Willow Tree

My Girls

Did very well on their report cards...all goods and very goods and the Monkey got an excellent...

I'm very proud of them!

Israel's Response

I am actually finding myself admiring Olmert for his actions; I detest the man in general and feel most of his policies are wrong, this is the way to go. Don't stop until our son of Israel is back safe in Israel, and do not release any of those who are responsible for his kidnapping and death's of our other two soliders, who have left behind grieving relatives and friends.

Baruch Dayan Emet

The animals murdered Eliyahu Asheri. He was shot in the head, shortly after he was kidnapped.

May Hashem comfort his family among the mourners of Tzion.

And may Hashem bring retribution upon the heads of all who took part in the savagery of his abduction and death. May they not know a moments peace in life; may all their days be in agony.

Interesting Quiz

Music and personality

Pray for

Eliyahu Aheri, 19, who may also have been kidnapped by the Palestinians.

Darfur

Please don't forget the continued suffering of the people of Darfur. These people are repressed, harrassed, murdered, raped, kept from their homes against their will.

Locust, Star Wars and Crashing Cars

So there's this car, and at the wheel is an idiot, aiming straight for you...how fast can you move? How do you decide in that split second where to go? Or what about a car coming from behind, too close for comfort, or maybe the car ahead of you has stopped suddenly and you have to react.....
A bit scary isn't it?
But what if your car were protected with a different sort of system; a system that could react for you, process the movement of the objects heading your way more quickly than you could, warn you and if necessary activate the breaks and safety devices?
Locusts fly in hoardes, yet somehow manage to avoid each other; so Carol Rind decided to study them-- by forcing them to watch Star Wars! How are they processing this information? A special neuron, named "LGMD" (Locust Giant Movement Detector) located behind their eyes which gives out burst of energy when the locust is about to crash into another locust or a bird.
Add Jorge Cuadri and his colleagues who specialize in microelectronics and you may very well have a smart car.
One that could save your life, or the life of a pedestrian.
Here's the links!
A locust™s eye view to prevent car accidents
Locusts Inspire Technology That May Prevent Car Crashes

Carnival of Family Life #7 is up!

It is hosted by Jennifer of Snapshot. And yours truly has an entry. Lots of good stuff there! So go forth my children (friends, family, fellow bloggers, heck even my enemies! and take a lot at what family life is really all about.

Here's the link! Carnival of Family Life #7

Many Many Thanks To David

Many thanks to David of Rishon Rishon, who gave up his precious time to help me out of my fix. As you can see, the blog is back looking the way it should.

I really appreciate this David...Thank you so very much...

PERFECT response

To the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit (ben Aviva for those saying prayers/Tehilim)
can be found here.

No Mercy

No quarter given till the return of our Jewish brother.

And where is the condemnation of the world?

HELP

Crossposted on Munu...but here again...
I tried to get rid of the old disengagement link as it was no longer working. I succeeded, and some how also succeeded in putting the sidebar on the bottom; don't ask me how.
Yeah, I know, I should have a template saved, and thought I did, forgetting we had a computer crash and that was lost in the episode...argh...
please help!!!

Work Can Kill

At least if you are working with the those lacking in basic common sense.

Correction fluid for the computer?
That would do me in as well.....

It's a Dog's Life

Dogs in Israel take note. You are now protected from the wrath of a frightened police officer.
Especially if you are cute.

maybe we could extend that rightwing Israeli citizens, like those in Amona....

Off To Nauru

Nauru, the world's smallest independent republic, is getting two Israeli pediatricians for two months; at present there is not one on the island to care for the children.

Tsuba kor those who go (Thank you in Nauruan)

We are In

It took way too long of course but finally the Magen Dovid Adom (and Palestinian Red Crescent naturally...) was admitted into the Red Cross society. We can no use the red star...within a diamond, but we were admitted.

Of course if it weren't for prejudice, we should have been in a long time ago.

Terrorist Don't Care About Their Own

Well, what I think this article should be titled.

And here is what I think Israel should say when civilians are injured/killed during a targeted assault on terrorist.

We are at war. If the civilian population wishes to increase their safety, get rid of the terrorists from their midst.
No apologies, no anything else.
Just that.
And then no more.

Connection

Unlike Mark I've met only ONE celebrity in my 48+ years of life. However it seems I have something in common with these people:
Michelle Rodriguez
Judy Garland
Elijah Wood
Liam Aiken
Michael Caine
Shiri Appleby
Jayne Mansfield
Aidan Quinn
John Belushi
Jessica Alba

How am I related?
Go here and find out.

(I look like Michael Caine? Wonderful for my ego. At least he's down the list a few. Michelle Rodriguez and Judy Garland aren't bad....

Anyway, go see who you resemble...use a few different pics because it does make a difference...the first picture I used had me Michael Caine and I think only one woman...talk about ego busters! When comments work again let me know who you resemble..

Well, Maybe I'm Loved

But you just can't get through. At least I can't seem to comment on any other MuNu's site....

grumble, grumble, grumble, and I did have things to say , whether you all wanted to hear it or not.

I'm RICH!!!!

