Update on Benji, history repeats itself, and a kitchen surprise
Benji was a dream overnight—Jacobenticed him into the crate with a couple of small treats, and I never heardanother peep out of him until morning. I know he woke about six, but he waspatient until seven when I let him out and fed him. Then back inside, I grabbedan extra snooze, and he was quiet and good. This afternoon, even before Iheaded for a nap, he put himself in his crate and settled down for a longsleep. He’s responsive, enthusiastic about being loved and talked to, and easy.And he’s loving having almost constant access to the backyard, although when heis in the cottage, he now mostly lies by my desk while I work—yesterday hepaced. Just now, he put himself in his crate. I guess, like Soph, he considersit his safe spot.
But yes, there’s a downside. He has the highest,shrillest bark ever—and he barks, as far as I can tell, for no reason. Christianasked why it bothers me, since Sophie was also inclined to bark—but she barkedat squirrels and was quiet for long periods outside. Benji barks every fewminutes, and I am hoarse from calling him to come inside—which he mostly doeshappily. I don’t want him barking incessantly and offending the neighbors. I’vehad long conversations with him about this, but they don’t appear to be taking.It’s still early in the game. Christian’s theory is that Benji has discoveredlots of new friends in the neighbors’ dogs and is talking to them.
AS I posted elsewhere, I wasappalled to read that state troopers in riot gear were called out to quell astudent protest at UT/Austin. For those of you my age and even a bit younger, I’msure that brings memories of the horror of the sixties and the Kent StateMassacre (actually 1970). Apparently it’s not just UT/Austin but there arestudent protests across the country. All on behalf of Gaza. I read somethingtoday that said, in effect, if you find yourself opposing the student protestsand siding with the establishment, you are on the wrong side of history—and thishas been true throughout history. I don’t know about such a sweeping statement,but I think it applies to the protests of the sixties and seventies and totoday.
I feel great sympathy and alot of connection to the Jewish people. I was once married to a Jewish man whois now deceased, but my children and I remain close to his family. I am notready to throw Israel to the wolves, but I wouldn’t mind tossing Netanyahu andsome of his cohorts in that direction. I think there’s a huge differencebetween Israelites and Netanyahu’s official policies. I think what they’ve doneto the people of Gaza is beyond horrifying. Yes, October 7 was a nightmare and Hamasmust be conquered—but at the cost of all those civilian Palestinian lives? Especiallythe children? Today I read of victims at two Gaza hospitals whose bodies werefound with their hands tied behind their backs. I suppose we aren’t sure ifHamas did that or the IDF. Supposedly Netanyahu said recently, “You will notteach us about morality.” But I think someone needs to. If those poor hostages,the few left alive, never come home, it will be because of Netanyahu’s scorchedearth policies. And we frequently read that many Israelis are as upset as weare.
My measured take on this: itis possible to grieve for both groups of people at the same time, and Americashould reconsider the extent of its longtime support of Israel until Israelchanges leadership. I thought this even before this war, when Israel was beinga bully and grabbing Palestinian land on the West Bank. Over the yearsPalestinian-occupied territory has shrunk to almost nothing, evoking in my mindsome sympathy for the Palestinian people. Now, what we see is awful. I don’tunderstand the politics of campus protests and the positions of various campus administrators,but my instinct is to listen to the students.
On a lighter note, I tried a SouthernLiving recipe for roast chicken Caesar salad tonight. First of all, I didn’tread carefully enough to realize I needed a bottle of commercial dressing as abase. Luckily, Jordan had one. Next I realized I didn’t have croutons, so everythingcame to a halt while I fished in the freezer for odds and ends of bread, let itdefrost, and made croutons. Then I realized the recipe called for liningromaine leaves on a sheet pan, brushing with oil, and broiling. A quick surveyindicated that Jordan and Christian both share my antipathy to charred lettuce.Now, finally, the chicken is coated with dressing and broiling—and Jordan saysit’s turning black. Ah, the suspense of dinner in the cottage! A PS I was quitesure this was not a keeper recipe: they both loved it! Go figure.
A mixed day, good and bad, andI’m tired. But like Robert Frost, I have miles to go.
