So much to be grateful for to G-d Almighty
- Health
- Peace
- Prosperity
- Family to enjoy it with
Thank you for another week! ;-)
So much to be grateful for to G-d Almighty
Thank you for another week! ;-)
Spring Flowers for Shabbat
Aside from the lavish and colorful playground, they had a trampoline, petting zoo, and BBQ for Lag B'Omer.
This was Torah Turtle (my name for him) at the event.
What an amazing shell and such a cool animal.
Turtles are a definite favorite! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Awesome Torah Turtle
Because I don't eat gluten, my son-in-law made me eggs as the bun for the burgers!
Healthy, good-looking, and delicious eating.
Also, had some tasty spicy mayo to top it off.
Thank you for the beautiful, festive holiday meal. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Delicious Purim Seudah
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Beautiful Shabbat Flowers
When it comes to strangers, it’s almost easier to put on a face, act all proper, and do what’s right because they aren’t our family, thus Avraham could run to help the strangers. Yet, when it comes to our own families, we don’t feel it necessary to keep up pretenses. We sometimes say and do things to family that we would likely never say to or do in front of strangers, like Avraham telling Hagar and Ishmael to get out! We may even betray and hurt the ones we love, like when Avraham said Sarah was his sister putting her at jeopardy with Avimelekh. Further, we “sacrifice” our children and spouses by putting our work (sometimes 24/7), social media, and our own brand and needs first, and don’t adequately pay attention to what’s really going on with our families, their needs, aspirations, and troubles; for example, Avraham was going to sacrifice Isaac, his and Sarah’s only child and “the son of her old age.” We take for granted and even advantage of our families, because we can. And some at the further bad end of the spectrum, “go home and kick the dog!” Yes, the pictures that everyone posts on Facebook and Instagram are what people want you to see and think about them (their personal brand): that everything’s all rosy and they have the perfect lives and families, but I venture to guess that often, it’s far from the reality of what goes on “behind closed doors.”All of us need to pay attention and do what’s right not only when we want to look good in front of others, but knowing that even in our own homes, G-d is watching what we do and how we treat each other.
Love Your Family As The Stranger
If the husband and wife—with Hashem’s help as the third partner—create a peaceful, loving, caring, and harmonious home then they can have the likes of Shabbat all week long.I realized why we say the blessing for the food before we eat and bless G-d for the land after we eat: before we eat, we don’t know how it will taste or whether it will sit well with us in our stomachs, but we imagine when we are hungry that all the good-looking food and drink will be great and so we bless G-d based on the perception of the coming food. However, after we eat, we make the blessing for the source of the food (the land, the food chain, and over wives for preparing it) for the sake of Shalom Bayit, because whether the meal was so good or not so good, we say thanks to Hashem and to our wives, because that contributes to Shabbat and peace in the home, always!
Peace In The Home, Always
Be 💗 Kind
What kind?
The kind that has compassion on others, cares and love them, and does what's right.
That's really the only kind worth being! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Remember To Always Be Kind
The great outdoors with the family.
Hiking and sitting by the water just taking a relaxing breather.
(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
@Lake Needwood July 4
Some toys are classic; I think every kid over the last 50 years has had one like this.
Love how colorful and happy they make these kid's toys with the up again, down again animals in a pop box.
Monkey, lion, pig, and elephant.
Hey, I'm remembering that I'm just a kid at heart too! :-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Pop-Up Toy Fun
Nice stroll around the lake with the family.
A little humidity towards the end turned us back to the parking lot.
But overall, good times for Sunday funday! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
@Lake Frank in Summer
My son-in-law, Itzchak, made these for Memorial Day this past week.
OMG, they were soooo good! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Rebecca)
Hot Dogs With All The Toppings
It even has a beautiful siddur (prayer book) inside and my Hebrew name on the outside.
I just wanted to thank my wonderful family for this and especially, my son-in-law, Itzchak for ordering this for me from Israel.
I love it, and thank you guys so much!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Tefillin and Talit Bag
Love you Mom always and miss you so much!
Send my love to Dad also in Heaven.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
For Mothers Day
You don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore.
Often, people become lazy in their relationships or they stop appreciating what/who they have--we end up taking them for granted, not paying them our loving attention or worse mistreating them.
But one day, those people won't necessarily be there for us anymore.
That's when our eyes are opened to what we've done, but then it's too late to go back and undo the mistakes we made.
One good friend told me that marriage is not like Hollywood; it's not all loving all the time:
"There are good days and bad, but it's better to have 5 even really bad days a month with your partner than 30 bad days a month by yourself, alone."
Don't wait until it's too late to love and care for your spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.
Eventually, the clock runs out and regret won't bring anyone back.
(Source Photo: Millionaire Tutor via Facebook)
Appreciate Who You Have In Your Life
Can't believe it's been 7 years already!
Came across this picture where I'm sneaking up behind her at the veggie restaurant.
My mom was always so full of life!
And while she went regularly to work, she also made sure to took care of us and the home.
Whatever time I found myself coming home from school or work, there was a wonderful home-cooked meal waiting for me, and the salad always came first!
After I met my wife, Dossy, my mom and dad welcomed her to the family with open arms and hearts, and then together with our own children (their grandchildren), we were one (extended) family.
Mom, hope you and Dad are doing well and G-d bless you both in Heaven! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)
Missing My Dear Mom
Two things struck me:
1) The deals on beautiful brand name clothing was unbelievable!
2) So many stores have closed during Covid; what a darn shame what's happened to our small businesses.
Anyway, it's an adventure to go to the outlets, and hard not to spend when the deals are all around you.
The best is to get gifts for the people you love! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Not Hagerstown)
@Hagerstown Outlets
He was the President of Congregation Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NYC.
I used to be so proud of him standing up at the bimah (podium) and giving the Shabbat announcements every week and everything he did to care for the synagogue and community.
Also, I loved to go up and sit next to him by Ark where the holy Torahs are kept.
He was an exceptional human being, as was his son, my father (and my father's siblings, my Uncle Sid and Aunt Ruth).
Good to the core people! People of faith and family!
I miss my Opa and Oma (grandmother) as well as my dear parents very much.
Like the Chanukah Menorah, they were the light of my upbringing and set me on a path to go forward with my own family.
Chanukah is a time of miracles and I feel that I have seen them not only in our history, but in our lives today! ;-)
My Wonderful Opa