Summer of discontent

Plumbago flowers

The weather is typical summer with highs of 32 degrees during the day but cool in the nights. There's been a strong night breeze blowing and the temp. drops to 20 degrees. At least there'll be no need for air-conditioners so less electricity is used and less pollution inn the air as a result.

Flowers are therefore blooming well because of the night cooling. Jasmines and plumbagos are doing exceptionally well. Huge clusters of white and purple blossoms are everywhere. Marigolds are blooming as well. And of course the ubiquitous geraniums found everywhere in the Holy Land. They thrive on hot, dry weather and require little watering.

The govt continues to scramble in reaction to public discontent. Small business owners want to be compensated (I think "aided" is a better word) for lost of income during the lockdown. Contradictory rulings flash in and out ... and there is no clear strategy as to what the country is doing to get back on recovering while addressing the 2nd wave of infections. As almost everyone agrees ... it's out of control. I only pity the weak and elderly who will suffer the most and might even die. I'm in that category.

A 2nd night of protests as ultra-orthodox jews in Jerusalem reject lockdown in their neighborhoods. It got violent as dumpsters were put on fire and police attacked. Such discontent must be scaring the govt as the ultra-orthodox hold the balance of power in this coalition govt. And the rabbis are very powerful. There's no saying what the consequence will be if this minority is upset.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-arrested-as-ultra-orthodox-protest-neighborhood-lockdowns-for-second-night/

Warak dawali & kousa mahsi with
tomatoes

Yesterday our cleaning lady decided to make warak dawali (stuffed grape leaves) and kousa mahshi (stuffed zucchini) cooked with tomatoes. She brought a pot over for me. Delicious! And piping hot from the stove as well.That's typical summer food for the arabs here. It's less heavy than the meat dishes loaded with oily rice such as makloubeh and mansaf. I think what I need during the afternoons is an ice cream. That'll be a perfect summer must-eat!