Overseas Family Odyssey

                                                 

                                                                                                                             

Family vacations are supposed to be a learning experience, as well as a time for bonding. This vacation promised to be the best of both worlds; exploring other countries, while also brushing up on our own family history. When we visited my husband's family in Israel almost two years ago, we talked about bringing our boys back with us. This was our last chance before our older son began working full time, and we had to seize the opportunity. Our boys hadn't seen their paternal grandmother in seven years, and they had a lot of catching up to do. First, we had to make a few stops along the way.
                                                                 
We took a cruise from Barcelona with ports in Naples, Rome, Florence, Marseilles, and Majorca. From Naples we went on an excursion to Pompeii; a city that was destroyed when Mt.Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.  It was amazing to see the tiles that remained from the more prominent homes, as well as the original outdoor "barbecue grills," and ovens that were relatively intact. Our tour guide told us how a loaf of bread was found in the oven almost two thousand years later.

Pompeii

Remarkably, two male bodies were preserved beneath the ash, and encased for all to see. Our friends told us to look for ancient phallic symbols that pointed to the brothels, but our guide only singled out one that was carved out on the street. By the time I got through the large crowd to see it, another group descended upon it, and their guide decided to include me in the conversation. This made my children very proud.

In Rome my husband thought we should take the train and Metro to the Colosseum. I thought that we could see more sights if we took a taxi, but he felt that it would be more of an adventure by train. The boys sat  a few rows ahead of us, and struck up a conversation with travelers from another cruise ship. They were disappointed by the food on their ship, so they spent most of their free time dining out. Our older son  hoped that they would have sightseeing tips, as they had previously visited some of our upcoming ports. Instead, they proudly displayed pictures of their favorite meals in Spain and Italy.

When it came time to change trains we frantically ran around the train station. Finally, an older gentleman helped us find our way. Though he didn't speak a word of English, he continued to chat with my smiling husband until we reached the Colosseum. At the end of our tour it started to pour. Then it cleared up on our way back to the train. My husband was thrilled that we found our way. I wanted the boys to have gelato at the Trevi Fountain, see the Spanish Steps, and visit the Vatican, as this was their first trip to Rome. Unfortunately, like my husband the weather didn't cooperate, and we ran out of time.
                                                                 

The Colosseum

Sporting our lovely rain ponchos

The next day we took a mini-bus with a group from our ship to Florence and Pisa. Florence was delightful  and we had perfect weather. Fortunately, my husband ordered the tickets ahead of time for Michelangelo's David, otherwise, it would have been a two hour wait. We all appreciated the intricate details of the statue which was fascinating from every angle. The elegant shops were surrounded by Renaissance architecture, and I would have loved to have spent more time there.

Florence

Pisa

                                                           
This was the second cruise we had taken as a family. The first one was a Caribbean cruise when our older son was a senior in high school. Though the drinking age was only eighteen, he was still seventeen and couldn't go to the clubs or casino with his friends. Our younger son ended up having a better time, as he could play basketball or go on the climbing wall, and still hang out in the teen club. Now our oldest son is twenty-four and his brother is twenty-one, so nothing was off limits on the ship. We always had dinner together followed by a show or a game in the casino, and then they would go off with their new friends while we collapsed.

Our first stop in Israel was to see my mother-in-law in Jerusalem. We didn't arrive until after ten pm, and she still had a full spread waiting for us. Her sister lives across the hall, and they both were thrilled to see us. Our younger son remembered that he had seen photos from his dad's high school yearbook on his last visit, so they started going through other photo albums. It was wonderful watching our boys interact with my mother-in-law, as if no time had passed since their last visit.
                                                               

The Western Wall

We took a road trip with my husband's cousins to an artist colony in Safed. We saw amazing views from the highest city in Israel which is nine hundred meters above sea level. Since the 16th Century, Safed has been a renowned center for Kaballah or Jewish mysticism where visitors from all over the world including Madonna seek inspiration.

