July 24, 2022

Wink Wink

 

Winking Balloons 

That means it's an anniversary sale at Nordstrom. 

Goodie goodie.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 22, 2022

Leadership With Heart

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Leadership With Heart."

“Leadership with Heart“—you’ll see this as my byline for my Times of Israel blog, and which I also use daily under my signature line in my professional emails. To me, it represents my goal of becoming a leader and doing it with a “lev tahor” (pure heart), represented as much as possible to others through good thoughts, words, and deeds.

In terms of impact, I was pleasantly surprised recently when at least three different people came up to me after I did or said something, and they responded with something like, “Oh, I get it. That’s what ‘Leadership with Heart’ means in your tagline.” I can’t tell you how happy that made me to hear that. I wasn’t just saying it, but acting it, and others noticed it positively.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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July 21, 2022

Watch That Hard Work

Even work is a risky endeavor.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 20, 2022

Apple Pie Lovers

Pie in the face position!

Need a little whipped cream on the top. 

And it's ready to go. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 18, 2022

Monday Not Funday

Look at the yellow giraffe and lighten up!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 17, 2022

View from Starbucks

This was a nice table view from Starbucks in Potomac. 

Beautiful little brick courtyard on the side. 

Tables and chairs outside and in. 

This one had this great little pink flowers on the table. 

Happy Sunday!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 16, 2022

7 Rules of Life

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 15, 2022

An Army That Sings and Dances


Please see my new poem in The Times of Israel called "An Army That Sing and Dances."

Holy warriors that turn their gaze upwards to our Heavenly Father.
In joy and tears.
By song and dance.
With an uplifted heart and a yearning soul.
Soldiers of the Holy Land.
They stand before G-d Almighty.
Ready to lay down their lives in complete faith.
The Redemption is here.
Just open your eyes.
Oh L-rd, return us to the Promised Land.
In joy and tears.
By song and dance.
With an uplifted heart and a yearning soul.
To serve You, and only You.

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July 13, 2022

David Slays Goliath

This video clip is totally awesome:

David standing up to and killing Goliath. 

Faith over fear. 

With G-d, anything is possible!  ;-)


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July 12, 2022

Just One Jewish Nation

Every religion has their homeland(s). 

Why can't the Jewish people?  

(Source Photo: Facebook)


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July 11, 2022

Lipstick Bag

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)
 


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July 10, 2022

Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom."

Jews are well known for their sharp wit, humor, and wisdom, which, of course, is thanks to the blessings bestowed on His people by Hashem. In the article I share some recent Jewish tidbits.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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July 7, 2022

Hyper Lips

These were some pretty big lips at CVS.

They literally stretched from one aisle to the next. 

I'd like to see the lips open and hear some words come out like where the sales are at!  

Even just some daily blah, blah, blah.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)


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July 6, 2022

July 4th Nail Polish

Nails that say red, white, and blue.

Perfectly patriotic for the 4th of July!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 4, 2022

Kayaking @Lake Needwood

Happy 4th of July!
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4th of July Cookies and Bagels

 

The old Red, White, and Blue. 

Here's to Democracy and Freedom!

(Credit Photos: Dossy Blumenthal)

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July 3, 2022

Going to Minions or Minyan?



Dressed as a minion. 

On the way to see Minions movie. 

This kid can really play the part!  

It's funny minion sounds like minyan.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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July 2, 2022

Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies."

The list of “nonsensicals” in our society could go on and on (and I won’t even get started with all the Covid mandates and chaos), and you have to ask yourself what type of country (and world) we are leaving to future generations: A world that is full contradictions, corruption, and lies!
In the end, we can’t live with the double-talk and lies that we are being fed or the political grandstanding and corruption that takes the place of real humanity and progress. This leaves us to find truth and faith in the good and love that is G-d and to act from His word and not the phony media or corrupt politicians that seek to lead us continuously astray.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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July 1, 2022

Never Enough Leggings!

How many leggings is enough?

There is NEVER enough leggings!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)


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June 30, 2022

Seems To Really Work

Stubborn Stain Remover. 

For stubborn stains. 

It is what is says it is! 

From what I can tell, it really works.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 29, 2022

Falafel and Hummus

Awesome crispy falafel. 

Chickpeas. 

Lots of creamy hummus. 

Pita is on the side.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 28, 2022

Great Vietnamese Cold Brew


This was some awesome Vietnamese Cold Brew from Whole Foods. 

Man, this was good stuff!
 
Although I am not sure about the reference to a "bioengineered food ingredient."  

Oh wait, I think I'm turning into Spider-Man!  ;-)

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June 27, 2022

Nice Vase

Looks like this vase came straight from the Holy Land. 

Tall and slender. 

Very beautiful!  ;-)

(Credit Photo; Andy Blumenthal)


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June 26, 2022

This Seems Useful

 

Who can argue with the usefulness of a "Sh*t Kit"?

As it says:

Don't get caught with your pants down!

Wonder how Shark Tank missed this one???  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 25, 2022

Not by Chariots or Horses

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Not by Chariots or Horses."

