Sweeping out the Dust

Cold showers, allergies are back, and a baseball surprise, today, on Air Time. Stick Around.

Our shower problem started last week. Shabbat, to be exact. The day after purim. We came home from Ranana to find that we had no running water in the house. A quick investigation proved that our neighbors shut off our water after the plastic spigot broke in our back yard, causing water to flood our back porch. We put the plastic spigot back on, used the water, and went to sleep on Saturday night thinking all was well.

And it was. Until Sunday morning, when the spigot came off again. Once again, using some special plumbing tape, I put the plastic spigot back on the pipe, and was satisified that the water was no longer leaking.

Fast forward to sunday night. Coughing up a storm, I came downstairs, looked out back, and found the plastic spigot on the ground again, water rushing again and floowing the back porch.

And again, I turned off the water, drank tea for my cough, watched TV, and went to bed.

We woke up the next morning to find that we had no water or power. Further investigation showed that the power blew at 5:45, when the dude was supposed to kick in. So we called the electric guy, explained what had happened, who told us to call a specialialist. Who told us it could cost up to 3000 NIS, so we called the landlord, who said he would take care of it.

So we had to rely on the dud shemesh. Which worked out great on the day it was sunny and 90 degrees, but since then, we haven't had the kind of sun that could get us enough hot water for everyone to shower. And since I shower last, well, that meant cold showers for me.

But this morning, I felt good enought to go to gym. Which meant, hurray, a super hot shower. It was so good, I almost went twice.

It hasn't been just the cold showers that have had me feeling blue, though. My allergies, which were dormant our first year in Israel, came raging back last week. I thought I was sick, but Doc says nope, just allergies. So I am popping allergy pills and nasal spray in addition to the blood pressure meds that supposedly are keeping me running smoothly.

Spekaing of running smoothly, it was not our oldest, but our middlest, who has shown surprising skills on the diamond. Don't get me wrong. Our oldest has struck out 17 batters in 9 innings, and given up only five runs (2 earned) in the three games he has pitched this year. Did I mention he is hitting .800, with two legit triples, and batting leadoff.

But it is our middlest who has been the family surprise. This past week, in a game against Jerusalem, he went 3 for 4, lowering his average to .875. In the field, he threw out a runner at second from center field, made a great play on a grounder to get the force at third while playing third base, and threw out the batter from second base on a ground ball that he fielded.

I am coaching my Oldest's team this season. So far, we are 2-1, have a good chance to be playing for first place when we face off against Gezer in two weeks. We'll keep you posted. If, and only if, I'm still blogging. Otherwise, you'll have to check the website for standing on your own.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading.

AT