LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN: Last week the stabbing pain hit me in the lower left abdomen and my lower back simultaneously. I could neither bend nor stretch. I nursed myself to bed like a pretzel. Then, in the middle of the night, my wife woke me up from a deep sleep. “The downstairs bathroom is flooding!” Immediately, I jumped out of bed. “Yowch!” The pain was still unbearable! But I forced myself down while grappling on the stair railings. Every step was agony.

SEPTEMBER MEMORIES: When life was simple, one of the first songs my Mom taught me was this song from the Off-Broadway play, The Fantastiks. Today, in a world filled with anger and hate, it may do us good to recognize how far mankind has deteriorated and return to a time of beauty, goodness and innocence. After all (starting with Adam and Eve), it was the grownups who messed things up. Who says life has to be complicated? If enough of us want it, we can certainly aim for it.

I found the city’s pulse unchanged — same wild energy, same eccentric souls. Fashion’s evolved though — tattoos and sneakers-with-suits replace Clairol curls — but the “come as you are” dress code still thrives. Pajamas? Sure. Cell phones? Glued to every hand.

The first time I was here in New Yok was back in my college days. I visited my older brother who invited me to join him and his girlfriend's "old rich" grandmother who lived in Park Avenue. We also went to Cooperstown in upstate New York. All I remember was snow and more snow in this vast land. I remember asking my brother who owned all of this land. He said it belonged to his girlfriend's family. I was too dumb to realize how wealthy they were. I do remember that all of them were very accommodating and down to earth. Good people.

A year passed and I remembered my song and I decided to use AI (Artificial Intelligence). When I fed my lyrics to AI, the program churned for a few seconds and came out with this song --- complete with singers and orchestra.

Have you seen those amazing animal videos of lions, donkeys, squirrels, deer, pigs, crocodiles, elephants, birds and whales who have uncanny relationships with their humans? I never knew animals were so smart. Did Noah speak all their languages? Can we still do that?

Jay had been attracted to Mary for a long time but it was a one-sided affair. Mary took her studies at Biola University seriously and she wasn’t even in the radar for an eligible bachelor. Mary was shocked when Jay revealed his feelings and said that he would pray and wait for her. Eventually his romantic overtones softened a stubborn heart and Mary’s affection finally matched Jay’s. And last Saturday they exchanged vows. Throughout the ceremony, Jay was all smiles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so happy. It was as if he won the Lottery for indeed, Mary’s beauty, humble spirit and radiant smile had broken many hearts. It was a beautiful Christian wedding.

I had an interesting lunch with a Millennial last week. Not surprising that her values were diametrically opposed to mine. I also had lunch with a college professor who shared my same moral values even though he votes for a different political party. Finally, I had lunch with churchmates whose priorities were different from mine.

I have a confession to make. Each time I plan a meal, I have a secret mission: to make the world a healthier place, one garlic clove and ginger knob at a time. My kitchen is a shrine to these superfoods, and I’m the high priest of pungent cuisine. Hamburgers? Sizzling with minced garlic and grated ginger. All my soups simmer with them. Sausages, Pork chops, Chuck roast, spare ribs? You bet they’re slathered in my signature G&G sauce, a concoction so potent it could ward off vampires and colds in one whiff.

Deep in the heart of Tennessee, Ed, a relatively unknown Bible study teacher, succumbed to an incurable disease. Ed was more of an easy-going, compassionate John the apostle --- more of a jester among the disciples. This ex-fireman wrote, laid out, and self-published several gorgeous Christian books (available in Amazon)