Shabbat Shalom From DC Duck!

Shabbat Shalom from this DC Duck!

Shabbat is something to look forward to ALL week long. 

Time to stop everything. 

Look heavenward. 

And inward! 

Remember why we're here. 

Rest and rejuvenate for the next week.

Wash, rinse, repeat.  

Need to balance and get our lives right. 

It's what we do! ;-)

(Credit Graphic:  Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom From DC Duck!

Yesterday a Dog, Today a Cat!

Shabbat Shalom from Ms. Cat. 

It only takes a day to change from a dog to cat. 

Downs and ups of life. 

Shabbat is the up, thank G-d!  ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Yesterday a Dog, Today a Cat!

Never Any Rest In Life

First day in 15 weeks! that we went to a real store yesterday.

Dick's Sporting Goods was open, but still not much else.

It was refreshing to look around again.

Nearly all the bicycles were cleaned out with people forced to do their own exercise routines these days.

People walking around mostly like they were on Mars.

Had some restaurants with just their patios open and people are sitting outside in the good weather.

Also, some eateries open for takeout.

Best part is still nature, and all the closures have brought us back to it.

This turtle was tanning in the warm sun on the rocks and swatting the snake away with its rear foot.

Sort of funny that even a turtle can never get any rest in life. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Never Any Rest In Life

A Smooth Jazz Shabbat Shalom!

A Smooth Jazz Shabbat Shalom to all!

A little song.

A little dance. 

We're back in the groove. 

Thank G-d for Friday, because then comes Shabbat! ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

A Smooth Jazz Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom From Mr. Gefilte Fish

Have a Gefilte Fishy Good Shabbat everyone!

Glad it's the weekend.

A restful, peaceful, and healthy Shabbat for all.  ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom From Mr. Gefilte Fish

Shabbat Shalom and Stay Healthy!

Beautiful Shabbat is almost here again. 

A time for rest and rejuvenation. 

Each of us has to take care of and nourish our body, mind, and soul. 

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!

Please stay safe and healthy. ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom and Stay Healthy!

Israel 2020: Day 6

Did a nice beach walk from Tel Aviv to Jaffa. 

It was sunny and warm out. 

Lots of people exercising, running, and enjoying the outdoors. 

The blue Mediterranean Sea, the white sand, and breeze in the air was lovely. 

Even a funny statue of former Prime Minister Ben-Gurion doing a headstand as he used to do in his fitness routine. 

Shabbat is a good time to stop and take that much needed walk on the beach. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Israel 2020: Day 6

A Cool Shabbat Shalom!

A very cool Shabbat Shalom to you!

Congratulations on another week of hard work and accomplishment. 

Now it's time for a day of spirituality, mindfulness, thanksgiving, and much needed rest and relaxation. 

Heal and rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul.

A time for Hashem, self, family, and community. 

Shabbat is a true gift from G-d. ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

A Cool Shabbat Shalom!

3D Printed Octopus: "Shabbat Shalom"

This is a 3D Printed Octopus.  

The bendable legs are cute. 

It's sitting on a camera and tripod. 

Soon 3D Printed Objects will even talk, and when they do, this one will say: 

Shabbat Shalom!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

3D Printed Octopus: "Shabbat Shalom"

Flowers and Well Wishes 4 Shabbat Shalom!

"When you keep the Sabbath day, the Sabbath day keeps you!"

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Flowers and Well Wishes 4 Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom!

Pelican Shabbos

Shabbat Shalom says the Moo Moo Cow.

Shabbat Shalom says Leo The Lion.

Shabbat Shalom says the Gefilte Fish. 

Shabbat Shalom says the Long Beak Pelican. 

(Photo Credit: Andy Blumenthal)

Pelican Shabbos

Shabbat Shalom Y'All

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Y'All

When People Can't Admit They're Wrong

So he's a story from the pool today...

I'm doing my laps minding my own business.

And this guy gets to the pool, sits down, and immediately pulls out his cellphone.

Then he proceeds to literally yell into his phone for probably a good half an hour. 

I'm doing my laps and I can hear this guy yelling:

- At his end of the pool 

- ALL the way at the opposite end of the pool

- With earplugs

- AND even underwater

And he goes on and on and on. 

Doesn't stop for even a breath of air. 

Now, in all the years swimming, I've never had to approach someone about their behavior like this.

BUT this was too much as my head was pounding from his incessant yelling.

I waited until he finished his call. 

And it happened to coincide with me finishing my laps. 

I come out of the pool and grabbed my stuff. 

I have to pass him on the way out. 

And I'm still debating with myself whether this schlemiel is even worth it. 

My head is still throbbing from his yelling.

I stop in front of his chair. 

Now he's pulled out a book and is trying to read. 

I say:

Excuse me.

He knows he did something wrong, and he barely looks up, trying to ignore me. 

I say again:

Excuse me. Did you intend for everyone at the pool to hear your ENTIRE conversation?

