Madge has passed away
Jan Miner died this month at the age of 86. She was the actress who played Madge on those old Palmolive ads. Remember? "You're soaking in it." (I put this item here mainly for the benefit of Bob, since I strongly doubt that the BBC will mention it. And wouldn't it be oddly received if they did?)

I'm watching "Fiddler on the Roof" as I type this. I'm finding it almost impossible not to type in rhythm to the music. (Right now Topol is singing "If I were a rich man.")

Which reminds me, one of the haiku websites I sometimes visit had some interesting links. I haven't checked out the one labeled "cybergeek haiku" yet, but I did click on "Jewish haiku." I can't give credit for them because they appeared to be anonymous. (If anyone does know who wrote them, please let me know). Technically these are probably senryu rather than haiku, but why quibble? Here are a few.


Like a bonsai tree,

your terrible posture at

my dinner table.



Left the door open.

for the Prophet Elijah.

Now our cat is gone.



Today I am a man.

Tomorrow I will return

to the seventh grade.



"Can't you just leave it?"

the new Jewish mother asks --

umbilical cord.



The next one is my personal favorite. Not only is this poem witty, but the first part even manages to sound like a Japanese haiku.


Wet moss on the old

stones. Lying in the

grass, I ponder who to sue.