So many months into Covid now, and probably so many more to go unfortunately.
Just missing getting out and down to Florida for a little vacation.
The palm trees. The sun. The beach. A little fun.
This isn’t forever, right?
Hopefully, let’s pray, Covid will be over and we can live again in freedom and without fear of contagion every moment of every day, day, day. 😉
(Credit Photo of artwork: Andy Blumenthal)
So went to Nahariya today near the Labanon border.
Nice shopping strip and gorgeous beach.
Had a nice cappuccino at Cofix.
Got a new modern Kiddish cup for Shabbat and a washing cup for Netilat Yadayim.
Enjoyed the train ride up and back on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea shore.
Had dinner at Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv and marvelled at all the shopping and crowds on a Tuesday.
Real contrast between more sleepy resort town, Nahariya and high-tech, bustling city Tel Aviv. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So great today to be back in the Holy Land of Israel.
Every time we come, we can literally see how the country has matured and built up even more since just the short time before.
Of course, we arrived with a little jet lag but still managed to take a nice walk around the bustling streets of Tel Aviv.
The restaurants, cafes, shops, theaters, and culture here is awesome.
I guess the toughest thing is deciding what we want to do each day, but that is all part of the adventure.
See you tomorrow! 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
After all the work is said and done…
And there is still so much more that I earnestly hope and pray to accomplish with my life.
Perhaps, then, when I am all grown up, I can have some time to be a sun bum too.
Everyone deserves a little fun. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The peaceful life by the water in Florida.
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Thought this was pretty cool…
Panorama of Ocean and Beach.
Made it look the the ocean is in between the beach.
Love the “special effect.”
Feels a little like Moshes who led the Israelites through the (Red) Sea.
Anyway, nice to get away a little and see life through a different lens. 😉
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
In lovely Florida.
Hit the swimming pool.
About to do my laps.
I got my gear and ready to rock and roll.
Please G-d, we’ll spend the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (commemorating when we got the Torah) together here as a family.
What more can I ask.
Happy and grateful. 😉
(Source Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)
I just had to share this photo.
Took this in South Florida this week.
These two guys from Sweden sitting at the pool wearing these Christmas tree hats.
This was just too great to pass up.
As I took the photo, one guy gave me the thumbs up and this was just perfect.
I don’t know about you, but they cheered me up even when it seems that the world is otherwise going crazy–in so many ways.
– Politics
– Divisiveness
– Hate
– Fighting
– Injustices
– Suffering
But at the end of the day, it’s about the people–and G-d gives us the power to do good and make happy (or vice versa).
This one made me happy! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Love coming to Florida.
Not a far flight.
Sun shines bright.
Water is blue.
Birds, fish, and animals like a zoo.
Nature is peaceful.
Shopping is plentiful.
Activities day and night.
Swimming makes me feel right.
Go to the beach.
Eat a peach.
Florida is the place to be.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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)
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