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?

My Big Kahuna

So my new massage chair came today.

Kahuna LM-7000 in this amazing red color. 

It was awesome how the chair came completely assembled. 

Just plugged it in, jumped on, and started it up. 

I was lying back in a spaceship reclining position getting kneaded, tapped, knocked, and shiatsu'ed.

This was better than I had imagined it would be. 

I am hoping this helps with aches, pains, and sleep. 

I've got my big Kahuna now!  ;-)

(Source Photo: Massage Chair Heaven) 

My Big Kahuna

Don't Follow Haters and Liars

I liked this sign:

Truth does not mind being questioned. 

A lie does not like being challenged. 

This seems like truth to me!

People who push an agenda and their propaganda never like to discuss it or answer questions about it. It's usually prejudice in some way and they just want to ram it down people's throats. 

Questioning and shedding light on things that don't seem right is part of our moral and civic duty.  

Of course, the haters and liars would rather that we just accept the falsehoods they are peddling like stupid sheep who blindly follow them down the road to perdition. ;-)

(Source Photo: Friend)

Don't Follow Haters and Liars

Flowers On Perfume

Wow!  What a beautiful flower cap on this perfume bottle.

I'd buy this just for the bottle; who cares what the perfume smells like. 

Seriously, this is some genius creative design!

Beautifully done!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flowers On Perfume

Ben and Jerry's: Racism and Terror

New flavors to go along with Ben and Jerry's new hateful values. 

- Boom Intifada Cookie Core

- Everything But The Jews

- Jihadi Coffee Toffee

- Mintifada Chocolate Cookie

- AntiseMint

Forget Peace and Love; Ben and Jerry's moves to adopt Racism and Terror!  

Boycott Unilever and Ben and Jerry's. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Friend via Facebook)

Ben and Jerry's: Racism and Terror

Ben and Jerry's Can Drop Dead!

 

Just wanted to express my firm sentiment that:

Ben and Jerry's can drop dead!

The anti-Semites at Unilever/Ben and Jerry's decided that they would boycott selling their ice cream in the West Bank in Israel. 

Gee, why don't they boycott selling their crappy ice cream to the murderous Assad Regime in Syria or to the radical Mullahs in Iran or the terrorists organizations Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon and so many more outrageous dictators and human rights abusers in the world? Will Ben and Jerry's boycott China where they detain a million Uyghurs in "reeducation" camps or Russia for invading and annexing Crimea? But as we all know, these corrupt bureaucrats wouldn't dare! 

I am convinced deep down that we are dealing simply with hard core anti-Semitic hate-mongers playing executives at Ben and Jerry's. 

Honestly though, it is no loss what-so-ever, since Haagen-Dazs is about a million times better ice cream than Ben and Jerry's ever was or will be.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ben and Jerry's Can Drop Dead!

We Are All Disabled

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "We Are All Disabled."

And what happens to us after creation? Life happens, and people suffer from the happenstance and the often harsh “nurture” of this world. Whether from disease, accidents, or hurt inflicted on us from others — intentional or not — we all have “disabilities” and as difficult as it is to live with it, there is no shame in it!

Disabilities are an opportunity, however painful and humiliating for us to learn and grow and for others to be able to demonstrate love, compassion, and kindness to us...There is no running or hiding from disability, it is part of our mortal world. But from the scars and suffering of life, we must create healing. From disability, it is our job to turn it into ability, capability, and mobility!

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

We Are All Disabled

Starbucks Face-Branded Packaging

Love this new Starbuck's face-branded packaging for their food. 

When they line up like this, they look especially friendly and cute. 

Also, looks like some happy customers, indeed. 

Starbucks may not have the world's absolutely best coffee, but their branding is really awesome! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Starbucks Face-Branded Packaging

Coexistence Means Everyone

I really liked this car's bumper sticker:

Coexist

C - C in shape of Crescent Moon and Star represents Islam

O - O with Peace sign and designed for nuclear disarmament

E - E with Male and Female symbols represents Sexual Equality

X - X designated by Star of David represents Judaism

I - I with Five Pointed Star at top represents Pagans and Wicans

S - S with Ying and Yang represents Taoists

T - T in shape of Cross represents Christianity.

Now how do we get people to actually live this way: respecting each other and living harmoniously together?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Coexistence Means Everyone

Amusement Park Painting

Wow, couldn't believe that someone actually threw away this awesome painting of an amusement park. 

It was literally just sitting at the top of the garbage! 

The merry-go-round, the ferris wheel, the flume, the hot air ballon, the children and even the man selling the cotton candy. 

This is way to nice, colorful, and happy to be in the trash. 

One man's trash is another man's treasure. 

