Richard, I showed Omer, my surfing son, those surfing rules. He liked them--and asked where you got them. The only one he doesn't always follow is the one about not surfing alone--which makes me really nervous. He said it's never so long, though--maybe 15 or 20 minutes in the morning until people start coming or in the evening if he stays in the water a little longer than the others.

Everything seems to be blowing up here. Fires breaking out all over, and last night a helicopter kept circling around looking for someone (after we heard gunshots that sounded like fireworks). And besides all that, 2 cockroaches suddenly scurried across our floor. I was used to seeing them all the time in Israel, but never here. Seemed like some kind of sign!

Pat, change can be so hard- especially before it has happened. "Darkest before the dawn" comes to mind.

Here are the Surfers Rules which are the words that I try to live by.
1. Have passion (the meaning of this is clear)
2. No dare, no flair (the meaning of this is clear)
3. Expect to wipeout (this is similar to the boy scout motto- be prepared)
4. Never turn your back on the ocean (keep an eye out for threatening conditions)
5. Always look outside (stay alert and aware for new opportunities)
6. Move before it moves you (if you are not already paddling when a good wave comes, it will go right by you)
7. Never surf alone (I hope you understand this one)

So maybe it's good to have low expectations. Then things turn out much better than you were expecting!

I wish I could take a picture of my cat right now. He decided that he needs to sit with me. Well, I am on my laptop sitting in my recliner. He jumped up over the computer to the right side of me..laying between my body and the arm of the chair..with my head on the edge of the computer...and he is purring loudly. Hes also prety warm so I guess I'll let him stay!
Hope everybody is well...Happy Vetrens Day...Happy thoughts........

That's awfully hard to watch your children being sad. Kevin too has separated from the woman he thought he would be with for his future. Funny way to say that but I hear him say he'll never marry but wants to spend his life with one woman. He's so sad and it's hard to be even only this far away when he wants to talk so much. The phone can be so awkward.

We are settling in nicely and I find I am happier than I expected to be. How about that...........

Thanks. I think things will work out for the best one way or another. You're right, Kathi, there's nothing we can do but love them and support them--though it's taken me a long time to learn not to make their pain my pain.

Its hard watching our children work out their lives. We want to take away the painful processes for them...but in the end can only offer our support and love. Hopefully things will work out for the best for Rafi and Kristen.

Oops, I pushed "publish post" and didn't write anything. What I meant to write is that we'll put politics aside and talk about other things. I always like to hear your take on things, Karen, and there's plenty to talk about besides politics.... like me feeling sad that my son Rafi and his wife, Kristine, are separating. They really love each other, but it's just not working for them. She has personal issues she has to take care of before she can be in a successful relationship. I feel sad, but also good because I think Rafi has a good, strong sense of himself now, and I trust him to make the right decisions whether that means being with her or without her.