Ktalav revisited

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My first step into blogging started on a rainy day in February. Snow was predicted but it just rained instead and the most dramatic thing I could find to post was a red ktalav tree, its wet skin shining.
You can click here to see that "historic photo."
Since then the tree has changed a lot. Here it is blossoming in March--

And last week in our now hot and dry June air, it peeled, as promised--

Eerie to walk past and hear little crackling noises! See that alien?

Shabbat shalom, Sabbath peace, to you and all of the marvelous Creation.
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Celestial music

Last week some friends and I drove down from the top of our hill, crossed the narrow valley of Soreq, and ascended the taller neighboring hill. There the sun set on a glorious NOTE.

Other participants in this Friday's Sky Watch are waiting for your visit at Welcome to Wiggers World.

ABC Wednesday at Augusta Victoria

To read the fine print please click on this photo:

Trowel and hammer used in 1907 to lay the cornerstone of the German Lutheran Church of the Ascension, aka Augusta Victoria, on the Mount of Olives.

Tall tower of the church.

To the tower or Turm in German.

Terrible news!

Too many stairs to the top of the bell tower. But the view was tops!

"T" is the letter of the week at ABC Wednesday, so see lots of other blogs with your tea at Mrs. Nesbitt's Place. 
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Theotokos

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Theotokos in Greek means "God-bearer." This is what Eastern Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics call Mary.

"Theotokos of Vladimir" is the name of this well-known, much-loved very old icon.
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Trappist

Trappist Monastery of Latrun, not far from Jerusalem, to the west.


Trappists are a silent order. No talking but much singing.
Notice the monk at the organ.
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Scenes from the Holy Sepulchre

Tarboosh (or fez) on the head of Muslims leading the Armenian clergy in procession to the Holy Sepulchre church.
Turban on a pilgrim from a far country on Palm Sunday.
Tarnished? Not for long when the workman does his labor of love.
Tall old doors into the church.
TV cameramen from CNN cover Palm Sunday festivities.

Torah

Torah?
Torah scroll but not a real one because it was not hand-written by a scribe.
True, believe it or not: This "Torah" was made in China!
A kosher Torah and team of rabbis. On the right is Herman E. Schaalman of Chicago, my Rabbi, teacher, spiritual father since 1961. Toda (thank you), dear Rabbi!

Trails to terraces

To the Israel Trail turn left.
Trail marker.
The trail less traveled. . .
Terraces, ancient ones, are all up and down the Jerusalem Hills.
Terrace walls.

Terrific grandson

Tantalizing toys.

Tic-tac-toe at Jerusalem's Science Museum.

Tunnel at the zoo.

Taking the trail to Grandma's house.
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T is for Travel

Two too-heavy travel bags.
Taking three (!) trains from Jerusalem to the airport.
Taxiing on the tarmac.
Time for my guests to land and be greeted at the terminal.

T animals

Tethered tangle-haired neighbor.

Tight teats.

Tender teats.

Tire toad.

Jaffa Gate

I had to go into the Old City today and discovered that Jerusalem Day (yesterday) festivities were still going on full swing. A big blue stage was up just outside the Jaffa Gate.

  Men were setting up all kinds of sound equipment and stuff. The walkway along the city wall was decorated with banners. Just inside the Jaffa Gate the crowds began: foreign tourists, Israeli visitors, youth movement members, classes of school kids with their teachers. At least the same bagel seller was there. Yum--soft hot bageleh with sesame seeds, complete with a folded up strip of newspaper holding the green za'atar spice in which to dip the bread.

  And more from Psalm 122

  I escaped the crowds by turning off into the lanes of the Christian Quarter and the Muslim Quarter usually walked only by the people who live there. Taking the road less traveled by made all the difference. Lots of good photos were just waiting to be taken.

Jerusalem Day

A sparrow among the Herodian stones of the Western Wall, the heart of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was divided during the War of Independence and nineteen years later was reunited as a result of the June 1967 Six Day War. Today is Jerusalem Day, a national holiday created to mark the reunification. Anyway, this is the official description from the Knesset website.
How does this little Jerusalemite bird feel? Sheltered, having found a little place to call home. At other times, pressed between a rock and a hard place.
Our--Jerusalem's-- past history weighs heavy; the near future is laden with unknowns and uncertainties.

From Psalm 122
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!' . . .
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together. . .
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!
'May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!'
For my brethren and companions' sake I will say 'Peace be within you!'
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good."

Tail-bearing

. . Please click and enlarge this photo.

This little guy stayed a long time, enjoying my cool moist towel on a hot day.
Please, do you know, will his poor tail be regenerated?

Many more animal pictures from many more bloggers at Camera-Critter Sunday.

The gift of a daughter

Friday was a hot day in the Jerusalem Hills. When two friends arrived for Friday dinner and welcoming the Sabbath, we decided to eat outside on the little patio and enjoy the coolness of evening. The candles had to stay home alone. We later found them looking like stalactites.
The candlesticks were a gift from my daughter, whose BIRTHDAY it is today! Is a mother entitled to get personal on the blog and brag a bit today? Yalla!
After moving to Australia, Naomi and her husband started graduate studies at the Uni of New South Wales. Within the last four and a half years both of them managed to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and to bring two wonderful sons into the world.
They also take time to travel and to enjoy life. Naomi is brave enough to go hang-gliding
and to pilot airplanes!
Happy birthday dearest Naomi, light of my life!