[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — Pop! goes the weasel.

A nursery rhyme from the 1800s.

A rodent with mink-like fur, a long body and tail, and tiny feet. The other day on my way to the doctor, I saw the cutest little dog on a leash walking on the sidewalk with its owner.

I used to own a Yorkshire terrier, but this little pet was more adorable. As I got closer to the tiny dog, I thought it had an unusual body, long like a dachshund but with miniature feet and a strange tail.

Although being led by its mistress, it seemed like a thick furry snake slinking along on its belly. Then I saw the little feet underneath. And as I passed it on the sidewalk, I turned to look at its face. Still cute, but obviously not a dog! It was a weasel on a dog leash!

Ever since I stopped driving and became a passenger and/or pedestrian, I have had the opportunity to observe the world around me. In Israel, there is so much to see. Although this was the first time I had ever seen a weasel walking in town, I have observed turtles in my friend's yard, fruit bats living in the tall palm trees in the park next to my apartment building, camels in an open field near my home, and an Arab shepherding goats.

I find it unusual because I live in an urban area. When I lived in the California desert, my children would go to sleep every night to the sound of desert hares screaming as the coyotes attacked. Ground squirrels, frogs and rattlesnakes were everyday occurrences. My favorites were the family of quail walking along the fence and the occasional roadrunner in my yard that looked just like the cartoon character.

In the Name of Honor

This week one of the streets in my town was closed to through traffic because there was an international live statues festival. It reminded me of the festival of living art in Laguna Beach where the people of Laguna dressed up in costumes, giving life to the famous paintings they represented. Here in Israel, however, the people were painted like famous statues. It was a magnificent sight. Had I not known that this was a festival of human beings portraying statues, I would have thought that this particular street just had a lot of statues.

Almost everywhere one goes in Israel, there is a statue or sculpture or memorial honoring those who lost their lives in the defense of Israel. In fact, there is a park nearby with one of the original jet planes used to fight for Israel's independence and statehood.

Everyone’s Obligation

Charity is the soul of the Jewish people. Even if we are the recipients of it, we are required to give to others in need. This week a large contingency of residents got together early one morning to pick apples for charity. Apples this week, oranges one week, onions another. It is not unusual to see people giving out prayer books while cars are stopped for traffic, asking for donations in return. On side streets, there are kiosks for people to donate money, food items and clothing. One sees everything in Israel.

I have lived here three years, and I am constantly seeing something new. Whether it is a unique plant, flower or tree, or the distinctive architecture of the various countries whose people make up the Israeli population, everything catches my attention. I have become fascinated by the shapes and colors of something as simple as a brick sidewalk. I even marvel at the large metal cage plastic bottle depositories located on every block. I am amused by the signs and menus written in English because the spelling is so bizarre. Sometimes the English words are so misspelled that it is like reading another language.

It is 3 a.m., and I have not been to sleep yet. I must awaken early in the morning for work.

L'hitraot. Shachar

Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel three years ago.