Eilon, Friday, August 11, 2006
Hello friends
I usually take umbrage at people firing at me. Take today for example, Zohar and I were minding our own business. We had nearly finished our irrigation check and were waiting for David to turn on the water in Dalet when we heard a sharp explosion that roiled the air. At first I thought it a solo blast from the western battery, but Zohar was unsure. Then we saw a plume of smoke had risen northwest of us. It was difficult to judge the distance, maybe half a kilometer, maybe a kilometer. The pall lasted for a few minutes and dispersed. David, sitting in the trailer phoned. Debby, who was in the bathroom at home phoned. As I have written, quite often the sound of these things going off is deceptive. While the smoke still clung in the air Zohar raced across the field in the direction of the explosion. It was a field of saplings, which provided us with a clear view of the proceedings. I shouted to Zohar to stop, since I was concerned that another barrage might strike within the same area. Zohar was eager to investigate where the rocket had fallen and what damage, if any, was incurred. With the trail of smoke weakening by the second, Zohar was satisfied that he could not determine where that rocket had fallen.
After David arrived in the orchard, we circled the probable site without results, a block that descends into the Hamdan ravine. The rocket could have fallen into the western scrub forest, or landed on the hill's southern flank or even across the gully on the north side. Back at the trailer a quick peek at an aerial photograph convinced David that it was worth an additional search in the Khorshah section. I was eager to return home. I didn't think it worth any additional exposure outdoors in pursuit of a spent rocket that failed to meet its mark. We know that if the rocket has struck our property that we will stumble upon it sooner or later. It might be later with nothing untoward or conspicuous to report. The way we are living we are lured into a temptingly perverse world of the absurd.
After a while everything has begun to look suspicious. For instance, someone left the gate to the Ramah fields open yesterday. I noticed a powdery yellow substance that looked like sawdust settling in and on the branches of a mastic tree on the side of the road. There was no evidence of the tree having been pruned. Two limbs laden with avocado fruit had snapped overnight, and we were left to conclude that this was caused by the increased weight of their fruit. We inspected the area and found no evidence of foul play.
As I reached the Khorshah's "yellow gate" Peter was just tailing off for breakfast. Wherever the rocket had fallen, Peter remained oblivious to it, or at least acted as if, in the greater scheme of things, it made little or no difference.
Despite my best efforts, I can't help but take this personally. I know, of course, that the fellows on the other side would say that it is nothing personal, but done to advance a greater cause, their cause, one in which I find myself disagreeing with.
Barry.