Safed

                                                     
We also visited the caves of Rosh HaNikra located in the Western Galilee. This is where Israeli and Lebanese officials signed the Armistice Agreement in 1949. Though the boys enjoyed the spectacular sights, they loved hearing about my husband's family history. His cousins were wonderful hosts who filled the car ride with fascinating stories about where their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles fled after World War II, and how they eventually settled in Chicago only to return to Israel after their children had families of their own.

Rosh HaNikra

                                                   
Though my husband's aunt has only two children, she has eighteen great-grandchildren, so most of them were busy taking care of their young families. His cousin even tried to fix up our older son, but I think my mother-in-law realizes that it will be very difficult for them to come close to reaching that number. It was still nice catching up with the handful of cousins who were available.

If you ask my sons what their favorite sight was on the trip, they'll tell you watching their ninety year old grandmother who only weighs around eighty five pounds, eat a six course meal with gusto. She is very serious when she eats, and will only consume healthy foods in a particular order to promote good digestion. Who knew that we would be able to accomplish so much without ever leaving my mother-in-law's dining room table?

Jerusalem

                                                                                                                                       

Why I Love Hot Flashes & Cold Lemonade

                                                                    

When I began reading blogger friend  Susan Flett Swiderski's  Hot Flashes & Cold Lemonade, I was immediately drawn to the opening scene where Pearl's father drives away with a mysterious stranger leaving her oddly accepting mother behind. I quickly read on to find out her father's motivation for leaving, but the author slowly takes us there on her own terms introducing us to Pearl's colorful friends and family along the way.

Hot Flashes & Cold Lemonade is the perfect title for a story that unwinds easily like a warm summer day one moment, and turns stormy the next. Pearl is a multifaceted character who can make you laugh hysterically and cry like a baby when you least expect it. I'll never forget the heart-rending scene where her successful son invites her to a dinner party. She always puts her family first which often comes back to haunt her.

Susan Flett Swiderski's novel is something that we can all relate to. Each character has a new layer that is slowly peeled away throughout the story. For example, Pearl's mother and husband have a special relationship that Pearl doesn't even begin to appreciate until later in the novel. She is so busy trying to be a supportive wife and mother that she forgets to be a more accepting daughter. We all struggle with these issues at some point in our lives.

I was sad when  Hot Flashes & Cold Lemonade  came to an end, not because I was disappointed with the ending, but because I didn't want to say goodbye to this wonderful family. Susan's quick wit, and attention to detail made me want to spend more time with these amazing characters. It also made me appreciate my own family, flaws and all.

IWSG: The Skinny on Flying

                                                                             

It's time for another edition of   Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group.  Be sure to visit these talented authors who are always willing to lend a helping hand. 


Our flight back from Israel was a long one, so my hope was to get some writing done on the first leg of our journey home. We got off to a bad start when they made us check one of our carry-on bags. It had no problem fitting it in the storage bin on our flights to Spain and Israel, which meant that we were destined for a smaller plane.

The Airbus looked like a propeller plane, and the space was so tight that we couldn't even roll our remaining carry-on bags down the aisle. We left for the airport at two fifteen for a six a.m. flight, and barely had time to spare. It didn't help that we were stuck like sardines for five hours, and still had to connect with another nine and a half hour flight in Madrid. I thought a good movie might help settle my nerves, but there wasn't enough room to accommodate a small screen.

I sat with our two sons, while my husband was across the aisle. His seatmate couldn't even pull the tray table down over his protruding stomach. This made me think about why these tiny planes don't have more specific passenger requirements.

Before we boarded the plane we had to make sure that our belongings fit into the metal carry-on baggage template.  Is the next step to have passengers try to fit into similar contraptions, and charge them accordingly for excessive baggage? Should travelers be divided like cattle encouraging the largest ones to roam freely in first class, the borderline in business, and the scrawniest in coach?  I thought of a few other suggestions that I wanted to jot down, but I was too worried to pull down my tray table.

My Son The J.D.

No he is not a juvenile delinquent. Our son is a Juris Doctor, and we just came back from his law school graduation. Since he had some extra time off before graduation, we decided to take a road trip to Asheville, North Carolina. We toured the Biltmore Estate that George Vanderbilt built for his mother  in 1895. It reminded us of an American version of the castle on Downton Abbey. Each room was more magnificent than the next, and every detail was covered in opulence. While most homes at the time didn't even have electricity, he had a working elevator, and a lighted indoor pool. The Vanderbilt's also gave back to the community, and his wife Edith started a school to train African American women as skilled maids in the early 1900's.

