They got color, the got height, and they got pizazz!
But can you walk in them and not fall on your face?
Only the graceful survive! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 21, 2020
Shoes That Go With Everything
They got color, the got height, and they got pizazz!
But can you walk in them and not fall on your face?
Only the graceful survive! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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)
September 17, 2020
Automation By Gloves
Here's a hydraulic oil machine.
And you see no people.
Just some blue gloves.
If you look long enough, perhaps you'll see the gloves move and work the machine all by themselves.
That's the magic of automation and computerization.
Say hi gloves! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumnethal)
September 16, 2020
Take Me To Your Leader
Anyone, anyone a leader here...
I need to find a leader.
Someone who I can look up to.
Who feels deeply, compassionately, and honestly cares about others.
With faith and integrity, and who does the right thing, regardless.
They inspire, rarely tire, and seek to make us all more than we otherwise are.
Imbued with discerning insight and an ageless wisdom.
Carrying forth a great vision, and a path and passion to get us there.
They bring unity, and stand alongside each and every one of us.
Never an autocrat, a bureaucrat, or a stinkin' rat.
Just someone who is a genuine leader. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 15, 2020
Garden of 5 Senses
September 14, 2020
Best Bread Pudding
September 13, 2020
Purple Thingamajig
September 12, 2020
Thank You President Trump For Supporting Israel
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we know that everything is in the hands of G-d, including life and death, but there is no question that President Trump has been an instrument of the Almighty in delivering genuine and consistent support—recognition, annexation, aid, sanctioning our enemies, fighting BDS, anti-Semitism, and biased resolutions, and the advancement of peace—to Israel and for the Jewish people.
What the New Year and the upcoming election brings, no one knows, but Hashem. However, let us recognize the good and thank President Trump for everything that he has done for Israel and the Jewish people, and let us pray that G-d brings us continued blessings for the upcoming Jewish year of 5781 and beyond towards our final redemption.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 11, 2020
Ghostbusters Mobile
Look what car I found today in Lancaster County.
The Ghostbusters Mobile.
The hood ornament is even a little ghost!
From the looks of the downtown, there very possibly could've been some ghosts around.
Life and death are just a hairbreadth away.
And when you die in one life, you pass over to the next. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 10, 2020
@The Amish Experience
It was a fun time at The Amish Experience today in Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania.
One and a half hour bus tour of Amish country.
45 Minute movie about Jacob, an Amish teen, trying to decide whether he wants to be in the outside world or in the Amish one.
And another hour of so tour of an Amish school house and home.
Felt like I learned a lot about their culture (including no TV, internet, electricity [just batteries and solar], and education only through 8th grade).
Honestly, it doesn't seem like they really have much a choice in whether to choose the church and become Amish or leave, because if they choose to leave they are shunned (i.e. excommunicated)!
So you either choose you family, church, community, and a wife (and there is no divorce) or you run off to G-d knows where completely alone and "divorced" from everything you know.
The video is when we stopped at an Amish farm and I went in to the big barn with all the cows.
After so much time on the bus, I needed to ham it up a little and have fun with:
"How now brown cow. It is so nice to eat you! You are beautiful animals. And thank you Hashem for making you!" ;-)
(Credit Video: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
September 9, 2020
Duracell Vs Energizer Showdown
Which one wins?
The whisper is that Duracell beats Energizer close to 2 to 1 for most things.
Whether or not that's true, the Energizer rabbit "keeps going and going" while the Duracell is copper-topped.
Copper? Bunny? Bunny is cuter! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 8, 2020
Laundry is a Colorful Cleaning Affair
Some nice refreshing laundry detergent is just what's needed.
When the detergent comes in big, bright bottles like here, then it's even a more inviting experience.
Clean laundry, clean mind, clean mouth way to go! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 4, 2020
Shabbat Shalom From 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)
September 3, 2020
Earning Respect!
From the saying of Dwight Johnson, "The Rock":
Blood, sweat, and respect. First two you give. Last one you earn.
Yes, we respect all people in a humanistic way, but real respect is earned based on what a person does!
Blood and sweat means you're putting out, and trying your best to achieve something.
Make sure your efforts are going to something worthwhile.
Helping people!
Doing your responsibilities!
Being a good influence!
Honoring the Master of the Universe!
That's how you earn R-e-s-p-e-c-t. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 2, 2020
Romance Watch
Couple meet on a bridge in Paris.
