Serial-Killing Stawberries

This morning I overslept by two hours. Sweetman kept me awake from ten o’clock until about two-thirty this morning. He snores. No matter how many times I may pinch his nose or shout ‘stop snoring’, it doesn’t always work.

He also has a tendency to drop his arm on me. It feels more like a large dumb-bell being dropped across my ribs. This happens all through the night and it keeps me from falling asleep, too. And of course, I have to deal with HOTFLASHES which wake me immediately because I swear I’m being roasted over a fire.

Oh and, did I mention, four strawberries into breakfast yesterday, a warm sensation suddenly washed over me, my chest grew heavy, leaving me gasping for air. When I found a mirror, my face, neck, and chest had broken out in giant hives.

So yesterday I stayed on the couch dealing with the residual effects of a severe allergy attack. Massive nausea.

Believe it not, I’m still feeling it today. That’s why there are no travel tales or pics posted and I haven’t visited anyone’s blogs today, either. Sorry guys, I’m slacker-Shelly today.

Not to mention, it’s my birthday. It’s not that I ‘m depressed but….fifty is fast approaching.

Have a great day blogger-buddies!

Shelly

Travel Tales: Day 6, Part 3: The Sea of Galilee

Thursday, September 8, 2011

After our adventure, we made our way through Galilee toward Daniella’s kibutz.

We stopped off for coffee in the middle of nowhere. I should’ve taken pictures of the little coffee shop and gas station where we stopped but I was in absolute  awe. Behind this place laid the Sea of Galilee beyond a thin veil of mist. The owner’s had a nice patio in the back where visitors can sip their beverages and eat pastries while they look out onto to the sea. Amazing!

There was also agriculture going on off to the left of this field.

After our little coffee break, we got back on the road.

By the time we got to the kibutz it was dark so I’ll share pics of that tomorrow. But below are pictures of what our room looked like.

Our friend Daniella, runs a bed and breakfast in her home. She has two other rooms she rents out to vacationers. We had a lovely view from our patio of the surrounding mountains. This particular kibutz sits in the valley surrounded by olive, avocado, and apple trees. I’ll have more pics for you all tomorrow.

Everyone have a happy day blogging, reading, and writing!

Shelly

Travel Tales: Day 6 Part 2, Pick a Burka and Smoke a Hooka

Ocre is one of the friendly Arab cities in Israel. There you can get some really great hummus and falafel. That was one of Sweetman’s first stops once we got into the city. Below is a pic of how your toppings are displayed for your falafel. This is the common set up in any restaurant offering this tasty sandwich.

Okay. You guys are going to freak after I let you in on a secret about Shelly. While I hate shopping, I love flea markets and what’s better than visiting your local Arab one. Pick a burkah. Any burkah. I think I’d like the blue one. How about you?

You can buy fresh fish at the market, too.

Or fresh shark.

This dude has everything for your gourmet kitchen.

How about some spices?

How about a great cup of coffee? You know, the Arabs have the best coffee beans.

Bagels for sale. Bread anyone? I ate soooo much bread while I was there…in Israel I mean. It’s way better than Bunny or Wonder bread. Did I mention I think I gained about ten pounds in two weeks from eating the stuff. Five pounds to each buttock. I do believe I could be considered the bread basket of the world now.

Can’t forget the Baklava. I love this stuff. Another couple pounds to add to my thighs. Positive solutions toward world hunger, you know.

Local fruits and veggies were a reminder to stay in control of my inner bread beast.

After all that food, I think I need to relax with my own Hooka. Smoking one should curb my bread beast. Anyone interested in purchasing one? Below are like a million of them.

Maybe we can join these two with our pet Hooka. Wonder what they’re really smoking?

Now that we’ve smoked our Hooka, how about we walk down toward the docks and get some fresh juice?

Maybe a boat ride.

How about a swim?

Let’s swim to Haifa. It’s only across the way a little. See, over there in the haze.

Aww man. Sweetman’s a real party-pooper. “You know, you can get arrested for skinny dipping especially in this place.”

“But it’s hot,” I said.

“Do you know what they’d to you?”

I scratch my chin. “What if I left on my bra and panties.” Well, they were the fancy black ones he bought me to wear on the streets of New York City. What’s the difference? Right?

Sweetman made sure we snuck down an alley( a common-looking backstreet in this city). I think I embarrassed him again. He looks a little cranky. Don’t you think?

Tomorrow we’ll get back on the road to Galilee.

Have a great day blogging, reading, and writing!

