Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, California

Raoul’s 2 cents

Legacy Shells

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

A dear friend of mine sends me verses every day. This morning, he sent me a poem he wrote about grace and peace which created an image in my mind of a shell on a calm sandy beach. I was transported to my carefree childhood summer vacation — lying down on my stomach along the sandy beach, surrounded by an assortment of smoothly eroded, broken, white and pink, perforated, corals and shells. As the lapping waves pushed one shell to shore, I wondered what happened to the creature that lived in that shell. Was it eaten by some sea monster? Did it die of old age? Now, nothing’s left of the soft slimy muscle tissue of this mollusk … only the beautiful fossilized home of the snail remains as a testament that it once slithered on the ocean floor. To think that each of these other shells has a story to tell.

Most shells are tossed away because they are broken. Tiny uninteresting skeletal remains are strewn all over this coral cemetery by the sea. But the few unbroken gorgeous works of natural art that make it ashore are grabbed by collectors who display them on prominent home mantels for their beauty to be appreciated for generations.

Human shells
Aren’t our bones so similar to sea shells? Some extraordinary people transform into rooks, bishops and queens. These special ones are buried in tombs of gold in honorable display. But most of us remain as pawns in the chess game of life and our bones and ashes return to earth … remembered for a generation or two and then slowly fade away. Nothing wrong with that.

Ever wonder about your legacy? What on earth will they say at your funeral?

“Here lies Father … I guess that’s it for your Dad Jokes.”

“Goodbye Mom … your secret recipe dies with you — probably the best!”

“Goodbye dear friend. You left us too early. Next time, when the sign says ‘DO NOT TOUCH’ — do not touch!”

“Hey honey, I knew you wanted me to publish your precious poetry but I spilled coffee on the manuscript and the dog ate it … well at least the dog thought it tasted good!”

Would you want your bones preserved in “honorable display?” Not me. My wife hates it when I tell her not to spend on my funeral. “Just flush my ashes down the toilet,” I tell her, “I don’t really care. My body is just a shell.” I can just imagine my funeral scene. It’ll be great! A throng of visitors will be packed like sardines in this dinky little bathroom. “Alas poor Raoul, had it not been for his insomnia, he should have died peacefully in his sleep … instead, he died in excruciating agony with his eyes wide open.” FLUSH!

But I know my wife … she’s going to defy my orders and do something elaborate and decent. People will be forced to say good things about me so don’t believe anything they say. Honestly, I’d be happy if they simply said “Raoul loved God, loved his family and loved people. He was a follower of Christ. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

This Friday, my wife and I will be attending a funeral for the man who gave my wife her dream job. He was a slick dresser so I will honor him by wearing a suit. Sadly, I remember a brilliant businessman who was so stubborn and proud that he hurt so many people. He was looking for his family at his deathbed but only one son attended his funeral. The others refused to come.

If you were to die today, what legacy will you leave behind? What kind of shell will you be? Breakable or collectible? Forgotten or remembered? Are people surrounding you only for your money? Have you enriched the lives of others? Or do you have a lot of catching up to do? Well, what are you waiting for?

TGIF people!

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Quotes of the week

“He always said he’d rather be late than never show up – except this time.” — Anonymous

“She claimed she’d never be caught dead in a dress – well, here we are.” — Anonymous

“Her last words were ‘Delete my browser history.'” — Anonymous

“He believed in living life like a roller coaster – lots of ups, downs, and occasional screaming.” — Anonymous

“She wanted us to remember her as she lived – slightly inappropriate and usually laughing.” — Anonymous

“And the Lord said to Jehu, ‘Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.'” — 2 Kings 10:30

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” — Hebrews 13:5

“As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.” — Joshua 24:32

Memes of the Week

Thanks to James of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Barbara of Pasadena. CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Jacob of Whittier, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

I found these

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these:

SUBSCRIBE to Raoul’s TGIF Joke

The post Random Thoughts appeared first on Traveling Boy.

