Sabbatical Week Two

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First a note on the current American political situation:

Violence is not OK. I have worked for better handling of guns since before the Million Mom March to Washington when Sarah was still in elementary school. As I said on Facebook last night. Pray. Work for peace. I will add, be careful of drawing too many conclusions too quickly. Do not buy into conspiracy theories on the left of the right. Be careful of your own rhetoric. Give law enforcement, the local, state, federal, Secret Service and the FBI time to do their jobs. Don’t watch the news 24×7. Turn off the TV. Take breaks and stay informed. Violence is not the answer.

Now back to sabbatical mode:
I had some pretty ambitious goals for a sabbatical. 18 days (or really 14). But really the idea is to unwind (national and Israeli news do not help with that!). By the third day in Charlevoix that was beginning to happen.

Here is the list:

  • Finishing writing the book, Trip Notes–not done but working on it On page 50.
  • Writing a piece for AJR on the Yamim Nora’im and October 7, one submitted and a second one almost done, due next week. You will have to wait and see if AJR takes them.
  • Finishing my class on “G-d is Here”, have not really begun 
  • Painting something for Fox Valley Hands of Hope, maybe and a collage of photos. Due tomorrow. I wound up spending two days painting in Charlevoix at a plein air event. I did three paintings as a series, Morning Mist, Midday Sparkle and Glitter Path Sunset. We also painted at Pinot’s Palette. Why is this a spiritual endeavor? It slows my down and forces me to look at light and color. I find it frustrating, because I can’t quite get the colors the way I see them. And I keep trying. I am good for about an hour and half before I lose all patience. And patience is a spiritual discipline so I will keep trying. 
  • Restorative activities: 
    • Sleeping, some for sure , but my body just seems to wake up at 6:00 AM
    • Reading 
      • A novel,  Cherry Pies and Deadly Lies, done
      • Morning Noon and Night by Rabbi Evan Schultz, this book led to the title of the sunset painting.
      • Joan Nathan’s new cookbook, My life in recipes. This may be my favorite.
      • Judaism is about Love, LONG, not done
      • Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
      • The Outsidesr. After seeing the play I felt I needed to read the original book.
      • (A Movie) The Bucket List–might be a good selichot movie.
    • Finding Sunsets and Sunrises 
      • Lots of sunsets. Always inspiring
      • One sunrise
    • Hiking 
      • Daily miles.
    • Learning to dance 
      • That will have to wait
    •  Other:
      • Outdoor concert–this was wonderful
      • Celebrating 39 years of engagement with Simon, Tabor Hill, Burnt Toast our own list of magical moments.
      • Working on my own self care: skin, nails, calling dentist, eye doctor and mamogram. (Getting there)