Tales from the Towers: Time for a time-out?

I am sitting here in my wonderfully comfortable armchair and have no particular reason to get up. I am surrounded by books, magazines, a TV, a VCR, my computer and a box of sinfully good chocolates.

Nevertheless I am bothered by the recurring worry that I cannot think of a subject to write about this week. So maybe I am due for a bit of "time out".

I diligently read many of other people's blogs and wonder if they ever read mine. I can't help but feel that I am tied down by trivialities, banalities, even frivolities. In a time when the whole world is in an uproar about  politics, financial disasters, ecology, terrorism and questionable leadership, I write about self-centered ladies, the way they dress, and the way they fight onsetting memory loss.

Maybe it is wrong that I keep my political views, my religion, my bad opinion of certain public figures to myself and completely private. I have no doubt that this reticence is the reason why I get only occasional responses from readers of the Jerusalem Post who tell me that I remind them that our country is still normal and everyday life goes on relatively free of drama, which in a way is so reassuring to people who worry about Israel here and abroad.

But yet, I must admit that I am envious of the people who just mention one little opinion open to just one little bit of controversy, and suddenly the comment and response flow is overwhelming. Those other bloggers get pages full of arguments while I myself get an occasional pat on the back with a remark like:

"Good so! Just go on and keep it trouble-free!"

In the last years my own autumns have become kind of sterile. This used to be a time when children and even grand-children - provided they are around - go back to school. Feverish activities of getting books, winter clothing, checking heating accommodations and the question whether last year's heater will hold out for this year's cold and rainy days? And yes, all the holiday activities, being invited to the left and to the right and planning an evening for guests and how to feed them. Also the yearly trip abroad, mostly planned for October when the weather is pleasant in most places of the world,.

I set out on these trips only half-heartedly because it was never easy for me to leave children and animals behind. And yes, although not being a plant person, I did own a plant or two which I hoped would be watered in my absence.

So now I sit in my armchair relatively free of worry except with regards to my weekly written contributions. Of course I am concerned about a friend in the hospital, another friend who is about to undergo an operation, and still another friend who is gradually starting to forget what it's all about, but manages to look serene, happy and free of worry, which many may regard as a blessing from heaven.

Social life is livelier than ever, the Towers will celebrate with speeches, snacks and wine. My calendar is full with dates and notes, events which I always had in my head without the need to write them down in the past. Now I make it a habit to look up my schedule every morning because in spite of writing everything down, I did mess up here and there. I have two birthday parties coming up, one dinner invitation, a small celebration at the WIZO, the thrift shop where I volunteered for many years. And last but not least one dinner date with a very nice man.

My life is good, and not having anything serious to complain or whine about, may just be the reason why I may take a break from my weekly report to you.

Let's hope for a good, healthy New Year which should bring us what we need most urgently: peace and  lots of rain.

Lucca