Anemones bloom

My 1st anemones in bloom

It's Thursday ... the week has come to an end. Another Sabbat begins on Friday sunset ... and who knows which shops and restaurants are left who dare to open and defy the ultra-orthodox jews. I guess I'll stick to shopping in the arab East Jerusalem side ... if anything is open there on Fridays. On the jewish western side there will be demonstrations by secular jews against the strict enforcement of the no-work-allowed law of the Sabbath, and counter-protests by the ultra-orthodox jews.

Deserted streets

The cold is still with us ... and as many say ... it's normal. After all it's winter. And the rain is a constant drizzle. The combination of cold and rain has forced the bulbs to flower earlier than usual. My first anemones are in full bloom and the freesias have their buds out. That adds a lovely colour to an otherwise gray gloomy atmosphere. Even the hyacinths are their buds pushing out of the soil. I'm sure the tulips would too. They need a cold shock to start the budding process. That's why many people put their tulip bulbs in the fridge before planting them ... to shock them into flowering.

Well the cold and rain has the reverse effect on people. By sunset the streets and alleys of the Old City are deserted. People stay indoors to stay warm and dry. To tell the truth, I prefer summer ... though hot and dry, the streets are alive. There are concerts and events almost every evening.

There's been some brouhaha over the Israeli military appointing a woman to be squadron commander. The army chief lauded the move but the army chaplain rabbi condemned it (the ultra-orthodox are against women serving with men ... they believe in total segregation). Now the PM lauded the move ... but chances are he'll change his tune when the rabbis threaten him. It'll not be the first time he gives in to the rabbis.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/netanyahu-is-proud-of-female-squadron-commander-appointment-33742

And on the other side of the pendulum, the chairman of the council of jewish settlements has declared that checkpoints should be removed that control arab movement. Arabs should be free to move and get along with their daily routine. Now that's revolutionary. But watch for the rightwing response tomorrow.   http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/west-bank-jewish-leader-theres-no-room-for-checkpoints-33737