I hope this was rescued and put back up on a wall somewhere that it can be enjoyed by everyone.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

Amusement Park Painting

Long Rolling Train

This long train was just mesmerizing.

I didn't get the beginning of it. 

And I didn't get the end of it. 

I think it may just have been infinitely long!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Long Rolling Train

Rocks in River

Sitting by the river.

Letting my mind relax and drift off in serenity. 

Throwing some rocks into the water.

Watching the ripples cascade out. 

Mind is at peace. 

World is all good. ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Rocks in River

Hiking @Harpers Ferry

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal, except the last one which was from Dossy Blumenthal)

Hiking @Harpers Ferry

When Might Makes Wrong

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "When Might Makes Wrong."

A single Jewish country, like Israel, doesn't stand a chance at the UN, where they are automatically outvoted and imprisoned by their enemies in a virtual diplomatic isolation.

The ability of the Muslim nations and those they coerce to outvote Israel at the United Nations, whether in the General Assembly, the HRC, and through UNRWA is neither right, ethical, nor moral, but simply a fixture of might makes wrong at the UN! In democracies around the world, we pride ourselves on balancing voting with constitutions that protect the basic human rights of all people, including minorities be they according to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Unfortunately, these principles and protections of people don't apply at the United Nations. Thus, bias and hatred of Israel is allowed and even encouraged to perpetuate as long as their enemies can use sheer numbers or their power to deny the basic rights of a secure existence and nationhood to the Jewish people. Regretfully, these types of gross injustices, including genocide, have been perpetrated against many other minorities as well. While there have been attempts in the past to reform the UN, unfortunately, these remain mostly unsuccessful, and the farce that is the United Nations continues with its unsound power structure and the lack of a global moral compass to guide its actions.

(Credit Photo: Pixabay) 

When Might Makes Wrong

Lawyer or Liar

Funny shirt this guy chooses to wear:

Trust me I'm a lawyer.

My dad used to joke:

Not a lawyer, a liar! 

I think he was referring to the ones who knowingly and dishonestly defend guilty violent criminals. 

But like with all people, some people are good and some are not so good.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lawyer or Liar

Remember To Always Be Kind

Nice sign on the electrical pole, reminding us to always:

Be 💗 Kind

What kind?

The kind that has compassion on others, cares and love them, and does what's right. 

That's really the only kind worth being! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Remember To Always Be Kind

Colorful City Living Wall Mural

Great colorful city living wall mural. 

This is a snippet from a larger mural at a local kosher eatery.  

Houses, people, cars, water, flowers, and trees. 

Happy pappy and nicely done!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Colorful City Living Wall Mural

@Sligo Creek Park

So lush green at Sligo Creek Park today. 

But also (hazy) hot and humid. 

Lots of bikers on the trail. 

A few squirrels too. 

Nice to walk, think, breath, and be.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Sligo Creek Park

@Lake Needwood July 4

 

Beautiful July 4th.

The great outdoors with the family. 

Hiking and sitting by the water just taking a relaxing breather.  

Grateful for Independence here and in the Promised Land!  ;-)

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

@Lake Needwood July 4

A Practical Approach to Peace in the Middle East

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A Practical Approach to Peace in the Middle East."

The question then is why? What is so intractable about the Israel-Palestinian conflict that no one seems to be able to solve it and that it has become virtually the Holy Grail of world issues on which if only we could solve it then everything else would-be nirvana. The conflict has been blamed for everything from the endless Palestinian refugee situation to Soviet aggression and expansion during the Cold War, the oil embargo of 1973, the rise and proliferation of Islamic terrorism, and countless other of the world’s ills. Anyone who even contributes to Middle East Peace like Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat win the Noble Peace Prize, and that’s without there being a full and final solution!

I am certain that Israel’s willingness to negotiate and even to make painful compromises for peace has been far more prevalent, far-reaching, and consistent over time—whether in Oslo, Camp David, or Taba. In the meantime, Israel and the Palestinians continue to “take the risks” and remain in a perpetual state of sometimes active and more often passive war that is fought by Israel through military control and incremental settlement expansion and by the Palestinians through terrorism and their pursuit of the demographic population time bomb. When it comes to achieving peace, perhaps the wisdom of the ages applies here: “the short road is long”—there are no shortcuts to serious negotiation and compromise—and “the long road is short”—eventually, a solution for peace will be found even if for now it tragically and painfully evades us all.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

A Practical Approach to Peace in the Middle East

Cherry Blossoms DC

Nice art in Washington DC.

Washington Monument + Cherry Blossoms. 

Urban beautification. ;-)

Shabbat Shalom! 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cherry Blossoms DC