He starts murmuring something, and then says throwing it back on me:

What's the problem?

So I say:

You were speaking so loud, I could hear you all the way on the opposite end of the pool.  I could even hear you under the water. 

He's agitating now and he says:

Well, I was speaking to someone 85-years old who doesn't hear well.  You get it?

So I say respectfully:

I am sorry that he doesn't hear well, but does everyone else here around the pool also need to hear the conversation? 

Then he says:

So what--I don't care if everyone hears.

I try one more time.

Do you see all these other people trying to read, rest, swim--do you at all care?

He still can't get himself to come around, and instead doubles down and says, 

Well. I'll do whatever I want!

Now, I've had enough, and I say:

So basically you don't give a shit for ANY of your neighbors, do you?

Finally, he must of been embarrassed enough at his terrible behavior, and he backs down and says:

Next time he calls me, I'll take the conversation inside!

At which point, he goes back to his book, and I complete my exit. 

It took all that just to get him to say he'll handle it differently next time and basically be respectful of his neighbors and not a selfish pig!

It's amazing--some people really just can't own up to when they are being a jerk.

But I was glad this guy finally came around--maybe there is still hope. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

When People Can't Admit They're Wrong

Everyone Loves A Good Massage Chair

What can you say, when you see these luxurious, zero gravity, massage chairs?

Yes, ah, that feels so good!

Seriously, you know you want to try it.

Yes, you do. 

And you even want to take one home. 

Costco's got these. 

You've seen others at Sharper Image at the Mall. 

They're not cheap.

This one was like $4,299. 

Can you resist the urge to splurge on the ultimate in comfort and relaxation?

Take off your shoes. close your eyes, let yourself drift away. 

It's a better place. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Everyone Loves A Good Massage Chair

Tie Dye Hammock

Loved this tie dye hammock by Enonation (Eno) from Australia that I saw at REI. 

It's called "DoubleNest," so I guess that means it fits 2 people. 

So open, colorful, and inviting to rest and relax in. 

Sillily, the store only carries the hammock and not the stand...so good luck with that. 

Also REI clumsily filled this gorgeous hammock with Nalgene bottles--on sale 30% off!

Uh, if you make even the nicest stuff look like junk for storage, you're not gonna get the brand image you want. 

Anyway, the hammock was awesome!  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tie Dye Hammock

Fire Alarm, Now What?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel, called "Shabbat Menucha." 

Friday night–the start of the Shabbat–oh, thank G-d we made it (and TGIF). Usually such a wonderful time to catch up on some extra sleep from the whole week of work. But last night it’s different…the fire alarm suddenly comes alive and the voice over the loud speaker tells everyone to exit the building immediately. It is 1:00 AM in the morning.

Carrying a head cold, medicated, and sleepless, this is what happened to me.  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Fire Alarm, Now What?

Shabbat Shalom!

Love this picture that my daughter took in Israel of the Challahs for Shabbat. 

So fresh and delicious. 

Plenty for all. 

G-d's blessing for a restful Shabbos.

Thank you for sanctifying us with your mitzvot. ;-)

(Source Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom!

Bugsy says Shabbat Shalom!

Bugsy the bug says Shabbat Shalom.

A weekend of rest and peace to everyone. 

And Happy Labor Day weekend!

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bugsy says Shabbat Shalom!

Everyone Deserves A Day of Rest and Happiness

So someone I know came over to this country and literally has to work 7 days a week for months at a time!

They don't want or need to work that much, but their employer insists that's the way it is. 

On top of it, they don't even get overtime for all the unbelievable hours they have to put in. 

One day, this person actually just broke down in incredible tears, just asking to get a single day off. 

Finally, finally, finally--the employer gave in--for just a single day!

The person was so happy--one day of freedom; one day to enjoy; one day to regain their inner beauty and humanity. 

I was so happy for them!

Every person deserves at least one day off per week. 

Every single one of the major religions in the world that is anchored in the Bible--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--have a holy Sabbath as a day of rest.

There is a divine and ancient wisdom to this. 

People need a day to rejuvenate.

Everything is nature does.

Even the fields have to lay fallow every 7th year so the earth can revitalize and replenish itself. 

There is a natural cycle to things--peaks and valleys--and we need to have some rest and relaxation--to work for something and not for nothing. 

The joy on this person to just have a day off--it was so incredible and touching. 

It spoke light years to me about treating people right--just--humanly--with compassion--and doing good over evil in this world.

What does the employer need to wring an extra days work out of their employees for the rotten greed of money and profits?  

Better to care for your people, and they will be better off for it and thus to the needs of the business and its customers. 

Care for people--they are people. 

Love people--they are G-d's beautiful children. 

Treat others as you would like to be treated. 

Let everyone have a day of rest and something to look forward to--to enjoy, to have some happiness, to get time with their family and friends, to get back to themselves, to attain a deserved and proper peace of mind, body, and soul. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)  

Everyone Deserves A Day of Rest and Happiness