As I watched through the window of the synagogue, the people practicing their boxing, I remembered when I was young and learning to fight. It took an enormous amount of training, hard work, and practice, and still at the end of the day, the realization always that we are but the foot soldiers for G-d. We must be the best prepared in every way that we can (“Never again!”); however, it is G-d who not only leads us, but also fights for us. In the Prophets (Joshua 6), we learn that Hashem literally brought down the walls of the great city of Jericho simply by having Joshua and the Israelites march around it, blow the Shofar, and yell a great shout. So too may G-d continue to fight for us against the enemies in our time and speedily complete the final redemption.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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June 24, 2022

Action Sports Adventure


Biking and kayaking.

Along with mountain hiking. 

Wonderful adventure pastimes. 

Nothing like being in and enjoying nature and activity.  ;-)

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 23, 2022

Nalgene Bottle Lights

Who knew that Nalgene bottles could be used as light fixtures. 

What a colorful display.

Creates a little mood lighting for that cool shopping experience. 

And inside is a water bottle for every adventure. 

Simply unscrew the bottle to change the light bulb.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 22, 2022

Chocolate Tiger Sugar

Wow, that was a treat!

Tiger Sugar: brown sugar boba bubble tea with fresh cream and streaked with syrup.

This one was the chocolate malt version. 

You can see the bobas floating at the bottom.  

Watch out Starbucks, Tiger Sugar is gonna eat your lunch!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 20, 2022

Inconsistent In Everything


This was a funny sign in the hiking store. 

I'm inconsistent, but not all the time

Now, that's perfection.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 19, 2022

@Harper's Ferry, Juneteenth 2022















(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 18, 2022

It’s The Economy Stupid

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "It's The Economy Stupid."
It is incredible that our leaders, economic advisors, and near endless pundits didn’t see what was surely coming down the road in terms of an overheating economy, inflation, and a spiraling national debt now over $30 trillion and growing. Despite economic signals even visible to the layman, the Fed continued to promise to hold the interest rates near zero “for years” to come. The cheap money and free-wheeling government spending became an avalanche with almost no adult in the room willing to stand up and say, “Stop the money madness! Government handouts are not free!”
Aside from the recklessness with which our economy has been handled, let’s not forget that there is a proxy war going on between the superpowers in Ukraine for the last four months, including a frightening blockade on grain shipments (i.e. food terrorism) to tens of millions of people. Further toward the east, China is upping the ante vowing to “fight until the end” for sovereignty over Taiwan. And in the middle, Iran is dismantling the IAEA nuclear monitoring cameras, adding high-speed centrifuges, increasing uranium enrichment, and threatening Israel and the West. Let’s just say all is not copacetic in the world, while a congressional select committee continue to focus on what happened on January 6, 2021 with the U.S. Capitol riots.

People are not blind, deaf, and dumb to what’s going on with the childish gamesmanship, politics of hate, and plenty of recklessness that is driving much of the national debate and (in)action in the country. 

(Credit Photo: Blink O'fanaya; adapted from https://www.flickr.com/photos/blinkofanaye/14913895723/)

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June 17, 2022

Looks Like Fun

Three-wheelers are not just for babies. 

This one is pretty cool. 

I bet it's fun to drive around town. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 16, 2022

Frozen and Delicious

It's frozen and delicious. 

Packs some oomph!

And the flower tops it off as beautiful.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 14, 2022

USA USA USA

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 


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June 13, 2022

Creamy Cannolis

One, two, three cannolis. 

Pastry delights.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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June 12, 2022

Why I Cry At Circumcisions

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Why I Cry At Circumcisions."
Circumcision reminds me of Abraham, our forefather, who was tested and told to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, to G-d. It is truly counter-intuitive for a parent to hurt or sacrifice their child. Yet, this is exactly how G-d tested Abraham before the angel of G-d told him not to raise his hand to Isaac, and instead Abraham then offered to G-d a ram that was caught in the thicket. However, when it comes to circumcision, we are also tested and actually are commanded to surgically remove the male child’s foreskin and as the baby cries out, every parent, no matter how faithful and religiously devoted, winces and feels deeply inside for their child’s pain, even if it is only momentary and soothed by a sip of kosher Kedem Concord Grape wine.
The rite of the circumcision is an incredible transcendental religious experience, where our very faith is tested and we go against our own physical instincts to protect the child, no matter what, and instead we submit ourselves to G-d Almighty, the Master of the Universe to perform the circumcision, because He told us to. Whether there are medical benefits or not, G-d commands, and we obey. We are His people, and his thoughts and plans are infinitely greater than ours. At the circumcision, in an act of complete faith, we graciously give over our male children and ourselves—in body, mind, and soul to G-d. We renounce our desires, our gratification, our very instincts, and put ourselves in G-d’s merciful hands. In that moment of selfless giving, we fulfill our covenant of generations with G-d and we affirm our holiness as individuals and as a nation.

(Photo Credit: Avital Pinnick; https://www.flickr.com/photos/spindexr/4678468852/)

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