Blog/July 2017/Jul 7th

July 7th

Another jam-packed week in the Aaron household!

We started off with “strange happenings” just prior to shabbat. Late in the afternoon, we all heard what sounded like a rooster crowing. I figured it was the kids next door messing around, or perhaps someone’s phone ring-tone. It turns out I was very wrong.

The Rooster Crows at Dawn…

Thus on shabbat morning, we were awakened just after 5 o’clock by the loud crowing of a rooster! I had always thought a rooster crows once or twice to announce the day, and then shuts up. No, that’s not how it works; or, at least, that’s not how this rooster works. He crowed once a minute for at least three hours. Right next to our bedroom window (or so it sounded).

…and keeps on crowing

You all know how gentle and tolerant I am. I’m famous for my easy-going, peaceful, and pleasant nature. The cock-a-doodle-do proved a match for my incomparable self-restraint. By the time my accustomed time for arising on shabbat had arrived, I was in a most fowl [sic] mood.

I left my house, heading for the house of prayer — knowing that my mood was not conducive to communing with the Almighty, but determined to make the effort anyway. As I proceeded out, I noticed my neighbors out on their patio, and asked them, “whose $#@$# rooster is that?”. They laughed and told me it was our joint neighbor’s (the one directly next-door to us). It had escaped, however, and was currently in their back-yard evading capture. And crowing.

It seems the original recipient of the rooster had received it on Rabbinical Authority™ as a “segula” (mystical remedy) to aid his recovery from a soon-to-occur operation. I have two questions regarding this. First: since the rooster escaped to the neighbor, would it still have the same effect? If not, would the recipient have to repeat the process? Second: if it did, then what is the effect-radius of a magical rooster? I mean, we were less than 50 meters away from the bird; could it still affect us positively? These are great and profound questions.

After three days, the rooster was taken away. I don’t know if that was figurative or literal, but it was a blessed moment, to be revered for all time. On a positive note, I had the opportunity to make the blessing, “Praised is He Who gives the rooster the sense to distinguish between day and night!” I would have given more full-hearted praise, however, had He given the rooster the sense to stop after a few minutes.

Esther and I celebrated our 31^st wedding anniversary this week. We celebrated a day early, since Monday wouldn’t have been convenient for us. Instead, on Sunday we visited Stalactite Cave. Sarah joined us, which was a treat (though she had ulterior motives). I have to say, we all enjoyed seeing the caves. Our “tour-guide” was not too talkative, which we all appreciated. After the caves, we dropped Sarah off, and Esther and I went out for lunch in Tel Aviv. It was a pleasant outing, though “hotter than Hell” comes to mind.

Sarah joined us on our trip, as I said, for “ulterior motives”. Her purpose was to be ferried to Ramat Gan in order to commence her search for a new place to live. After we dropped her off, she went about the task of looking for places and checking them out. In the end, we’re happy to say, she found a place which suited her, and she’ll be moving out on her own in the next week or so. We wish her all success!

We worked, as usual. I’ve been spending a ludicrous amount of time on “LinkedIn” and sending out cold-call emails. Success was not readily apparent, but the activity keeps me out of jail. When I wasn’t doing that, I was working on my current client’s project, as well as working on various fixes for 8th. I’m happy to report that my client told me, “You’re the fastest programmer I’ve ever worked with”, and “You’re the best!”. It’s nice to be appreciated.

Esther suggested that we run a “Hot Summer Sale” on 8th. So we started that yesterday, and are hoping for a good response.

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, came to Israel this week, to much fanfare. In his honor, I made a vegetable curry; but he didn’t honor me by visiting Aaron House, the bum. Next time, perhaps.

The weather this week was just past the threshold of “Hell”. Fortunately, it eased-off at the end of the week, and we’re looking forward to normal summer-pattern weather with hot days but cool nights. B”H!

We’re hopeful no wild creatures’ cries will disturb our peace this shabbat. We’ve got guests, who will disturb our peace, but we hope they’ll enjoy:
“barbecued” short-ribs, turkey breast with shallots and sage, roasted potatoes and yams, broccoli kugel, stuffed artichokes, various salatim, fruit, and chocolate-chip cookies.

Until next time,
shabbat shalom!

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