and maybe its President I am happy we got "fixed up" with him and his new fiance. He's picking us and the other couple up in his SUV and we're going to one of my favorite restaurants in Belleview, a nice town just outside TV.

I'm really glad for the opportunity to meet new friends. It's probably one of the top three reasons I wanted to move to an active adult community and especially to TV.

I hope this "blind date" is a winner!

;-)