Lady with umbrella on the left tells the hour.
Man on the right tells the minute.
They move together towards a kiss.
Very romantic!
Beautifully done with fairytale theme.
This Pont Des Amoureux Jour watch in rose gold and diamonds is only $122,000 (excluding sales tax).
What a bargain! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 1, 2020
Best Wardrobe
August 31, 2020
Just Call It By My Name
It a matter of Quid Pro Quo!
Just a few examples of naming after people:
Carnegie Hall
Rockefeller Center
Whitney Museum
If you call it by their names, then they feel like they are somebody!
Even the rich and mighty people know they are going to die, but they want to be remembered long after.
Everyone should say their names!
But honestly, it's not only completely egotistical, but also idolatrous.
The wealth that G-d grants us is for us to live and do good in the world--not to glorify ourselves.
Having your name on a building, museum, hospital, university or stadium doesn't demonstrate you're charitableness as much as your narcissism and desire for some sort of immortality.
However, there is only one G-d and it's by Him that we should give honor, credit, and thanks!
Giving charity is what you do because you can and it's the right thing to help others, especially when you have an overabundance.
Donating to put your name in lights and on people's tongues is nothing but self worship.
All building should be stripped of the names of these people.
Recognize and raise up G-d. Man is just his servant. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 30, 2020
Every Little Thing
Every little thing that Hashem provides for us is truly a big deal. It’s so easy to become complacent, arrogant, and overconfident in all that we have today. But if we just remember that without every little thing we have, we could be in some big, big trouble tomorrow.
Our bodies, minds, and spirit can be strong, but without the ingredients we need to survive, we are all just dust and ashes. Before the High Holidays, when we ask Hashem to forgive us, and we try to make amends, and pray for a good New Year, now is a great time to appreciate every little thing!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 29, 2020
Teaching Kids To You Know What
Mini toilets to teach the kids to go potty.
The big pot can probably be scary for a little kid.
Don't want them to end up falling in and whoosh!
Ok, not funny!
Seriously though, these little training toilets are cute.
Honestly, I think there are some adults that need some potty training too.
Yes, you know who you are! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 28, 2020
Better Than Hand Sanitizer LOL
Just use this bottle of Social Belonging!
Better than dish detergent or hand sanitizer.
Good for attaining love, friends, societal and other belonging needs.
22 fluid ounces!
That's enough to get you through the Coronavirus quarantine's loneliness and then some. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 27, 2020
Rope Light
August 26, 2020
Porsche Lovers
August 25, 2020
Happy Days
This smiley face in the yard in front of the house was a perfect real estate addition.
As my father used to sing so beautifully:
When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you!
It really is a beautiful and positively contagious thing! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 24, 2020
90-10 Charity Rule
In Genesis 14:20:
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
In Genesis 28:22
[Jacob says] And in all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.
In Leviticus 27:30:
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the L-rd, it is holy to the L-rd.
In general, G-d lets you keep 90% and he commands that you give 10% to charity.
I understand that some righteous people even give 20% of their income to charity.
I learned from Rabbi Yaron Reuven that:
For those that are miserly and not charitable and don't tithe, G-d reverses the equation, and He takes back the 90% and lets you keep the 10%.
Very ingenious and where the punishment fits "the crime" so to say.
So what do you want the 90% or the 10%--it's your choice to give or have it given for you! ;-)
(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
August 23, 2020
August 22, 2020
No, It's Not Fort Knox
I don't think I've ever seen this many surveillance cameras in one relatively small room that's not related to national security!
And there were even more cameras around me--they were freakin everywhere.
I get that people are afraid and want security, but seriously over a dozen cameras in the entry/waiting room to see a doctor!
Did someone go a little overboard here?
Maybe they had a bad experience, who knows.
Still, this is beyond dystopian and never a private moment shall one have! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 21, 2020
You Get Your Own Special Table
Reserved for Mr. and Mrs. Social Distance. Thank You.
Wow, for people that are rightfully worried about Coronavirus or maybe they're just hypochondriacs, there is a secluded table for you in the restaurant, so you can still go out and eat and enjoy yourselves.
Mr. and Mrs. Social Distance, you are sitting far away but still part of the living, Halleluja! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 20, 2020
Man Lamp
Probably great for your man cave.
It stands on 2 legs.
Its spine is the electrical cord running down the middle.
And the lamp shade is the hat.
Sort of design ingenious.
