Corona Lock-down Boredom, Try Reading Blogs

Most of the modern world is suffering severe boredom, since we're in corona lock-down. Try reading blogs. There are still many bloggers like myself who post new material on independent blogs. You have nothing to lose. It's free.

I've been blogging for over twenty years. At one point there was quite a large community of Jewish and Israeli bloggers. We used to have regular blog carnivals, each with a different topic, general, kosher cooking and pictures. Then they faded away. I'm still in touch with some of those bloggers and others I met through blogging.

Some of the most successful bloggers have stopped blogging completely. Others, like myself still enjoy the medium. We get to write and "publish" what we like, when we want. I used to blog "religiously," daily on each of my blogs. Now I blog less.

Every once in a while I blog a round-up of blog posts from various blogs. My custom is just to give you the title without even a hint as to what blog it appears on. Today seems like a good time to offer you some blogs. Reading blogs is a nice way to travel and meet new people, or see old friends.

I'd like to make it clear that I'm not responsible for the opinions of other bloggers included in this round-up.

If there's a blog you'd recommend, please let me know in the comments, thanks. Enjoy, and let me know which is your favorite.

#blogExodus day 4: RISE
Travels With Sushi, A Fable, Genre: Harry Potter
Bnei Braq Corona Drive-Thru
Liberman's now irrelevant
“Because of me, this great storm.”
The Death of Daas Torah
What Did Yitro Hear? Who's Today's Yitro?
Zoom, Skype and Coping in the Corona Lock-down
Jerusalem Living with COVID-19
The Five Crisis Management Languages
Rebooting my Faith
Haiku With Morning Coffee on Facebook
Don’t Panic, Pt. 4: Life in Lockdown
The Irgun and MP John Platts-Mills

Don't forget to read, comment and share. Enjoy, of course, too.

Mid-August Blog Carnival

If you're home hiding from the heat, or just tired of all the usual summer reading, try some blogs. They're free and certainly varied enough not to bore you. Curl up on your couch, or pull up a chair, swing on a hammock, stay busy on the bus, train, plane or bed. Wherever you're sitting or lying down enjoy reading some blog posts.

As my norm, I'm just listing titles. Read, comment, share and tell me which is your favorite. If you have any blogs to recommend, don't be shy. I'm always interested in adding to my blog rolls.

Please remember that I'm not responsible for the content of blog posts, other than my own.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Optimistic People
Dancing Through Life
The Lost Kitchen, A Book Review
Finding Valuable History under Jerusalem Streets
Time for Rabbi Lau to Dig Up Momma
I Can’t Be Antisemitic Because My Conspiracy Theories Paint Jews As Super-Smart (satire-maybe)
August beer festivals
Memories, Soviet Aliyah to Shiloh
10 reasons why it is easy to be a vegan in Israel
Easy Filling Vegetable Lentil Soup
Getting Carried Away
The Writings of Ahava Emunah Lange: Happy New Year
Chodesh Ellul Tov, 5779, September 1, 2019
The Solution to BDS and Growing Antisemitism is Counter-Intuitive
STEVE KRAMER – GLAD YOU’RE NOT COMING
Lieberman signs a vote-sharing deal with Gantz and Lapid's party
A Matter of Origin
Dance Festival Flyer 1964

Which was your favorite? Tell me which and why in the comments, thanks.

Should I "Thin" My Blogrolls?

 

If you look on the left sidebar of this blog, you'll see I have a blogroll, which I call "INTERESTING BLOGS." Over the years, from the time Jewish and Israeli bloggers considered ourselves a community, I've added to this list. And not only do I just collect, but I "visit" and comment on other blogs. I also write up "blog roundups," which are posts that feature posts by other bloggers. My most recent was here, but I usually host in on Shiloh Musings, my other blog.

