Taking the Plunge

In my fifth attempt to score a person to help me clean my apartment, she finally arrived. This is the Middle East, Anne. Breathe. A charming woman from Belarus - I made a mental note to look up Belarus - she possessed limited proficiency in both Hebrew and English. Despite the language barrier, we settled on a two-hour arrangement. With a sense of relief, I shut the door behind me and headed to my daughter’s. We had a plan for our inaugural plunge into the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv.

I kicked off my sandals and we walked towards the water. My numb toes hit the cool, soft sand and quietly said thank you. I may have just discovered the cure for peripheral neuropathy.

We prefer the gender-alternating beach, separated for the religious population. We found ourselves amidst small clusters of young, modestly dressed women in the water wearing flowing long skirts and long-sleeved shirts. This secluded enclave offers respite from the typical beachside chaos and crowds. It is located on a bay and the water tends to be softer and sweeter.

Although my daughter typically shuns chilly water, she braved the initial plunge, cajoling me to follow suit. “YOLO,” she yelled.

Gazing at the myriad of little fish 🐟 darting around my feet, I froze. She said I would regret it if I did not go in. I knew she was right. It took many false starts with lots of screaming until I finally did it.

This was a triumph on a personal level. My freshest surgical scars laid bare for all to witness, for the first time. We cannot let our scars limit us.

We have talked before about the value of cold water. It is a reset for the body and mind. It was as if the cold washed away the cobwebs of worry and fatigue in my body. There has been far too much of that.

🟪 BITS and BOBS 🟪

We often look wistfully at the youth, beauty and agility of todays influencers. I myself am guilty of that. However, elders possess a cognitive agility honed through life experiences. Instead, we should unapologetically embrace authenticity. Authenticity is sexy. Here are some things I really like.

🟣 Purple has always been my favorite color. I made this last night for Shabbat using a lovely purple sweetpotato Panko. Schnitzel baked, not fried, is a game-changer.

@ruhamasfood (sans purple hue)

🟣 I dove into a series called Forbrydelsen (The Killing) on Amazon Prime. It is not just Nordic Noir; there is political edge to it, reminiscent of Borgen.

🟣 I believe there is nothing quite as delicious as matzah with butter.

🟣 Every day, my prayers go out to the hostages and all of the innocent souls enduring the horrors of this ongoing war 🎗️

Happy Passover to those who celebrate and have an authentic week,

Dr. Annie K. 💜

#BringThemHomeNow