Purely visual eyewitness reports

[judih]

The best aloe patch on Nir Oz, January 15/06

[judih]

Sabra Cactus, Jan 06

[judih]

The first January narcissus, '06

[Doreen Peri]

These must be the photos you sent me by email. I haven't downloaded them yet... that's why I haven't replied. Sorry about that. Been busy sneezing.

They're great! Aloe banner here we come!

Thanks for sharing!

[judih]

i sent you the aloe, i think (sneezin over here as well)
aloe greetings to you

[panta rhei]

such beautiful pics, especially the aloe and the sabra one.

we're all eyewitnesses of the moment. thank you for sharing glimpses of yours.

[judih]

hi a,
did you get to see these sights when you were over here?
i don't recall seeing them in the northern part of the country, but perhaps my eyes are just dizzy from seeing them now.

[panta rhei]

i didn't see these sights when i was over there. not like this.

i saw the great vegetation of ein gedi and there were beautiful flowers around lake kinneret, there were orange orchards and kibbutz fields - but nothing like the pictures you posted.

those are spectatcular to my black forest eyes.

[judih]

true jewels of nature.
it's been raining - i took the bus home today and yes, the patches are still there - it's no illusion!

what's happening in the forest these days?

[panta rhei]

the forest has turned from icy crusts to rain here in the lower realms - up in the mountains, its wonderfully snowy and delicious to ski or snowshoe on.

i've found a flower picture from lake kinneret, somewhere around tabgha, i think... i took it in '89 on a rainy day in december:

[sooZen]

I looked up Sabra in the dictonary because that sure looks like a prickly pear cactus to me. The first definition was 'a native born Israeli' but it is also a cactus. A prickly cactus....hummm, very interesting. Should one be wary of falling into a patch of native Israeli's? Hah!

Hi ju...great pictures and the scenery looks a lot like home.

[panta rhei]

soozen - how good to see you.
i love to see both of you desert ladies hanging around among the strong and beautiful plants around here!

(btw, i ordered your cow shoes, but they have a longer than usual delivery time, as they were out of stock when i ordered. if i don't get them before we come to the states, i'll send them from here when we return!)

love
-a

[judih]

speaking of cows, now and then one gets out of the usual location and wanders the kibbutz offices, noses around the barrels of lemon grass or even checks out the puddles for drinking water.

No pictures of cows today, but i'll imagine them on the feet of SooZen when my day requires imagining of the x-treme sort.

Sabra cactus is not a native to this land - it was brought over from Mexico. So all the sabra israelis are especially hot-sauced, but only on the outside. Inside they're as tender as a succulent sabra fruit.

good to be desert, mountain and plain with you.

[sooZen]

well I see that those mexicans have made it all the way to the studio eight banner...and don't they look fine.

Here, the natives eat not only the fruits (makes great jam!) but the cactus itself. The 'nopal' or pads are a regular sight in the stores, spines removed of course. They are quite tasty, similar in flavor to asparagus but no green, stinky pee afterwards.

Hey A...nice to "see" you too and no rush on the horsey shoes. Sorry to have made the selection a difficult one. I hope they arrive before your trip and let me know if you need some postage if they don't.

Love to you both!

[judih]

On the way home from school, a slight uprise into the shining wheat and a lone shrubby tree.
Gorgeous weather for picture taking and invigorating walks.