The Mariachi Brothers came to Rockville, Maryland.
A nice Covid-19 cheer up today.
What a beautiful musical treat.
Serenade me! ;-)
(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
October 9, 2020
Sunflowers For Shabbat Shalom
Perfect for enhancing the Shabbat and holidays!
The sunflowers provide warmth and happiness for the honor of these special and spiritual days!
May Hashem in His abundant mercy grant us a full healing and peace to welcome the Shabbat and to celebrate this weekend a joyous Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 8, 2020
Abstract Golden Art
October 7, 2020
The Vise of Migraines
Yet it's, perhaps, not as bad as your typical horrible migraine.
Actually, the pressure of a vise-like feeling may actually provide some sort of sick relief.
Migraine headaches can be so incredibly debilitating.
This guy looks like he needs to close the lights and lay down before his head pops!
Consider taking some medication as per your doctor, ice packs also helpful, close your eyes, and say a prayer. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 6, 2020
Awesome Hot Air Balloons
Hot Air Balloons are so awesome!
Dreamy, drifting into the sky.
Flying away with a birds-eye view.
Looking near and far across the landscape.
To the sunrise and the sunset.
Calm, coasting, and carried by the wind.
Fire breathing into the balloon.
Up, up, and away.
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 5, 2020
What Type of Sick Puppy
This was in a woman's clothing/fashion store in the local mall.
There is something really screwed up with people's thinking and our culture.
Even if this lady likes to pet the dog, this is horrible messaging!
We need a serious reset on how to treat women and show them proper respect! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 3, 2020
The Power of Life and Death
It’s so important to develop mastery over the whole life sequence: think nice thoughts, speak kind words, do good deeds, and develop positive habits. This is one of the secrets to life itself.
Life is often in the hands of our tongue–one stupid word and it can mean your head, and one smart thing and it can be, with G-d’s help, your ride to the stars!
Indeed, controlling your words, like controlling your desires, temper, and so on is a constant challenge we all face throughout life. Yes, it’s easy to just let oneself go, but the consequences can be severe for shooting off your mouth, acting stupid, or getting angry. We can get better with patience, time, and practice. We can become better, stronger people. We can learn to guard not only our tongue, but our temperament and deeds, and live a better, and perhaps even a longer life for it. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)
October 2, 2020
Sukkot: A Time of Divine Protection
Sukkot is the Jewish Festival of Shelter and of Ingathering.
In these challenging times of coronavirus and before this eventful election, more than usual, we need G-d’s blessings to shelter and protect us, and to bless both the United States of America and the State of Israel that they should be safe for all of us and that the “ingathering” be not only of the harvest, but of all the exiles from the four corners of the earth to G-d’s Promised Land for the final redemption.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 1, 2020
Beautiful Japanese Pagoda
Beautiful integration of stone into natural surroundings.
Centered, self-reflection, mindfulness, enlightenment, peace.
You can see this at Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, Florida.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 30, 2020
Presidential Debates Sink To New Low!
Last Night with "Sleepy Joe" hit rock bottom!
From BOTH candidates, the lack of coherent answers, coupled with constant interruptions, yelling, put downs, and name-calling was so completely discouraging and disgusting.
Came away feeling like we were at a Mixed Martial Arts tournament rather a Presidential Debate for the United States of America.
What has happened to our great nation?
We are becoming the laughing stock to the entire world.
If we can't conduct ourselves with dignity, courtesy, respect, and integrity towards each other, how can we lead this country, let alone the world?
May G-d help us to find our footing again, to unite around the noble principles and values of freedom, diversity, equality, democracy, capitalism, and human rights for which this country was founded, and change the awful political sinkhole of divisiveness, strife, and sheer indecency that we are caught in. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 29, 2020
Lock Head Design
I'm surprised they don't make more locks like this with interesting doodads for the base of the lock.
Aside from all sort of faces, you could have places and things.
A lock that looks like Groucho Marx, a Turtle, the Eiffel Tower, or a Heart.
Why not (as long as it keeps things safe)? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 28, 2020
The Yom Kippur Bank Account
Please see my new article in The Time of Israel called, "The Yom Kippur Bank Account."
