Observations about life in Israel from a Canadian immigrant's perspective.
It has been nearly eight months of war, death, and destruction in Israel. I experience fear, then calm, and shattered hope. I cycle between these feelings, finding refuge in my garden where nature continues to teach me lessons. Here exists a predictable world as the reliable seasons cycle. With this war raging, there is no predictability… Continue reading Living on the Edge
A pair of barn swallows decided our back porch would be a place to call home. They set to work without losing a moment. We sat outside with our morning coffee as they pirouetted in flight, a dizzying full-time job of gathering twigs, dirt, and grass. Soon enough they had a nest complete with eggs and before… Continue reading Homeless
Following up on last month’s blog, the corrupt mayor in Tzfat (the one who bankrupted the city) lost to a Hareidi candidate who knows nothing about the city’s issues - he was parachuted in by Shas and his connection to the town is that his wife was born there.All of the Tzfat Hareidim voted for… Continue reading We are united and all is ok
There has been an abundance of rain this winter, especially in January. The soil is wet, heavy, fecund. The rain water gathers and forms small rivulets that meander down the slopes, gargling as they go. As soon as the rain pauses (and even during a light rain), I am out there, astounded by the rapid rate… Continue reading A Meditation on Weeds
The vice tightens. This long war feels endless while the hatred of Israel and Jews around the world deepens. I stopped watching the news as my cup has overflowed with tragedy and sorrow. I just can’t take any more devastation and brokenness. At first, I felt it was my obligation to know. But how much sadness… Continue reading Celebrating in Darkness
November is normally my favorite month in Israel. It is a time of cooling, of nourishing showers accompanied by rainbows crowning sparkling skies. And finally, tiny green newborn growth pokes up beside its parched yellow elders. In contrast, November was my cruelest month in Canada with its retinue of dead fallen leaves, killer frost, and dreary skies. To… Continue reading War Day 54 and Life Still Surreal
Here in Israel, life hangs on a thread. Everything that is deemed normal or routine has come to a standstill. Each morning, feeling grateful after a night’s sleep in a bed and not in a bomb shelter, I awaken to a reality of unknown, untouchable fear. When I am asleep (unless I am woken up… Continue reading Planting For Hope
We lost a good friend last month. We mourn our comforting, cozy, loyal and affectionate friend TJ. Our golden retriever, who turned 16 in January, was part of our family since he was a tiny pup.Our kids still remember the day we came home with this tiny white fluff ball. We were in Tzfat and… Continue reading Missing TJ
The heat is beyond belief. As I am new to this part of Israel, I am not sure whether this is normal or whether the whole world is burning up. To do any work in the garden, we must now get up before 5am, a time when the chickens stir, the roosters cock-o-ri-coo, and both crickets… Continue reading Don't Count Your Chickens (or Melons) Till They're Hatched
Our day now begins at cockcrow – the sound of our roosters. They like to wake up around 4:45, which is actually a perfect time for me to rouse these days. The song birds are also twittering and the light is soft and gentle. Best of all, there is a slight chill to the air;… Continue reading The Crow of the Rooster
Life in Israel 