Happy New Year!

Jeanne never really needs a reason to have a party - some beer, festive lights and a prime position next to the crock pot of Velveeta cheese dip, and we're good to go.

Paon

About 15 years ago, I met Debbie R completely by chance through a mutual friend. We made an instant connection and our husbands love each other too. No men tonight, but it was still fun to catch up over some good wine in a gorgeous restaurant.

Sefer Safari

February always presents a reading dare to our school. K-5 is challenged to read 1700 books by the end of the month and we are tempted and rewarded along the way. Dress down days, crazy hat day...educators will do anything to motivate kids to read. Snow White and her friends made a special appearance to every classroom and endured some very good natured ribbing. I wonder who will visit next week?

Cat mail

Darby loves boxes - boxes of all kinds. If we leave ANY box on the ground, he will climb in and stake his claim. His favorite place to sleep is a small wicker basket that sits on our coffee table. It'll be a picture of the day soon, I'm sure. Every month, we tape a box together and toss in fun stuff to send to Will. Darby is always the first in the box. Last night, he "helped" me tape the box shut and then paw-handled it to try to get in. Maybe I'll send Will an 18 pound box next month!

Low tide

Today's drive by the beach revealed a very low tide and surfers walking a long way to the waves. After the tumultuous high tides of the last two weeks, the beach parking lots are covered in sand and rocks and the tide pools are uncovered and waiting to be explored.

Daddy -o

My dad is a nearly 88 year old Humpty Dumpty - he falls and gets glued back together again. Last week, I got a call from the lady at his independent living home. He had taken a fall and was being zipped away to urgent care. No real damage except perhaps to the ego. Jo is his longtime friend and confidante and she fusses over him like an Italian mother hen. Are you hungry? Can I tidy up? Sure, I'll give you a shave. I swear she has chicken soup in her purse.

Mikveh Monologues

I've never been to a mikveh - the closest one is up in LA and I join others in being too intimidated to ever try the experience. I also thought women went to the mikveh for niddah and perhaps before one got married. Not so true, I found out both men and women go to the mikveh for many reasons - after chemo or a divorce, before Shabbat, adoptions, bat mitzvah...who knew? Renewal, learning and the ritual of immersion. With the help of some leaders in the community, I may soon be able to have the opportunity to experience an old tradition. Thanks Laura and Jane! www.WatersOfEdensd.org