Life Here for Israelis

We've been asked how the Israelis view the tragedy that has befallen America. They are very saddened and sympathetic, they know what it is like to be hurt by terrorists. They have been dealing with this sort of thing for the past year, the difference is that the killings and attempted killings here are on a daily basis and aimed at "small" groups of people. Since I'm on the subject, all Palestine and Moslem people are not bad but there are a great many who have been encouraged in their media and their schools to hate Jews and any one who would support or sympathies with the Jewish people. I don't know if you saw the tapes of Palestine people, including women and children, who were celebrating when they herd of the terrorist attack, but this is a very real attitude for many Palestine people. AP News has the tapes but stopped showing the tape after being pressured by the Palestinians.

On a lighter subject. The class on Mesopotamia is on Monday afternoon and my drawing class is on Monday night. I can do both as far as time goes, but stamina wise, I can't quite pull it off. Guess which class I dropped!!

Because of the many holidays in September and October, Rosh Hashanah (New year), Yom Kipper, Succoth and Sunhat Torah, the silver class will not start again until the middle of October. Bummer! The silver supply store that I was going to has closed it's Jerusalem store, I would have to go to the Tel Aviv store for supplies and I probably will not do that. Double bummer!! You want to know what the "Triple bummer" is? My drawing class is off until the holidays are over. Since my silver smithing is limited, I have been going to the Old City, flee markets and junk stores to find bits and pieces of interesting jewelry, I bring them home and repair and redesign them.

Things have started up again at "Don's Dig" and Don is looking forward to tomorrow when he can go over and help Eli again. I think that this dig has been one of the most rewarding experiences that Don has had here.

I hope this "long" letter will make up for the long silence. I have no excuse except for an attitude problem.

Shalom..............Bernice

Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas!

Well, not all the way home but in the good old US of A. Our tickets are for December 19, we will fly to Pittsburgh and spend Christmas with Mark, Jill and the kids. Then between Christmas and New Years we can take care of car insurance and stuff, then drive the truck and car to Marietta. Just a note to let you know.........

Shalom...........Bernice

School

I don't know whether it is home sickness or allergies or both, but I have been a bit off since I got back. That's my excuse for not writing. Don and I went to dinner in the Old City. We then took a walk. Narrow stone streets, stone buildings and arches, merchants with their goods spread out in front of their shops, I was reminded of how fortunate we are to be here. As much as I want to go home, I will miss the Old City and will miss the friends we have made here. Mixed emotions.

Miriam, my silver teacher, took the month of August off, so I have not been back to the class yet. The silver class starting again and JUC also starting will be good and make the time go fast.

The new semester starts today. Don and I have an afternoon class together, "Seminar: History of Mesopotamia and Its Contact with Canaan and Israel". It's a good thing I will be auditing this class and not have to take the tests because I can hardly pronounce or even remember the name of the class. I had wanted to take the Egypt class but it was dropped. Even though the Egypt class has been dropped, there will be a 7 day field trip to Egypt the first week in December and Don and I are signed up to go.

Because of the conflict, enrolment at the school has dropped. Last fall there were about 175 students, this fall there is only 45 students. Classes have been dropped and many of the staff have left, so sad. I hate to leave you on a sad note, but don't know what else to say............

Shalom..........Bernice

Bombing

We are OK, we were at home yesterday when the bomber struck. The restaurant that was bombed is one that we go to when we are in the central city at lunch time or at night. We are both saddened and angered by the bombing since the restaurant is a place where there are many children from stroller age right on up. School will start here on the 30th, it will be my last semester. We are both starting to make our plans for going home. Bernice started to redecorate our house in Marietta by buying just the "right" thing for the new look she is planning while she was in the states. It will of course be supper.

 Shalom Don and Bernice

Taxi Ride

After a 10 hour sleep I feel pretty good this morning. Don and I spent the evening telling each other our stories. We awed at some, discussed some, and laughed at others.

Here is one of the stories: Finely in Israel and all I have is a sherut (shared taxi) ride to Jerusalem. The sherut was partially full, I climbed in and sat in the back seat next to a young man of regular size. He spoke English and is from the States, nice, this will be a pleasant ride. The next person, a man who would make Buda look like a 90 pound weakling, sat next to me and next to him was a small boy. I was scrunched into half of my seat as was the small boy. The trip up into the hills of Jerusalem is a winding road and the man of size fell asleep. Every turn in the road the large man would flop against me or the small child. First I hoped that all the turns would cause him to flop in the other direction from me, but then I thought of the small boy and decided that he could be killed. The air was on in the sherut but had little affect, we were all sweating and the smell of body odor was in the air. My prayers were answered when the Large man and boy were let off on the first stop. The rest of the ride was was quite pleasant because the young man and I spread out on our seats.

Shalom.........Bernice

Almost Over

Sorry about the long pause. Don was at the dig and I had extended my stay in Georgia, neather one of us had access to our Friends & Family list. Don is back in Jerusalem now and I will be there Tuesday, so back to the same old, same old.