EUREKA!

No, this is not 1849, and I haven’t struck gold at Sutter’s Mill in Old California; but, what I’ve “discovered” is worth its weight in that global monetary standard.

It’s a sauce that’s so radiant and delicious, you’ll think you hit the mother lode right there in your own kitchen.

“California Gold Diggers: Mining Operations on the Western Shore of the Sacramento River” – lithograph published by Kellogg & Comstock, New York and Hartford – Courtesy of the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – In the public domain via Wikipedia

I didn’t need a brigade of “forty-niners” to assist, just a little pre-planning and a bit more time on the hourglass than usual. Armed with a few simple ingredients that I actually purchased in advance – yes, IN ADVANCE – and I was good to go to stake my claim to the Lazy Person’s Golden Rush Bell Pepper Sauce. LPGRBPS for short.

This is a terrific topper for pasta – penne or fusilli would work well – coat it over a Piadina Romagna in place of the standard tomato sauce for a killer flatbread pizza, or use it as a dipping sauce with beef fondue, or alongside grilled steak, chicken, pork or fish.

The LPGRBPS is the tasty, go-to, creamy liquid when you’re looking to strike gold in la cucina.

What do you say we head into the galley and get this little culinary “rush” underway?

__________________________________

LAZY PERSON’S GOLDEN RUSH BELL PEPPER SAUCE

Ingredients (to yield approximately 24 oz/710 ml)

• 6 medium size Bell peppers ( 2 ea. red, yellow and orange)
• 3 tbsp Virgin Olive Oil
• 3-4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 can (400 gr/) Peeled Tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp Dried Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 Chicken Broth Bullion Cube

Prep & cooking time: 60-min.

__________________________________

Step-1: Rinse off Bell Peppers; cut in half; remove stems, white pith and seeds. Cut into cubes.

Step-2: Coat the bottom of a medium size pot with Virgin Olive Oil.

Step-3: Flatten Garlic Cloves, place in pot and cook on MEDIUM heat until slightly brown (1-1.5 min.).

Step-4: Add the Bell Peppers, stir and let mixture cook down on MEDIUM heat (approximately 15-min.).

Step-5: Add Peeled Tomatoes, stirring to merge well.

Step-6: Add Dried Red Pepper Flakes and stir.

Step-7: Add Chicken Stock Bullion Cube, or similar, to mixture and stir.

Step-8: Partially cover pot and let the mixture stew on MEDIUM-LOW heat (approximately 20-min.).

Step-9: Uncover, let the mixture continue cooking on LOW heat until it thickens (approximately 10-min.).

Step-10: Turn off heat and begin pureeing mixture until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency.

Step-11: Let the new sauce cool, then transfer to storage containers and freeze for later use.

__________________________________

Now, you know how to make the Lazy Person’s Golden Rush Bell Pepper Sauce, too. Keep the recipe handy as I’ll be showing you soon how to put it to good use. In the meantime, here are a couple of sneak previews.

The post Lazy Person’s Golden Rush Bell Pepper Sauce appeared first on Traveling Boy.

SHORT ANSWER: Low, but elevated compared to recent decades — roughly 5% or less for a full-scale global war in 2026.

No serious expert consensus predicts World War III (a direct, large-scale conflict involving multiple nuclear-armed great powers like the US, China, and Russia) as likely or probable this year. Risks are higher than the post-Cold War “peace” era due to ongoing wars and rivalries, but structural barriers like nuclear deterrence, economic interdependence, and mutual fear of catastrophe keep the odds low.

Current Assessment (as of mid-2026)

• Quantitative estimates: One detailed 2026 analysis using Bayesian methods and simulations put the probability of a “global kinetic exchange” at around 5.8% for the calendar year. It describes a “Perpetual Gray Zone” of hybrid conflict rather than total war.
• Expert views: Analysts (e.g., Gwynne Dyer) call the five-year probability “very, very small,” noting that true world wars involve great-power coalitions and often nuclear use — something avoided for 80 years. Think tanks like CFR and Stimson highlight persistent risks but no inevitable slide into global war.
• Public perception vs. reality: Polls (e.g., in the US, UK, France) show 40-50% of people fearing WWIII soon, driven by media and anxiety. This overstates expert assessments.

