Have the Answers, But Not Telling (At Least For Now...)

HH #221 here at Ima on (and off) the Bima.

ProfK brought us a familiar observation here in her comment.  We, too, have gotten some really doozy-questions aimed our way during car rides, or alternatively, on our way out the door towards a car ride.

My favorite?  A couple years ago our Virgin Guinea Pig mysteriously gave birth.  OK, not so mysteriously;  unknown to us, she'd been pregnant when we bought her.  

Turns out, guinea pig gestation is much longer than that of most rodents and lagomorphs. Compare:  hamster gestation is 15 to 18 days, rabbit gestation is about 30 days, while that of the guinea pig can reach 72 days -- that's over two months.   The difference becomes clear when you see how guinea pigs come into the world:   fully formed, fur-covered, open-eyed, and munching on solids within a day.

So when Elder Princeski called me in happy-hysteria, MOMMY, THERE ARE BABIES IN THE GUINEA PIG CAGE!, naturally this became a source of great excitement.  

A few minutes later, it also became a source of great confusion.

Always the Imp (then age 4):  Mommy, how could the guinea pig have babies without an Abba?

Me:  There must have been an Abba with her in the store, before we bought her, but then we brought her home and it took a long time for the babies to come out.

Always:  (Pause for thought).  Mommy, how did the babies get inside the mommy?  

Me: (Wasn't expecting that one yet).  Well... (Stalling for time.  She's only four, I mean, really). 

Always:  Is it true that the doctor puts the baby through the mommy's vulva, into her tummy?  (Yes, she already knew one V-word, way back then.)

Me:  (To self)  Only if the Mommy is married to a doctor.  

(To Always)  Well, it's something like that.  But it's kind of complicated, and you know, we really are supposed to be going out now.

Always (looking me straight in the eye):  It's okay, Mommy.  You don't have to explain everything.  Just tell me the important parts!

Oy vey....

Keep the balance,

ALN

Iodine Season

Spring is in the air... speaking of which, many thanks to Gila from My Shrapnel for a great HH #215, and that lovely Julie Andrews song!  But I digress...

Bike Season is officially here, so keep the iodine handy.    A couple weeks ago I brought what was formerly Elder Princeski's long-outgrown, hot-pink set of wheels into the local bike shop for a tire refurbish, and the guys could barely look up from their wrenches and chains, they were so busy sliming and realigning. 

(Slime is, of course, a registered trademark and the brand name of that funky stuff they smear on the inner tubes to make them self-repairing.  The bike shop has a huge tank of it sitting on the floor, next to their scattered worktable, and for a few extra shekels they'll apply it to your inner tubes, saving you much sorry later in the season).

The number of first-time bikers  on our block -- among them, our own Always the Imp --can appear greater than the total number of children around here.  The other afternoon I edged toward our driveway while noting at least a dozen (including a couple of my own) within a three-house stretch, wheeling about like scattering sparrows.   

The scene inspired me.  

A day or two later, That Guy I Married set off with Elder P to get her a new bike, accompanied by my long-neglected red frame, with its shredded seat and failing gear shifts, in the hopes that a renewed set of wheels would inspire me to re-commit myself (yet again) to some sort of reasonable, enjoyable fitness plan.

I can't speak for the future but so far, so good.  I've managed to get myself out on it two days in a row -- if only around the moshav, at this point.  Only 28 more days of this and I'll have myself a habit.  

Nothing like that burst of speed down a hill, that rush of air across the face, to remind me what every kid worth his weight in helmets already knows.  So get out the iodine, and get out there.

The hills are alive...

Keep fit, and keep the balance,

ALN

Now We're Off to Nauru

The Rebbetzin's Husband does a wonderful job summing it all up in HH #121... and your next Micronesian vacation is on him.  Meanwhile, there's some good reading.

ALN

HH - The Big 200

Get it here.

Mazal tov to Jack -- and all of the HH hosts -- for keeping it going.

Best wishes to all.

ALN

HH #194 - Counting Down (or Up, Rather) to 200

I missed it, but you shouldn't.... HH #194 over at Shiloh Musings.  Enjoy!

ALN

HH #193 - Get Off the Couch!

I missed contributing this week, but why should you miss reading it?  Now that the turkey's long digested, catch HH #193 here at Benji Lovitt's What War Zone (recommended, for Israel-minded laughs).

ALN

HH #192: Time for Thanks/Giving

Thanks to Ima on (and off) the Bima for this week's HH compilation.  

As usual, I will not be having turkey this year (see sidebar) and in fact I won't even be home... I have an in-service on Thursday morning in Be'er Sheva, followed by class that evening, in Jerusalem.  

But I will be taking time that evening to thank G-d for the drop in price of gasoline.

Keep the balance,

ALN

HH #191 "Mama Rachel" Edition

Get it here.  And many thanks to this week's sleep-deprived Mama.  

ALN

Don't Panic! HH # 190 Is Here

The U.S. elections are over, and it's time to calm down and get to work.  Take the time to enjoy HH #190, available right here at Jewlicious.

(And for those of you in Israel, remember to vote in the municipal elections tomorrow.  Finding a balanced candidate will be tough, but we can try).

Keep the balance,

ALN

HH #189 Is Up...

Find the Elections Edition here at Esser Agaroth.  I'll be checking it out as soon as I can find a string of seconds free.... 

(In all my years here, I still haven't quite gotten used to not having Sundays....)

Happy voting.

Keep the balance,

ALN

HH #188: No Clowns, No Beards, No Rats

Just when I thought we were avoiding rats, we get HH #188 coming at us with talk of small unwanted creatures in all shapes, sizes and public eating venues.  Thanks to Benji Lovitt of What War Zone for a hilarious intro to a thorough compilation by this newcomer HH host.  Go Benji!

Keep the balance,

ALN

HH #187: The Sukkot Edition Is Up

A huge thank-you to Baila (who, in addition to including my post at the last minute, created a whole new category for it!).  Lots of good reading here, and some nice Sukka photos.  Enjoy.

חג שמח.

ALN

HH #184, and Wishes For a Wonderful Year

Many thanks to Barbaric Yawp for compiling this week's offerings.  Apparently there is now a Facebook to go with this HH business.... Again, I am inspired (desperate?) to ask, where do y'all get the time?  Facebook?  Do you people work or does someone pay you to blog?  (If it's the latter, count me in).

Either way, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful, peaceful, happy and healthy New Year. 

שתהיה שנה של אושר, בריאות, ונחת לכולנו.

And, of course, a year of balance.

Shana Tova,

ALN

HH -- All the Latest, and Not an Author to Be Plugged

Ok, of course there are authors, but in this week's HH, Simply Jews doesn't mention who's who.  Artful literary observance of Tisha b'Av?  You be the judge.  Enjoy.

ALN