Claw Tub on Pedestal

Nice claw-footed tub on pink and black/white mosaic pedestal. 

Why is it filled with pillows?

Maybe it makes it more luxurious to bath in. 

Only problem is there's no room for the person.

Reminds me of a funny poster from when I was a kid:

Save water.  Bath with a friend!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Claw Tub on Pedestal

Paradoxically Jewish

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Paradoxically Jewish."

While Israel and the Jews are filled with paradoxes from our forefather Abraham to the modern State of Israel, we are a people who try to wear these paradoxes well. We relish our commonalties even as we are proud of our differences and uniqueness. We argue and fight with each to try to get to “the truth of the matter,” and we negotiate, compromise, threaten and cajole to that sometimes elusive end. Paradox is just another word for our survival against all odds and our determination to overcome the blind hate, anti-Semitism, and scapegoating of Jews throughout history. We Jews are individually broken, but together, we are a beautiful, paradoxical mosaic—a little meshuggah (crazy) and with an unfortunate dose of PTSD, but fundamentally good in intent and deed—working to fulfill our optimism, hope, and mission to usher in the universality of G-d in the world and of betterment for humankind.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Paradoxically Jewish

Shabbat Shalom Flower Painting

Wow, what a week! 

So glad for Shabbat tonight. 

Rest, relax, refresh, rejuvenate - soul, mind, and body. 

It's what we work all week long for!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Flower Painting

50 Kilos of Weed

 

So marijuana is big business!

Not just street corner, back alley, and black market, but also:

- Medicinal

- Recreational

If you just take the crime out of it, perhaps more people can get a little relaxed. 

I've never tried it (seriously!), but I would imagine that perhaps there would be less anxiety, less discontent, less bickering, and less aggression.

What's the argument against legalization?

Sure, there's got to be some responsibility and self-control or else you end up hurting yourself by being a glutton and overdoing it. 

But otherwise, here's 50 kilos just hanging around for the taking.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

50 Kilos of Weed

Who Let the Dogs Out

No idea what made me think of the song for this:

Who Let The Dogs Out, Who Who. 

Even the dogs party hearty!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Who Let the Dogs Out

Nice Log Sitting Area

Thought this was a nice log sitting area. 

So simple with the wooden block stands

And the split log benches. 

Lined up perfectly for a presentation or outdoor movie showing.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Nice Log Sitting Area

@Great Falls 2021

@Great Falls 2021

No Talking To A Terrorist

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "No Talking To A Terrorist."

The fact of the matter is that when a terrorist who hates you and wants to kill you talks, they are telling you that homicidal action is soon forthcoming. It starts with words of disdain, loathing, threats, and hostility, but make no mistake, that those words end in terror and death. Terrorists, like the radical Iranian mullahs are not someone you can sit down with for tea, have a nice conversation, and work out a meaningful or binding diplomatic agreement. Unfortunately, the only thing that a murderous, racist terrorist understands is a punch in the nose! Accordingly, no amount of talking with Iran is going to lead to them ceasing their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction to use against the Jewish State and the United States. In their own very distorted “religious” minds, the irrational Iranian mullahs hate us and want us dead, period. To them, we are the scorned infidels, and they are the holy jihadists on a mission of murder. As much as we want peace with all our neighbors, in this case, a military response is not only necessary, but required.

The Jewish people have learned very well the hard and painful lessons from tyrannical madmen who have sought to destroy us over the centuries. The Holocaust is seared into our present-day consciousness like the tattooed numbers were into their victim’s flesh. We have learned to never let our guard down, to expect the unexpected, and to fight like hell when we have to. I am confident that with G-d’s help, Israel and the United States will not wait until it’s too late or stand by for a genocide to happen again! What Iran “says,” it means, but what Israel “does,” it expertly succeeds at.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

No Talking To A Terrorist

Sign Of The Times

Everything is starting to close back up and require masks again due to the spreading Covid "Delta Variant."

So much for having the masks off for a couple of weeks, which was at least a taste of fresh air and freedom. 

But backwards we go...

A sign of the times in Covid is to park your bicycle in front of the couch, so no one can actually sit down on it and spreads any germs. 

Any bets on what happens from here with all the variants and how this is gonna impact our daily lives for time to come? 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sign Of The Times

Being A Gentleman

 

Wow, what a cool book by Brooks Brothers:

How To Be A Gentleman

Now sure how many people even think in those nostalgic terms of ladies and gentlemen anymore, but it seems like it would have some good tips.

Dress (speak and act) for success!

