Showing posts with label Trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trees. Show all posts
May 3, 2018
The Nicest Blossoms Ever
So I almost never do this.
Posting about the same thing twice in a short period.
But this is an exception.
The Cherry Blossoms this year are the nicest I have ever seen them.
Hopefully, this is a sign of blessings from G-d.
The world is blossoming and hopefully so is our fortune.
May G-d have mercy on the good people. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 26, 2018
I Love Cherry Blossoms
Just wanted to take today to express my undying love for Cherry Blossoms.
How unbelievably magnificent they are.
Pink pedals blossoming and beautiful.
G-d's creations in nature that make us in awe of his majesty.
It is almost too gorgeous to be real.
To look up at these is more beautiful than I can possibly have words for.
Thank you G-d for giving these to us every Spring season.
It is truly something to look forward to each year and that which nourishes our souls with a complete array of sensory joy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I Love Cherry Blossoms
January 31, 2018
Birthday of Trees
That is the Birthday for (fruit) Trees!
It's when Jewish people celebrate and plant trees around the world and especially in the Holy Land.
Last night, we celebrated with Chabad Israeli Center of Rockville where they had not only of the "7 Fruits" of Israel (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates), but they also had some very nice wine and cheese, delicious bourekas, and pastries.
We learned about the biblical meaning of the "7 Species of Fruits" and the flourishing of the land of Israel, celebrated with music and song, and played a trivia game with our smartphones using a cool new gaming and learning application, called Kahoot.
A special thank you to Chabad Rabbi Shlomo Beitsh and to Samy Ymar for sponsoring the event.
Overall, a beautiful evening to meet new people and celebrate a very happy birthday to the beautiful trees and mother nature that G-d has so benevolently bestowed on us. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
Birthday of Trees
Labels:
7 Species of Fruits,
App,
Bible,
Birthday,
Bourekas,
Celebration,
Chabad,
Cheese and Wine,
Game,
Holy Land,
Israel,
Jewish,
Learning,
Mother Nature,
Photo,
Planting,
Song,
Trees,
Trivia,
Tu Bishvat
August 13, 2017
@McKee Besher Wildlife Preserve
@McKee Besher Wildlife Preserve
August 8, 2017
Tiny Houses Old Style
It simulates the route and challenges that runaway slaves had to face in seeking their freedom.
While I am certain that the suffering endured was in no way captured here, I thought it was still beneficial to have people sensitized and thinking about these horrible historical events around slavery.
Aside from the hiking trail, there were these amazing tiny houses from the 1800's.
The wood cabins and stone houses were so cute, but also so inviting.
If I had to live in a Tiny House, these looked sort of incredibly charming.
HGTV tiny living spaces--like the one we saw last night that had only 200 feet and was really awkward--have nothing on these tiny gems.
The matching tiny trees were also a very nice effect. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Tiny Houses Old Style
Labels:
Cabins,
Charm,
Freedom,
Gems,
HGTV,
Hiking,
Historical,
Homes,
Photo,
Runaway,
Sensitivity,
Slavery,
Stone,
Style,
Suffering,
Tiny House,
Trees,
Underground Railroad
August 6, 2017
Best of the Caribbean
Wow, I love this artwork from Haitian artist, Alix Baptiste, who works out of Savannah, Georgia.
This one is called "Best of the Caribbean"--and I think it really is!
The colors and style he uses is so amazing.
Someone else I know had one his artworks called, "Island Living" and it was so spectacular.
Somehow it feels like being there...almost.
Baptiste has a website where you can see and shop from some of his other originals and lithographs.
I am so glad I found this...it really makes me happy.
Thank you G-d for the beauty of life and in art!
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Alix Baptiste)
This one is called "Best of the Caribbean"--and I think it really is!
The colors and style he uses is so amazing.
Someone else I know had one his artworks called, "Island Living" and it was so spectacular.
Somehow it feels like being there...almost.
Baptiste has a website where you can see and shop from some of his other originals and lithographs.
I am so glad I found this...it really makes me happy.
Thank you G-d for the beauty of life and in art!
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Alix Baptiste)
Best of the Caribbean
December 1, 2015
Awesome Northeast Fall Season
Just wanted to share this awesome photo that my beautiful daughter, Michelle, took this last week.
I love how it vividly captures the Fall colors, the falling leaves, and the changing seasons.
The bridge seems to magically span the lush green before with the orange and tan hues of the after all under a clear light blue sky.
The scene definitely looks like a cozy and happy time and place I want to be in. ;-)
(Source Photo: Michelle Blumenthal)
I love how it vividly captures the Fall colors, the falling leaves, and the changing seasons.
The bridge seems to magically span the lush green before with the orange and tan hues of the after all under a clear light blue sky.
The scene definitely looks like a cozy and happy time and place I want to be in. ;-)
(Source Photo: Michelle Blumenthal)
Awesome Northeast Fall Season
September 6, 2015
Beautiful Labor Day Weekend
Ok, here's my video today from The Shenandoah River along the Appalachian Trail at Harpers Ferry.
Only I make one little mistake...see if you can pick up on it (everyone can make an oops once in a while--you just got to have a good laugh.)
Also, did you know there are 3 trillion trees in the world?
Sad though that number is almost half from the beginning of civilization and these days we are losing about 15 billion trees a year--that's crazy!
Anyway, I still love nature and G-d's beautiful creation and I give thanks to my maker. ;-)
(Source Video: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Beautiful Labor Day Weekend
Labels:
Andy Blumenthal,
Appalachian Trail,
Beautiful,
Enjoyment,
Environment,
Funny,
G-d,
Gratitude,
Happy,
Labor Day,
Mountains,
Nature,
River,
Shenandoah River,
Sky,
Summer,
Sustainability,
Trees,
Video,
Water
July 20, 2015
The Fisherman
I was out in the water in a kayak enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
I paddled over near to the fisherman, but not so close as to scare away his catch.
