Rainbow Ices

Great rainbow ices on a very hot day!

Also, nice lime green sunflower cup.

The only challenge was the long line under the sun and humidity.

Shaving the big ice cube apparently takes some time. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Rainbow Ices

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Fascinating to listen to stories from this former miner at the Maryland Iron Festival, near Cunningham Falls State Park. 

Learned about the incredibly tough and dangerous working conditions in the mines. 

He said everyone he knew who worked in the mines is already dead. 

Working hundreds of feet underground, in the pitch black and dust, in cramped spaces of only 30" high, and with dangerous mining tools and explosives all for $75 per day. 

This song is about the miners protesting for better wages and safer working conditions. 

And if not, no more "fire in the hole!"  ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Measuring Success Like G-d

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Measuring Success Like G-d."

Never more than today are we living lives of total excess. This week, we saw a Mercedes-Benz 1995 car sell for a record-breaking $142 million. Last month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, authorities seized a Russian oligarch’s $793 million mega yacht. And this last year, Morgan Stanley predicted that Elon Musk may eventually become the world’s first trillionaire.

In a world where marketing, sales, advertising, branding, and the media all seek to convince us that life is essentially about “things,” self-satisfaction, the next high, and happiness, we can easily forget how transient and valueless all that really is. Inside each of us though there is a deeper, true voice that seeks a life of real meaning, purpose and immortality, where faith, compassion, giving, and self-sacrifice is the true measure of our character and the ultimate gauge of life success.

(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/smiley-emoticon-greed-822993/)

Measuring Success Like G-d

Spring Flowers for Shabbat

Good to be coming up on Shabbat.

So much to be grateful for to G-d Almighty

• Health
• Peace
• Prosperity
• Family to enjoy it with

Thank you for another week!   ;-)

Spring Flowers for Shabbat

Awesome Torah Turtle

We went to a beautiful playground dedication at Chabad. 

Aside from the lavish and colorful playground, they had a trampoline, petting zoo, and BBQ for Lag B'Omer. 

This was Torah Turtle (my name for him) at the event. 

What an amazing shell and such a cool animal.

Turtles are a definite favorite!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Awesome Torah Turtle

Big Blue Plates

Wow, those are some BIG blue stone plates.

Also, like the blue ocean and shells as the backdrop on the wall. 

Favorite color is BLUE!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Big Blue Plates

Cookies and Cupcakes

Love this selection of cookies and cupcakes. 

Colorful and plenty of smiles!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Cookies and Cupcakes

That's a Hairdo

Wow you can get your hair all spiky and tall. 

And choose your color: blue, pink, or yellow. 

Who doesn't want to have that much hair again.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

That's a Hairdo

The Tragic Comedy of the “Anti-Zionist Synagogue”

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Tragic Comedy of the 'Anti-Zionist Synagogue'."

Recently in the Forward, I read about this “synagogue,” Tzedek Chicago, that has the tragic distinction of being the first anti-Zionist synagogue in America. They claim that they are all about justice, as their name “Tzedek” supposedly implies, and as their website values states:

"…the creation of an ethnic Jewish nation state in historic Palestine resulted in an injustice against the Palestinian people, an injustice that continues to this day."

However, the facts do not match the rhetoric. Anti-Zionism, regardless of the source is ultimately about Jew hatred.

(Screenshot from @margoexplainsitall on Instagram reel at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcBMN1bFfpU/)

The Tragic Comedy of the “Anti-Zionist Synagogue”

No News Is Good News

No news is good news. 

Unfortunately, most of the news these days is bad news.

• War
• Terrorism
• Global tensions
• Threats of WMD
• Political dysfunction
• Inflation
• Trade deficit
• Ballooning debt
• Sinking economy
• Global warming
• Social divisions
• Rampant crime
• Chaos at the border
• Pandemic
• Care giver shortage

Only good news is usually technology and acts of compassion, caring, personal sacrifice and sometimes true heroism!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

No News Is Good News

Sounds Refreshing

Great sign for the Pablo Picasso drink.

If you have too much, do you feel like the guy pictured here?

Maybe people need to feel this way sometimes (especially when the world looks like it's going to hell).  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sounds Refreshing

Lady On Shirt

Like this shirt with the cool lady on it. 

Sort of has the 70's hippie look. 

Those were the days!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lady On Shirt

Doggie Apron

These dogs are hungry for some good cooking too!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Doggie Apron

Beautiful Architecture

Love this view from the bedroom. 

Over the terrace and into the sunset. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Architecture

Playing The Odds

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Playing The Odds."

The stranger told me: Precisely fifty years ago, the doctor told me the exact same thing about having a one in a hundred chance of paralysis if they operated. So, what did I do? I went to see the Rabbi (Avigdor Miller) and ask his advice, and the Rabbi says to me: "A Jew doesn’t take odds like that!"

I thought to myself while Jews don’t take those wild odds (1 in a 100 of paralysis), why do they play the odds with their souls by pretending to be religious on the outside, but on the inside and away from human eyes doing evil? Surely, we all know that G-d sees everything and that a faithful judgment awaits us all. And it all made sense not to play the odds not only with our physical health, but also with our spiritual wellbeing.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Playing The Odds

Toppings!

The toppings are the best part of ice cream and frozen yogurt. 

Nice to have a colorful assortment to choose from: fruits, nuts, candies, chocolates, marshmallows, and drizzles.

My favorite hot, hot fudge!

Sweet is everywhere!  ;-)

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Toppings!

GameStop Is Going Nowhere

This is what GameStop is selling. 

- Wrestling Buddies dolls 

Cute, but not really a shopping imperative and the store was deserted. 

Yet, GameStop stock is still stratospheric, while tech and innovation is in the graveyard depths.

The world is upside down and inside out. 

I think a day of reckoning is coming to bring us back to earthly reality.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

GameStop Is Going Nowhere

Healthy Tuna Salad

Tuna fish.

Green salad.

Cole slaw

Balsamic vinegar over the top.  

Eat up.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Healthy Tuna Salad

The Real Unthinkable Option

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Real Unthinkable Option."

Listen, we are forever in a battle of good and evil in this world. We have to rise to the occasion to stand by our faith in G-d and ensure that good prevails. Easier said than done, because of course, fighting to defeat wrongdoing and evil is not only a battle that takes places within our own souls, but with those that have already sold their souls to the devil for money, power, honor, and every worldly gratification. So, the battles and wars ahead are scary indeed, but we have to choose the right side, silence our own inner conflict and turmoil, and put our fears aide.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Real Unthinkable Option

Anniversary Fruit Plate

Anniversary fruit plate and artisan and sparkling water.

There was also a tray of chocolates and nuts. 

Nice complimentary gesture and classy surprise to come back to.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Anniversary Fruit Plate