Monday, November 30, 2009

Stick a fork in me 'cause I am DONE!

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Done with
NaBloPoMo 2009 that is! Happy November 30th everyone. What better way to end this year's daily posting frenzy than with a post that illustrates the prickly and somewhat stubborn of those who call my little corner of the world home.
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Native-born Israelis are often called
sabras - from the Hebrew for prickly pear - because they are "prickly on the outside but sweet on the inside". Trite and more than a little cliche, but also more than a little true. Israelis can be brash and overly agressive but when you look a bit deeper they're a bunch of big softies. Like the hard-talking barber down the block - he talks a good game, but when Itai did his own version of a sidewalk sale last Friday this tough guy walked over, asked the price of two little matchbox cars (about 50 cents each) and handed over nearly three dollars just because Itai looked like a good kid. And then of course there's always this. Examples of Israeli kindness don't come any better than that one.
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The sabra you see here isn't a prime example of its species, but I do love it's
reddish yellow coloring. Objectively though, I'd have to admit that it's a bit misshapen. The other sabras growing on the same plant were fuller and of the more common barrel shape but it was this little one that particularly caught my eye.
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Click to enlarge
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It was growing on this sabra plant, tucked away under an Ottoman-era arch, remnants of what is thought to be an old agricultural storeroom. I love the way the arch has gone from ceiling to floor, with grass now growing on top instead of below. Very circle of life, isn't it?
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42 comments:

Tammy said...

Congratulations on making it through the month of Nov doing a post a day! I have enjoyed every one of them!

That prickly pear is beautiful, I just love the details!

Dina said...

Love that arch! It has a crewcut.

moneythoughts said...

I like both shots. The arch is very interesting. Ottoman-era? Isn't that interesting.

Dimple said...

Congratulations on 31 posts in 30 days! (That's blogger's count). I enjoyed your other post about the couple who took you in for a day also.

Jael said...

Congrats on finishing the NaBloPoMo-project:-(

Although that sabra is a bit misshapen,the photo is still beautiful!

Mojo said...

I find that often the "One of these things not like the others" makes the best photo. Especially if you can get some of the "conformists" in the same frame. (I did this with a coupla pumpkins last month.) But this one stands on its own without any aid from a "supporting cast". Nice going!

Oh and congrats on finishing NaBlowMowPo. I never doubted you, not once.

deedee said...

Good job! Great photos, as usual.

Calico Crazy said...

Congratulations! I've got to get a post out there. I was just so relieved to finish NaNoWriMo before Thanksgiving.

Daryl said...

Very circle of life AND makes me wonder if the seeds that caused the sabra plant to grow were from the old storehouse that stood there eons ago ...

Genny said...

I love that arch, too. I have to tell you how much I love your photographs, Robin. I love the way you capture the unique in things. You are seriously talented!

Genny

maryt/theteach said...

That is an incredible shot, Robin! So sharp and clear! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for Nabloplomo; I gave up unfortunately.
Your photos are beautiful!

Kim, USA said...

Is that fruit edible? I love the color too. The arch amazes me too looks like perfect to me.

My RubyTuesday

kayerj said...

congratulations on making it through. I love how that cactus is tucked away under the arch.

Felisol said...

Maybe the beauty of the imperfect appeals, because such is life as well.
The rare blooming beauties in human world should be more appreciated too.
I think I once had a sabra as an indoor cactus. Not as mighty as your specimen under the bridge, but the leaves looked just like the real thing.
Never tasted it though..
From Felisol

eden said...

I love your photos, Robin. We have that kind of cactus across the road. It's big now and have lots of fruits.

Happy Ruby Tuesday

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! We who lurk really appreciate the dedication of you faithful posters during November.

I love your blog. Thank you!

(your) Anon

Dianne said...

I never knew about being called sabres, very endearing term

the arch is amazing!!

Patti said...

Pretty prickly pear, despite being "misshapen."

That's neat the cactus is growing under the arch.

Happy Ruby Tuesday, Robin.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

You know the Tour Manager does a lot of interacting with Israelis. They've told him he's like an Israeli -- like a sabra.

Ralph said...

I've done two NaBloPoMo in the past, and they can be grueling. Congrats on surviving the battle!

Nothing trite about the sabra, no cliche is bad. The reflection of the Israeli people is no doubt tempered a bit but due to so many external threats. But being tormented really can make for an empathetic view of life. They survived the worst and this knowledge allows for an understanding of what can be good in a world of bad...

I truly admire Israel, and always hope for the best for its people...

Amanda Moore said...

Living in the Chaparral of California I have a great love of Cacti. The color for this prickly pear is lovely and has great contrasts!

Carolyn Ford said...

The arch is really photogenic, and a perfect compliment for the prickly pear cacti! Very nice post!

Leora said...

Great shot of the sabra! And the Ottoman arch is cool, too. You are good at finding Israel's interesting bits of architecture. Love all that.

MaR said...

Fantastic shot of the prickly pear!! the arch is beautiful, I thought the grass wasn't on top but growing in the background...

Happy RT, mine is posted here.

quilly said...

You made it! Do a happy dance!

I like that last shot. I want to walk through the arch and explore.

Robin said...

Thank you all, and especially thank you to (my) anon. You always have such sweet things to say and always put a smile on my face. The coffee's hot and there's an extra chair round the island if you ever decide to venture out of lurkville.

Hootin Anni said...

That seed pod is so pretty!!! Looks kinda lethal tho with all the stickers! But pretty.

Happy Tuesday....my Ruby entry is holiday--a continuation of one I did several weeks ago...it's finished now, and decorating our mantle!! come see HERE

toby said...

That arch is tremendously cool - where is it?

Robin said...

It's Hurbat Shimri, in Nahal Shimri, at the base of the Carmel just north of Kerem Maharal.

toby said...

Thanks!

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Great pics & great story !
Blessings,
~Myrna

Auntie E said...

Happy ruby Day to you.

Marice said...

those are interesting! great shots! :)

u may view mine if u have time

Jew Wishes said...

What beautiful shots! I love the textures and contrasts. The bottom photo is wonderfully composed, with a view-through the opening.

I like the tones in the top photo. Each one is beautiful on its own.

Annie Jeffries said...

A beavertail cactus by any other name - etc. etc. That is our name for this terrific cactus in our part of the world.

The ancient structure is a joy to see.

Martha said...

Fabulous post, and boy the coffee was good today!

I was amazed when we were at the beach in FL and saw a prickly pear. It was a beautiful suprise!
My RT

Tom Bailey said...

The Arch with cactus photo is really different it looks like it is historic. The cactus remind me of eatting them when I was younger... I think they were called "tunas" in spanish.

Dina said...

Beavertail cactus?? Can you imagine our kids being called that instead of sabras? :)

Mimi said...

I like the "circle of life" analogy !
Well done on the November posts!

storyteller said...

I'm always amazed at the beautiful blossoms and fruit produced by various cactus plants. Thanks for sharing ... and for dropping by Small Reflections! Love your mysterious Olive tree photo as well.
Hugs and blessings,

Jemina said...

Yumm I love prickly pears, they call it fichi d'India in Italy and they abound in Sicily. They are irresistibly refreshing!