Storm

Palm Plaza cold and wet

What a storm! From yesterday rains had begun to fall heavily along the coast and the north. Thunder and lightening and lots of rain. Coastal cities like Tel Aviv were inundated, some places so bad that police had to rescue children from a kindergarten. Underground carparks were flooded ... and these flood waters flowed down to the southern deserts which are low-lying. Many desert roads were closed die to landslips and fallen boulders. 

Here in the central mountains things were less dramatic. We had rain all night, a heavy shower and very strong winds. Temps. fell to 6 degrees last night and today highest temp. was 9 degrees. Winter is back with a vengeance.

MC convent
chrysanthemums

Like several cold spells that we've had previously, winter plants are enjoying this weather. The chrysanthemums from the MC convent are blooming so profusely the sisters had to trim them off as they got top-heavy. And these were planted only in pots! They placed some in their chapel and gave me the rest. Marigolds too are flourishing with huge blooms with deep colours. It's amazing how nature reacts to climate change.

Tomorrow is Black Friday and I think many shops will be packed with people queuing outside for their turn to enter and shop. Normal shops are limited to 4 people at any one time. I think many will prefer to shop online ... but it lacks the thrill touching the products and choosing and comparing. Well, we're in the corona era ... habits and lifestyles must change. We'll just have to get used to it.

The northern border is very tense as yesterday Syria accused Israel of bombing several sites. We're not sure if there'll be retaliations but we'll have to be ready for anything.