Posts
There is an Israeli song whose lyrics are like this - Hello, I'm leaving for London, where despair is more comfortable.
It was written many years ago, it was always a bit uncomfortable here, and we always thought it was more comfortable elsewhere.
These words ran through my head this morning, I see how much the Americans are pained by the results of the last election, how much the English are suffering from their new government, and the Dutch, who still don't understand, but they were conquered by violent people. This morning I got up like everyone here a little before six o'clock to the sounds of the alarm, with my eyes closed I ran to the shelter where I met the young families of the neighbors with the small children and the dog Bella who was very frightened.
A ballistic missile was fired from Yemen and made its way to us.
Then I came home and made a pot full of zucchini stuffed with meat, white rice, and meatballs in red sauce. I watered the garden and thought thoughts
The recent events in Amsterdam were a total disgrace. The Dutch should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt will reach more places in Europe unfortunately.
DeleteThey ARE ashamed, as the Flying Dutchman told me, ashamed and horrified.
DeleteThough looking at some awful incidents in Berlin, I am ashamed for Germany too.
DeleteBritta, these people do not represent the good person you are, no need to feel guilty.
DeleteIt is as you say: the Dutch were conquered by violent people, and so were the French, the English, the Germans and all who were open for refugees. Countries like Poland, Hungaria or the Cech Republik don´t have these problems.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that you are safe and continue with your life.
Hilde in Germany
Thank you Hilde.
DeleteThe words "where despair is more comfortable" really captures our privilege in other parts of the world. Take care, Yael.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeniffe, and yet I think the pain and sorrow is one hundred percent for anyone who experiences it for whatever reason. I'm sorry for what you're going through.
DeleteI know that this isn't the point of your post. But apart from Australia, I have only lived long term in two cities - 3 years in Tel Aviv and 2 years in London. Spouse wanted to go home to Melbourne, but I really loved both places :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you liked Tel Aviv.
DeleteMany from Israel are buying houses here where despair is more comfortable. But a home in their own homeland is what most would choose I'm sure. Thank goodness you are still safe and can continue to do ordinary things like cooking and looking after your garden. Be safe
ReplyDeleteI know many are leaving and it's so sad.
DeleteThe world is going through a change, and the bastards are winning right now.
ReplyDeleteAnvicloud, I still hope for better days
DeleteThe title of your blogpost made me pause to think.
ReplyDeleteMany of us take our relatively safe and comfortable lifestyle for granted. This Armistice Day has reminded many of us that we have a lot to be grateful for.
JayCee, Happily, there are still good things here too, and I am thankful for that every day.
DeleteThank you so much for your message today, Yael. As always, I'm grateful for your hopeful voice and your example of how to live fully under the most challenging of circumstances, cooking delicious and nourishing food and tending to your beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you am for the kind words this time too. I am surprised every time how high adrenaline is in times of danger. I use this for effective actions such as cooking, I don't eat the cooked food, I pass it on, to children, grandchildren and anyone who likes it.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of adrenaline helped me remember and feel and look more deeply into how our bodies react to extreme threat. The word "adrenaline" evokes the words "Fight or Flight." Your use of adrenaline could be seen as an additional option -- Finding a nonviolent way to take actions coming from love." Providing food, caring for your garden, writing to friends around the world about your life in Israel, giving us food for thought.
DeleteSometimes I ask, "Are leaders even working toward peace?" This question bothers me the most.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know you and your family are okay. I do think about you and the terrible hardship you endure.
Thank you Susan, sometimes I also can't believe that this is the reality we live in here, it's like a scene taken from a bad movie.
DeleteIt's true, we all have our problems, but yours are perhaps the most immediate! I'm keeping you in my thoughts, as always. Did that missile hit land, or did the "iron dome" get it? I'm glad you were able to take the energy of such a frightening morning and use it to make stuffed zucchini!
ReplyDeleteThank you for perspective. God bless. Praying your days are less frightful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you.
DeleteSteve, You will be surprised, but I also think about you from time to time, I learned from you to save plants...and the wonderful Olga. And as for the missiles, Iron Dome protects us from "normal" missiles, this time it was a ballistic missile from Yemen, for that there is a defense system called "Arrow", it intercepts the missile before it arrives but the fragments that fall are no less dangerous. I saw several fires on the hills in the nearby area, they say it is from the debris that fell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info about the Arrow system! I hadn't heard of that one.
