As darkness descends a bit earlier each evening, our opportunity to notice the night sky increases. Gazing up at our galaxy spread out before us like a luminous tapestry, one can’t help but feel very, very small. The absolute vastness of space is so overwhelming that we can easily lose ourselves in its ostensibly endless depths. At the same time, we know that everything was created especially for us, and being aware of the essential role that we play in holding up the universe imbues us with a universal sense of purpose, making us feel very, very significant.

Many Baltimoreans dream of escaping the heavy August heat, even for just a few days. Though their vacations differ in distance and destination, they all seek a change in scenery (and humidity). Some take the opportunity to spend quality family time filled with fun outings, while others just want to relax. But, as much as people enjoy their well-earned time off, there is something special about coming back home. Despite the fear that whatever was left in the fridge will not be pretty, it feels satisfying to finally open your own front door after being away.

As we suffer from soaring temperatures and merciless humidity, there seems to be no refuge for our overheated lives. Since we can’t cool down the outside, a chilly interior is the next best thing. Ice cream makes people feel more comfortable and carefree; it’s hard to resist. With hundreds of variations to choose from, the hardest thing about eating ice cream is which flavor to pick. National favorites include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, chocolate chip cookie dough, and mint chocolate chip. There even exist some horrific flavors like garlic, pizza, and mustard! Setting that thought aside, ice cream has been the “go to” food of choice for Americans nationwide since the colonial era.

Taking a few moments to pause our hectic race against our “to do” lists to look at the world around us will reveal the bounty of blessings we receive every day. We live in a time when technology allows us to connect with family and friends who live far away, we enjoy the familiarity of our close-knit neighborhoods, and we are free of the weight of anonymity that plagues larger, “in-town,” communities. We are also fortunate to live in a state where the seasons change, each one bringing new gifts. The shift in the temperature, and the mood that comes with it, breaks the monotony of daily life, such that each morning promises adventures in weather that even the meteorologists can’t predict.

For all of the creative souls who thrive on crafting clever packages and coordinating themes,  Purim is their time to shine! In the middle of Adar, these individuals take their place atop the pedestal of wonder, arranging gorgeous shalach manos, orchestrating a stunning seudah, and wearing the ultimate badge of creativity: a home-made costume.

Do-it-yourself costumes range from something simple, like running a ribbon through the top of a fabric curtain to make a cape, to such clever creations as tying a dozen men’s ties around your arms and claiming you are a tie rack. There are funny costumes, such as writing on a T-shirt “ERROR 404 – COSTUME NOT FOUND,” and “punny” costumes, like taping numbers to yourself and telling people that you are someone they can really “count on.”

One of the most difficult aspects of daily life in the winter is the darkness that quickly overwhelms. It seems like before we turn around, the sun is setting and we are driving home from work or school in the dark! Halfway through Shabbos dinner, we feel like it’s almost midnight, but the clock insists it’s only 7:15! During the winter months, people tend to lack energy and motivation, and fail to work on their long-term goals, “saving their strength” to just make it through the day, short as it is. And the night seems to paralyze us as we struggle to take shelter from the shadows.