Abigail

On May 28, 2024, Abigail graduated from college. She graduated magna cum laude, and I am really very proud of her. Naturally there was a big ceremony organized bt the college and we were there. Tickets were limited because there were over 3,00 students partaking in the ceremony, but we were lucky enough to get four. My wife and I and my closest(est) friend and his wife attended.

Because of the earlier antisemitic demonstrations at universities and colleges we were concerned that the ceremony might be cancelled but fortunately, it was held and there was no interruption of any kind with the exceptions of a fe Palestinian flag wavings.

Since the ceremony was held in the afternoon we had a celebratory lunch in a nearby Greek restaurant. There were 11 people there and it turned out very nicely. We ate, we drank, and we did not talk about politics and money. And that put everybody in a good mood.

Abigail graduated from forensic science. Her next move is to start in September in another university for her master's degree. Two-year program and we will see what happens afterward. We hope she gets used to studying and will continue for the PHD. But right now, it is too early and also, she does not want to talk about it.

Thinking back, when I met her she was in middle school and now she is a college graduate. Man. how time flies. She grew up to be a beautiful, smart (very opinionated) young lady and I, I am the same as I was when I met her the first time!

 

Note

I abruptly stopped writing the daily blog. Nothing happened, I am fine. But there was a reason behind it and the reason was my family. If anyone thinks that we live in a free country without restrictions that person is greatly mistaken.

The first amendment of the constitution permits the freedom of the press. Not in my house! In my house censorship rules. If the family members do not agree with what I wrote, then it can not be published. They say that I write about controversial subjects and opinions, and they do not think I should continue doing it. For their and my safety!

So, being a good dad to my daughter and good husband to my wife, I agreed. I will stay away from any questionable subject, will keep my comments to myself and will only write when there is nothing to write about!

Sunday

Sunday, again, 

Help

Some time ago I already wrote about this subject, but I have to update it because things are getting more and more ridiculous. Charities are an important part of our lives. We give because we can, and it is a moral obligation. It should not matter if it is to help people or animals in distress. And when we do it should make us feel good.

But the problem is that once we give it opens up the way to countless of charities bombarding us for help. Every day we get in the mail 5-6 letters from various charities asking for money. Animal groups are running head to head with people charities.

We got mail and brochures from groups protecting horses, draw horses, dogs, cats, donkeys, elephants and lately bees. I am sure there are animals I forgot to mention. Oh, also ASPCA, Humane Society, Audobon Society and every other animal protection group. It is now taking ridiculous proportions. Once a person gives in good faith the name must be listed in a major database because since the firs donation they are coming out of the woodwork. 

Unfortunately, the same applies to human charities also. We gave once and since then the asking for contributions never stopped. Indian schools, hospitals, veteran groups and many others are regular members of our mailbox.

I feel sorry for all these but there must be a limit to what people can give. And in today's world where scam artists flourish how can one tell what is real and what is a scam? The only solution in my opinion is not to give any more. It is not right but it is safe.

Horses

Draw horses

bees  donkeys  elephants  dogs  cats  

Cemetery

The largest Jewish cemetery in Budapest was opened in 1891; It claims to be the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. Christian cemeteries (at least in Hungary) keep a grave for 20 years if no payments are made and then exhume what is left and sell the site again. In Jewish cemeteries the gravesite remains until the end of time.

Now very interestingly the Budapest Jewish Cemetery survived the holocaust pretty much with no damage to it. But the damage done to the people is irreparable. Entire families perished and that meant that graves were left without any living member caring for it. This cemetery would not touch a grave unless care is paid for, and even then, their involvement was questionable.

There are sections there that are impossible to approach because lack of the decades of care created jungle like environment. Sadly, no living family members were around to care for this. Why do I know this? because my parents. my grandparents and other family members are resting there.

This lack of care created a class of entrepreneurs/gardeners who divided up cemetery among themselves for pay-for-care. I found a very nice gentlemen who took care of my father's grave whenever I asked him, And. then there was nice, not bashful Erzsi who took care of my mother's grave. I used to drive out there and she always, mysteriously appeared from the bushes to greet me. I used to telephone her maybe a month before my trip and asked her to fix up the gravesite. When it came to price, she was not too bashful, but she did good work.

Now, I have not been there for years, and I can not imagine what it must look like. The mother of a friend told me that she paid for a grave's maintenance to the Budapest Jewish Organization who is responsible for this cemetery but besides taking her money nothing else happened. Thus, the entrepreneurs. My wife visited my parents' graves and told me about the positive changes they were making there.

A few years ago, some group called the Friends of Budapest Jewish Cemetery, based in New York came to life. Their purpose is to restore the cemetery as much as possible. They keep sending me newsletters and photos and I have to admit they do remarkable work. Clearing jungles and restoring old, damaged monuments. They take donations and I guess they have enough to do this work. I am happy that finally somebody took the reins to take care of this very sensitive issue. The bad thig is that it had to come from afar because the local Jewish group couldn't care about it!       

Sorry

 Sorry, again!

Sad Times

According to statistics Columbia University has 36,649 students. Out of this number, 20,321 are international students. Now only either the remaining 16,328 American students are demonstrating, or the foreign students are also involved. If this is the case, then I ask what business is it for them what this country's foreign policy is.

They came here to study and hopefully take their knowledge back to their home countries and not to take parts in demonstrations and fight police. This is a free country. If they do not like what is happening here they are free to back to their own countries like India, Pakistan, Liby, Iraq or whatever they came from because I am sure over there their dissents will be greatly appreciated.

They already said that the demonstrators are not all college students. There are instigators mixed in who are not students at all. This is very disturbing. But as far as the foreign students, why not to cancel their visas and make them go home? Actually, I already heard a senator say the same thing. All the news stations are showing nothing but these happenings and every commentator agrees that they are very disturbing.

Apparently, our president does not think so because there was no official comment from the White House and he did not say anything so far. But the day is not over.

Really Good Country America!?