The Biltmore Estate

                                                         

The next day we went hiking in a forest preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Panic set in, when we passed a gas station sign warning that they had the only public restrooms for eight miles. That was more frightening to me than climbing up a thousand feet. My husband and son were looking forward to seeing wildlife. The advertisements sighted everything from bears to white tailed squirrels. As I was walking, I discovered an unusual tubular shaped worm. I called them over to see it. Our son noticed that the creature had several legs, and they both were fascinated by this odd looking centipede. I suggested that they take a photo, as this would be the only wildlife we would find on the trail. They just laughed, but they should have snapped that picture. The trail did have several views of  two amazing waterfalls. We  met a couple who raved about another beautiful park with spectacular views. When we finally found it hours later, we were surprised to find flying turkeys.

Back at the campus, our son gave us a great tour of the trophy room, and the beautiful wooded surroundings in Durham. We also saw his house and met some of his roommates for the first time. After dinner we went to have an early celebration with some of his friends and their parents. Everyone was friendly and excited for the graduation. We were surprised to find out that our son is the only one out of his friends who will be returning home to work. The other moms were disappointed that their boys found jobs out of state. This made us appreciate how lucky we were. It seemed like just yesterday when he liked to keep his social life private from us, and now he was eagerly introducing us to everyone he knew, and included us in all of the festivities.

It poured on the way to the graduation ceremony, but fortunately it was held inside the basketball stadium. Sadly, one of their classmates was killed in a car accident in March, and the students led a  standing ovation when his name was called. The whole experience was very emotional. We felt terrible that our younger son couldn't be there, as he was studying for college finals, and we knew how badly my mom wanted to come. The trip would have been too difficult for her, and my brother wanted to stay close by in case my mom needed him.

We were all so proud of what our son has accomplished. He earned an undergraduate degree in engineering, and will be working as a patent attorney. He insisted on doing everything on his own without taking special classes for the LSAT or tutors. There was only one time that I remember our son complaining when he was studying for the law school admission test (LSAT). As math was always his strength, he was frustrated while working on multiple choice questions. Though I've never tested well, I asked him to give me three sample questions. From years of watching lawyers on TV, I knew that the object was to trick us. Since the stakes were high, I literally willed myself to get the answers right. That was the last time my boy complained about law school.

Note: We will be leaving for a family vacation at the end of the week. I look forward to catching up with everyone when we return next month.

Reflections On A to Z Part III

                                       

                                                                             

The nice thing about participating in A to Z is that you never knew what would happen as you wrote through the alphabet. This was my third Challenge, and I was constantly met with surprises along the way. It was almost like attending a virtual class reunion. Bloggers that I lost touch with welcomed me with open arms, and we just picked up where we left off last year. New friendships were formed, and faithful followers continued to tune in.

Some posts garnered more responses than others. Everyone was a good sport whether they were laughing at  Frequent Flatulence,  or contemplating  Ridiculous Rules of Religion.  I thought I might have stirred up a little controversy, but the audience seemed to be in on the joke.

With over 1700 participants, it was difficult to even get through a quarter of the list. Fortunately, the Blogging From A to Z Challenge  site highlighted many bloggers who were just starting out. This helped narrow down the list for me, and I enjoyed connecting with some terrific new blogs.

Alex J. Cavanaugh  also was key in spotlighting interesting bloggers each day. These direct links helped save time sifting through people who had multiple blogs, or little information on Google+.

I would like to thank  Arlee Bird,  the co-hosts, and all of the A to Z ambassadors and minions for another extraordinary April. You all worked 'round the clock to make sure that everyone had a meaningful experience, complete with a road map, and a cheering squad.

My only regrets were that I couldn't read or type faster. I hope that I've finally gotten caught up with comments, and I apologize to anyone I've left out. I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read and comment on my posts, and I will continue to try to reciprocate.

