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UK Photos

Our trip to England for Bethany and Jame’s wedding was great. It was fun visiting the family and the weather was terrific in London. We visited some museums and gardens, went to Billy Elliot and visited Chislehurst Caves.  I might post more details later. There are 50 photos on Flickr here with pithy comments. http://www.flickr.com/photos/42316886@N00/sets/72157629711936847/  

A New Bucket

For Hanukkah, Lillian found and gave me a perfect new bucket for the pond.

One of Maimonides, the medieval Jewish  scholar, most famous ideas was his Eight Levels of Giving.  They are still very germane today.  According to the list the highest level is giving a loan to a person in need and the lowest is “giving unwillingly.”   I’ve reprinted the entire list below.

Rebecca remembered that I wanted a new computer game and got me hooked happily on WarLight.

I was reminded of Maimonides classification system during this years Hanukkah gift giving extravaganza.  A gift has to fill needs of both the giver and the receiver.  Many don’t.  Some gifts are bought on demand, some are given as a duty and some are perfect, filling a need the recipient didn’t know they had.  I decided to write a list of the Eight Levels of Gift Giving.  Originally I had seven levels but Fred R suggested that a list that refers to Hanukkah should have eight.  The first level is most preferable but most gifts are appreciated:

  1. A Gift that the receiver wanted but didn’t expect.
  2. A Gift that creates new opportunities for the recipient.
  3. A Gift that is made or discovered rather than just purchased.
  4. A Gift that is purchased because the giver would like to have it.
  5. A Gift that is purchased because it is easy to buy or generic.
  6. A Gift that is outside the expectations of cost or effort.
  7. A Gift that is specifically requested or clearly needed by the recipient.
  8. A Gift that is purchased by the recipient and labeled as if from the giver.

I loved these kitchen utensils when we saw them in Israel.  Nurit found them and bought me the set.

I was lucky enough to get three gifts from the first level this year.  All of which are used to illustrate the article.

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Tele-Practice

We are going to the UK in March and Lillian and Rebecca got in a few practice calls: Life is Good Happy New Year to one and all

Small Bites Thanksgiving

Last Thursday on Thanksgiving we had a traditional sit down Thanksgiving Dinner with the extended family and it was wonderful.  And then on Saturday we had a non-traditional, gourmet, small bites Thanksgiving celebration courtesy of Lillian and Rebecca. Lillian and Mary Ann It was amazingly good.  I only took a few pictures because I was to busy eating, drinking and grousing about how badly USC was beating UCLA (final 50 – 0). Food The food was super and the small bite part of it made… Read More »Small Bites Thanksgiving

Maryhill Henge

In September I visited Rebecca in Oregon and we took a few great road trips which I have yet to post any pictures from.  But because I have been on a blog henge roll for the past few days I thought I’d post this updated picture from Maryhill Henge in Washington.  We drove out the beautiful Columbia River Valley past Hood River and crossed at this this bridge into Washington and after a short search found the henge.   I had been before (previous post) and… Read More »Maryhill Henge

Haifa

We had dinner with Nurit’s Aunt and her family last night. Excellent time at Uri in Acco.

People in Hats

Lauren S, Simon B, Lillian B and Elizabeth C Looking good in a 1920’s way.  A great photo by Paula B. Which reminds me Nurit and I went to see Midnight in Paris Woody Allen’s new film.  It is about the desire to live in a mythical past.  

Excellent Dinner

We are in Las Vegas to celebrate Lillian’s graduation and we went to dinner at Fleur, Hubert Keller’s small plate restaurant at the Mandalay Bay. Hubert came over the table to congratulate Lillian and her friend Mali on their graduation. Nice touch.

Hag Sameach

Hag Sameach means Happy Passover in transliterated Hebrew. We had our family Passover last night which was a night early but it meant that more people could come so we adjusted.  Passover is all about food and telling the story of the exodus from Egypt.  In our family responsibility for the food is slowly transferring from Nurit’s folks to our children.  Lillian made the salad and entree courses that included a delicious baked fish.  Rebecca made Kosher for Passover Popovers that were a big hit… Read More »Hag Sameach

Happy Passover

We are having our Family Passover Seder tonight.  Which is a day before the official start on Monday at sunset.  But it is the time when we could get the maximum number of family together.  So tonight we will tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, eat the traditional meal, have a few inter-generational misunderstandings and drink four cups of wine.  I will try to draw a parallel between our historic exodus and current migration (Brilliant Details Here).  Nurit’s Matzoh Ball Soup will be… Read More »Happy Passover