Shelly

Travel Tales: Day 6: Sweetman’s Grandparents, and Traveling to Ocre, Part One

Today, September 8, 2011

This morning our friend, Daniella, picked us up. She lives in Galilee but before we went all the way there Sweetman went to pay respects to his grandparents from his father’s side. He never knew them.

Sweetman was born in a little town called, Pet a Tikva. It’s twenty minutes north of Tel Aviv going toward Galilee. This is where they rest.

The story of his father’s parents is a sad one and has been somewhat a mystery since him and his family moved to the states when he was seven. Even though Sweetman does have extended family in Israel, they’re not real close. One time we went to visit an aunt of his, two times. She refused to open her door. Oh well…

Luckily, we had Daniella with us and she was able to read their tombstones. Sweetman speaks Hebrew fluently along with several other languages but can’t read it except for a few words.

 

When Sweetman’s father was four months old his father suddenly died, at the age of thirty-two. The man was studying to be a rabbi. The word used for this is ‘shiva’.

 

When Sweetman’s father was four years old, his grandmother died at the age of twenty-eight. She was a doctor on her way to Beirut and got a cut. The cut became a full blown staph infection and took her life. So Sweetman’s dad was raised by his grandmothers. We also found out that he has an aunt somewhere. Now we’ll begin the search for her with the help of our friend.

After, we made our way to Galilee with plans to visit Haifa. But we ended up taking a different way and I got great pictures of the city standing high up somewhere off the side of a road. Our friend decided to go to Ocre instead.

Eucalyptus trees were everywhere. At first, I thought I was smelling basil but Sweetman corrected me. As you go further North, the scent of these trees get stronger. In fact, I’m standing in front of them to get this picture of Haifa below.

After, we made our way around winding roads to get to Ocre. It’s a friendly Arab city. Also, the Crusaders’ fortress still stands there. Wished we could’ve visited this. It’s fascinating. You would’ve loved the pics, especially Sir Wills. Maybe next time.

 

Below, I don’t know if you can see this but that’s some Israeli military  up there.

That’s all for now folks! Tomorrow I’ll share the sights of Ocre, one of my favorite cities.

Have a great day blogging, writing, and reading!

Shelly

Today, I’m driving down to see my grandson, Ho-Ho, and my daughters.

A Book Review: Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicles

 

Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicles, by Marie Harbon

Genre: Sci-Fy

Product Description

Seven Point Eight: The most powerful number in the universe. The number that connects everything. A physicist begins a quest to measure the soul but soon finds himself drawn into the world of the enigmatic Max Richardson, where research is sold to the military at the highest bid. However, he soon discovers another purpose when an extremely talented young psychic enters his life. He devises a project and builds a team to stretch the frontiers of exploration, only to make a reality-shattering discovery… The First Chronicle is the beginning of a 5 part epic which follows the spiritual and emotional journey of five people; their quest to understand the universe and our place within it. Along the way, they address the fundamental questions we all seek answers to: why are we here? What is the purpose of the universe? Is there a God? Quantum physics meets spirituality in a tale which begins in the 1940s, unfolds during the 1960s; an era of social and spiritual transformation and reaches its conclusion in the modern age. It interweaves the human dramas of love, betrayal, bitterness and above all, courage in a world where everyone must face their own dark shadow. A clever and intriguing story with underpinning geeky science and spiritual theory intertwined, full of sub-plots and fantastical worlds.
Please note: Contains some adult material.

My thoughts:

OMG. A million kudos to this author. Really. It was a sci-fi novel I could relate to. There are no fantasy kingdoms. No new languages you’ll have to learn. If you understand and appreciate quantum physics, you’ll love this book and not want to put this one down. And when you get to the end, it will be as if someone unexpectedly kicked you off a cliff. You’ll be left hanging.

Not only will the author have you wondering about ‘Is there a God? or ‘What is the meaning of life?’ But she’ll have you wondering who Ava Kavanaugh really is and who is Sam. Let me tell you why.

First the writer takes you into the 1940s where Paul Eldridge is delivering a speech on quantum physics. There you meet Max Richardson who questions him about the soul.

So many chapters in, the writer introduces you to Ava Kavanagh, a young scientist on the rise, and her sister (they were adopted as babies), taking her readers to the eighties. On the way to her sister, Ava sees things but not like a normal person would. She senses another reality which scares her because her sister lives in a psych ward all vegged out. And Ava fears she will end up in the same place due to what she believes are her own personal hallucinations.

Not long after, we’re introduced to Sam (he sees dead people), her cousin who is attracted to her. He’s younger than her but he’s ready to throw caution to the wind. When you first meet him he’s seventeen and she’s twenty-one. And as the writer writes on they grow older and their lives and their relationship grow more complex.

