HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2016

Ron and Pam called Erev Chanukah, "the Maccabbees ride again" as they drove to Paradise where Pam's family lives in California. We had a Chanukah party on Christmas day evening with Clarice, Rita, Laurie, Nina, Suma, Bette G. and Bette E. Rita made a beautiful display with white lights. I brought my Menorah and Bette G. brought hers, a beautiful colored glass modern menorah with bits of blue and aqua and turquoise glass, very beautiful. Laurie put a Happy Hanukah display on the opposite table and a good time was had by all. Bette brought Tiramisu that went really well with potato latkes, Rita's angel food cake and macaroni salad, sushi from Suma and of course we had good music, listening to the Maccabeats Chanukah videos on youtube. Ken called last Friday. He said he had just returned from the hospital, diagnosed with Pneumonia. Gai Gezinterai - go in good health. It is a tradition to sing Chanukah songs after lighting the menorah. Here is one of them.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHANUKAH

On the first day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

A lemon with a glezele tea.

On the second day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the third day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Three pieces strudel

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the fourth day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Four sour pickles

Three pieces strudel

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the fifth day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Five cheese blintzes

Four sour pickles

Three pieces strudel

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the sixth day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Six shtickel kishka

Five cheese blintzes

Four sour pickles

Three pieces strudel

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the seventh day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Seven hot bialys

Five cheese blintzes

Four sour pickles

Three pieces strudel

Two potato latkes

And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the eighth day of Chanukah

My true love sent to me

Eight lefels bicarb

And a lemon with a glizele tea.

Winter Sunset 2016, part of the Views From My Window Series

Sad news about Carrie Fisher. Her one woman show, Wishful Drinking is a real tour de force and hilarious. She could make fun of herself and her own challenges with mental illness, bi-polar disorder. The show ends with a sound of ambulance sirens, "Oh, there's my ride" as she was carried out of the theater on a stretcher. A lot of people will be missed this year, Glen Frey, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, i.e. the soundtrack of my generation. Wishing everyone peace, health and harmony in the new year.

ADDENDUM:
Debbie Reynolds gone too. I called it. As soon as we learned Carrie Fisher died, I knew her mother would be soon to follow. I saw Wishful Drinking as I mentioned above. The DVD came with Extra Features. One of them was an interview with Debbie Reynolds in her home. She was so gracious and funny. She also talked about her daughter's struggles with Bi-polar disorder and I realized she had educated herself about mental illness. I thought "what a supportive mother she was." She lived right next door to Carrie Fisher and the two were very close. No surprise the loss of her daughter was too much for her.