Bubala in Baltimore

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Bubala in Baltimore

Fruit of the Dragon

AKA Dragon Fruit. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Fruit of the Dragon

My Vote of Confidence in Bibi

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "My Vote of Confidence in Bibi."

Prime Minister Netanyahu stands out not only for having been the longest serving Prime Minister of Israel (winning six times) and leading for over fifteen years, but for his undying vision and execution of peace through strength. Certainly, I could write of his heroism as an Israeli commando (and that of his dear older brother Yoni, who tragically perished in the Rescue at Entebbe), his miraculous rescue of Israel's finances and remake of the country into a genuine economic success story, and his unflinching determination to prevent a Palestinian terror state next to Israel and to thwart the existential Iranian nuclear threat.

However, I think there is no better expression of Bibi's core love for his people and Israel than that of his own words in his countless genius arguments and eloquent speeches at the United Nations, Congress, and with world leaders in defense of Israel's legitimacy and right to exist and defend itself.

(Photo Adapted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu#/media/File:Benjamin_Netanyahu,_February_2023.jpg)

My Vote of Confidence in Bibi

Her Hair is Rainbow

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue Hair!

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Her Hair is Rainbow

Bathroom Etiquette

Ladies and gentlemen.

Keep this bathroom clean!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bathroom Etiquette

Old Batman Video Game

Even the seat looks like the Batmobile!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Old Batman Video Game

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Floor Full of Flour

That's enough flour for at least a few cakes!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Floor Full of Flour

The Worst Curse

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Worst Curse."

While space is the “final frontier,” Shatner is correct in his fear of the cold and emptiness that extends around countless stars and solar systems, where we have yet to discover any real life other than our own. Even on our own living planet here on Earth, everything for us as individuals is impermanent and can so easily be lost. What we think we’ve built as a fortress of money, power, and prestige can literally be snuffed out in a blink of an eye, and it is beyond our control to stop it except to continue to mend our own flaws and try to do good in life. In truth, we need to be constantly grateful for everything that we have and for as long as we have it, because in life, there are no guarantees of what is to come.

(Credit Photo: Kindel Media via https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elderly-man-behind-the-glass-window-8172602/)

The Worst Curse

Medicine 4 The Masses

Lots of meds here for everyone. 

What I want to know is what are in the 3 BIG vials at the top (in blue, green, and orange)?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Medicine 4 The Masses

Sell Your Home, Go On Your Phone

It's almost like she's apart of the sign. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sell Your Home, Go On Your Phone

Coffee Time

(Credit Photo… Andy Blumenthal)

Coffee Time

Rising To Great Heights

When we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us...

We can truly reach great heights!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Rebecca and Itzchak)

Rising To Great Heights

How the Sausage Gets Made

Well they're not making sausage, but you get the idea. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

How the Sausage Gets Made

Stopping China's Spy Balloon

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Stopping China's Spy Balloon."

Unfortunately, the longer we gazed up at the sky, procrastinated, and let this Chinese surveillance craft collect and send important information to China, the worse it was for our global reputation, vital national security, deterrence for future military engagement, and priceless sovereignty and freedom. That balloon should have been found, shot down, and caught in real time off the Alaskan coast, not days later after traversing our country and so near our capital. This has been a national embarrassment and has presumably damaged vital global security interests.

(https://static.timesofisrael.com/blogs/uploads/2023/02/Balloon.jpeg)

Stopping China's Spy Balloon

Healthy Avocado Toast

Wow this avocado toast was an amazing breakfast! 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Healthy Avocado Toast

Indian Sunshine

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Indian Sunshine

Fat Boy Pantry and Truck

It's a sandwich shop and a pickup truck!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Rebecca and Itzchak)

Fat Boy Pantry and Truck

Getting Ready 4 Valentine's Day

"Come n Get Your Love"

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Getting Ready 4 Valentine's Day

Focusing on Ukraine and Missing Iran

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Focusing on Ukraine, and Missing Iran."

While Russia continues to try and put the squeeze on Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO have committed to making them pay an enormous price in blood and treasure. While most of the world’s attention appears to be focused on Ukraine, Iran is quietly stockpiling nuclear weapons and preparing terrorist agents to attack—you know who. But thankfully, Israel and the U.S. can “walk and chew gum at the same time,” and Iran is not going unnoticed and, I would venture to say, will not go unpunished.

(Source Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/battle-black-blur-board-game-260024/)

Focusing on Ukraine and Missing Iran

Choo Choo

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Choo Choo

Kung Fu Tea

Water - Blue

Green Tea - Green

Black Tea - Red with black in center

Oolong Tea - Yellow (from Camellia sinensis plant which has yellow in the center)

Color makes it taste better!

Hey, it sort of makes sense. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Kung Fu Tea

Squishable Sunflower

 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Squishable Sunflower

Lots of Fries

Four Jumbo Fries. 

Barely fits on the tray.

