Top Ten List
- Being out in nature hiking.
- Snorkelling in water so clear it is like it is not there.
- Fishing. Don't even have to be catching, I am happy even with a line in the water.
- Cooking with my daughters.
- Wrestling with my dog.
- Writing a chapter and having no idea where the ideas came from, feeling like I am channeling some writing muse.
- Exploring exotic places and ancient architecture.
- Communicating successfully in a language other than my native tongue.
- Slipping a jab.
- Being warm under the covers when it is storming outside
Snippets
Snippet 1)
“Dad, this book talks about the Kaifeng Jews!” Henry exclaimed to Harry.
“Really?” Harry asked. “The Kaifeng Jews? Our Kaifeng Jews?”
Both Henry and Harry had visited the small community of Chinese Jews living in central China many times. The current residents looked no different than other Chinese from generations of intermarriage. However, they wore yarmulkes, had mezuzahs on their doors, and did not eat pork. Harry and Henry had a fondness in their hearts for the community.
“Yes, our Kaifeng Jews,” Henry said. “The book says God gave Moses a staff with a ruby on it. This jewel eventually was taken, via the Silk Road, to Kaifeng by the Jews, who settled there. However, in the early 1900s the Kaifeng rabbi, Rabbi Levy Wang, became disillusioned with the congregation and the faith, took the jewel, and disappeared. No one has seen Levy Wang or the jewel since. The ruby became known as the Moses Jewel.”
“Yes, our Kaifeng Jews,” Henry said. “The book says God gave Moses a staff with a ruby on it. This jewel eventually was taken, via the Silk Road, to Kaifeng by the Jews, who settled there. However, in the early 1900s the Kaifeng rabbi, Rabbi Levy Wang, became disillusioned with the congregation and the faith, took the jewel, and disappeared. No one has seen Levy Wang or the jewel since. The ruby became known as the Moses Jewel.”
“Interesting. I never heard of the Moses Jewel. Do you believe it?” Harry asked.
“Sure, I believe it.” Henry said. “It is definitely one of the great mysteries of the world. Perhaps the ruby is still in China.”
* * *
Snippet 2)
Within fifteen minutes of friendly questioning, Hattori knew all about Rabbi Wang, Rabbi Wang’s journal, Wudang Mountain, and the Five Dragons Monastery. When he was satisfied that he had gotten all the information possible from Yingfei, Hattori stood up, severed Yingfei’s head, and replaced the sword back in its scabbard.
“To the trucks! We leave for Kaifeng immediately!” Hattori shouted.
Hattori’s plan was to capture the three Westerners at Kaifeng. He not only wanted to stop them from finding the jewel first, but he also now knew that he needed the rabbi to read the Hebrew journal of Levi Wang. These Westerners were getting to be more annoying every day.
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