After flying to Pittsburgh and staying with Mark, Jill, Sarah and Mike, (son, daughter inlaw and grandchildren) a week. Sarah and I drove a rented car to Parsons TN to see Steven (son) and then to Chatanooga to see friends [On the way she got a ticket for speeding]. We then drove to Marietta/Kennasaw. As we got close, I got home sick, so nice to be back. Jan and Peter generusly let me stay longer. I stayed much busier here than I thought I would and even with extending the stay I was unable to see everyone I would have liked to see. To those who I missed.......Don and I will be back in January and have plenty of time to see ya'all.

Shalom......Bernice

Heading North

After a breakfast birthday party for David on Sunday, I pryed Laurie and Ryan off my legs, they didn't want Grammy to go, and headed up Highway 101. My first stop was in Ventura. Bob and Thelma were the youth  leaders at my church when I was a teenager and we spent the evening talking  about old times. The next morning I continued up 101 to the beautiful  town of Solvang and spent the day with my cousin Bob, his wife Shirley and  my Aunt Catharine. Solvang is a charming town and we ate our meals in  some of the quaint restraints in town.   Tuesday morning I was on my way North again. The gas was reading 1/4 tank  and I decided it was time to fill up. I pulled off the freeway and unto a  gas station, then up to the pumps and got out of the car and looked for the  place to put the gas in. Where is it? It wasn't on the side and I  didn't see it in the back, what to do!! There were a couple of young  guys filling a can with gas so I walked over to them and said, "This is a  rental car and I have no idea where to put the gas in". They smiled and  one of them walked over to my car with me.  "Here it is, you are going to have to go to the other side of the island."  I thanked him and moved my car. I had been looking on the wrong side of  the car. I'm sure these two guys spent the rest of the day laughing about  the air head blond who couldn't find where to put the gas in.   I arrived in Palo Alto at about 5 PM and had no trouble finding Ron and  Thelma's house. 

Even More Grandchildren

Monday Kris, Dawn, Joi (Son-in-law, Daughter, and Granddaughter) and I went to an outlet mall. It was fun to see, and sometimes buy, all the pretty stuff. There is no shortage of ugly clothes and shoes in Jerusalem, so this was a real treat. Tuesday Kris, Dawn and I met Roger and Lynne (Brother and Sister in-law) for lunch then went to Costco to shop. Wednesday morning Dawn and I went for a manicure and pedicure, I feel so beautiful now, and then I had lunch with Donna (long time friend).

In the evening we went to Joi and Nick's (Nick is Joi's best friend) basketball game, it was great, six and seven year olds playing basketball. Joi and Nick's team did not win, but they put up a great battle, then Mexican for dinner to celebrate the game. Reta (Nick's Grandmother and my neighbor for 22 years) was with us for the game and dinner, we had so much fun. This evening Joi has gymnastics. She loves gymnastics, this should be an other great photo op.

As you can see, I'm having a wonderful time.

More Granchildren

I should have taken my camera. Ryan's school had Family Fun Night and after dinner we went, what a photo op and I missed it. Ryan and Laurie got to get into and climb on a fire truck, police car, and army jeep. Then it was cotton candy, bean bag throw, and painting. Laurie and Ryan with cotton candy mustache and goatee would have made a great picture. When we left, Laurie had a flower heart balloon and Ryan had a balloon hat and sword. Both were special made by a clown.

I did have my camera at bath time today and got some cute pictures that I plan to show Laurie's boy friends when she is sixteen.

Shalom.........Bernice

Grandchildren

I've been watching a lot of cartoons lately and they are all in English !!! Both Ryan and Laurie are such sweet loving happy children, I am really enjoying them. We spend a lot of time hugging and cuddling, Don is really missing some nice hugs.

Joi and Dawn have been over a couple of times and we will be spending this evening at their home, Chris will be off work and we can all be together. Joi is growing up so much and is a beautiful, sweet girl, and is doing well in school. I'm so lucky to have such great grandchildren both here and in Pennsylvania.

Shalom................Bernice

Home

The trip went well and I am at David & Sherry's. When I got through customs, I looked around and didn't see David........I guess I'll have to wait. While I was deciding if I would wait inside or out on the sidewalk I heard " Mom, Mom!!". There he was, I hadn't recognized him.........no beard! The last time he was without a beard, he was just a kid and I was looking at a man now.

Laurie and Ryan have grown so much. Ryan knew me, Laurie was shy at first but it didn't take long untill we were hugging and playing and laughing. This afternoon Dawn will be by with Joi, can't wait to see them.

More later, shalom............Bernice

Leaving

Well........not quiet zero hour. The sharut comes to pick us up (Don's going with me to the airport) at 3:45 AM tomorrow morning. It's an hour drive to Tel Aviv airport, my flight is at 7:20 AM, and that's the beginning of my 24+ hour day. The long trip is worth it, the prize at the end is GRANDCHILDREN !!!!

Shalom..................Bernice

 

We got up this morning at 3 AM and caught a sharot to the airport. The interrogation from security was brief (and amusing for once, since I did not have to answer any questions). Bernice's carry on weighed too much so we had to shift things to her suitcase. I left her there at the entrance to the gates. Shalom

Screwed Up World

The world is in a mess!!! It's in terrible shape and it's all my fault!!! If you think that the Americas are exempt, you are wrong, the Great Lakes have shifted, Alaska does not exist, Central America has shrunk and you would not know the East or West coasts of the US!!!! ..................For our still life last night, Akiva set up (among other things) a large globe and I made a miserable attempt to paint it, no excuses, just didn't do very well.

