The other day I visited the showroom of a bamboo products' firm named "Kne Kash". It's a spacious place located near a railway station and some other commercial businesses. The structure used to be a barn, one of a series of seven (7) barns with pyramidal roof shape, close to the train area - the Mamgurot (Barns) area.
It was rather dim inside. I suppose the very high concrete ceiling and the special light fixtures, have something to do with it.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
"Kne Kash" - the Bamboo Concept
Sunday, June 19, 2016
From Grexit (almost) to Brexit (perhaps)
The crisis is only partially over, and there are speculative rumours that Greece is considering selling some of its beautiful islands, to cover its debts to the Union and to the IMF (international monetary fund).
And now, the referendum in Great Britain (on 23 june 2016), to decide whether the country stays in or out of the Union, has drawn a lot of attention; especially after the recent tragic event of a young MP being shot dead in the street.
Personally, I'm not much in favor of a union of states or a federation of states. I just don't think it could work. Each state, nation, has its own rhytm of life and cultural tradition. It should be let to live at its own pace and capability. If it wants change, that should come from within, from an inner effort, not from external factors' pressure.
EC headquarters -Place Shumann, Bruxelles
For years, the EU institutions have practically been 'playing God' to bring 28 european nations under a common denominator; a lot of funds have been invested in the econonomically weaker, southern european countries. So far, not very successfully.
Grande Place, Bruxelles
All bad things, both in the life of the individum and in the life of a nation, stem , in my humble opinion, from our attempts to play God (change mentalities, abilities, ways of life of other people) , and from our wrong belief that money ( pouring more and more funds) can achieve it all.
Labels:
debts,
federation,
funds,
Great Britain,
Greece,
referrendum,
union
Friday, June 10, 2016
Of Stores and Scents
Home Center ( as well as other home chains, like Ace) sell , among other things, wall/ wood paints. Even though the cans of paint are tightly sealed, still there's some paint odor in the air. I don't really know why.
paint cans
(Big chains and supermarkets usually have spacious, well air- conditioned stores on the outskirts of the town; smaller, crowded branches in the center of the town).
paint stuff
In other cases ( fashion stores ,book stores etc..) it is the owner that wants a "signature" scent in his shop: citrus, musk, cinnamon, wood, you name it...and he'll diffuse the fragrance through air conditioning vents or some other method.
In the majority of cases, the retailers who have discovered what is known as the fifth sense (smell) use it as a marketing tool to lure in customers, just as they use background music and various smart displays of goods. . That's OK, but the problem is that "one man's aroma is another man's stench" and it could drive customers away.
Anyhow, people who think they are sensitive to smells, might, whenever possible, prefer entering bigger, well ventilated places to smaller, scented places.
Labels:
fifth sense,
fragrance,
Home Center,
merchandise,
paint,
scent,
ventilated
Friday, May 27, 2016
Meron, and the Bonfires of Lag ba' Omer
Rashbi was the author of the Zohar ( brightness, radiance in hebrew), the basic text of the Kabbalah (the mystical dimension of the Torah). On the day of his passing he instructed his disciples to mark the date as a day of great light and joy.
entrance to the tomb (Web picture)
On the eve of Lag ba' Omer,( this year it fell on Wednesday 25 May) it is customary to light bonfires across the country , to commemorate the passing of the talmudic sage, Rashbi, who gave us intense light through his teachings and miracles.
bonfire
giving instructions
Until the last few years, the bonfires were modest: small to medium size. Now they've become bigger, more spectacular. Meat (kebab, steak..) has been added to the menu of the innocent jacket potatoes .
adding wood to fire
interesting view of the synagogue -
seen in the circle around the fire
seen in the circle around the fire
Labels:
bonfire,
firefighters,
jacket potatoes,
kabbala,
Meron,
miracles,
paramedics,
Rashbi,
salvations
Friday, May 13, 2016
Reactor 4, Chernobyl
reactor 4 (web picture)
Last month, on 26 of April, the world marked the 30 years anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986).
"To err is human" - but, it could also be fatal. The above disaster was due to human error. The operators of reactor 4 at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, made some serious mistakes during a safety test - the result of which became known as the worst ever nuclear disaster in history .
Following the explosion within reactor 4 were: release of radiation (much more than that released by the american bomb dropped on Hiroshima), deaths, evacuations, diseases, an exclusion (ghost) zone of 30 km radius around Chernobyl .
According to what has been reported in the media so far, the exclusion zone remains almost uninhabited. There are some 200 elderly living here at their own risk, a group of officials that administrate the zone, and about 3000 people that work in the plant (in rotation shift) to finish the construction of the sarcophagus that is supposed to prevent further radiation leakage. Since 2011, the area is open to short, escorted domestic and international tours.
