Smokes, Pick Your Poison

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Smokes, Pick Your Poison

Maximum Plump

You can't make this stuff up. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Maximum Plump

Leaning Tower 7-Eleven Cups

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Leaning Tower 7-Eleven Cups

When Politics Gets Personal

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "When Politics Gets Personal."

Not unlike the deep political divide in Israel over Judicial Reform, this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down college affirmative action following their prior ruling overturning Roe v. Wade has once again brought to the forefront the huge political divide in this country. Further, the polarization and bitterness between the right and left from the 2020 election are still simmering as we approach the next presidential election in 2024. Underneath all the day-to-day niceties, there seems to be a latent powder keg in our electorate, especially if the next election is a repeat between Trump and Biden.

In this context, I must admit that I had a run-in with someone this week who sits on the other side of the political spectrum from me. And maybe, as they say, it's best not to talk too much about religion or politics, just for the reasons I am about to convey.

(Credit Photo: John Hain via https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fingerprinting-blaming-division-2203448/)

When Politics Gets Personal

Mr. and Mrs. Cat

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mr. and Mrs. Cat

Traditional Roller Skates

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Traditional Roller Skates

All Steel

Matching benches and garbage can.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

All Steel

Salad Dressing or Poison?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Salad Dressing or Poison?

Boardwalk Ocean Blue

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Boardwalk Ocean Blue

Bumblebee Cake Pop

Too cute to eat! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bumblebee Cake Pop

Putin: Will He Stay or Go?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Putin: Will He Stay or Go?"

Perhaps Putin dodged a bullet today, but we'll see over time if he continues to be so lucky and who is ultimately right about Vladimir Putin's future: will he be whisked away to some Siberian gulag or will he continue his absolute reign over Russia and its people and continue his war for Soviet-era power and dominance?

(Credit Photo: Florian Lisi via https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-a-painting-12249238/)

Putin: Will He Stay or Go?

Utterly Useless Gnomes

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Utterly Useless Gnomes

Should We Put Her Back Together?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Should We Put Her Back Together?

Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands

Japanese Man and Snoopy Gang

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Japanese Man and Snoopy Gang

Tennis Balls Galore

Worth their weight in tennis balls. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tennis Balls Galore

Colorful Paper Lanterns

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Colorful Paper Lanterns

Looking Beyond the Superficial

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Looking Beyond the Superficial."

We are all much more than our physical manifestations in this world, and looks can definitely be deceiving. The most important thing in dealing with ourselves and others is to look beyond the superficial and see each person for who they really are, and G-d’s holy spirit has an outsized role in realizing the potential of who we can be.

(Credit Photo: Activedia via https://pixabay.com/photos/spiritualism-awakening-meditation-4552237/)

Looking Beyond the Superficial

Got Cable

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Got Cable

Awesome Father's Day Card and Early too!

Thank you to my wonderful children and to Hashem for all his mercy. 

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Awesome Father's Day Card and Early too!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Half alien, half man!

Will they get you next? ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Octopus Ooze

Four eyes and eight legs!

Plenty of ooze!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Octopus Ooze

They Must've Enjoyed Those Cheddar Goldfish

Whoever ate these actually left a smiley next to the empty bag. 

Now that is someone who loves Cheddar Goldfish!  ;-)

Note: Not kosher as far as I am aware.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

They Must've Enjoyed Those Cheddar Goldfish

On Line For 1 Potato

Wow, this guy waited on line at the supermarket to buy one single potato. 

That's right, nothing else.

He wasn't a poor guy or anything, just a regular Joe. 

I couldn't help myself and said: "what do you do with just one potato?"  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

On Line For 1 Potato

What's in the Cholent?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "What's in the Cholent?"

Anyway, for all of you who have had the experience, I am sure that you will agree that it's truly not a Shabbat meal without a big pot of cholent (or, should I say, dafina, as my Sephardic friends say). And it's not a bowl of cholent that you want to eat unless you've hand-picked every single scoop of it yourself, even if you don't quite know what it is you're looking for to begin with.

(Credit photo: Becky via https://www.flickr.com/photos/35694730@N00/2738330081/in/photolist-5aYE8B-5LdtsL-5YkAgM)

What's in the Cholent?

Beautiful Seared Tuna on Chef's Salad

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Seared Tuna on Chef's Salad

A Fine Spine

Can you believe that's our spine?  

My back hurts just looking at it. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

A Fine Spine

Cookie Faces

Unfortunately, in the 3rd row, it looks like Mr. Cookie lost an eye.  

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cookie Faces

Weird Hooks On Letters

D, E, R, B, S.

Catch any fish with those hooks?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Weird Hooks On Letters

Snail Bowl

 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Snail Bowl

Iced Coffee with Mocha!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Iced Coffee with Mocha!

The Best of People

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Best of People."

When we finally got back to the hotel and my wife was feeling better, I told her how amazed I was with the goodness of these complete strangers that we encountered. I saw people who expressed concern and care for someone they didn't know and for whom they wanted nothing in return.

I believe that this is ultimately what life is all about: it's not about the money, the honor, or what we get out of a situation; rather, it's about doing good in the world and savoring G-d's blessing over anything that is material or narcissistic.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Best of People

Nail Art

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Nail Art

Cocolada x 2

Rum, pineapple, coconut, and more goodness. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cocolada x 2

4 Flavors of Overflowing Gelato

Rich Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Banana Cream, and Pecan Pie. 

This was nice on a very hot day!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

4 Flavors of Overflowing Gelato

Escambron Beach

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Escambron Beach

Old San Juan

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Old San Juan

Puerto Rico On The Rocks

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Puerto Rico On The Rocks

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity

Please see my new video and article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons in Peace,Inclusion, and Humanity."

In this video, there are three stories from my recent Caribbean vacation, which include a conversation with a waiter about peace between Israelis and Palestinians, feeling unwelcome in a synagogue, and connecting with a stranger from India.

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity

Love and Wine

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Love and Wine

Cat Mural

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cat Mural

Plant of Unknown Origin

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Plant of Unknown Origin

Flower Throne

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flower Throne

Duck Decor

(Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Duck Decor

Boy Smells Odor

Body odor is what you want your scented candle to smell like?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Boy Smells Odor

New Elevator Parts

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

New Elevator Parts

Some Shabbos Chuckles

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Some Shabbos Chuckles."

People never fail to amaze me in both their potential as well as in their idiosyncrasies. But the last number of weeks have really brought home that while we Jews share many commonalities, there are also quite a few quirky differences, and many of these are worth sharing.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Some Shabbos Chuckles

Cute Little Ugly Snake

(Credit Photo: Rebecca O.)
 

Cute Little Ugly Snake