Blessed Holidays To You!

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is the fourth day of Autumn - September 26, in my corner of blog land; perhaps it is the fourth day of Spring in your corner. Regardless the season, may you be filled with Kevod Yeheveh, the presence of God, King of the Universe, Creator of our world and the world to come!

For those of us who observe the Jewish calendar as a framework for faith practice, Sunday evening, September 29 begins the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, which opens with the Feast of Shofars or Trumpets waking us to God being in our lives and goings on. For ten days we indulge in soul searching, introspection, and recognizing God's presence in our world and lives: nature, personal activities, stresses, accomplishments, etc etc. This is followed by the Day of Covering, Atonement, and then the celebration of God being our security or Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot. This feast period is eight days in length. Then a new Torah cycle begins the following Sabbath!

Here is a closing thought offered by Rabbi Rick Jacobs of the Union for Reform Judaism concerning this next few weeks. It is from 2017, or Jewish year 5778, but still quite relevant.
Beginning in Elul, and with growing in intensity during the upcoming High Holidays and throughout the new year of 5778, may we hear and respond not only to the shofar’s wailing cries, but also those of the countless people, both near and far, who are crying out for healing and for love.

Shalom and Blessed Rosh Hashanah,
David C. Russell
Mellow Rock

Hello Grafted in Reader,

Today is Monday, Sept. 9 in my corner of blog land. Health topics and a writing update are our conversation piece this post.
Have you heard of a device-guided apparatus called Resperate? The US Food and Drug Admin along with the American Heart Association give this and other similar instruments a heads up for its repeated use to lower blood pressure, stress, and doesn't require a prescription or a bottle for pills. The user sets aside about 15 minutes time three to four days a week to do the prescribed breathing exercises. For more info google Resperate or see the Mayo Clinic Housecall Newsletter for Sept. 5, 2019.

Writing and Reading
This past week, I submitted a short story to the website Spillwords.com, and hope they may approve to publish online. I will let you know if this occurs.

I am finishing "The Best American Mysteries, 2010, and then planning to read a biography of former US President, Gerald Ford. The book is titled, "Write It When I'm Gone" by Tom DeFrank.

As the seasons show slow transition here, I hope that things are well with you or will soon be so. Until next visit, Kevod Yeheveh, the presence of Adonai be with us.

Mellow Rock

September Morn and Happy Elul!

Hello Grafted in Readers,

Today is Sept. 3 in my corner of blog land, mostly sunny and mild outdoors. We are in the Jewish Calendar month of Elul, which precedes the High Holiday period and has as its overall theme, God Calling to his children: I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine, is often a phrase attributed to this month. It's a time of taking stock, reflection, and making plans to exercise change in our personal lives. Another practice is a daily reading of Psalm 27. So, on this September morn, I bid us shalom during Elul.

Health News
In brief, these items were noted by myself in the recent past:
- Drink green tea for bloating or heartburn. It contains polyphenols and catechins that likely help the food digestion process.
- A bowl of oatmeal, handful of almonds, can lower the bad cholesterol level. They contain what are known as soluble fibers as do apples, kidney beans and brussel sprouts.
- Battle back high blood pressure with exercise and eating healthier foods.
- Breakfast may aid weight control by providing restorative fuel to our bodies. Energy results when glycogen stores are replenished. This, according to the Mayo Clinic newsletter, Housecall.

Until our next visit, Kevod Yeheveh, the presence of God surround us!

David C. Russell, Author
Mellow Rock