Hanukkah

The shark attacks in Sharm El-Sheikh are shocking: white-tips are dangerous but an attack such as this is unexpected, least of all 3 people in 3 days. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11891450  There're more hammerheads out there and an attack by a Great Hammerhead would have been expected.

Hanukkah has begun. The first candle was lit last night and this will continue for the next 7 days. I really like the rabbinic insight about candles - you can only have the flame when the wax and wick are consumed, destroyed, sacrificed. It reminds me of the prayer "It is in dying that you're born to eternal life." Too bad I missed the lighting at the Wailing Wall last night. Am still suffering from severe diarrhea and am not ready to go anywhere outside. The stomach cramps can be real bad.

Weatherwise, the temp. is falling steadily. But still no rain ... which is starkly in contrast to what is happening in N. Europe where Arctic conditions have swept across and causing havoc. If only we can have some of that snow for our parched land.

Wow - two major earthquakes today; first in Papua New Guinea and now in Fiji.