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November 3, 2021
Bath Time Ducks
Yes, they float in the bath tub!
That's nice, so what.
They make a squeaky noise.
Again, so what.
They are not soft and cuddly.
They look sort of goofy.
Why in the world are we proliferating ducks??? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Rebecca)
Bath Time Ducks
October 27, 2021
Metaverse Arriving Soon
Follow me and let's hang out, play video games, have a meeting, or do a little shopping.
It's a world within our world and nothing is beyond your imagination! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Metaverse Arriving Soon
October 24, 2021
June 30, 2021
Pop-Up Toy Fun
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
April 25, 2021
Inside The Golden Egg
Is a carousel or merry-go-round.
Horses going up and down as the happy music plays.
Take a whirl of a ride and watch the world go by.
Wave to the all people.
There is mom and dad smiling and proud.
Who knew that's what was in the egg? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Inside The Golden Egg
March 9, 2021
Purple Octopus
Cutest Bath Toy!
Purple Octopus (that looks a lot like Barney the dinosaur).
Silly face with big eyes and tongue.
Catches toy rings on his legs.
Floats and shares the tub with you! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Purple Octopus
August 4, 2020
Lipstick On A Dog
Not sure what they mean by:
Not just a lipstick visit
I've heard of lipstick on a pig, but never on a dog!
Playing dress up with a dog?
As they say, only in America. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Lipstick On A Dog
July 31, 2020
Helping The Elderly
Someone playing ball with an elderly lady in a wheelchair!
Too often, I think we forget or neglect the older, disabled, and disadvantaged population.
These were once the people who cared for us!
As we grow older, life can get so much harder in terms of health, disability, finances, and even loneliness.
It is so important to show compassion, kindness, and care for the people who need us, and not to forget anyone along the journey of life! ;-)
Helping The Elderly
July 9, 2020
Man's Best Friend
Little fur ball.
Ready to play.
Love for the family.
A companion and friend.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Man's Best Friend
March 1, 2020
Toys Non-Digital
A couple of dogs, some Play-Doh, a crayon, and a fighter plane.
Off to the side (not pictured) are the Legos.
Interesting with what competes with video games and phone apps these days.
(Note: 85% of the world's toys are now made in China!)
Frankly, there is still a lot to be said for the creative play of yesteryear. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Toys Non-Digital
May 13, 2018
Ship+ In A Bottle
Someone needs very dexterous hands and a lot of patience to put the pieces through the opening of the bottle and assemble the ship inside.
But this second grader, Dylan Yasseri, upped the game on this whole concept and imagined a whole beach in the bottle.
The sand, ocean, sky, birds, crabs, fish, umbrella, and even the shack (snack?) bar!
This is one reason that kids are so awesome--their purity of heart and their endless imaginations make almost anything possible.
The fantasy becomes the reality.
The colors are magical too here.
If adults could maintain even half the heart and creativity of our children--oh what a world it could be. ;-)
(Source: Andy Blumenthal Photo of Dylan's beautiful painting).
Ship+ In A Bottle
March 11, 2018
Three Legs of Quality of Life
Quality of life means perspective and balance.
When people go to the extreme and focus all their energies on any one area almost to the exclusivity of the others in their life, it usually means they are going wrong.
Some people are "party animals"--life is all about their fun, enjoyment, experiences (and even excessive partying, sleeping around, getting drunk and high), and their very immediate gratification.
Others are all about work--climbing that professional ladder and earning more money, material goods, and more power is the holy grail and also the bane of their existence.
And yet there are some people that are focused on faith, family, and community--they are mothers and fathers, religious students and
The problems is that people need multiple facets of their lives--yes, they need playfulness, interests, activities, hobbies, and fun and joyous times; at the same time, they need intellectual curiosity, professional contribution and achievement, and the wherewithal to be responsible and pay the bills; and very importantly, they need social, spiritual, and emotional fulfillment from family, friends, giving, and faith.
When a person stands on only one of these legs, like many seem to--they are on
Even on two legs, something is missing in their lives--they are standing tall, but not strong and stable.
On all three legs, a person can be grounded and able to not just stand for themselves, but able to bear weight like on a stool, and they are can play music and sing and smile, knowing that they have a genuine quality of life that few ever really achieve. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Three Legs of Quality of Life
October 1, 2017
The Games People Play
People like to play games--the type you have fun at.
We learn to play when we are kids.
We get the attention of our parents and friends--and we have fun just being together, acting silly or even competing with each other.
Whether it's over a game of Life, Monopoly, Risk, or Connect Four, or even these days going online with a game of Minecraft or Crush.
Sports is another type of game--great to play and others like to watch and cheer for their favorite teams or athletes.
This week at work, someone said to come to his meeting because:
"...everyone would have fun."
Have you ever heard that at work--a fun meeting or for that matter anything being fun in an office setting?
The guy is a genius--people actually showed up in droves at the meeting.
They had to choose between various meetings going on at that time--and low and behold, people chose this one that was going to be fun!
In the meeting, there was a big bowl of candy and chocolate in the center of the conference table.
And the mood was relaxed as we got down to some business.
While we did the business, people felt free to be a little silly and laugh with each other too.
The tone had been set for some fun.
The person who hosted the meeting explained that he wanted people to have a good time coming to the meeting (and to work).
He called it "gamification."
The idea is why not make things into a type of game and have some fun with it instead of everything being so stuck up and nasty all the time.
Listen, it was still a meeting and work had to get done, but it was nice to see a different lighter perspective put on it.
People want to enjoy what they do--whether it's time with their family, friends, or why not even their work.
If we can make more things in life into a game of sorts and put "fun" into the equation of what we do--people smile, laugh, and let down their guards a little.
Why shouldn't adult play games and have fun too? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Games People Play