For many years there was a weekly Jewish/Israeli blog roundup called Havel Havelim, plus the monthly Kosher Cooking Carnival and JPIX, but they've all faded away. My blogrolls have blogs that haven't had a new post for years. Since I set them both up to feature "newest post first," you can see the old blogs on the bottom of the list. Some of these blogs were extraordinarily good. There are some bloggers who blog on rare occasions, every few weeks or months, according to unschedulable whims. Even I've cut down an awful lot, frm daily on both blogs to a few times a week, according to what seems worth writing.

I'd like your input if possible. Could you please look at the blogrolls on both my blogs and let me know which of those "dead" blogs aren't worth keeping, and which ones are worth reading, even though the posts are very old.

Thank you for the help.

Blog Visiting, A Roundup From Blogs All Over

Once upon a time there was Havel Havelim, a weekly roundup of blog posts about Israel and Judaism. I met a lot of amazing people through it, some in person and some just online. Now a few of those people still blog, less frequently, and some I'm facebook friends with and others on instagram. And I even have real life f2f friends I first met via blogging.

In the heyday of blogging, there had been a real community spirit, but now it's different. It is what it is.

Still I think that there are some great blogs out there, and I'll now post a number of blog post titles linked to the blog. I hope you make the time to click, read, comment and even share. Yes, share on your blog if you're a blogger, or facebook or twitter or just send on whatsapp or email. It's a new world out there. Sorry, but in these roundups I don't include "blogs" that are on news sites, just independent blogs. If you have any to recommend, please add them to the comments here. Both my blogs, this and Shiloh Musings have blog rolls, listings of blogs I look at, or looked at when they were "live."

All opinions in included posts are those of the bloggers, not necessarily mine. Enjoy:

4 Treasures in Northern Israel
Homemade Challah, Yes, Passover's Over
Tame the body, unleash the soul (Kedoshim)
Heroism, Gevurah גבורה Yom HaZikaron LiShoah UliGevurah
Shma Yisrael
Two examples of NYT apathy during the Holocaust
Cartoonist Antonio Moreira Antunes Claims Antisemitic Allegations Come From “The Jewish Propaganda Machine”
Holocaust
And We Remember.....
Visiting an Old Age Home in Jerusalem
Bread of Affliction
Redemption, Exodus: Would You have been One of the One Fifth 1/5?
Nefesh b'Nefesh: How helpful are they AFTER you make aliyah?
The Post-1967 Origin of "Judea and Samaria"
Stand Up to the Bullies

Shabbat Shalom Umevorach,

May You have a Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat

Blogging Isn't Dead

My Desk-"Multi-Tasking" 52Frames weekly photography challenge

Bloggers, am I the only one who has noticed a downward trend in page/post views? I wonder if it's personal, or maybe the anti-spam check has kept the fake views down...

I do blog a bit less than previously. No longer do I skirt the OCD daily posting on both blogs, even when it's done by writing in advance and setting up the post to be published on a future date. Now I blog less frequently and rarely on both blogs, this one and Shiloh Musings, on the same day.

Blogs for me are the ones we publish on our own "sites," not when using the "blog" option on conventional mainstream news sites. That's another genre completely.

Havel Havelim

Over a decade ago, bloggers from all over the world developed a community, visiting, commenting and even promoting each other's blogs in a few different "blog carnivals." There were some Jewish ones which I was involved in, and I'm still friendly with other bloggers I met through these "carnivals." Havel Havelim was the biggest of all and continued for many years. I still use the name when posting blog "roundups."

Very few of the blogs from way back when are still active, but there are some interesting, well-written blogs. Here are a few posts for your reading pleasure. Please read, comment and share. And if there are some blogs you'd like to recommend, then list them in the comments here with full links, thanks.

Listed below are titles of blog posts about Israel and Jewish topics from a variety of blogs. Click to read and enjoy.

Gala World Betar Reunion
Thank You
An Idolater Complains
Israel: Where We All Have Something to Give
Four Generations
Attractive, Easy to Make Healthy Shabbat or Anytime Food
The Unthinkable is Happening in The USA
Amazing New Poll Exposes that Israelis Are Vastly Against the Two-State Solution
Finally, Farewell to Tsipi Livni, Failed Politician
Purim, Two Weeks After Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet
A Lion taking care of kitties
Has the Peace Process ‘Prevented Palestine’? Joel Singer vs. Seth Anziska
Hurry to The Israel Museum Before Israeli Fashion Exhibit Closes

Enjoy, and keep on visiting and commenting on blogs.