I've invented fiterdenotoes and everyone is buying. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors and most people are ordering more than one. Why one customer ordered a hundred of them , just for herself. Her husband wanted 90!

So, I'm rich. And it looks like I'm going to be rich for a long, long time.

And I'm in such a good mood. I don't want to rake in the billions myself. I want my friends to have their own fortunes...

So, I'm investing in your dreams by helping you become independently wealthy as well.

What is it you would do with the money I'm going to give you? What would you build/make/create/learn? What would your company be called? Where would you locate your company? Tell me all about it....

'cause you know I'm investing my hard earned and I really want to know.

Wedding Pictures!!!!!

Isn't my girl gorgeous?

Scratch that One off The List

This
cuties making the news because she isn't dead, but scientist thought she was an 11 million year old goner...turns out she's been hiding out in Southeast Asia. One Rock Rat (so they are called) was refound last year in a Laos meat market, poor guy.

Scientist at first thought they had found a new kind of rodent, but, it later turned out to be a living relative from the Diatomyidae family. And that was all they had folks until Dr. David Redfield went on a Southeast Asian expedition and found this sweet and gentle creature in her favorite place to hang, the limestone outcroppings in Central Laos

Luckily Dr. Redfield came back with photos and videos of the Laotian rock rat which you can see here.

The creature, known to the Laotians as kha-nyou (ga-noo), really is adorable, and it seemed quite friendly. You all have to watch it walk!

Rock Rat plush animal anyone? I think the market will be good.

Glad to Know I'm of Some Use

So the Wit, who is home from the army (but in Jerusalem today to take care of his phone) called my from Jerusalem....

"hey Ima, you know I'm going to go to a barbeque this evening?"
"Yep"
"Well, I forgot I need to bring something...."(he needs to come home, shower and go back out with barely time to breathe in between).
I know what's coming....
"Could you like make a salad or something?"

Like I said, at least I know I'm good for something.....

It's after 2am and I Can't Sleep.

It is after 2am and I can't sleep
What, you wanted more?
When it is past 2 in the morning and you can't sleep there really is no more.
Especially when you have to get up and work in 4 short hours...
Short, as opposed to long hours, and no I don't know what the heck that means only the Monkey has taken to asking "A long hour or a short hour" and I'm really not prepared to offer and in depth explanation of the theory of relativity as it applies to emotions to a 7 year old.
Anyway, just rambling for lack of something better to do. If it is 5am and I still can't sleep I'll work. But now I'll just go and try and get some sleep....
Wish me luck.

Search Engines

So what do you use and why? I've started using SNAP, and so far I really like how it works. Previewing a page before one actually goes and reads it is a time saver.
You can scroll through the hits and switchthe size of the article window or have the article open in its own window.

I'm always on the look out for new and interesting ways of dealing with the web, so let me know, okay?

What is a True Friend?

What is the criterion for being a true friend? What do you, dear reader, see as your obligation, and what is a friends obligation to you? What is forgiveable? What can you overlook and what is the one thing a friend could do that you would not tolerate, no matter what? What would you do for your friend and what would be too much to ask?

Just curious...respond as you like, or just think about it for yourself....

Soooo....

Has anyone heard an apology from all those quick to condemn Israel for the deaths on Gaza beach, now that it turns out the Palestinans are at fault? Still hear the term war criminal in relationship to these deaths?

Meanwhile....
Israel did launch an attack on a car bearing Katyusha rockets which were on their way to being launched against Israel. Supposedly among the dead were two children, but, oddly, there is no mention, or even hint of the children's ages, and as the report of the children's death comes from the Palestinians...well, it could be. It is also not clear where the children were; in the car (and if so why for heaven's sake?) or outside the car when the second missle landed?

And I find it strange that some are labeling this as a failed air strike. Exactly what was the failed part?

If civilians died, especially children, it is indeed very sad. The solution is for the Arab civilians living in Gaza to tell the terrorist to stop using them as human shields and to stop launching attacks against Israel and her citizens in the first place.

Now I got it right Joe!

I found the quiz below on Joe the Troll of Under the Bridge's blog. Took it and he made fun of me for how incredibly technically challenged I was....Okay, I deserved the ribbing...

But I was thinking about the test and how it makes sense only if you talk about what the results mean to you, or to me in this case, and why the results ended up as they did...So that's what I'm going to do!

Overall 40% Conservative, 60% Liberal

That makes sense to me. I've been a liberal most of my life, though I'm growing more conservative as I age. Normal pattern.

Social Issues 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

I've grown to feel that abortion is not the best choice in most cases and that, while I'm against illegalizing it, I am in favor of strongly discouraging it. I'm more pro in helping the mother to be find a way to keep the child, and for speeding up scientific solutions to the problem. I've come to feel that sometimes the death penalty makes sense; but I'm not a big fan of it. Right in the middle makes sense to me here. Gun control; for, at least in the USA. Life is different here in Israel. I don't like hunting. I think the environment is an important issue but not the only issue when it comes to econmics...it is one of the top issues however.

Personal Responsibility 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
'cause even if someone has fallen through their own stupidity I still want to help them up.