Sunday was the last day for silver class before I leave, and last night was the last night for drawing class.......... Lots of hugs and well wishes. I made lots of promises that I would send post cards and promised that I would return. These people are wonderful, I've made such great friends here.

Five days and counting.........

Shalom...............Bernice

Summer

In 9 days I will leave for the US, can't wait. The trip will total 24 hours with 19 hours in the air, I will start from Tel Aviv early in the morning and follow the sun west arriving at LAX in the afternoon of the same day. I got an inflatable neck pillow and since it will be day light the whole trip, Don suggested that I also get a sleeping mask. I got the mask and tried it out last night, it worked great, I didn't wake up until late this morning.

Summer is here, the last few days have been hot. We feel the heat more because we walk every where, even when you take a bus you must walk to the bus stop and then wait in the heat. One day last week I indulged myself and took a taxi, it was just too hot to walk any where.

Yesterday Don and I walked to the school to take care of some school stuff, then walked to the Old City to a book store, got books then walked into town. By the time we got to town, I was feeling sick. In a tourist area, we sat at some sidewalk tables in the shade and had cold drinks while watching the tourists go by, I felt better, I think I was just dehydrated. After some shopping we had dinner and then walked home. Along the way traffic was stopped, people were making U turns and busses were backed up for some distance. There was a mob of people in the intersection and police and soldiers all over the place. What's happening? Turns out there was a protest condemning Arafat for all the bombs and killings and Sharon for not retaliating, they ended their march at the Prime Minister's home.

Shalom.................Bernice

A New Necklace

I'm so excited, I had been looking at an Amber necklace off and on for months, wanting it but thinking that it was a lot to pay, (all though every thing I had seen for that price, and more than that price, was not as nice.) I told Don about it yesterday and he asked me how much it was, when I told him, he handed me the money. Goody! Goody! Goody! This morning I went to the store but the necklace was not in the case, it must have been sold. I was disappointed. The man said "I knew you wanted it, so I set it aside, here it is." I now have a beautiful Amber necklace, isn't Don a sweet heart?

Only 19 days until I leave for the US !!

Shalom.................Bernice

Counting

One, two, three and six were the only numbers I could remember in Hebrew so, when I went to the bakery, I would buy either one, two, three or six of anything. I have learned the numbers from one to seven now, so now my possibilities have greatly increased, today I bought four loafs of bread !!!! For those of you who may be interested...............

0 efes 

1 ekhad (kh is pronounced from your throat) 

2 shnayim 

3 shlosh 

4 arba 

5 khamish (kh is pronounced from your throat) 

6 shish 

7 shiva 

8 shmona 

9 tish 

10 asar

By the way.........only esrim ushnayim (22) days until I leave for the US !!!

Shalom...............Bernice

Dirty Weather

The day started out sunny and warm but soon became overcast. It began to rain off and on, but only enough to make polka dots on the sidewalk. Warm and humid, like Georgia in the summer. By afternoon every thing in the apartment began to have a yellow cast to it, I looked out side and the sky was mostly yellow with brown and orange tinges. How eerie, I've never seen anything like it, I wonder what it is. By late afternoon there was thunder, lightning and then rain, hard rain, a down pour. Poor Don, he was at school with no jacket and no umbrella, he was going to have to trudge home in this, well, at least it wasn't a cold rain.

When Don got home, he wasn't drenched like I thought he would be, he was given a ride home. He said that when they got out of class, it was raining hard but the car was covered with mud and they had to clean the windshield. Splotch, splotch, splotch, before they could get far the windshield was dirty again, it was raining mud!!

A wind from the West had brought storm clouds in and then an East wind had brought dust from the dessert in beneath those clouds.

The next morning our balcony had a thin layer of dirt and our windows were dirty. I went into town and there was not a car, bus or truck in the city that was clean. The streets were covered with dirt too, it reminded me of pollen season in Georgia when everything is covered with yellow dust.

This happened a few weeks ago, I'm just getting around to telling you about it.

Shalom....................Bernice

Classwork

OK! OK! You asked for it. Keep in mind that these paintings are NOT finished works, but they ARE done. These paintings are two hour class studies by someone who is just learning to use the medium.

Two Hours With A Dead Chicken

Jugs

Nurit's Dancing Shoes

Shalom...............Bernice

Two Hours...

I told Don that we had a nude model at drawing class Monday night. She was hard to paint, not because she didn't hold still, but because her skin color was hard to capture. Our still life was a plucked uncooked chicken on a wood platter, some cutlery and a red pepper...........Ok.........I'll take the challenge. I was going to paint the fly that kept wondering around her but he, the fly, wouldn't hold still and then with one quick slap, Akiva, ended his (the fly's) life. I'm going to call this picture "Two Hours With a Dead Chicken". I don't know why I'm sending you this, it's a silly story.......but a true one.

Shalom..................Bernice