We are down in Endicott today and tomorrow on sad business. My Sister in law Pat’s sister Peggy passed away 2 days ago from lung cancer. We are down seeing family.Peggy was a really nice and fun lady who lived just down the street from Pat and Joe. Peggy and Pat are from a group of 10 brother and sisters… And they were all there tonight,,, they are a really fun and close family. Peggy was loved by many people. The visiting hours tonight was packed.. Im glad that that we made it here. Peggys service is tomorrow…
It occured to me this morning as i showered that we should link our birthdayss to the elements. It wasnt such a random thought,.. We have a shower curtain which is a periodic table of the elements (doesnt everyone ?!)
It got methinking that every birthday we should get a gift made fromtheleement whose atomic number coresponded to our age. For exambple at 56.. I would expect a gift of Barium
Next year i enter the rare earths.. How fun !
Anyway ? Something to think about during my periodic (ugh)showers..
Couldnt sleep last night.. Much at least, too much on my mind. That doesnt happen often.. But when it does,, im like a zombie the next day,
I actually fell asleep 4 times during the day.. Uncluding at yoga tonight.. And more recently after dinner on the couch. Just woke up around 10:30 in time to trty to go to sleep again.
Happy new years all. I didn’t manage to take off any of today as had intended.. it turned out to be an even busier work day than usual.. but I had an interesting opportunity. I was feeling pretty burned out and sad late in the day when I saw a group of Orthodox Jews.. some whom I knew.. walking down towards the lake near sunset. I quickly realized that they were going to do Tashlich.. literally ‘to cast’ .. on Rosh Hashona, jews everywhere walk to the side of a body of water and ritually through their sins in.. Interestingly, the water must have fish in it for it to ‘take’ ..
I drove down part way to the lake, then ran down to catch up. Several folks in the group i knew including my friend Daniel .. We all gathered at the shore of the lake. A young man came up and aced me if i’d heard the Shofar .. the rams horn trumpet.. yet this year . you are supposed to hear it during Rosh Hashonna.. When I answered that I had not.. eh gave me a private concert.. )Tequila godolahhhhhhhhhh !. )
We waited for near sundown then the Rebbi lead us through the Tashlich prayers.. it revolves around the 9 attributes of g-d.. e.g. slow to anger.. ( a good one. ) At the end of the prayer some through bread in the water.. others just shake their prayer shawls.. symbolizing the casting away of the last years sins..
I just stood there and admired the sunset.. i had sins .. i’m sure.. i just have a short memory.
We then walked back up the hill.. I had a really nice talk with one of the guys in the group.. .. made for a good end to the day