Fiscal Issues 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

I believe there are certain things that all should have: food, clothing, shelter, education and health care unless these items are misused to deny others their rights to the above. Which is why I don't believe in humanitarian aide to the Palestinians at the moment. I don't want to see any child starve, but the money isn't used to help the children, it is used to destroy them, and innocent civilians of Israel as well.

Ethics 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Well, hmmm....Joe's right. I'm not sure why I got this score.

Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal Because sometimes it is okay to kill; it just isn't the best choice...it may be the only choice, but G-d knows I wish it never had to be done.

So there's the breakdown....and a bit more about my thinking...

Praying for All

Just that simple message.

I'm Shocked!!!!

The PAs lying? What ....oh, yeah...same ole same ole. You can't believe a word that they say, but the world takes them at their word everytime....

And, if it turns out that the PAs killed their own; 7 from one family will the reproach heaped on Israel be turned onto the shoulders of the PA? Will people call for indictments and declare the shelling a war crime? Will the still call it a massacare?

Goodbye Caesar

The time has come to let our dog Caesar return to the earth. He is too ill to continue on. He isn't eating, he isn't drinking and he is in pain. At 2pm our time, about 45 minutes from this posting, the Veternarian will come.

My younger son, the Agent, was able to say goodbye. My older son, we had hoped he could hold out long enough for him to say goodbye as well, but there isn't time left.

We should have made the decision sooner. We waited too long...But I really didn't know. It is so hard to know the right time to let a pet go.

This Cat

this cat

Managed to:
Turn on the hot water.
Plug the sink with the stopper.
Almost start a plug.
How she managed is beyond me; but I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself.

I LOVE IT WHEN

My cat, for no reason that I can figure out , decides my feet are fair game and launches an attack. I'm sure deep within her feline mind she is justified in her actions, but I don't quite think feline.

'scuse me hon, I feed you, I water you and I play with you...can I have a little respect here?

Yeah, and I've been away TOO long, and haven't been keeping up with blog stuff, so my site stinks. Needs a change, and I need to figure out why the life liberty etc. icon just gave up the ghost.

Ideas anyone? What did I miss? Rachel Ann is busy trying to keep bread on the table she doesn't get much time for play anymore.

Oh what will they think of next?

via Meira, and like she said. This is very interesting: a pregnant-laboring robot to teach about the various procedures medical personnel may encounter during a birth; good bad and in between.

So I wonder what she craves when she is pregnant?

dare you

Double dare you to click here.
(LOL...I am a kid at heart!)

A Minute Meant Life

The classroom was empty. The children who should have been there, sitting at their seats, eager or bored, prepared or anxious for the day's lessons are lucky to be alive; their prayers had taken a minute longer than normal and as a result they were in a different room, safe from the rocket that fell.

Prayer and G-d I believe saved these children's lives; which is quite possibly why you didn't see it in the press. Or perhaps it was because it didn't fit in with the "disengagement will lead to peace" theme promoted by the main media.

Or, well you can come up with the reasons.

I would have liked to see it given some attention.
I would have liked to hear from the people involved; teacher/principal/parents/children. What did they have to say? What would they do now for a school? How will it affect this last (possibly) month of learning?

But I doubt that we will see any of it.
I only knew about it was from this link.

To be fair to Dan Halutz, the whole of his response to the question referred to was this:
(from an interview in the Jerusalem post...a very long interview.)
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b>
Did our withdrawal from Gaza strengthen Hamas?

We need to decide which parameters to check that question against. Hamas would have won even if we had not left Gaza. The main parameter is that there have not been any Israelis killed since we left Gaza. This is not [necessarily] the main consideration but this is a fact. Since we left there have only two Bedouin kids killed after picking up a mortar shell.

Before we left Gaza there were some 30 civilians and soldiers killed a year. Now there are more Kassams fired than when we were in Gaza - less now than in the beginning, but more than when we there. We do not have responsibility over Gaza and our freedom of operation there has increased and we know how to use more resources for a longer time against the Palestinians. We also have wider international tolerance. One example of our freedom of operation is artillery fire, which was not used when we were in the Gaza Strip. We also did not allow sonic booms since this would have affected the [civilian] Israelis and soldiers there.

Now for what it is worth, I disagree with Halutz. I feel the criterion, or parameters for deciding whether or not the Gaza withdrawl was worthwhile and successful was whether or not it increased the peace. To that question, I would answer a decided NO. To me judging the withdrawl's success on number of death.s is somewhat like judging a drunk driving program by fatalaties and not the increase or decrdase of drunk drivers. The lack of fatalaties has been in some cases due to miracles as stated above, but also the lack of skill, which very well may increase. Those who have read my blog regularly know that I was, and still am, against the uprooting of Jews from their homeland. In the case of the vicitims of Gush Katif, they were uprooted AND lost their livelihoods, in many cases their possessions, were not, in many cases given any help in moving or compensation (if they didn't own a home for instances) have not been given real support, have suffered emotionally, financially and in many other ways supposedly because such actions would lead to peace.

Admit the "disengagement" was a failure. That is the very least the government can do.