#morningcoffeehaiku Continues

In recent months, I no longer blog daily, though I still blog very frequently. For quite a few years I was blogging daily on both of my blogs, except for Jewish Holidays that lasted more than a day. I can say that, because on the "regular" calendar, there'd be a new post each day, even though nothing was blogged on "Jewish day" which doesn't overlap. Jewish days start at nightfall and end at dusk. Even when I wasn't near a computer, I'd preblog, having the publication timed for the next day, sometimes even more. I did that both on this blog and Shiloh Musings.

I don't remember when or why I started my #morningcoffeehaiku routine, but besides Shabbat, Jewish holidays and fast days I update it on facebook daily. I can easily do it from my phone, too, so I don't need a computer. Besides the simple 5-7-5 haiku, I post a picture of my coffee and sometimes the morning sky.

Following are a few recent ones.

super full day planned
tomorrow busier too
winter sunshine cheers
#morningcoffeehaiku

thankful for the rain
cleanses, hydrates, gives us life
need for coffee, too
#morningcoffeehaiku

grey winter morning
coffee, hot, strong and cheery
many plans today
#morningcoffeehaiku

In Jerusalem
After night living it up
Exagerating
#morningcoffeehaiku

perfect sunrise view
blends perfectly with coffee
wonderful day all
#morningcoffeehaiku

warm winter morning
must decide how to fill day
shop for Chanuka?
#morningcoffeehaiku

bright winter morning
planning wash, mosaics, plus
enjoying Gd's gifts
#morningcoffeehaiku

sky prettier from south
What happened to the sunrise?
coffee's still perfect
#morningcoffeehaiku

only in Israel 
hot war, theatre and coffee
may Gd protect us
#morningcoffeehaiku

sunshine broke through clouds
heralding amazing day
coffee cup-by-cup
#morningcoffeehaiku

very early morn
traveling to do errands
no sign of the sun
#morningcoffeehaiku

Coffee company
Nice Jerusalem morning
Family visit
#morningcoffeehaiku

mysterious sky
won't tell us if it will rain
coffee's always good
#morningcoffeehaiku

strong coffee needed
woke up feeling very tired
not rested at all
#morningcoffeehaiku

Coffee so welcome
Energizes completely
Blessings, good health, all
#morningcoffeehaiku

freezing cold morning
hot coffee and golden sunrise
winter has begun
#morningcoffeehaiku

"Rescuing" Old Blogs

The other day I got a phone call from a total stranger. He said that his name had been mentioned on a blog post of mine, and he wanted his name removed. I said:

"No problem."

But then when he told me which blog, I explained that it hasn't been active for years, and I don't even know how to get into it. It had been controlled by an email/gmail name/account no longer in use. When he called, I wasn't home, and it seemed pretty impossible to access it from my phone. It would be near impossible from the computer.  I promised to try once home.

I asked him to send me the link to the post, which he did. I looked at the post and messaged him that I hadn't meant any harm. He was understanding, but really didn't want his name there.

Of course, it was pretty surprising to me that he discovered my cell phone number. I didn't ask him how he did it. It isn't all that secret. In the days when we only had landlines, most people allowed their phone numbers to be easily/publicly listed.

Once I got home, I emailed myself the link to the blog post and took on the challenge. I was pretty determined to figure out how to fix the problem, get into my old blog, because over the years I've heard of writers/bloggers/publishers/site-owners being sued for unauthorized use of pictures, names etc.

I finally discovered the email address which had been controlling/accessing it. The next challenge was to sign into the account. After a couple of wrong turns, I found out that my yahoo email was listed for such emergencies, and the yahoo is kept open on the computer. After that it was relatively easy to sign in, find the blog post, edit out the person's name. And then I hit another snafu. When I signed out of the account I somehow signed out of this one, too. Grrr. Of course, since I no longer sign in and out daily, I never remember the password. Then phone was used for sign in verification. Only after that did I realize that I should have added this email to the old blogs as writer/contributor/administrator.

