Manny Kagan

Cheers,

Philosophical Lessons

Since there was so much to share about our trip to Alaska, after a short break, I am continuing to report about my daily experiences to you.

This morning started with a typically foggy and cold Alaskan day. Since we arrived in Anchorage seven days ago, it was warm and pleasant when we came on the ship. It was even too hot to stay on the deck during the day. Now it is raining, quite chilly and incredibly beautiful. Because of its relatively small size, our ship can go through narrow fjords. I am awed by the view of cliffs with running water on the steep slopes, and pieces of ice of different sizes and colors floating in the water. I stood on the balcony for a long time seeing and feeling what is impossible to describe in words. As one often sees on a postcard, “Wish you were here”.

The plan this morning was to go on the Zodiacs to see the glaciers up close. However, when we arrived there, it was discovered that there were about thirty baby seals resting on the floating ice. So as not to disturb them, the ship turned around to visit another inlet for different fjords. Since there were no special activities planned for today, it gave me some time to finish reading “Plato and Platypus Walk Into a Bar… Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes” written by Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein. I was not surprised to recognize many of the jokes in the book. As far as philosophy or a play with words to give them meaning, I am very good at this as well. Therefore, I will finish today’s story with an observation from this trip. “While you are on the journey called life – enjoy every moment and laugh at yourself”. If you need assistance, you can order “42 Encounters with Laughter”.

It was challenging to choose three images to convey the special feelings I had. Here are my choices.

Enjoy and Share Love!

Cheers,

Dreams Come True

Actually, it was not our dream; but rather, our desire to see our granddaughter and her parents in Portland, Oregon, which brought us here to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the new year, 5783. Our granddaughter recently turned two, and we have not seen her since last December. We had the opportunity to spend time together and for her to get to know her grandparents and for us to have the joy of her company.

The title of today’s essay actually came from the name of a rose. Within walking distance of their home are four neighborhood rose gardens, and the roses are in bloom. What a delight for the eyes and nose. There are so many names and varieties. There is obviously a good reason why Portland is called The City of Roses. I photograph roses all the time. They grow in front of our house, in our neighborhood, and in the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park. I am fascinated by their beauty and never paid attention to their names. In Portland, I encountered Dreams Come True, Coral Cove, Apricots N’ Cream, Hot Cocoa, Sentimental, Elle and many others.

Online I found the fascinating history of roses, and how the new varieties are constantly developed. Since I am only sharing with you three roses here, you will be able to find more on my new website, thehealingimages.com.

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Cheers,

How to Ask for Forgiveness,
and from Whom

Many years ago as a teenager, I did or said something which upset my mother. I knew that I was wrong, but kept quiet. The next day, my father suggested that I should ask her for forgiveness. “But Mom forgot about it already”, I responded. “Yes”, father said, “but you still carry guilt inside yourself. It does not matter what you think right now, you should still ask for forgiveness.” It took me years to accept my father’s advice, but now I freely admit my faults and shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.

During Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), which falls on Wednesday, October 5^th, during the services in the Synagogue, I am going to read from the prayer book during the whole day, with many prayers asking God for forgiveness. However, before we deal with God, we address our requests for forgiveness to the people in our lives. Therefore, I use this opportunity to ask for your forgiveness for anything I knowingly or unknowingly did or said. Thank you in advance.

After being forgiven, it is a good idea to enjoy bouquets of flowers.

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Cheers,

Happy Birthday!

On Monday evening, September 26, Jews and anyone else who follows the tradition set up in the Torah, are going to celebrate the birthday of the first man – Adam. He turns 5,783 and this day in the Jewish Calendar is called Rosh Hashanah, which translates to “head of the year”.

This holiday is the start of the cycle, which ten days later is followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. And five days after that on the eve of October 9^th, is the start of Sukkot. The holiday cycle ends with Simchat Torah, on October 18^th. On that day, the last chapter of the reading from the Torah scroll is followed by the new one – Bereshit. “At the beginning of God’s creation of the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1)” the old cycle is followed by the new one. From the moment of the Creation of our world (some claim that this actually happened much earlier than 5,783, and the day in the Torah represents an epoch), Jews follow well established traditions.

One of them on Rosh Hashanah, is to eat a slice of an apple, dipped in honey and to wish each other Shana Tovah U’Metukah – A Good and Sweet Year!

I photographed these apples with my camera recently, at my friends’ house in Sebastopol.

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