Nuclear Power and Climate Change, whether combined ( as in the case of Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by earthquake ) or separately, might gradually terminate the world.
I think we can't do much about these two factors, and that's very frustrating, especially as climate is becoming more and more anomalous. What we ordinary people could do, is perhaps, pay more attention to where we live and be aware of / evaluate the dangers of our immediate environment.
Knowing the facts, some people may decide on relocation to a safer place.
Knowing the facts, some people may decide on relocation to a safer place.
Labels:
Chernobyl,
disaster,
exclusion zone,
nuclear,
proximity,
radiation,
reactor,
relocation,
sarcophagus
Friday, April 29, 2016
The Blue Zones
Reaching the age of 100, is a common phenomenon in certain parts of the globe. Among these places, named by researchers 'blue zones', are the islands of Ikaria (Greece), Sardinia (Italy), and Okinawa (Japan); the peninsula of Nikoya (Costa Rica), and the city of Loma Linda (California).
The explorer and writer Dan Buettner is the one who has popularized the term 'blue zones' through his books, articles, and lectures on the above locations.
There's no big secret or mystery behind this phenomenon of living to 100 and beyond. According to geographic and demographic experts - people in the blue zones owe their longevity to some or all of the following conditions: minimum pollution, no food processing, a relaxed way of life , sufficient exposure to sun, family and community support, faith, genetics.
In short, good genes, good habits, good environment, to which I would also add - a bit of good luck.
It seems to me that 'a relaxed way of life' is a tough one for us in the so-called developed world, as we're used to live in a "never a dull moment" scenario, with all sorts of slogans pushing us to "make a difference in the world".
Personally, I must admit that as I advance in age I feel I'm becoming more appreciative of those dull moments, of slowing down to doing almost nothing, of enjoying the small, simple pleasures of life. What I first have in mind is not the possibility of being a centenerian , but rather the prospect of living a life free of pain, dissabilities, and dependence that usually come with old age.
.
Labels:
blue zones,
centenarian,
Dan Buettner,
longevity
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Sister Cities
Until quite recently I had no idea who or what was behind that name. Well, Saint Maur des Fosses is a city in France, not far from Paris, and it happens to be one of my hometown's four 'sister cities'.
poster with the emblem of the french city
.
flowers- close up
Sister cities or Twin towns are bound by a formal agreement between the respective municipalities, to promote educational, cultural, touristic, commercial, and other ties - through all sorts of exchange activities focusing on mutual interests.
It appears the municipality of my hometown (Ramat-Hasharon), has signed such an agreement with two french cities (Dunkirk and Saint- Maur- des- Fosses), a german city (Georgsmarienhutte), and an american city (Tallahassee, the capital of Florida).
Usually, the "sisters" are supposed to be more or less in the same category as far as relevant characteristics are concerned, namely: geographical size, status (urban, rural), population statistics etc.. It's not a rule, but it makes things easier.
The whole concept of sister cities (conceived after the Second World War) sounds nice and beneficial to all sides. The exchange of knowledge and delegations, could open doors to everyone involved, and above all, foster friendship , respect, and understanding between people of different nations.
It should definitely be encouraged.
Does your city/village/region/state have any sister cities?
It should definitely be encouraged.
Does your city/village/region/state have any sister cities?
Monday, April 4, 2016
April , weather, and... more
I like it in April; the cold of the winter is gone, the heat of the summer is not here yet ( except for a day or two of desert-like weather called 'hamsin'). The windows are wide open; no heating/ cooling devices needed (and thus lower electricity bills).
I feel better and happier in the warm weather of April. In winter - cloudiness ,cold, and rain affect my health; these winter elements make it easy for me to catch a cold (which weakens the immunity system), and arouse the dull pain in my lower back (which might cause problems with my knees and legs) .
The declutter process I've started to carry out lately, in anticipation of the upcoming Passover holiday, is spoiling my mood ; not an easy task, for someone like me who gets foolishly attached to things. On top of all, I haven't got yet my latest purchase - the compact home Paper Shredder which is to help me get rid of old paper stuff, safely and elegantly.
Almost three weeks till Passover. This is the time to replace a pot or two in the kitchen with new ones. I like doing this as I believe old pots are a source of toxicity even if they are considered of decent quality.
April is a good month for trips and picnics in blooming and greening Nature. Cameras, road maps, bicycles, etc.. are ready to serve their masters . Caution is required, though, as there are many road accidents at this time of the year.
Labels:
April,
declutter,
family trips,
Nature,
old pots,
paper shredder.,
Passover,
weather
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