Major Flashpoints in 2026

Tensions exist, but escalation to global war faces high thresholds:

• Ukraine/Russia-NATO: The war grinds on (nearing year 5). Russia makes incremental gains, but direct NATO-Russia clash remains unlikely due to mutual deterrence.
• Taiwan/China-US: A major long-term risk (often flagged for 2027+). China’s military buildup and exercises continue, but full invasion or blockade isn’t seen as imminent in 2026 analyses. Economic costs (semiconductors, trade) are enormous.
• Middle East (Iran, Israel, etc.): Ongoing instability, strikes, and proxy fights. Recent escalations (e.g., US/Israel-Iran tensions) raise oil and regional risks, but broader great-power involvement is contained so far.
• Others: India-Pakistan, Arctic (e.g., Greenland), Venezuela, or cyber/space incidents could spark crises, but these are more likely to stay regional or “gray zone.”

We’re seeing “multidimensional” friction and hybrid warfare (cyber, proxies, sanctions, disinformation) rather than classic world war.

Why Probability Remains Low

• Nuclear deterrence: Still the strongest brake. Leaders on all sides understand escalation could end civilization.
• Economic ties: Major powers are deeply intertwined; total war would devastate global supply chains, energy, and economies.
• No clear alliances for total war: Unlike 1914 or 1939, current conflicts lack easy paths to drawing everyone in simultaneously.
• Diplomacy and fatigue: Ceasefire talks, summits (e.g., US-China), and war weariness act as off-ramps.

Risks could rise via miscalculation, accident (e.g., in a Taiwan crisis or Ukraine escalation), proliferation, or AI/cyber surprises that compress decision time. A black swan event could change this quickly.

Bottom line: 2026 looks like a dangerous year of managed crises and attrition wars, not the start of WWIII. Vigilance, deterrence, and diplomacy matter more than ever. Predictions beyond 12 months are highly uncertain — history shows both surprises and remarkable restraint.

The post What is the possibility of World War III in 2026? appeared first on Traveling Boy.

What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Kraków do for fun?

ANSWER: Tourists: sightseeing, shopping, clubbing, eating in restaurants, walking (source: the annual research of tourist traffic in Krakow).

Inhabitants: shopping, going to day spa, eating in restaurants, going to the zoo and boulevards of the Vistula river.

What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Kraków?

ANSWER: Lajkonik, Hejnal z Wiezy Mariackiej, Muzeum Bursztynu, Muzeum Witrazu, Muzeum Lotnictwa, Twierdza Kraków. Also The nuclear/air-raid shelters in Nowa Huta, Crèches, The Dragon Monument and The Dog Monument (called Dzok [Jock]), the symbol of fidelity.

What has Kraków contributed to the world?

ANSWER: Pope John Paul The II, The Jagiellonian University, Poet Wislawa Szymborska, Rynek Glówny – Main Market Square – the biggest medieval square in Europe.

The post Krakow appeared first on Traveling Boy.

It all happened in 2015, because our vacation home at Lake Havasu wasn’t being used enough.  After having had the place for almost fifty years, it was difficult to part with, but the expenses weren’t worth the one or two times a year the house was used.  So I sold it and did well on it financially.  My daughter suggested that instead of adding the income to the family trust, I should enjoy it with the family.  It sounded like a good idea, so I invited kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and shirt-tail relatives, adding up to a party of twenty.  A cruise of the Greek Isles was chosen because of its calm waters, in deference to my son-in-law and anyone else in the group who might suffer from sea sickness.  We would all fly to Venice, Italy, the embarkation location.  With twenty people planning to go on a trip, I was fearful that someone would get ill and need to cancel, but that didn’t happen.  We all made it!  My daughter Jeannette did the planning and worked with a travel agent, so all I had to do was hand over the credit card.