DeleteThere is more to tell , some other time. Thank you for coming back and reading the comments. Yael
DeleteI cannot imagine your day to day horror. All i can do is say that Isee you, I hear you. You are in my thoughts. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Christina.
DeleteAgain we hear you are safe for another day. How I wish your war could/would end with all safe home. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYes, another day passed and everything is fine for now.
DeleteDanger nearby,seek shelter,then cook...
ReplyDeleteAnother of too many times you have coped
with an invasive alarm.
Yael, may there soon be
no more missiles or fires on hillsides near you,you matter to me ,-Mary
Thank you Mary for the kind words.
DeleteI now realise how lucky I am to live in very quiet mid wales, my thoughts and prays are with you. Sandy
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy, indeed there are quieter places but strangely most of us like this place here.
DeleteThere are terrible things going on, but I live in London and I do not notice anyone suffering because of the new government. You will always get people complaining about the government, but most people I know are immensely relieved that the far right crazies who ruled us for 5 years have been comprehensively kicked out. Maybe you're thinking of their party's recent leadership election, which was a depressing farce.
ReplyDeleteIndeed my understanding of English politics is very little and I may have used exaggerated expressions inspired by some blogs I read. My intention was to talk about the fact that there is no perfect place in the world, and I may be wrong about that too.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where you are getting the idea that the Uk is suffering so much under the current government. The country was left in an awful state by the chaotic rule of the Conservatives…also badly suffering the consequences of the ridiculous Brexit vote. But you are right…this is nothing compared to the suffering in your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteStay safe.
I did already admit in the previous comment that my knowledge of British politics is very superficial and maybe even incorrect, I relied on some blogs I read, and this probably proves that Blogland is not the best place to get political knowledge.
ReplyDeleteHaving to get up in the night for an alarm for something that might kill you puts my small problem of an elderly dog often waking me in the night to go outside to be nothing. I will think of you next time it happens and thank my lucky stars it is just the dog! Stay safe. We all wish this could be over for you and everyone affected.
ReplyDeleteFrances, I remember the nights when I too had to go out with the dog who was very old. And I miss her very much.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that there are always bigger troubles than ours, everything is relative in the world.
Sending all good wishes to you. The UK is fine, we are rid of the dreadful Conservative government. Labour needs time to sort things out and make some improvements. I am hopeful. I wish you peace in Israel.
ReplyDeleteThe first line is very evocative. It’s hard to move on from it. Thank you for posting, that, it has made me think a lot. Sending good wishes to you. In Canada we are looking at our neighbour with some concern. From Winnipeg, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWell, we have some despair in the UK, but I'd argue it's more from the legacy of the past government than the actions of the present one. It all depends on who you ask. :)
ReplyDeleteYour zucchini meal sounds fabulous!
Oh, I just saw that I already commented on this post! Sorry about that -- overkill on my part. :)
DeleteYou are always welcome Steve 🌹🌹Yael
ReplyDeleteDear Yael I wish I could magic you and your family to England where we could take care of you xx Kath
ReplyDeleteThank you Kath for your compassion and concern, it is so touching. We will probably deal with everything that is here for better or worse. There are also good things, to my delight. And again I thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Yael , I have been wondering how you were, thankyou for your post.
ReplyDeleteYou are right what you say about using the energy in a positive way. Energy is neither bad nor good, its hiw we use it that makes the difference.
We have just had a serious storm and without light it was difficult to find useful things to do. After 4 days , when we had light again, we didnt feel so bad as we can get on and strt repairing the damage caused.
do hope things improve for you soon . As you say ,if they dont hit you, the debris and blast can do a lot of damage.
Thinking of you Yael. stay safe .
Kathy in Wales
Dear Kathy, Thank you for the comment. I was very sorry to read that you were also affected by the severe storm in your area. I followed it on the news and it's hard for me to describe what it's like to live 4 days without electricity. We depend on it so much. I hope you've managed to get your life back to how it was before. And thank you again.
ReplyDelete