However, even if we are a little blind to our own accounting, certainly, just like we don’t want to be physically poor or bankrupt in this world, we definitely don’t want to be coming spiritually empty at Yom Kippur or when we arrive in the world to come. Put in more than you take out! Much more if you can! That’s what every parent should teach their child about their bank or brokerage savings account, building healthy relationships with others, and most importantly, how to live our lives towards our Father in Heaven and the King of the Universe.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Instead of worrying about accumulating earthly and material treasures: money, houses, cars, exotic travel, and more, we would be well advised to pay attention to our Heavenly treasure that we should be accumulating. Whether tomorrow, when our judgement will be sealed on Yom Kippur or when we, G-d forbid, die and are called for an accounting before our Maker, we should have plenty in the spiritual bank to speak well for us.
However, even if we are a little blind to our own accounting, certainly, just like we don’t want to be physically poor or bankrupt in this world, we definitely don’t want to be coming spiritually empty at Yom Kippur or when we arrive in the world to come. Put in more than you take out! Much more if you can! That’s what every parent should teach their child about their bank or brokerage savings account, building healthy relationships with others, and most importantly, how to live our lives towards our Father in Heaven and the King of the Universe.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 26, 2020
Have You Been?
Why is Hawaii one of those places where people always go:
Have you been?
They don't even say the words "to Hawaii".
Like Hawaii is just one of those places where you're supposed to read people's minds.
Have you been?
Umm, let me think a moment.
And before you even get a chance to respond further, the other person goes:
Oh, well let me tell you about the time we were in Hawaii and...
Of course, nothing much ever really seems to come after that except something about the wonderful beaches!
Like there aren't nice, exotic beaches anywhere else.
Frankly, it's a little remote anyway, no?
The other thing about Hawaii, of course, is if one of the volcanos starts smoking its angry stack!
Better start playing that little guitar Hula dancer! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 25, 2020
Shabbat Shalom Cute People!
And I got two BIG eyes!
I see you and you're all very cute people.
It's Friday, and I want to wish you all a Shabbat Shalom!
May you have a restful and peaceful Shabbat.
And as we head into Yom Kippur on Monday, may we all be sealed in the Book of Life for a great year ahead for 5781!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 24, 2020
Nice Accents
September 23, 2020
Nice Country Hats
On display were some nice, colorful, country-style hats for women.
Head coverings in church, mosque or synagogue, are a way to express modesty and humbleness before G-d.
Also, we cover our hair/head, more generally, to remember that G-d is above us, watching and guiding us always.
Modest, humble, and G-d fearing–a hat is a potent symbol of faith. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 22, 2020
Much To Be Afraid Of
When this clown dude pops out, you'll sh*t your pants.
And who really wants to be more scared in this world anyway?
With Covid, Cancer, Corruption, Cyber Attacks, Identity Theft, Radicalism, Terrorism, War, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Loss and Death, Environmental issues, and the Economy don't we have enough to be afraid of already? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 21, 2020
Shoes That Go With Everything
September 20, 2020
There Is No Zionism Without G-d
For two thousand years, the Jewish people exiled from their land, widely dispersed, and inhumanly persecuted among the nations developed passivity and learned helplessness. They eagerly awaited, year after year, G-d’s salvation and redemption. As a tiny minority attempting to hold firm to their religious beliefs amongst the world’s powerful majorities, the Jews found themselves a convenient scapegoat, suffering landlessness and joblessness, taxation to the point of near-starvation, conscription of their Jewish children for military service of 25-years, forced conversion on pain of torture and death, horrible violent pogroms that sparred no one, and expulsions from country after country. During these times, the Jewish people learned passivity in the hope of not inflaming the hate and anger of the goyim that would make things “even worse!”
Certainly, there is no mitzvah to being passive and helpless, and this was undoubtedly in large measure a result of being homeless and suffering under the weight of relentless and brutal anti-Semitism for 2,000 years. Yet, as we each roll up our sleeves to actively work and fight for the modern State of Israel, our independence, and our right to practice our religion freely, we must do so with full knowledge and thanksgiving to G-d, our creator and sustainer! Whether King David against the giant Goliath, Samson against the mighty Philistines, or our modern-day strong and brave soldiers in the IDF defending the borders of Israel from historical enemies’ roundabout, they stand strong against all the natural odds, because G-d stands right there with them and us.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 18, 2020
That's Severe
But this sign in a modern day store in America seemed just a little severe:
Shoplifters will be amputated
The worst part of it maybe is that they don't say what part of the shoplifter will be amputated.
So much for compassion and helping the needy.
L-rd have mercy! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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