parsha bit: Yitro

Why was it necessary for God to begin the Aseret HaDibrot (ten utterances) with "I am the Lord your God"? God appeared at the sea of reeds as a man waging war, at Sinai as a pedagogue teaching torah, in the time of Solomon as a young man, and in the time of Daniel as an old man showing mercy. This proclamation was lest the people think there were many gods. (Yalkut, Yitro 286)

short takes

A few days ago I got a check-out coupon for Coke Zero (which I'd bought on that trip). The text on the coupon says "we noticed you like it (not that we track that or anything)". I appreciate the sense of humor on the coupon-writer's part. (Actually, I prefer Pepsi One, but not when the price is half-again. And Pepsi One didn't give me a coupon.)

On a whim I bought a few cans of the store-brand cat food, which was on sale. Erik loved the beef-flavored one I gave him last night. Must remember that.

How to wash a cat, from osewalrus. You've probably laughed at the text version; now laugh at the video. (Speaking of cat videos, I'm glad I don't have this problem.)

This comic (forwarded to me by Dani) has a lot of truth to it.

Yesterday we finally got up into double-digit temperatures. Sure, the first digit was a "1", but I'll take it. (Monday was symmetrical: the high was 5, and the low was -5.)

birthday wishes

Happy birthday hakamadare! (I usually don't manage to
remember birthday greetings, so all you folks I've missed shouldn't take
it personally.)