Do they appreciate this amazing period of their life? I love their innocence, their joyful exuberance, their respect for elders, their boundless energy. Do you remember those days? In my early teens, I had no clue about the politics around me. I trusted the grownups to take care of the world for me. I trusted the grownups for everything! I trusted my teachers to have my best interest at heart. I believed they taught us Algebra because it was necessary for adulthood. We had to know the origins of species and understand their internal organs because one day we would need to dissect a frog in some strange emergency. We had to appreciate Shakespeare and Charles Dickens because those guys knew how to tell captivating stories which would be useful in campfires and job interviews. Wish I could say something good about Chemistry and Physics but I slept through both of those courses ... although somehow, I survived life without needing to alter the rotation of the planets.

Another year … another grey hair. Another month … another wrinkle. Another workday … another body ache. I decided to write a checklist of what I think about getting old. You know you’re old if: - Social Security is your friend. - Tinnitus follows you wherever you go. - Your back squeaks. - Every word you want to say is at the tip of your tongue.

Welcome to 2026. Pardon the mess. I've been cleaning my office. Going through my pile of documents and my trash can is full. I've got a box full of broken electronic stuff. a box full of art stuff. And piles of other stuff. How about you? Sorting out your closet for your faded wardrobe? How about your email? How many TeraBytes is it now?

This has been a very strange Christmas for me. I know several people who are grieving the loss of a loved one and a few who took a financial hit. Then there are those who are celebrating better health and better wealth --- a perfect Yin Yang, Day and Night, Black and White paradox.

This Christmas, many of us are struggling to make ends meet and worried about finding the right gift. Are you one of them? Why not follow my Mom’s advice? It’s the homemade ones that are the real treasures.

In the very first century, a young Jewish couple headed to a humble little town of Bethlehem. Although the young wife was pregnant with their first child, they were forced to make that long journey because Rome ruled the land and Caesar Augustus, the head of the empire, demanded a census --- all that trouble because Caesar wanted to know how many people were in his kingdom. Why? You know how important bragging rights are for kings when they meet in the Annual King Convention.

Raoul’s Two Cents: December 5, 2025 Old Christmas Carols If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes. December. Christmas. Shopping. Presents. Family gatherings. Is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas to you? Somehow this year seems to be lacking something. For one, I don’t hear a lot of Christmas carols anymore. Once upon a time, …

There are many reasons to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? What are the two Before and After pictures in your head that remind you of God’s goodness and mercy? For me, it’s a snapshot of that young boy sandwiched between strangers in the pouring rain; and a snapshot of an aging husband, surrounded by family pictures on the wall and grown-up toys and typing this TGIF article for special friends and strangers.

I go home and I’m flipping through the internet to find out more about this Los Lobos Band. I’m shocked! Los Lobos is a GRAMMY award winning Mexican-American band. Their most famous hit was “La Bamba.” They are a fusion rock-Mariachi group. What?! What?! I watch their YouTube performances and these guys are all super talented. All my years practicing my guitar and leading up to (of all things) a Mariachi band! And now I’m picturing myself on stage with these Mexicans and here’s this Asian dude singing “Bamba bamba!” I think hell is about to freeze over: “Ladies and gentlemen, here are The Bull Dogs and … and … El Shi Tzu!”

But, to be honest, the comradery among men was the most memorable for me. The last time I went to camp was some 30 years ago. I forgot what it was like.