Next weekend our older son will be graduating from law school, and we're heading out to see him in a few days. Wishing all the mom's an early Happy Mother's Day, and happy blogging to all!

Zoodikers for Zaftig Zelda

Zaftig Zelda longed for romance,

Zhlubs just got in her way.

Zoster held her in tight,

Zephyr Bar was having Ladies Day.

Zoologist came to greet her,

Zebras zig-zagged on her skirt.

Zibibs flowing at the bar,

Zelda quickly began to flirt.

Zach admired all her tails,

Zingers flying through the air.

Zayde told him he would find her,

Zealously searching in his prayers.

Zip Car drove them to his grandparents,

Zelda couldn't see a thing.

Zach guided her with his flashlight,

Zoodikers could that be a ring?!

Zadie and Bubee started cheering,

Zaftig one was getting dressed for the feast.

Zounds abounds at the graveyard,

Zombies drooled at the zesty beast.

Just as one chapter ends, another begins. Instead of waiting until the official IWSG meeting tomorrow, I thought I'd address my insecurity today. This is my third "Z" poem for  the  A to Z Challenge  and I'm a little anxious about it.

The problem is that I wanted to include words that I hadn't used or even heard of before. This raises the issue of clarity, so I'd like to use this opportunity to provide some definitions in order of appearance.

zaftig - plump, buxom, well-rounded (of a female)

zhlub - an ill-mannered, insensitive person

zoster - a girdle

zibis - an alcoholic drink made from raisins

zayde - grandfather

zoodikers - an exclamation

bubee - grandmother

My grandpa once told me to keep a dictionary at my bedside. That way if I came across a word I didn't know, I could look it up without losing my train of thought. This was sage advice, and the Internet makes it even easier to do so. Consequently, problems may arise as some words have different spellings. For example, zhlub is the Yiddish spelling of schlub. Schlubs are just as annoying as zhlubs, but the "Z" version worked best for the poem.
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Perhaps  The Insecure Writer's Support Group  could shed some light on this matter. In the meantime,  I want to thank  Arlee Bird,   Alex J. Cavanaugh,  and the rest of the  A to Z Challenge  co-hosts, and minions for another amazing April. I could go on and on, but I'm oysgematert (exhausted).

Yodeling In My Yaktrax

                                                                       


I'll never forget our first family ski vacation. My husband wanted to start our boys out early by skipping the bunny hills, and heading out to the more challenging runs of Park City, Utah when they were three and six years old. While they were learning the ropes in ski school, he took me on some beginner runs. That was when I first realized he was a liar. The green "beginner" runs out West were much more difficult than the green runs in the Midwest, and I was petrified. 

Rewind to my first ski trip with my best friend, and her brother when I was seventeen.  We had a special weekend package in Michigan that included lessons. My first lesson was an hour long and my instructor ditched me after twenty two minutes. He said that I was too dangerous to ski with. I'm not really sure what bothered him most. Was it when I fell on him getting off of the chair lift causing a domino effect behind us, or was it when I couldn't control my speed forcing others to fall as I miraculously made it down the hill?  Later, I fell down so many times that I looked like the Abominable Snowman. People were terrified to ride on the lift with me. Thanks to my blow dryer, I was virtually unrecognizable as I danced the night away. 

Back in Park City, my kids weren't as excited about skiing as my husband was. My three year old even went sleep skiing in between my husband's legs. We have a video of my older son smoothly skiing off of the chair lift, while I did a graceful belly flop into the snow. My boys were quickly learning, as I was growing more fearful. Though my husband was teaching me how to control my speed by turning; the minute I felt I was losing control I would fall down. I don't know how many times my family skied passed me, while I was stranded with one ski in the middle of a snowdrift. I yelled for help so loudly that I was worried I'd start an avalanche. I also yelled out a few unkind words to my husband.

It probably was no accident that he led me to an abandoned run, but they eventually came back for me. When the boys heard my screams, they asked why I was so upset. I told them that I was just practicing yodeling; while I was making an obscene gesture with my ski pole at my husband.

Note: This is a re-post from my first A to Z Challenge in  2011.