Samarrahs Bat Mitzvah

Howdy all,

Our daughter Samarrah had her Bat Mitzvah this past Friday, along with 25 other fellow classmates who studied Hebrew and other things Jewish ...traditions, Torah....etc.
Through a group funded by Birthright Israel.

It was a very nice evening....with 25 young adults telling their stories...of why they were not bar or bat mitzvahed at age 13....and why they have decided they wanted to do this now....
It was great to hear all the different stories...but one thing seemed constant amongst all....they felt that now .....they appreciate what this means more than what it would have as a 13 year old...".its not about the party or the presents",
as one of the students said....
now at this stage in their life...
Its about community, tradition, and heritage.
Its about making the choice to..
connect to their roots.
Their Jewishness....


Samarrah wrote a beautiful poem....you can hear that on the video....
enjoy....



click on this link to read the interpreted lyrics to So Far by HaBanot Nechama

NYC walking ,birding, eating, and Spamalot

Howdy all,

We had a really great day yesterday....in my opinion, the best that NYC has to offer...
Central Park birding...eating and a really terrific show.

We wanted to take a walk in Central Park and happened upon many birders in the Ramble area....all staring at a Chuck Wills widow...a rare bird here.

We didn't have our binoculars but the birds that we saw were all down low. Canada Warbler, Ovenbird, Black throated blue warbler, Common Yellow throat, Wilson's Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Verey, Wood thrush, Catbirds, Robins, Cardinals and a few others. Boy did we wish we had our Binos.
We left the birdy area and headed back into town for dinner before our 8pm show.
Dinner was sooooo yummy.....We went to Blossom. Jeff, Samarrah and I all ordered the same entree. Sietan cutlets encrusted with rosemary and nuts pan fried with a garlic cream sauce and cranberries, served with whipped cauliflower and sauteed spinach with garlic. Desert was the most wonderful tofu cheesecake I have had, with a strawberry sauce.
I cant tell u how delicious it was...I am dreaming about it now....it is not an inexpensive restaurant. I think our entrees were 21 dollars each, well worth it for a special treat.

We topped of the night by seeing Spamalot.....it was excellent...hysterical and just plan fun.
Go see it if you get a chance....
I cryed because it was just soooo good.
What a fun day.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens more photos and a video

by dawnjeffprodigynet

click on the picture to go to the full album

More photos of our walk in the gardens.....I forgot to mention that this is prime migration time for birds and without our binoculars we saw alot of great birds.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Howdy all,
Jeff, Samarrah and I had a Lovely day at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens....
the weather was perfect...warm and sunny. The gardens were in full spring bloom...the smell of the wisteria and lilacs was so wonderful....
It was a pleasant relaxing day in the city...
I will add more pictures and a video if i have time tomorrow...

Liberty Harbor rv park and Sams condo

Howdy,
Above is a map of Sams new neighborhood...she lives in Brooklyn Heights not far from the Brooklyn bridge and the harbor. We visited for a few days, staying at the RV park in new jersey, which is only 7 miles from Sam in Brooklyn, so...6 dollars to go thru the Holland tunnel a day and 60 for the RV park...and of course trying all the yummy restaurants around sams home and in the city....well, it is the most expensive place we stay while traveling....but considering we are staying so close to the city, have a great view from the Homey it is a bargain. And of course we have a great location for visiting Samarrah. We had a wonderful time with her, checking out her new home and neighbor hood....and we worked quite hard painting and shopping trying to make her condo look nice and organized....more needs to be done.

We are now in Ct. and will be here another week before heading to mass.

Samarrahs Birthday Today

Today is Samarrahs 27th Birthday...

Happy Birthday Samarrah!

We Love YOU....