Cheers,
Money Solutions
Friday’s with Manny
Reflections
Though December 31st is just another day in the calendar, people have new expectations for the new year with the anticipation of a better life. For me, it is going to be a year of noticeable dates.
On January 13th, I am going to turn 75 years young. On August 8th, Elfa and I and our family will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. It is also 20 years since I had my last drink of alcohol (I quit for a spiritual reason). September is going to be 37 years since we started Pacific Bay Financial. And December 29th marks 50 years since we left Riga, Latvia. I can also squeeze into the list our first trip abroad in April (I keep my fingers crossed). Also in the list — my next and fourth Encounters photostory book, “42 Encounters with Love”, which is my first poetry-photo book, as well as my book, “Fridays with Manny 2021”. And since conforming limits of mortgages went up and interest rates will probably stay low, I am going to be very busy, helping many of my clients. I am going to continue to send out my weekly essays and photo images, I hope you will enjoy them.
The three images of beautiful bouquets are to remind you about the beauty of the new year.
Enjoy and Share!
Make 2022 A Great Year!
Friday’s with Manny
Who Was Santa Claus?
When I was growing up in Riga, Latvia, we celebrated the New Year by decorating a Yolka, a fir tree. We also had the white bearded Grandpa Frost, dressed in a Red Coat, who delivered gifts to children.
When we came to San Francisco in 1980, we discovered that a Yolka is called a Christmas tree, and Grandpa Frost is Santa Claus. There are a lot of interesting traditions connected with both. Though fir trees were used to celebrate pagan winter festivals, one of the first documented use of a tree at Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations was in Riga, Latvia in 1510. In the third century in Turkey, Santa Claus was known as Nicholas, who used his inherited wealth to help children. Later on, he became known as St. Nicholas. When Dutch settlers came to New York, they brought with them the tradition to celebrate the anniversary of Nicholas’ death. They nicknamed him Sinter Klaas, which eventually became known as Santa Claus. The custom of gift giving passed on down from St. Nicholas’ generosity, only to be picked up in the beginning of the nineteenth century by stores advertising shopping for Christmas. As we know, this tradition continues today.
The three images of Santa Claus are my gift to you. If you are looking for a special gift to give to others – give love. One of the forms can appear in my new poetry-photo book “42 Encounters with Love”.
Happy Holidays!
Enjoy and Share!
Money Solutions
Cheers,
Friday’s with Manny
Aloha from Kauai
In Hawaii, one is greeted with “Aloha”, which means “with love”. It is the only language I am aware of that greets someone with love. We just returned from a ten day vacation to Kauai. Though I have been in Hawaii many times, this was the first time I learned the true meaning of the word Aloha.
A stands for AKAHAI, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness.
L stands for LOKAHI, meaning unit, to be expressed with harmony.
O stands for ‘OLU’OLU, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness.
H stands for HA’AHA’A, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty.
A stands for AHONUI, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
I learned it from Pilahi Paki, a Hawaiian poet, philosopher, linguist, educator, spiritual guide, songwriter, and author.
The national flower of Hawaii is a hibiscus. At one time they were considered endangered; however, today there are over thirty new species. I am sharing with you three samples of the flowers.
Love is one of my favorite words, this is why I just published my new poetry-photo book “42 Encounters with Love”, which is going to be available in January. Available for pre-order on Monday!
Share it with a Friend!
Aloha!
Money Solutions
Cheers,
Friday’s with Manny
Aloha from Kauai
In Hawaii, one is greeted with “Aloha”, which means “with love”. It is the only language I am aware of that greets someone with love. We just returned from a ten day vacation to Kauai. Though I have been in Hawaii many times, this was the first time I learned the true meaning of the word Aloha.
A stands for AKAHAI, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness.
L stands for LOKAHI, meaning unit, to be expressed with harmony.
O stands for ‘OLU’OLU, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness.
H stands for HA’AHA’A, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty.
A stands for AHONUI, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
I learned it from Pilahi Paki, a Hawaiian poet, philosopher, linguist, educator, spiritual guide, songwriter, and author.
The national flower of Hawaii is a hibiscus. At one time they were considered endangered; however, today there are over thirty new species. I am sharing with you three samples of the flowers.
Love is one of my favorite words, this is why I just published my new poetry-photo book “42 Encounters with Love”, which is going to be available in January. Available for pre-order on Monday!
Share it with a Friend!
Aloha!
Money Solutions
Cheers,
Friday’s with Manny
Traveling Companion
Many people love to travel. The question is, what do you do if you have a dog as part of your family? Well, there are number of options. One of them is to take your dog along and to stay in a dog friendly hotel, like “La Quinta Inn & Suites”. I received an e-mail with their friendly invitation:
“Dogs are welcome in this Hotel. We never had a dog that smoked in bed and set fire to the blankets. We never had a dog that stole our towels and played TV too loud, or had a noisy fight with his travelling companion. We never had a dog that got drunk or broke up the furniture… So, if your dog can vouch for you, you’re welcome too. -The Management”
As you are reading this essay, we are resting in Kawaii. During our journey, I often encounter people who travel with their companions. You can see more images of people and their dogs in “42 Encounters with Dog Lovers”.
Enjoy and Share!
Money Solutions
Cheers,