I'm not sure about all the prim and proper stuff, but being a mensch is certainly key to it all.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Being A Gentleman

Manifest Peacock

For those following the show Manifest, the peacock is a symbol frequently seen the callings by the resurrected passengers from flight 828.

Certainly, the peacock is a most amazing and beautiful of birds. 

But does anyone know what the peacock actually represents in the show?

Maybe we'll find out in Season 4, along with what does Noah's ark have to do with any of it.  

A strange show with constantly more questions than answers.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Manifest Peacock

You Got To Make It!

I liked this sticky note over this nice ladies desk:

You do not find the happy life.

You make it!

Too many people seem to wait for miracles, like manna from Heaven to give them what they need or want. 

They don't realize that G-d has gifts us what we need (including strength and determination) to work towards these things ourselves. 

We are not the Israelites stuck in the barren desert for 40 years that we need it to rain manna. 

Of course, it's nice every once in a while when a miracle shows up and we are given an extra hand (or maybe even a full arm). 

But day-to-day, we have to at least try to be self-reliant--as well as work with others--to work towards our goals and fulfill our missions in life. 

You got to make it happen if you want it bad enough.  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

You Got To Make It!

Tie Dye Crocs

Thought these Tie Dye Crocs (center) were standout!

The swirl pattern and rainbow colors is pretty awesome. 

Footwear design that lights up your life!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tie Dye Crocs

Peace In The Home, Always

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Peace In The Home, Always."

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!

(Source Photo: Pixabay)

Peace In The Home, Always

Social Media and Life Guidance

Thought this sign could really apply to lot's of people's bad behavior, but also to their posts on social media:

Today is the Yesterday you will be embarrassed about Tomorrow. 

It's good to always consider tomorrow (or the future) when you do or say something. 

What may seem like a good idea today may put you in very bad stead another day and under closer, clearer inspection. 

Think about the consequences for tomorrow and stop the stupid stuff today, online and in real life.  

That is if you care about your long term image and reputation. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Social Media and Life Guidance

Cat On A Leash

So I don't know about you,  but I've never seen a cat being taken for a walk on leash before. 

Apparently, this is a very special breed of cat called Ragdoll (because they tend to go limp/relax when you pick them up).

Aside from being large, soft and beautiful animals, they are known as "dog-like cats" and actually follow people around like a dog on a leash. 

Maybe less like a dog and more like a mini lion in perceived size, this is one incredible cat!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cat On A Leash

Flags and Rugs, Odd Combo Platter

 

What an odd combo.

We sell Flags and Rugs

Maybe like Michelle Obama said: 

When they go low [with rugs], we go high [with flags].

Oh, that's what she meant!  

If the store ever expands, they can add:

And we sell everything in between (like furniture).

Low, high, it's all making me a little dizzy today. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flags and Rugs, Odd Combo Platter

Wise Old Tree

Great wise old face on this tree!

All it takes is a well-placed eyes, nose, and mouth. 

Trees are people too.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Rebecca)

Wise Old Tree

Let Freedom Ring

I saw this van with all this messaging about "Communist China." 

Guy from the truck asks me:

Do you know what CCP is?

Not having heard that acronym, I started to mumble something about communism, and before I could finish, he goes:

It stands for Chinese Communist Party. 

He continued:

That's dictatorship. Do you know what that is?

I responded:

Of course, and the people want to be free.

He goes:

Yes, freedom! We want freedom. 

It's hard to believe that a generation ago the Cold War ended, but here we are still with people battling Communism and repression of basic rights. 

How lucky we are in America, Israel, and other western countries to live in freedom and have basic human rights. 

People around the world fight and die trying to earn their freedom, and we wake up with it every day, and it's just there for us. 

It's an incredible blessing to be free to think, speak, worship, and live how we choose.

We have to safeguard freedom and even fight for it: to have it, to keep it; and we should use it wisely to do and grow good in the world.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Let Freedom Ring

If G-d Wouldn't Let Moshe In, Who Am I?

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "If G-d Wouldn't Let Moshe In, Who Am I?"

Sure, we may not fully understand G-d’s decision on not letting Moshe into the land of Israel (or decisions that affect our lives today), still we can affirm our faith that G-d is a just and merciful Judge.

In the end, none of us are the level of Moshe Rabbeinu, and if G-d didn’t let him in, well who are we? This is a frightening thought to me. Yet at the same time, I believe that if we as the Jewish people collectively put our heartfelt yearnings and prayers together to be able to go and settle the land of Israel then perhaps G-d will answer us in the affirmative!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

If G-d Wouldn't Let Moshe In, Who Am I?