And that was on top of the pizza that I saw the people eat!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lots of Fries

Lights, Camera, Action

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lights, Camera, Action

NYC Bathroom

(Credit Photos: Dannielle Blumenthal)

NYC Bathroom

Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Ten 'Points to Ponder'."

My dear father, Fred Blumenthal (ZT”L), like many from his generation, used to read Reader’s Digest. I remember that there was a section called “Points to Ponder,” which I thought was a good title for things that can have a deeper and more profound meaning in our lives. So in this vein, I’d like to share a variety of thoughts that may give you pause to ponder as well.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

Three Yellow Chairs

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Three Yellow Chairs

Alligator Alley

(Credit Photo: Rebecca and Itzchak)

Alligator Alley

Refreshing Clean Pink Soap

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Refreshing Clean Pink Soap

Yolk is the King of Mayo

 

Is that a funny yoke?

(Credit Photo: Rebecca and Itzchak)

Yolk is the King of Mayo

The Geico Geeko

Meet the supersized Geico Geeko.

Of course what does he say:

15 minutes could save you 15% on your car insurance

Every Geeko is a ham. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Geico Geeko

Esrog Liquor

 

Esrog after Sukkot is a beautiful flavoring for alcohol. 

Compliments of Itzchak. 

Yum yum! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Esrog Liquor

The Biggest Liar in America

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Biggest Liar in America."

Who is the biggest liar in America today? You’d be hard-pressed not to answer US House Representative George Santos (R-NY). Although some would say, “What a perfect politician he makes!”

In the end, George Santos is perhaps an excellent “representative” for Congress in that he fits right into the political, news, and business culture that we live in, where lies are the norm and the truth is something to search for like a needle in a haystack. If you can find any, I’d like to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.

(Credit Photo: Chris Short adapted via https://flic.kr/p/kedqv)

The Biggest Liar in America

Face Bag

Catches you attention, right?

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Face Bag

Winter Lights

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Winter Lights

Once In a Blue Moon

A blue moon. 

It actually happened! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Once In a Blue Moon

Good Looking Fire Hydrant

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Good Looking Fire Hydrant

This Smells a Little Fishy

When you have a fish in your front yard. 

And something smells a little fishy about it.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

This Smells a Little Fishy

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Pop Culture Just Doesn't 'Get' Us."

Of course, when Jews are hypocrites, act holier than thou, or do bad things, they give the rest of us a bad name, and this can breed not only confusion about Jews but also, in the extreme, hate and anti-Semitism. One Chabad Rabbi said today that the Rebbe hardly ever used the word anti-Semitism or spoke of it; instead, he focused on the idea that Jews should do good and perform acts of G-dliness and righteousness in the world.

I believe we can all agree that Jews behave differently; sometimes they do good, sometimes they don't, but regardless, we're a little bit of a mystery to many non-Jews, which is sometimes shrouded in a large dose of fiction and conspiracy. For many, I put it this way: they still can't understand why the fiddler was ever playing on the roof to begin with.

(Credit Photo: ericbarns via https://pixabay.com/photos/dancing-clubbing-dancers-nightclub-206740/)

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Big Swimming Smile

Eyes are from the swimming dumbbells.

Nose is the swim board.

Mouth is the swim noodle. 

That's a really great big swim smile!

(Credit Photo: Rebecca)

Big Swimming Smile

Fish Boxes

What's the catch of the day?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Fish Boxes

Nice Falafel Plate

You got your Israeli Salad.

You got your Hummus and Tehina. 

You got your Fries. 

And you got your Falafel. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Nice Falafel Plate

Butterfly Shirt

Fly, fly, butterfly. 

Natural, colorful, down-to-earth fashion.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Butterfly Shirt

@Museum of Natural History

That's the famous elephant in the rotunda.

And it 63 degrees in Washington, D.C. today.

That's global warming. 

Happy New Year 2023! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Museum of Natural History

Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here."

The terrorist Iranian regime is a mutual threat to both Israel and the United States. They should not be afraid to defend humanity from Iran’s irrational hatred and hostility.

When I watched the video of the IDF in this blog, I felt great pride in the courage and incredible progress that Israel, the Jewish State, has continued to make in building up its security capabilities. Israel’s miraculous success is based on faith, along with creativity, determination, and audacity.

Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here

When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction."

Let’s face it, even for those in society who are proponents of pornography, not everyone would admit it if they had an addiction like that. A porn addiction invokes all sorts of social fears and anxieties about “perverts, rapists, and sexual offenders.” In fact, in a Youtube video, The Blessing of Porn Addiction, featuring Beny Schonfeld, as he walks into a recovery meeting, he describes fearing the other people he will meet there and asks, “Is that who I am?”

People in our communities are going through all sorts of problems and addictions. Beny’s message is not to suffer in silence: “If you feel ashamed about what you’re doing, speak up and ask for help.”

(Credit Photo by Charcoal Soul via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/7ZxCPG)

When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction

Beautiful Fruit Salad

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Fruit Salad

Kissing Pliers

That's handy this tool. 

When you squeeze the pliers closed, the man and woman embrace. 

Pucker up!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Kissing Pliers