It was hot and very sunny out on the water--there was only a little shade near the bank of the pond--and I frequently had to wipe my forehead beading with sweat under the open sun.
But it was nice to just be out there--on the water, surrounded by the greenery, the sun overhead, some birds and frogs about, and a even a little breeze shimmering over the the water.
Even better than paddling itself, is just stopping, sort of sitting back, and just listening to the silence, breathing in the nature, and letting everything else just go for a little while.
One with nature, one with G-d, and feeling integrated myself. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Fisherman
February 11, 2015
Tree Transplant
Getting a little tree transplant in cold, grey Washington, D.C. today.
Sadly, the new trees, without any leaves, look more dead than alive.
Sort of funny (-sad) how we pour infinite amounts of concrete and build up our cities, until there is little to no natural green spaces anymore (unless you get yourself to the neighborhood park or run on weekends to the burbs).
We call in the tree transplant folks to line that narrow stip around our sidewalks with a few trees and we call it a day.
Urban sprawl is leaving us with stoic concrete and steel, but very little natural warmth and beauty.
A few sad looking sapplings can't make up for the lush forests and living landscape that we're destroying. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Sadly, the new trees, without any leaves, look more dead than alive.
Sort of funny (-sad) how we pour infinite amounts of concrete and build up our cities, until there is little to no natural green spaces anymore (unless you get yourself to the neighborhood park or run on weekends to the burbs).
We call in the tree transplant folks to line that narrow stip around our sidewalks with a few trees and we call it a day.
Urban sprawl is leaving us with stoic concrete and steel, but very little natural warmth and beauty.
A few sad looking sapplings can't make up for the lush forests and living landscape that we're destroying. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Tree Transplant
Labels:
Beauty,
Bleak,
City-Life,
Concrete,
Environmentalism,
Forest,
Green Movement,
Landscapes,
Life,
Nature,
Photo,
Steel,
Sustainability,
Transplant,
Trees,
Urban Planning,
Urban Sprawl,
Washington D.C.
November 24, 2014
Art In The Trees
This is art in the trees.
A Renaissance child in gorgeous red and gold robes on an expansive scroll in the lush green trees is marvelous to me.
Also, the contrast of the heavenly creation of the world and nature alongside the man-made art affirms to me how we, ourselves, are made in the image of G-d, and can contribute to the beauty of the world we live in.
I hope you this like it too! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Art In The Trees
August 17, 2014
Reflections
We did a little kayaking at Lake Needwood today.
I couldn't believe they open at 6:30 in the morning already to rent boats on a Sunday.
In the boathouse, there was a huge spider on the floor crawling around, and the boat attendant came with a thingamajig to grab it and throw it back in the lake.
As he took the spider away, he made sure to tell us that is was POISONOUS!
On the lake, I took this photo of the gorgeous trees and greenery and it's reflection on the water...a perfect mirror image.
Thank you G-d for the amazing world you have created and allow us to enjoy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I couldn't believe they open at 6:30 in the morning already to rent boats on a Sunday.
In the boathouse, there was a huge spider on the floor crawling around, and the boat attendant came with a thingamajig to grab it and throw it back in the lake.
As he took the spider away, he made sure to tell us that is was POISONOUS!
On the lake, I took this photo of the gorgeous trees and greenery and it's reflection on the water...a perfect mirror image.
Thank you G-d for the amazing world you have created and allow us to enjoy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Reflections
August 12, 2012
The Sugarloaf Overlook
The trails were awesome--with amazing climbs and descents over and around rocks, trees, vines, and the natural vegetation.
This is a picture from the West View of the mountain, and what I liked about this photo is the story that it tells.
In it, you can see on the left, the rocks, which represent to me the obstacles in life to climb over, maneuver around, or even to push through--the last option is for the littler ones. :-)
On the right, you can see the trees--areas for shade, rest, and sustenance on your road trip of life.
And in the center, in the distance, you can see the beautiful overlook view of where you are going--for miles around, there is heaven and earth and the meeting of the two.
There are shades of light and dark where you stand at the overlook, there bright times and dark--on the road--it is not all fun or all hard work, but it is a journey that combines the two.
I went with my wife and girls and together the trip--to overlook--was nicer and more peaceful, together.
I was happy going with them--yet, afterward, I was a little sad looking at some of the pictures, and thinking if only it could always be the way it is, right now.
But life keeps moving forward, through time and space, and what lies over those rocks and trees is but a glimpse of what truly lies ahead for each of us.
I love the peace of the moment, but the moment passes and the hike along the trail continues with more ascents and descents and around lots of curves.
I pray and hope for more beauty, health, sustenance, and peace--both along the way and at the end of the passage.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Sugarloaf Overlook
Labels:
Beauty,
Challenges,
Family,
Growing,
Happy,
Health,
Hiking,
Journey,
Learning,
Life and Death,
Love,
Obstacles,
Overlook,
Peace,
Photo,
Rocks,
Sugarloaf Mountain,
Sustenance,
Time,
Trees
March 20, 2012
Like A Piece of Heaven
My daughter is quite the photographer--a great combination with her communications major.
I posted this photo from her because it is truly like a piece of heaven to me.
I can't believe that trees can actually grow like this.
Cherry blossoms have got to be up there as one of the greatest gifts this country has ever received--thank you Japan!
This year, in particular, the Cherry Blossoms are so lush and full--and they seem to be on almost every block in Washington, D.C.
Welcome to the Spring season!
Like A Piece of Heaven
Labels:
Beauty,
Cherry Blossoms,
Flowers,
Heaven,
Photos,
Spring,
Trees,
Washington D.C.
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