Written January 2, 2012

 

To my dearest children, grand children, mishpacha, friends, neighbors, Shalom, and a happy & healthy 2012.

How are you  ?  I am fine, feeling much better. I had some 2 difficult weeks, experiencing unpleasant cardiac problems.

As you know, I am, here under the care of Professor Michael Eldar. Last week, (as all the "terrible" symptoms disappeared, as they started,)  I had a Nuclear Stress test. ( I am sure you can tell, I still glow in the dark). Here in Israel, administration of the medical system,is a bit different from the one in the USA.  The results of the test, being evaluated by the doctor who is the administrator of the Nuclear Cardiology Unit. This doctor, wrote a complete report, with his findings, added the X-ray pictures taken of my heart, and a complete set of 13 + 3 pages of EKG. All this I received today, via Israel mail, (7 days after the test) with instruction to deliver to my physician.  Much slower then in America, and I am not sure if more efficient.  However, I was IMPRESSED at the "Hart Center" building at the Sheba Hospital. All in one center. From the lab. to research, to testing, angioplasty, hart surgery, recovery, coffee shops, glass elevators, visitor lounges, and above all the cleanliness of the place.

It is cold in Israel, now. I think, it is the coldest December I experienced in Israel for the past 6-7 years.  Top it all, since last night it is raining too. No one complains, water is needed in this dry land.  The measuring instrument, is the sea of Galilee. After every rain, in the news, T.V & radio, announcements will be made, of the amount of rain fall, and the level of water in the sea of Galilee. At present, the water in the sea, is still below  the "red Line". (red line = minimum required) 

When I visited "my Professor's" office for the first time, it drizzled. Because of the location and the greenery surrounding his office, many snails came out, covering the path way. As people came and left  the office, I hope,inadvertently, stepped over some.  I picked up two of the snails, placed them in the envelope with my American doctor findings, and travel with them to my home in Ramat-Gan. I made them a temporary home in a plastic jar, for the night, until the following day, when I went to a Pet shop and got a nice aquarium type of a dwelling. I placed sand on the bottom, and lettuce leave for food. I was fascinated seeing them coming out of the shell and eating, yes eating the lettuce. Amazingly, after 2 days what ever left over, they refused to eat, climbed to the roof of the aquarium and hibernate in their shell. Lesson # 1, no left over, lesson # 2, the "house" had to be clean.  So, now they live happily, until one day I cooked a soup and added Dill & Parsley to the pot. While doing so, I decided to treat my snails to dill & parsley too. The 2 of them climbed to the roof of the aquarium, hibernate in the shell, and did a hunger strike for 3 days. No choice, I cleaned their house, and back to lettuce. Lesson # 3, they don't like dill or parsley. A few days ago, I was told , snail love carrots. Same day, I sliced nice carrot rings and gave it to my silent pets.  Here I was surprised and amazed. They sure love carrots, but not the peels. Those 2 snails, were able to eat the carrot slices and leave a perfect round ring of the peel. Lesson # 4, peel the carrot  prior feeding. They still eat lettuce, but carrots are a delicacy. 

One more story about my neighbor Bertha. I am sure I told you, she is a seamstress. I her "high" days she was known for her craft, and had many clients. Today, she still seats her sawing machine, making outfits for her granddaughters, repairs hems,  replaces  buttons, etc.  Bertha is also known for her rice cooking. (One can count the grains...). because I made my decision to loose weight, I am omitting bread, rice, potatoes & sugars from my diet. (lost 4 kg so far). On Fridays , when Bertha cooks her rice, she invites me to the feast, but with much regrets, I refuse. Then Bertha said, "I am glade

you loosing weight", I answered  "me too" , then she added, "I will have a lot of work, to fix all your clothes".....

Please, write, I miss you all.    Love.

Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me, Esther.