80 degrees today - cooler than yesterday, which topped 90 degrees. Last night a full, blood moon, velvet sky dotted with stars that managed to shine through, despite the full and gloriously compelling moon. I sat outside and breathed in the moon and stars, the white blossoms on my clementine tree just beginning to boast their fragrance.
Today I ate breakfast on my patio, and enjoyed the shabat quiet. The cooing of birds, the hum of the bees flying in the kumquat and clementine trees. The bosmat is blooming, the begonias flow over the pots, the loouisa and mint are starting up again. Last year I planted one cutting of a shrub that deters mosquitoes - I do not know its name, but it has grown thick and lush, and now has purple flowers. I really don't know whether it is because of the shrub or the season, but I am able to sit outside without being bitten alive. So peaceful, so quiet. Every now and then a plane shrieks overhead, taking me out of my comforting state of denial. I am on a news 'fast.' The book I read is Amy Tan's "The Backyard Bird Chronicles" sent to me by a dear friend. Just for now, just for today I look at a tiny little worm squiggling in the air, suspended by goodness knows what, from the clementine tree. It is about 1/4" long and no more than 1/2 millimeter wide, and its body undulates vertically. I wonder what it is and what it is doing, and whether it will survive.
Just for now I imagine the planes I hear are people having fun in the flying field of a neighbouring moshav. Just for today I try not to think of the hostages, of their families, of what is happening in the West Bank, in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Syria. Just for today I do not think of Bibi and what he has done and is doing to us. I do not think of the Orange haired Monster, the South African madman, Putin, Orban - just for today the ever present tears and pain lie quiescent.
Just for today, for now, for this moment.