My How Time Does Fly

Rabbi Raz Hartman spoke in NY recently about process and creation and Purim. I think he said that nature failed before man failed, according to the medrash. The tree was supposed to equal the fruit in taste, but due to disobedience to G-d this changed. Originally, the point wasn't just the literal fruit, it all was equal. So too with Purim, we celebrate the process, the miracles in between, even though one could be cynical and say not much changed in the end, as we were still subordinate to Achashveirosh.

I don't know that I can ever appropriately express my gratitude to the book fair for a good cause where I bought so many gems. I just started A Broom of One's Own, which cost me 2 dollars - brand new 2008 book in perfect condition. After writing two critically acclaimed novels she penned a book about being a writer and a house cleaner. After her books came out people assumed that she was buddies with Oprah and was rolling in money. No. She warns people to be careful around their house keepers, or to clean their own homes, because you never know... She is an excellent writer. The prologue is not the best example of the writing in the book, but although it's sad, I think it's a great little story that speaks volumes:

Two women are walking down the road

and pass a frog sitting in the grass. "Hey," says the frog.

"Wow. It's a talking frog," says one of the women.

She picks the frog up and holds it in her hand.

The frog says,"Listen, I'm not really a frog.

Actually, I'm a critically acclaimed writer.

A spell was cast on me and I was turned into a frog.

But if you kiss me I'll turn back into a critically acclaimed writer."

"Well, I'll be darned," says the woman, and puts the frog in her pocket.

Her friend asks, "Aren't you going to kiss it?"

And she answers, "Heck,no.

I'll make a lot more money with a talking frog."

I wrote recently that I was half considering giving away books that would be hard to part with. Shortly after that post appeared I actually passed three non-fiction books forward, hopefully to be appreciated by a memoir fan. One similar work I hope to keep on my shelf and to read and reread throughout however much life G-d grants me is Father Joe. I just searched within the blog to see if I ever wrote about how much Father Joe meant to me. I didn't. What I found was a shout out in which I asked if anyone reading this blog had read that work. I got no affirmative answer to the question. But that post from 2005 did get one comment. And here it is:

Sometimes I read your blog and think: How is it possible that this smart, talented person is not married? But I realize that those of us who are a bit different take longer to find our perfect match. You're not just the average, everyday haiku-writing, well-read, comedian-rabbi.

Thank you my friend.

Purim is time for prayers to be answered, time of reflection...

"This Is One Of Those Restaurants That You Know Will Last"

k

Who do you blame?

A first date asked me

Ninety seconds after

we sat down in La Kasba

~

She went on to say -

Some guys blame girls

Some girls blame guys

Some blame G-d -

~

Who do you blame

for not being married (at 29)?

I didn't want to talk about it

She wanted an answer

~

So I told her that I didn't blame

I saw it as what it was

A combined result of my actions

(And inactions) and Providence

~

She said, That's great, but

will you say that when you're 40?

Young I asked her on another date

And she said no

~

It's late at night and I'm alone

It's still me and G-d

That's my story and

for now, I'm sticking to it.

l

-------------------------------------------

l

The time has come to say good night,
My how time does fly.
We’ve had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
and now we hear good-bye.

~
I really hate to say good night,
for times like these are few.
I wish you love and happiness,
In everything you do.

~
The time has come to say good night,
I hope I’ve made a friend.
And so we’ll say “May God bless you,”
Until we meet again.
;
- Red Skelton