More rain and cold

Gloomy sunrise at 6am, 6 degrees C

More rain and cold. The airport is prepared for delays and closure for the next few days as winds and rains grow stronger. Forecast is heavy rains by Friday and snow in the north. Possible snow in Jerusalem. Well I can only remember snow in Jerusalem in December 20 years ago .... it will be great if it does again. It's been hovering between 6 degrees to 10 degrees max. today. Nights are forecast to go down to 2 degrees.

The bulbs and flowers are loving this weather though. Lush thick leaves and buds ready to burst when it warms up. But the canaries are dying. From 38 canaries, we're down to 10. Almost all dead from cats and cold. People say it's also a dreadful virus killing them as canaries are dying all over Israel. A shop keeper has given me medicinal drops for the birds. Will try them out tomorrow.

Bethlehem Christmas Tree

The giant Christmas Tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem is up and drawing crowds of locals and tourists. But there's a competition brewing throughout the country ... each town and village is trying to outdo Bethlehem. A dreadful waste of money ... but that's the local attitude - outdo your neighbours otherwise you're shamed.

The medicine I'm taking is causing me not just major drowsiness and fatigue but severe diarrhea as well. And with my twisted ankle ... things don't look good. The cook is determined to feed me. Barbecued lambchops, lasagna, sfiha, pastries of all kinds. He's determined to get my blood pressure up. I think my diabetes is sky high.