Hiking the Appalachian Trail, oh so glorious.
The only photo not shown is the large snake we ran into on the rocks on the side of the path.
My wife screamed:
“S-n-a-k-e!”
And we were running for the hills in this direction and that.
We had no idea where she was pointing to.
It was pretty hilarious.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This was a cute cartoon that “Anastasia The Lifeguard” doodled of me swimming.
She captured me doing my laps.
Enjoying the sunshine.
Breathing in the fresh air.
Appreciating the beautiful flowers.
Loving the pool and water.
Thank you so much for this great picture!
(Source Cartoon: the Talented Anastasia)
So I used to hear from my wife about when she was young and went to the bungalow colony in the Catskill Mountains.
And today, I heard from a wonderful young Ukrainian woman whose family does the equivalent in the mountains there in the summer.
When I listen to the stories, it sounds so good to get away with your family and friends for the summer to the countryside.
Just live simply in a cabin, stay up late by the campfire singing songs, get up lazily in the morning, and during the day play sports, go fishing, and swim in the lake.
I can’t imagine talking 3 months a year and actually being able to do this…so natural, so carefree, so back to living!
Yes as kids, we went to camp, but it’s not the same as living communally like this in such freedom and fun.
Honestly, listening to the stories about this, left me amazingly jealous!
Perhaps, it’s a lesson about life these days…we’re adults, we’re responsible, we have to earn a living and take care of the bills and all of life’s responsibilities.
But maybe, just maybe, there is something–a lot–to be said for letting loose a little, and just being with your loved ones, and living, really living again.
Why do we have to wait until we’re old…too old to work anymore…and maybe too old to appreciate life as life was meant to be.
We can’t run from our responsibilities but isn’t it worth looking for ways in life to enjoy more than a long weekend or a week vacation.
Life is too short to let it get away from us.
Balancing the contributions of our hard labor with the enjoyment of family, friends, and fun…those are the memories that last a lifetime and beyond.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I never saw square trees until I visited Palm Beach, Florida.
What’s the saying:
“It’s hip to be square!”
I definitely had to take a doubletake when I saw these.
Wherever we were going, I was gonna stop and get a photo of this.
These trees are almost as if they are from another planet.
What planet would have square trees?
Hope you enjoy it.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Just wanted to take today to express my undying love for Cherry Blossoms.
How unbelievably magnificent they are.
Pink pedals blossoming and beautiful.
G-d’s creations in nature that make us in awe of his majesty.
It is almost too gorgeous to be real.
To look up at these is more beautiful than I can possibly have words for.
Thank you G-d for giving these to us every Spring season.
It is truly something to look forward to each year and that which nourishes our souls with a complete array of sensory joy. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
