I will admit it. I was confused this Pesach. I made two health appointments months ago, and I miscalculated when the yom tovs would take place. So, each was made on the second day of yom tov--my follow up doctor's appointment last week and tomorrow, my nutritionist/dietitian appointment. The good news is that with my modest diet changes and implementing cardio for 1 hour three times a week, I have LOST five and one-half pounds since March 1st! Go me!!!

It has been wonderful having Carol and Rabbi Neal in town. Even if we haven't had a whole a lot of time, the time we have been able to carve out has been precious to me. Just knowing they are here--in St. Louis--having their energy swirling around here is wonderful. I know this is a wonderful visit for them to have so much of their beloved family and TEN grandchildren here must be such a blessing.

I was telling Rob this afternoon how nice it is to have Ari and family, Michael and Adira, Judith and Or and family, Doris and family (minus Kliel--we miss you) the Rosebuds and of course Carol and Neal all here to contribute their love and energy and teachings and perspectives to services and davening. It just adds an extra dimension that is special.

I have one last day of vacation and then it is back to business! As I stated before, it has been such a nice period of time off. I am renewed!

I will leave you with this poem I found in Parabola: The Search for Meaning, Summer 2005 Edition on Restraint, p. 13. It is by Mary Oliver from her New and Selected Poems, Vol 1, Boston: Beacon Press, 1992, p. 181.

SLEEPING IN THE FOREST

I thought the earth

remembered me, she

took me back so tenderly, arranging

her dark skirts, her pockets

full of lichens and seeds. I slept

as never before, a stone

on the river bed, nothing

between me and the white fire of the stars

but my thoughts, and they floated

light as moths among the branches

of the perfect trees. All night

I heard the small kingdoms breathing

around me, the insects, and the birds

who do their work in the darkness. All night

I rose and fell, as if in water, grappling

with the luminous doom. By morning

I had vanished at least a dozen times

into something better.

...