It helped me to center myself and feel at peace to make latkes from the potatoes in my garden recently. I had to borrow a food processor from my non-Jewish neighbors, which, somehow seem to add a special touch to the final product. I even baked half of them rather than fry, for slightly healthier results. amidst all the chaos, welcome to California! Of course, I’m in Oregon, so I consider you a neighbor.
Ditto. Except in my case the "all about you" affects my blood pressure rather than taking my breath away. I am trying to exercise care re how much "all about you" I absorb. xoxo
May all our traditions, whatever they are and whomever we are, bring compassion into our hearts, so we can be the peace we seek. Thanks for providing me with my thoughtful, honest Weekly Reader (remember that?). Happy Hanukkah❣️
I remember Weekly Reader very well. I like the idea of continuing in that tradition. Wishing you a warm, stress-free holiday season, filled with blessing.
It would never occur to me to equate Minnesota with "the screaming of the great world," but I guess if you're in a hotel next to the airport and the Mall of America, it could feel that way.
Jonah made latkes on Tuesday from potatoes and onions that he grew himself. He did it all wrong -- he left the potatoes unpeeled and didn't squeeze the water out after grating -- and they were absolutely delicious. Lesson learned.
Thanks for the music this morning. I will make it my mantra...both/and. Love the story about Jonah. Tonight's the night for latkes in El Dorado.Happy 8th night to you and all your wonderful family.
it's true, though I find myself in a different world in the work i do- it's challenging to be a bridge or find commonality at times. Hoping we can all come out of this in one piece, literally.
Susie, you would've loved the Deus ex machina throwing "gold"-covered Chanuka gelt from on high to the rapidly covered-by-snow ground in Lilac Park on 1st night of Chanuka. Should I spoil the story by explaining that the gelt tosser was on one of the ladders on one of the engines of Lenox Fire Dept?
About 100 of us showed up for the menorah lighting, and I imagine all the adults worried about whether someone would attack us as we stood still or kept moving between the light of the menorah and the lights on the Christmas tree. In addition to the firefighters, there was police presence, keyboard music, and some sort of fire-twirling act. Most important: it was the first time in Lenox's history of more than 250 years as an incorporated village that r;esidents (led by Chabad, btw) had a public menorah lighting. (I'm not sure where the jelly donuts or latkes went, but we had bigger issues on our minds anyway.) Sorry you missed it!
Fran - I love this story. It has everything including a fire engine! And 100 people is a fantastic turn-out for Lenox. Chag chanukah sameach.....Blessings, Susie
Susie I just want you to know I can hardly ever sleep. Having a good sleep is such a gift. There is just too much to think about these days. Poignant essay so much to unpack. You always give us food for thought. Thank you for your words.
I've been boning up on the Jewish old left. You are fortunate to have that in your bloodline, but I didn't come from a political family so I kind of have to make it up as I go along and try to educate myself. So good to hear from you.
I wish I could get past all the hate right now. It would take more than a flight: “Wherever you go, there you are,” and the terrible news comes fast and furious.
I agree entirely. As I wrote, remembering I'm alive is salutary. Also all things non-human. Just went to visit our pig, goat, and chicken friends who seem to get along quite well.
Thank you, Susie. This essay brought me back into the present moment with everything. Also, you sly thing you, "in case you were left to your own devices" is a particularly clever turn of phrase here! Thanks for the smile too.
Sometimes I just can't resist the cleverness, even in the face of atrocity. I want to maintain an entirely serious tone but, I guess, it's too painful. Word play has always been a preferred distraction.
It helped me to center myself and feel at peace to make latkes from the potatoes in my garden recently. I had to borrow a food processor from my non-Jewish neighbors, which, somehow seem to add a special touch to the final product. I even baked half of them rather than fry, for slightly healthier results. amidst all the chaos, welcome to California! Of course, I’m in Oregon, so I consider you a neighbor.
You are always a neighbor even if you are many miles away. We'll be at least eleven for latkes so I anticipate a fair amount of mayhem.
I would expect nothing less
"It's either all about you all the time or it's never about you ever." Wow! You nailed it! Thanks.