What old blogs? You're probably wondering...

The Muse's Pics
Blog Free!

What do you think of them? As history, of course. No, I have absolutely no intention of adding to my blogging.

I'm relieved that I succeeded relatively easily. Why do people say that only kids manage well on the internet?

NEVER TOO OLD!

Wonderful Week שבוע טוב Blogging Less

I wish you all a Wonderful Week שבוע טוב

Thank Gd I have another wonderful busy week planned, and I will probably blog a bit less than usual. All good, B"H, thank Gd. I may just send off picture posts with a bit of writing. I hope nobody minds, or actually I hope you do. I hope you miss my posts.

Enjoy in good health all there is.

Blogging isn't Dead

This morning, while drinking my coffee, I decided to start my week with a blog carnival, a roundup of blog posts from all over the Jewish blogging world. OK, the vast majority are Israeli blogs and bloggers, but there's definitely a wide range of topics and even opinions, IMHO.

I've been blogging for well over a decade. My husband and I are among the most veteran of that genre. Blogging offers us a welcome and open forum to voice our opinions and not be dependent on the whims and agendas of others. I've mentored a number of bloggers, too. One great thing about blogging is:

It's free! The only cost is your time.

Today, there are so many free options for blogging, so that if the idea appeals to you, it won't cost you money, not a cent, not an agora, not a single pence etc.

Click ↓:

What's New in The Blogging World

Please check out the various posts, and be sure to comment if you have something to say. And if you'd like to recommend other blogs, please give me the information in the comments, thanks.

The Ladies Blog

In honor of the fact that my friend Sharon Katz has opened/begun a new blog, I've decided to post a round-up of blogs. They are all "owned" by Jewish women mostly in Israel, and many of the bloggers are actually personal friends of mine. Each of these blogs is profoundly different. They reflect on the different personalities of the bloggers and what purpose the blogger has for blogging.

Some blogs, like my own, are updated daily or a few times a week. Other bloggers blog once a week or even less frequently. Generally blogs are begun with great expectations, which sometimes fizzle out pretty quickly. I must say that some of my most favorite blogs have died a gentle death and haven't been updated for a year or more. I miss them.

In this little blog round-up, I'll list titles of posts from the past week or so. Please click them to access and read them. Comments are always appreciated by bloggers.

Enjoy, and please "share" this post so that others can get to know the bloggers. Honestly, I don't consider blogging to be a dying genre of social media. And just to remind you that I'm not responsible for the content of other blogs.

Yes, This STAGE of Life
What Happened to our Prayers?
About My Not Posting
Come, Children, Sing Shema' Yisrael!
Second Best
Are you ever too old to make aliyah?
NOT Giving Up Is Painful Too...
“AFTER THE HOLIDAYS(ACHAREI HACHAGIM)”-BACK TO ROUTINE????
Oops, I did it again.
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Vegetables
By Light of Hidden Candles - a review
Memories are a Wonderful Gift......
Paleo Vegan Almond Flour Biscotti Recipe
Food Recall! (Israel) (Salmon and Herring)
Condolences and Prayers for the Victims of More Violence
Jerusalem Biennale: Unusual Museum & Arts

I'm not quite sure why, but I didn't include my own blogs in this roundup. I trust that you're familiar with them already.

If you'd like me to post more roundups like this on, please let me know. And if you want to recommend a blog, please send the link in a comment. Thank you

A New Israeli "News" Site

I guess you know that I've been blogging for years and am among the few who has been consistent at it for well over a decade. Besides my two "independent" blogs, my posts/articles appear on Arutz 7 and the Jewish Press. There was a time I also blogged on the Jerusalem Post, but it just didn't seem worth my while. I don't think that anyone ever commented or read my posts. I was also one of the very first to blog on Times of Israel, but I left them because of their chutzpadik demands.

