And then there were NONE.

There is no other way to begin this blog other than 

THE HOSTAGES ARE HOME

Only 4 of the 24 dead hostages were returned, already breaking the agreement Hamas signed while 20 bodies remain in Gaza. This is a serious breach of the pending agreement. Not that I believe they will live up to their part of the agreement. I can't see Hamas disarming and disappearing into the rubble. 

Well, I’m pretty much packed and the suitcase still closes. This is a good thing. I even weighed the sucker Fearing that I was overweight, but not even close. Only 41 pounds when I am allotted 70 per bag. I can deal with that. I have everything I need, and lots of stuff my friend needs ready to go. And swag for the kiddos: Twins and Viking togs. Hey! These are still Minnesotans even if they're in Herzliya! 

A Grandma, an Aunty, and
another Grandma

The high point of the Pre-departure week was a day trip with Two Grandmas, an Aunty, and a Savta. Every year we manage to have a shpatzir Where we go someplace off the beaten track. This year it was to Scandia, a tiny town north of the Twin Cities. They have the most charming museum there dedicated to Swedish immigrants  called Gammelgården. It’s a lovely little place and definitely worth visiting if you have the time. 

Jason Moldan

We also went to Marine on the St. Croix in search of the chocolate shop. No kidding, this place is amazing. This is not your run-of-the-mill, Mass produced chocolate like you see it malls, and places like that. Nope, This store was originally started by two sisters who recently retired and sold it to a charming man named Jason Moldan, a master  chocolatier who will carry forward the dream of the two sisters. We met Jason while we were Sitting at a little bistro table outside the shop moaning over the deliciousness of his confections because he stopped to ask if we liked them! We strongly urge him to go into the shop and have some and he laughed and said “no, actually I make them.” Jason was delightful and I’m so glad we had a chance to visit with him a bit before we had to leave for home. If you find yourself in Marine on the St. Croix, make you St. Croix Chocolate Company  

As for things not on my bingo card this week: my Apple Watch was acting weird, and I ended up having to replace that this morning. Granted, it was already three years old and probably needed a new battery, but the battery level was 84% not 83%,the threshold for them to fix it and even then, it would have to be sent out for repair. All things considered I didn’t really feel like flying a whole lot of hours on a watch that only held a charge for four of those hours. I will say that the experience in the Apple Store was as unique as usual. The store opened at 11 AM, And when I walked in at 11:05 it was already crowded. That said the appointment at the genius bar to determine whether or not the watch could be repaired was smooth as glass. Yeah, yeah I know it’s apple but having worked in retail for a long time, they do it right.

As I get ready to leave for Israel on Tuesday morning...to a place where there might actually be a bit of peace, I have to state my belief that this is not some sort of panacea or even a real resolution, Maybe, if we're real lucky, it’s a beginning. The Palestinian leadership has never kept their word before, so it's a stretch to believe they will do it now. Keep in mind Hezbollah and Iran are not a part of this deal, so there is little reason to believe they will stop lobbing missiles at Israel and give the IDF time to figure out how to stop the next incursion because knowing Hamas, it will happen.

Look, this is not unreasonable thinking. Part of me has been confronting the horrors of terrorism and mass murder since I was a kid. I cannot remember a time when I did not worry that someone would rise to power and come after us. All those artists and celebrities screaming for a ceasefire and Free Palestine are silent now. They have forgotten that this is not fantasyland for us. They chant their ridiculous slogans but once there is a ceasefire, where are their voices? Are they raising capital to help rebuild the cities or raising investment capital to develop a Palestinian economy? If that doesn't change, what makes you think Hamas won't be back to say, We told you so ? And let's watch as the chants for our destruction begin anew.

I am pretty sure we will go to the Nova Festival site. It's not exactly something I want to do, but it must be done. Much like visiting the World Trade Center in New York where two of my cousins perished. There is a need to stand there. To see it. To make it real in my head and not just pictures in the media or sound bites on the screen. Even if I did not know anyone who was murdered in the massacre, I know my reaction will be visceral. I was raised in the generation immediately after the Holocaust. My neighbors had numbers on their arms and scars from medical experiments conducted in Auschwitz. To see it is to believe it in your heart, in your head, and in your soul.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ve been given my marching orders for what to bring back from Israel when I do come back and it includes very exciting things like halva Bamba. I’ve seen regular Bamba and peanut butter Bamba and chocolate Bamba, but I’ve never encountered halva Bamba. I’ll let you know how it is. If the kids want Bamba, I'll bring home Bamba...and a few other things for them. I hear someone needs Israeli soccer team t-shirts. Hmmmmm.

My intent is to publish from Israel, so you'll be getting your usual stuff and nonsense from me. No worries. I'm sure I can come up with something to write about.

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

Israel is Israel is Israel.

We are the indigenous people of the land

so it's always like coming home....

because it IS home.