EREV YOM KIPPUR + RED SOX BASEBALL

Erev Yom Kippur. Day of Atonement. I lit my candles and four yahrtzeit candles, one for Roby, one for Shirley, one for Aunt Ruth and one for Michael. In the morning, I got a surprise when I left my apartment. My friend and neighbor Clarice left 3 beautiful, belated birthday cards on my door. She spent a lot of time using her calligraphy and drawing skills. 

It is a sad day in Mudville even though our beloved Red Sox went from worst to first +  won the ALDS. At the same time we were swept by the Yankees. Manager John Farrell  allowed our new alleged 'lights out closer' Craig Kimbrel to load the bases and WALK in a run ! Swept, but they celebrated anyway. Last night was Big Papi's last game in a Red Sox uniform. The applause went on well after the game was over which we lost to the Indians managed by our beloved former Red Sox manager Terry Francona who lead us to two World Series wins. He was fired by the brilliant Sox management, so he was hired by the Cleveland Indians and then proceeded to whip them into a play off season team. Plenty of former Red Sox are with the Indians now, Andrew Miller, Coco Crisp among them. We were swept by the Indians. The Boston Globe reported today that Dave Dombrowski announced John Farrell will be the manager next season. Well, we won the Eastern division, some fans would say, in spite of John Farrell. Too bad the kids underperformed in the post season.We enjoyed seeing Andrew Bientendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts do a hip hop dance on the field after a win before running back into the dugout. We'll get 'em next year....

EREV ROSH HASHANAH 5777/2016

Dear readers of the Sandler Family Archives blog. I haven't been posting much this year or last year. I am hoping to post more in the new year. Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah. Memories of Boby and Zaidy. My candles are lit, apples and honey await to be eaten along with chicken soup. Rosh Hashanah is coinciding with the last baseball game at Fenway Park of the regular season. We are playing Toronto, hoping for a miracle as the Sox are down 2-1 in the 9th inning as I write this. I'm thinking of Roby and Aunt Ruth and my mother. They all would be thrilled to know the Red Sox managed to stay at the top of the Eastern Division. We clinched it last week even though we just lost this game. The pre-game ceremony for Big Pappi's last game of the regular season lasted almost an hour. Boston named a bridge and a street near Fenway after him. Terrific player, watching these games has been bittersweet knowing this was his last year. He is retiring.

May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good + sweet year. My friend Paula sent me the above colorful, collage new year's card. The Hebrew common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is Shanah Tovah (Hebrew: שנה טובה‎‎) (pronounced shana toˈva]), which translated from Hebrew means "[have] a good year". Often Shanah Tovah Umetukah (Hebrew: שנה טובה ומתוקה‎‎), meaning "A Good and Sweet Year", is used.

Cousin Ellen emailed to let me know she is moving back to Florida, going home. All the best, good luck and good health to everyone in the new year.