Since I don't get paid for blogging, I generally just write on this blog and Shiloh Musings and then copy some posts to Arutz 7. The Jewish Press has permission to copy whatever they want of mine.

The new site is called "Israel Blogger," and you can find my posts here/click.

It's basically an "online news magazine" written by bloggers. This is definitely a good idea, since we've needed an easy to access forum for those who appreciate bloggers and see us as legitimate journalists.

Israel Blogger is a lot more than a collection of op-eds. These are the topics planned:

ISRAEL, DIASPORA, FAMILY VALUES, POLITICS, RELIGION, CULTURE, TERRORISM, OTHER

Of course, since it has just begun, there aren't too many articles yet, but give us a bit of time, and I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it. You may even find it better than most news sites. Tell me what you think. OK!

Yet Again 4/6, Too Bad I Don't Get Paid

Popular Posts

USA, Israel and The F-35

0

Good News for Israel from Trump Transition Team

0

Amona

0

Thank Gd, Amona Compromise Approved!

0

What's Amona Really?

0

We Are All Amona

0

All Bloggers

3/6 Again,Nice to Be Liked and Read

I've been blogging for years on Arutz 7. They list the six most popular posts everyday. I usually have one or two among them, and I'm one of the rare bloggers who sometimes rate three out the the six. It's really nice to know that my posts and opinions resonated with other people.

Thanks!

Popular Posts

People have good reason to lie about Israel

0

Hillary or Trump? Does It Really Make a Difference?

0

Reflections on Colonel Mickey Marcus

0

Burkini? Big Deal! You Don't Have to Be Muslim!!

0

Strict Apartheid in Israel Against Jews

0

American Academic Boycott Bigots

0

All Bloggers

Hacked! Don't Know Exactly How

My Website Has Been Hacked! Now What?
The instructions are for Wordpress, not Blogger

I guess that one of the reasons I had trouble falling asleep Saturday night was that when I checked in on my blogs, email etc after Shabbat I had a shock. Someone had gotten into my Shiloh Musings blog, and could have done the same on this, and posted a "message" with link. I was terrified. Would I be able to retake control of my blogs and email?

Shiloh Musings

I managed to delete the post and then change my password. And as soon as I changed it on the computer, the phone announced that I would have to do it there, too. So, I changed it. Now I must remember the new password... Also, a cousin messaged me that he had gotten one of those "hack/virus" messages from my email.

Yes, I feel violated, freaked out totally!

And since I was able to change my password, it meant that the hacker didn't have mine. He/she/it or whoever may have gotten into my account on a "device" I had used to check email/blog while not at home. Many of us who travel without a laptop, tablet or really powerful phone, find ourselves taking advantage of offers to use other people's computers, or hotel lobby computers, and sometimes we either don't properly sign out/log off or a lurking virus takes hold when we're happily reading and writing.

I also took off a few people I had as "administrators" on my blogs. They can still blog, but they cannot make changes.

I don't think I've clicked any dangerous sites, but one doesn't really know. Sometimes there are viruses lurking in news, pictures and lyrics sites that google lists when we search for something. (Porn sites are notorious for facilitating virus invasions, but, B"H, that's not my interest.) I am so relieved that I succeeded in changing my password and hope that locked the evil one out. The person who set up my computer put in the free AVast virus catcher. I guess it's not effective enough, unless, as I am guessing, that the problem came from a different device, not my home computer.

PS The article I found with the illustration above said I should also clean up my "history" and "cookies," which I did which has now gotten me totally messed up, since I must relog into absolutely everything. And to do it, I have to remember all my passwords...

Count them!Four out of six!! I've Never done That Before...

... at least to my knowledge!!

Four out of six!!

EAKS!!!! 

Popular Posts

Palestine: Fictional Country/People

14

Urgent: Death for terrorists, or danger for Israel??

1

Good news in the fight to defend Israel

3

Did Buji Fall for a "Fake" by Bibi?

3

Republicans Shooting Themselves in The Foot!

21

Bibi Conned by Lieberman? Has The Coalition Crumbled?

2