Rain, roses and fires

Rain finally came in Dec. 2010, somewhat alleviating a 6-year drought.  It started a few days after horrific fires in the Carmel Mountains of No. Israel, where we had been on our long field trip with students just the prior week.   [See Feb. '11 post, "Carmel Mtn. Fires."]

Ashes in the air may have added to some spectacular Dec. '10 sunsets.

 Almost as spectacular were some January sunsets, after more light rains.

All this balmy weather has kept our flowers growing.  Imagine -- roses in January!  Winter temperatures have been close to those of Newport Beach.

Not to be outdone is fresh produce.  Is this the peak strawberry season?  While wet and freezing weather afflicts the USA, Israel benefits from too much warmth.

Finally in Feb. '11, our roses were pruned into stubs.  It also rained more in Feb. than in Jan.--normally the heaviest month.  The Sea of Galilee, that supplies most of Israel's water, is still near the low-water danger mark: when its water becomes too salty for use.  We hope for more rains in March and even April to compensate for a lean January.  This is  a promised land if the Lord's people rely on Him, to avert drought & famine (Deut. 11:11-17). Jeremiah (14:1-6) also warned that more warmth and less rain meant less grass for less productive animals.  It is still time for deep concern.

"April showers bring May flowers."   Heavier rains than usual in April -- and even a little in May -- did not compensate for having less than normal in Dec. '10 and Jan.'11.  But flowers outside our 2nd level apt. came back!

They cut down our bedroom bushes in July '11 and we had more flowers & view.

In May '11, even darker red roses (plus the blue Salvia) bloomed on the 7th floor.

Our many JC pomegranate trees also burst with blooms.

And look at the JC's front entry turnaround flower bed.

Summer Fires.  Sadly, with warmer & drier weather, fires returned.  On 6/19/11, this one started in a vacant lot across the street from our lower gate.

Then a larger fire started on the slope next to our Biblical gardens.

 Our JC security and custodial staff quickly sprang into action to put it out.

On  6/8/11, a much larger fire ravaged the slope adjoining our front entry, on both sides of the Tsurim Valley Nat'l Park walkway.  Two fire dept. trucks came to get it under control.   (See Old City and Kidron Valley beyond, JC on the left.)

 These are far too close to the JC for comfort, especially with high winds.  JC security said these were set by mischief-making boys rather than spontaneous combusion or broken-glass-sunlight magnification, as rumored.

The dry, charred summer slopes were in stark contrast to green ones in winter.

Windy Jerusalem.  Winds (or at least breezes) often arrive early evenings.  On 7/16/11 we were watching TV when this appeared in our outside window.

Was it a bird?  A plane?  No -- a kite!  In fact, several kites.  All flown by Arab boys on lower Mt. Scopus.  These winds are perfect for kite flying!

On 8/24/11 with summer almost over, another fire -- and kite -- appeared.

We are happy that our high summer temperatures averaged 84 degrees again this year -- not like last year's August (over 100 for several days).

Winter 2012.   Rains started in Oct. and continued into the winter.  We had some great sunsets -- even without fires or cloudy skies.  These were taken from the Auditorium when the newly-arrived Winter Term students had their orientations.

With January's record rainfall in No. Israel, the Sea of Galilee has risen by 20".  Some areas had rain nearly every day.  But because Dec. '11 was below average (just over 1"), the 7-year drought may not be broken -- unless the Sea rises by another 40".  Jerusalem's January was its exact average -- 5" in 13 days.  So far, this has also been the coldest winter since 1994.