A woman of Valour - Shalom of Safed

Celebration

Today is Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the giving of the Scriptures and the richness we find there. For generations, the artistic community of Israel has revelled in the inspiration the Torah has given them.

For the last 60 years, since the establishment of the state of Israel, its artistic community has flourished and prospered. Nowhere more so than in the Galilee. There is such a high concentration of artists, textile artists, sculptors, jewellers, photographers and musical instrument makers in this tiny region that a hefty book has been published about their work. Many are hidden away on the kibbutzim which dot the region. The artistic expression is as diverse as the countries the artists originate from; whether Ashkenazim, Sephardim or Mizrahim.

The tiny town of Safed, high on a hill overlooking the Jordan valley, boasts an enviable artistic community. Shalom of Safed is perhaps its most well known “son”. By the time of his death, aged 93, his paintings, tapestries and lithographs had been exhibited all over the world. His topics focussed on the religious and family life and the Scriptures. Just a few examples.

Bad reception and creaky joints

Yesterday I caved in – over a digital TV.

The one we had not only wasn’t digital, but it had dents in it - from when it was kicked by a giraffe in the ark.

We watch TV about once a week and five minutes each night for the news headlines. Hence I felt a bit daft buying such a flashy item, albeit in a sale.

However, I’m a convert. It is BEAUTIFUL to look at – even when it’s turned off. Oh yes, and DVDs will now be viewable in the right width.

Ms Apple Cookie is sulking, as we have now switched from a satellite box, big enough and warm enough for arthritic Ms to snooze on, to a small free view receiver, large enough for a geriatric hamster.

I don’t think a hot water bottle every night in place of the satbox is going to cut it for Ms. I was punished last night by her stretching languorously on my side of the bed. Hubby and I and iPud had to share the other half.

So alas, the new TV is responsible for a bad night’s sleep.

Lifesaving sandwiches

If I had the energy, which I don't, I would write an ode to the humble sandwich.

For the last three days of insanity at my new job, I have been kept upright by a square plastic box containing a two slices of bread and some cheese. There has been so much to learn and do, I've had just enough time to open my mouth and chew.

By the time I've collapsed at the dinner table, I haven't had the energy to lift food to my face.

So, I'm sending out a plea for toasted sandwich ideas. What can I take to put in bread and toast in a sandwich maker. Needs to be healthy, energy inducing and capable of being eaten in around 45 seconds?

Random associations

........the similarity between some vacuum bags and colostomy bags.

Shopping for Dummies

Our local super cheap supermarket recently underwent a big renovation. It is now much larger and smarter, and can stock more products. The trolleys are new, so for the moment can be pushed in a straight line.

The size of the store has several disadvantages.

Firstly, I never know where to find items when I’m in a hurry. You have to traverse several levels of purgatory before you can locate deodorant or shredded coconut.

Second, I didn’t realise how vital it was to have a choice between thirty types of tuna. It used to be simple. Tuna was either in oil or brine. Now it is in soy oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, and spring water. It comes with chillies, onions, curry flavoured or Thai flavoured. It is dolphin friendly (obviously not tuna friendly) and kosher.

Nuts occupy four different aisles – loose in a bin, organic, snack packets or bulk in a sack.

I can NEVER find baker’s yeast or frozen pastry, but I can’t escape the rows and rows and rows of chocolate – there are chocolate ambushes everywhere, even at the end of the laundry powder aisle.

Marmite is on the top shelf like an Adult rated magazine, but Vegemite is at eye level. It is a conspiracy.

Anyone else out there nostalgic for the corner greengrocer selling one type of corn beef, one make of baked beans and freshly sliced pale pink baloney sausage?

Cheesefly?

A question. Does anyone know if butterflies are also attracted to objects by smell as well as colour?

As we had lunch on our sunny deck today, we had a Monarch butterfly strutting and fluttering VERY close to our block of Stilton cheese.

There has to be a children’s story in there somewhere.