I'm more familiar with the "never about you" phenomenon. The "all about you" takes my breath away.
Ditto. Except in my case the "all about you" affects my blood pressure rather than taking my breath away. I am trying to exercise care re how much "all about you" I absorb. xoxo
Let me know if you have any pointers.
OK - please do the same!
Same to you. We won’t be with family, but will be with good friends.
May all our traditions, whatever they are and whomever we are, bring compassion into our hearts, so we can be the peace we seek. Thanks for providing me with my thoughtful, honest Weekly Reader (remember that?). Happy Hanukkah❣️
I remember Weekly Reader very well. I like the idea of continuing in that tradition. Wishing you a warm, stress-free holiday season, filled with blessing.
The opening words of this piece reminded me of one of my favorite songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEIvLKd7MqU
It would never occur to me to equate Minnesota with "the screaming of the great world," but I guess if you're in a hotel next to the airport and the Mall of America, it could feel that way.
Jonah made latkes on Tuesday from potatoes and onions that he grew himself. He did it all wrong -- he left the potatoes unpeeled and didn't squeeze the water out after grating -- and they were absolutely delicious. Lesson learned.
Thanks for the music this morning. I will make it my mantra...both/and. Love the story about Jonah. Tonight's the night for latkes in El Dorado.Happy 8th night to you and all your wonderful family.
Please always let your wry mind leaven your seriousness. Both are such a gift! Your writing is always thought-and-heart-provoking.
Excellent advice. I guess it's part of the great lesson of "both and." That sometimes the "both" happens at the same time.
That sometimes seems to be the deepest reality. That's why I love Jungian psychology and Kabbalah so much. That's their territory.
You are my teacher in those classrooms.
it's true, though I find myself in a different world in the work i do- it's challenging to be a bridge or find commonality at times. Hoping we can all come out of this in one piece, literally.
Susie, you would've loved the Deus ex machina throwing "gold"-covered Chanuka gelt from on high to the rapidly covered-by-snow ground in Lilac Park on 1st night of Chanuka. Should I spoil the story by explaining that the gelt tosser was on one of the ladders on one of the engines of Lenox Fire Dept?
About 100 of us showed up for the menorah lighting, and I imagine all the adults worried about whether someone would attack us as we stood still or kept moving between the light of the menorah and the lights on the Christmas tree. In addition to the firefighters, there was police presence, keyboard music, and some sort of fire-twirling act. Most important: it was the first time in Lenox's history of more than 250 years as an incorporated village that r;esidents (led by Chabad, btw) had a public menorah lighting. (I'm not sure where the jelly donuts or latkes went, but we had bigger issues on our minds anyway.) Sorry you missed it!
Fran - I love this story. It has everything including a fire engine! And 100 people is a fantastic turn-out for Lenox. Chag chanukah sameach.....Blessings, Susie
Susie I just want you to know I can hardly ever sleep. Having a good sleep is such a gift. There is just too much to think about these days. Poignant essay so much to unpack. You always give us food for thought. Thank you for your words.
Thank you, Alice. Do you ever dream about being a different animal? I guess if I were a cat, I wouldn't know Cezanne.
I always enjoy your writing. These are heavy, mind-boggling times. Wishing you beautiful Hannukah light!
I've been boning up on the Jewish old left. You are fortunate to have that in your bloodline, but I didn't come from a political family so I kind of have to make it up as I go along and try to educate myself. So good to hear from you.
I wish I could get past all the hate right now. It would take more than a flight: “Wherever you go, there you are,” and the terrible news comes fast and furious.
I agree entirely. As I wrote, remembering I'm alive is salutary. Also all things non-human. Just went to visit our pig, goat, and chicken friends who seem to get along quite well.
Thank you, Susie. This essay brought me back into the present moment with everything. Also, you sly thing you, "in case you were left to your own devices" is a particularly clever turn of phrase here! Thanks for the smile too.
Sometimes I just can't resist the cleverness, even in the face of atrocity. I want to maintain an entirely serious tone but, I guess, it's too painful. Word play has always been a preferred distraction.
Than you very much it resonates with me
You're very welcome, Robert. Thanks for taking the time to read my words.