Israel 2020: Day 8

So awesome going to the Bahai Gardens today in Haifa, Israel. 


Took the train to Haifa and then a taxi ride up this big hill. 


Got out at the top and not sure what to expect. 


We go through security…


And then we see this completely BREATHTAKING view of the Bahai Gardens along with an amazing view of Haifa, the port, and up and down the Mediterranean Sea. 


The view Extended all the way up to the Crusader Castle in Akko. 


The terraced Bahai Gardens were spectacular.  


I’ve never seen anything like this. 


We walked down the terraces some 700 stairs. 


And along the way were fountains, gardens, and more beautiful landscapes and views. 


This is definitely something to see (thank you Hashem for this opportunity). 😉


(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Where Are We Going

Just thought this was an awesome provoking painting. 


To me, it begs the question of where are we going in our lives. 


The terrestrial landscape combined with the light at the end of the tunnel effect as the sky is provocative and at the same time almost hypnotic. 


It also makes me feel the enormity of the universe versus the smallness of just a man.


I see myself standing on the red hilltop looking into that big sky and wondering about so many things. 


In the end, believing that we don’t have all the answers, but that we are in G-d’s good hands. 😉


(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tree Transplant

Tree Transplant
Getting a little tree transplant in cold, grey Washington, D.C. today. 



Sadly, the new trees, without any leaves, look more dead than alive. 



Sort of funny (-sad) how we pour infinite amounts of concrete and build up our cities, until there is little to no natural green spaces anymore (unless you go get yourself to the neighborhood park or run on weekends to burbs). 



We call in the tree transplant folks to line that narrow strip around our sidewalks with a few trees and we call it a day.



Urban sprawl is leaving us with stoic concrete and steel, but very little natural warmth and beauty. 



A few sad looking sapplings can’t make up for the lush forests and living landscape that we’re destroying. 😉



(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Light Up Your Life


We’ve seen colored light bulbs before…very hippie.



However, I like the Misfit Bolt, which is a multi-colored bulb, whose combinations are controlled by an app on your smartphone or -watch. 



It’s was introduced at the Consumer and Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas this week. 



And it has lighting that simulates landscapes such as a beach sunset, forest, island volcano, rainbow, and more. 



It can also be set as an alarm to wake you up to a simulated sunrise.



At $50, it’s more than a mood ring–how you feeling today, buddy?



But how nice to relax to, wake up with, and to create some pick me up feeling lighting around you. 😉