And during Coronavirus quarantine, it makes you feel perhaps like you have a little extra companionship.
Even if it's just a lamp! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Facebook)
August 19, 2020
Merging Of Man
I can't remember--do I work at home or do I live at work?
Maybe this is the ultimate merging of the two halves of ourselves--the worker and the family man/woman.
These days were seeing a lot of mergers like this:
- Man-machine with embedded technology, robotics, and AI
- Man-environment with environmentalism and greening technologies
- Man-media with social media and other 100% always-on social computing
So why not Man Family-Work, it's just another merger of near equals in our day-to-day lives. ;-)
August 18, 2020
When Planning Is A Joke
The College of Architecture and Planning apparently didn't plan enough space for the "C" of college and so it's plastered to the brick wall at a corner angle.
Talk about irony!
Would you want them teaching your architect and planners?
Oy this is just too classic. ;-)
(Source Photo: Facebook)
August 17, 2020
Pink Bear
Like a politician speaks falsehoods!
My dad would rightfully say, "Be careful, don't step in the hoy[t]a!"
Compliments of some good old Native American humor.
At one point, probably from Reader's Digest! :-)
(Credit Photo; Andy Blumenthal)
August 15, 2020
Holes In The Eyes
What I do know is that there are some people (not all) in this world who are very bad people that are blind to truth and good.
They see themselves not only first and foremost but only themselves--they are truly selfish pr*cks!
Next, they see their buddies from the "old boy's network" where one dirty hand washes the other even dirtier hand.
They see everyone else as pawns to get what they want--power, money, prestige--and in turn others are for their abuse and as a punching bag.
People born and bred on immediate and self-gratification at the expense of doing what's right.
Power used to intimidate, to harass, to bully, to step on, to shame, and to kick to the gutter.
To them it's just what it takes "to make it" in this world. And for them they don't consider what they are giving up in the world to come.
It's an ancient war of good over evil where bad people seem very strong indeed.
But where we can't cower from a fight for what we know in the end is right.
Where did their eyes go? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 14, 2020
30,000 Chances To Get It Right
Teshuvah (Repentance) is really not just a yearly process, it is a daily one. And 80 years is almost 30,000 days, with every day that we wake up, get up, and start up the process of another day again, we have the opportunity to get it right this day, this time around!
Every day that we awake and arise is a great opportunity to try again where we failed in prior days and we can potentially think holier thoughts, say kinder words, and treat each other better, more compassionately and righteously.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 13, 2020
Let Them Eat Cake
Do we pay attention or look away?
Do we even care?
Do we do anything about it?
As queen Marie-Antoinette said when told that her people were starving and had no bread, what did she say?
Let them eat cake!
Pray that we are better than that. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 12, 2020
Seeing Red!
Red is the color of an apple and a strawberry
Red is the color of blood and fire.
Red is when you unfortunately lose money or go broke.
Red is a can of Coke and the planet Mars.
Red means you got something wrong on the paper or exam.
Red sneakers, that's okay too. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 11, 2020
Happy Umbrellas!
August 10, 2020
Beautiful Cookware
BTW, can't believe Amazon is now getting into bricks and mortar too!
These enameled cast iron dutch oven pots are colorful and useful.
In a way, they are too good-looking to use.
Maybe just put them on the stovetop and let them look pretty.
There is always the microwave for the real food. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 9, 2020
@Macy's - Cool Minnie Mouse
They seem to be trying to get rid of all the merchandise built up during Coronavirus.
On line was this stylish lady in an orange dress with a white handbag.
On her arm were happy, playful tattoos, including a Minnie Mouse with her tongue out on her upper arm.
Life goes on with Disney characters cheering us up with or without a global pandemic. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Finding Reality in a Floating Pink Abstract World
But when we return home to our Maker then we'll see beyond time and space what we could never see while we were enveloped in a physical body and a material world. For the spirit survives the life as our L-rd spans infinity and one day too we will rejoin with Him and discover what our eyes could never see and our ears did never hear.
For our heart was hardened of flesh while our soul was molten and deep until eventually we awake from our slumber and find what we always did seek.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 7, 2020
Stop Child Abuse!
It's an important message.
Take Action. Stop Child Abuse.
Children are innocent!
The adults who commit the abuse and trafficking are animals.
If you see something, say something to the authorities.
You may just be saving a child's life.
Protect our children...they are our future. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 6, 2020
We Are Comm-unity!
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