In the meantime, you’re thrown back into the sixties and introduced to Tahra, a psychic from Tehran. And a twisted love triangle happens amongst her, Paul Eldridge, and Max Richardson around an experiment with remote viewing and out of the body experiences.

All through this tale she drops hints along the way from the past that leap into the future. Not to mention, angels and dead people are constantly appearing. Now, I’m left really wondering about  a possible connection between Ava, Sam, Tahra, Paul, and Max. I’d like to go onto the next book.

You can purchase this for your Kindle @ .99 or buy it as a paperback for 18 dollars at Amazon.com.

This book gets Shelly’s  TWENT-FIVE shiny stars.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back to posting my travel tales. Sorry, guys. My plate is too full.

Sundays with Sir Poops-A-Lot and Hair Ball: Conveyor Belts

 

Sir Poops-A-Lot

 

SPAL: Mummsy looks and acts like she’s real tired again.

HB: I know. (he frowns)

SPAL: I thought vacations were supposed to make you refreshed and rested.

HB: Hmmm…                                                 Hair Ball

SPAL: She’s dragging her feet around again.

HB: Yup. Her hands hurt.

SPAL: Her legs hurt, too.

HB: And she’s back to not sleeping all night through.

SPAL: What are we going to do?

HB shrugs.

SPAL: Sunday should be her rest day. Where we should all hang out in bed with mummsy while she reads novels and writes her great American one.

HB: That would be nice.         

SPAL: Yeah. It would be. But she works in Hair-Lopping-World and I think the Slavemaster isn’t nice. Mummsy says she feels like a conveyor belt.

HB: What’s that?

SPAL: I think it’s a flat thing that keeps moving. It never stops.

HB: But mummsy’s not flat.

SPAL: (he shrugs) I know but she does keep going.

HB: Poor mummsy. I wished she could stay home with us all day and write.

SPAL: And, rest. Oh and, market herself more and talk with her writing buddies more, too.

HB sighs.

SPAL: Well, I hope all her writer friends have a great restful day. Hope they get lots of reading and writing done.

HB: Yeah. Or hang out in bed all day!  

Travel Tales: Day 5- Israeli Spy Pigeons and The Shady Dentist

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

This is the morning we had to get up early to get Sweetman to the dentist. Our taxi drove us to another town about twenty minutes from Tel Aviv. We were dropped off in a neighborhood with no visual medical community around. No offices were visible. It was a mystery.

Somewhere in this apartment building existed a dentist. Scary really! I felt like I was taking Sweetman to a top secret place to have his entire face changed. Just to let you all know, these three story apartment buildings are in the suburbs outside of Tel Aviv. For the most part, they are pretty typical residences in Israel except for the kibutzes. But still I had the feel of doing something illegal. ***eyes darting side to side****

We walked up these stairs wondering if we were in the right place. We knocked on a door and an old man answered. Nope! Wrong one. We went to another door. Nope! Wrong again. Crying children huddled at the legs of woman behind this one.

This one was it but no one was there to let us in so we ventured back down the stairs. We waited out in the courtyard.

We came across these two guys. They watched us with intent. They didn’t take their eyes off us. They stared. We stared. I believe these two were Israeli spies sent from the passport office checking up on us to make sure we told them the truth about why we were in their country.

In fact, another one flew in. By the way he took charge of things, I’d say he was the head spy. This one watched us until we went back upstairs to the dentist’s office.

“Look at those birds,” Sweetman said. “They’re really watching us.”

“Yeah. Wonder if they’re deciding whether or not to poo on us?” I said. “You know, maybe their spies. It’s strange how they just sit there and look right at us. They haven’t moved an inch.”

“Yeah.” Sweetman scratched his chin.

“Creepy.” I snapped their pictures.

A good thing the dentist came. She may’ve saved our lives or something. It could’ve been another Alfred Hitchcock movie in the making if she hadn’t. Know what I mean?

After the dentist, we went back to Tel Aviv to change from the Crowne Holiday Inn to the Israeli Intercontinental, a definite upgrade and more Sweetman’s taste. Plus, it was more restful for him. He’d been given orders to rest that entire day.

This is a small mosque just below us. You can see the Mediterranean behind it.

More Mediterranean and an old outside theater.

A picture taken from our room. We were on the sixteenth floor. We had a great view of Tel Aviv.

I think I caught a UFO hovering over the city. ***smiles***

Yup. As you can tell, it wasn’t real exciting on this day and my imagination ran wild.

The real exciting parts of our trip will begin on Monday.

Have great weekend!

Happy blogging, reading, and writing!

Shelly