Free at last.  A day to give thanks.  We can now come and go freely, and safely access our washer and dryer and yard, until we move.  You can’t imagine the relief, unless you’ve lived at the mercy of ignorant feral troglodytes.  We can breathe again (without hazmat protection).  We hope the children will survive those sorry excuses for grownups, and be okay.   😀

I was reading something related to YK by Rabbi Alan Lew (the “zen rabbi”), and some thoughts jumped out which seem relevant to our lives, even out of context.

“The inevitable result of becoming more aware is that we realize we’re not really prepared for our lives. The things that are significant in our lives are not the things we spend all of our energy defending against and trying to manipulate. That’s only half of the journey. The other half is that once we realize that our preparations and our attempts to manipulate life don’t work, we also realize we can let them go, that we don’t need them. That is a great relief and a great healing.

…Months later, at the end of the journey, we’re sitting in another broken house, the sukkah. Only now, we’re rejoicing. We’re singing and dancing. At first we saw the fact that the house was broken was a great catastrophe. And now we see we don’t need it. We can sit outside with the stars in our hair and the wind in our face, and we’re perfectly fine. And that’s the real journey. It has two major parts–the first coming to the realization that we are completely unprepared, that we are in a state of urgent and desperate emergency. And then second realizing that it’s alright.”

Rabbi Alan Lew

I’ll let his words speak for themselves, and leave the applications to you, dear reader.

Better than YouTube, Netflix, and AmazonPrime, it’s—UHaul TV!  The only thing better will be when it’s our turn, but first things first.

This is like candy to the eyes, watching those persons take their crap and move out.  It may not sound very charitable on YK, but it feels like cosmic justice, finally having all that toxicity removed from under us.  We’ve been living like scared rabbits, in fear for our safety, health, and security.  This is like a sign that maybe some things in life can go right.  I only wish their little kids well.

Please excuse the poor photo quality; we’re staked out behind the curtains, trying not to be seen binge-watching!  Back to our marathon.

I tried not to get my hopes up, but it’s hard to deny the moving van out front!  And all the junk at the curb.  It looks like the hillbillies from hell are finally moving out.  Thank whatever!  It means some good can still happen.  One thing at a time.

To have some peace and security until we ourselves move…priceless.

Good YK.

The holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, begins this evening.  We must get right with our fellow humans, starting with those closest to us, the most challenging and uncomfortable.  We must forgive and ask forgiveness of each other, before g-d will consider wiping our slate clean for the new year.  Or so they say.

Whether you believe or not, it can never hurt to search your soul and make things right.  Whether it’s g-d or karma or just cause-and-effect, the consequences of our actions can ripple down generations and hurt many loved ones.  I’ve seen it firsthand, and so have you.  I still have many regrets from past scars I’ve caused, or family left me with.

We are all accountable for our actions, starting with myself and ending with our rulers, trump et al in particular.  I don’t say “leaders”, because true leaders serve the needs of their people, not vice versa.  We can’t control them, but we can examine ourselves and not repeat the sins of our predecessors.

On a lighter note, here are erev scenes.  Since we always eat our one daily meal early in the day, it works out for *attempting* to fast.  We’ll see how that goes!  The Skullies are in symbolic sackcloth (actually old socks, so sockcloth?) as befits the solemn spirit of the holiday.  Somber, aren’t they!  Wipe those grins off your faces!

Not much to say, too much to process, just holding on until the pieces fall into place.

The hillbilly circus below has expanded, literally, with some large adults and another vehicle squeezed into the mix.  I don’t know where the poor children even fit.  Lots more slamming, banging, spitting, and insecurity.  So much for hopes of them moving out first.

Nevertheless, grass must be mowed, tomatoes and peppers must still be harvested, and flowers must be photographed.  (Roses courtesy of E.)  And beer must be drunk.

Yesterday we window-shopped in YS for E’s birthday, then adjourned to HQ (the Tavern), where I had a hoppy (naturally) Tröegs Hop Knife Harvest Ale.  Forgot to take its pic, so just imagine harvesty hops.

Along our stroll, we met three new (to us, old to YS) animal friends.  I didn’t catch the younger black cat’s name, as s/he was fast asleep on an air conditioner (the hot side, for a 90 degree day, but just right for a cat in the shade).

The little dog in the new outdoor lifestyle shop says it all about Ohio.

And Harry the Hippie was receiving admirers at his leisure at Dragon Tree Tattoo.  (He has his own FB page.)

This sign was spotted out on the street.  Probably one of the few places in Ohio it’s true.

At home today, I made this example of a healthy, substantial meal you can make for just a few dollars (if you like eggplant!).  It’s baked with Italian herbs, homegrown tomatoes, onions and garlic, olive oil, a little madeira, and some cheeses.  With pasta, it provides many affordable servings.  You could use zucchini or any other veggie of choice.  Served with flowers on the side!

Here are highlights of E’s BD dinner–fresh baked salmon-to-die-for (a luxury) and a Thai-style bok choy stir-fry.  You know what dessert is.

Here’s a typical still life, and one of E’s BD gifts.  It comes from Dark Star Books, home of Mister Eko the Lethargic Cat.  We hope to have a real home to fly it at one of these days.

Cakes make me nervous, but I NAILED this one, if I do say so myself.  Also, one of E’s gifts, which we had to sample, pomegranate being a symbol of Rosh Hashanah.

I was up at dawn, setting up for E’s birthday.  I try to make up as best I can for all the losses and abandonment by her entire family.  It’s both a happy and sad day, because it’s also my son’s final anniversary.  I feel heartbroken for him and his family, which includes me.  Not a day to celebrate entirely, but we must live on and adapt, and weigh new paths carefully, so that everyone involved is served, not lost in the shuffle.  Some difficult decisions ahead for all of us.