Some of us spent several days in Venice, Italy, a place that is now one of my favorite cities.  I loved traversing the canals via water taxi and found it exciting to enter our hotel from the water.  Of course, there were many places within walking distance, e.g. San Marcos Square and the gelato stand we visited daily.  We picked up souvenirs at Murano, known as the Glass Island, and Burano, the Lace Island.

We boarded the cruise ship on May 2^nd.  Our cabins were all on the same deck. I had booked a suite for myself so we would have what I referred to as “Party Central.”  I love company, so was always happy when my doorbell rang, even when I had planned to nap (I never did get a chance to nap).  The cappuccino maker turned out to be an invitation for visitors.  I know nothing about making cappuccino, or any form of coffee, for that matter, so every time someone dropped in for a cup, I’d summon my grandson to come and satisfy these requests.

Of course, I realized that we wouldn’t all be together all the time.  Everyone went their separate ways during the day, some in small groups and some in large groups.  But each evening, we all got together for dinner, where we had reserved two tables for the entire cruise.  Most evenings we would all go to my suite after dinner for various activities, among them a family trivia game originated by my grandson and his wife.

The first stop on the cruise was the island of Corfu, which I would call “The Kumquat Island,” because everything imaginable is made from kumquats:  liqueur, candy, cake, jellies, and much more.  This beautiful island is a favorite vacation destination.  

The next day we went to Santorini, a beautiful sight to see as the cruise ship approached, with all the snowy white buildings perched atop a hill.  When we went onto the island we were told we could get to the top “By tram or by donkey – same price.”  When one envisions Greece, this is probably the island that comes to mind.  Many movies were shot there, “Zorba the Greek,” “Mamma Mia,” “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” to name a few.  My grandson and his wife rented a boat and invited me to join them. We took the boat to a lovey beach with black volcanic sand. My grandson and his wife cavorted in the clear blue water. I hadn’t worn my bathing suit, so couldn’t join them.  After the boat ride, we rode the gondola to the top of the island and had lunch while looking out over the ocean.

The next island we visited was Mykonos, known for its beautiful beaches and its pristine appearance, and it’s also known for its confusing streets that twist and turn, following no particular pattern. They were created in this fashion to confuse pirates, and tourists are confused as well, including us. All the houses and places of business are white, which is a requirement, the penalty for non-compliance being inaccessibility to the city’s water, sewers, or electricity.  The exception to the rule is that doors, shutters, and trim may be painted in bright colors – blue, green, or red.  With its underwater beauty, this island is also a scuba diver’s paradise.  Some of our party took a ferry to Delos, an island of ancient ruins, off the coast of Mykonos. One of my daughters felt her Greek trip wouldn’t be complete until she had some feta cheese. This goal was accomplished in Mykonos when she had some feta on her salad.

The last port of call was Katakolon, where we visited Olympia and were able to see the original Olympic stadium and walk where Olympic athletes had performed.  We saw the spot where the torch gets lit for all Olympic games. We also visited a farm where there were several crops, primarily olives of many varieties.  We had a typical Greek dinner, after which I was conversing with the captain of our ship and his wife, who happened to be sitting across the table from me, when I heard the strains of a Cretan song that promised the dances I had hoped to see from the moment I arrived in Greece. Sure enough, several of the waiters and waitresses began an authentic Greek dance.  Soon they summoned some of the guests to join them and, before long, there was a line of dancers snaking its way around the room.  Now that I’d finally seen an Anthony Quinn/Zorba the Greek-type dance, my Greek Isles experience was complete and I was ready to leave this beautiful place.

The post I Took 19 People to the Greek Isles appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Money and the Pursuit of Happiness

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

A few days ago, someone mentioned that she came from a wealthy family. She said her grandfather owned a coal mine. “What an odd statement,” I thought. Why would anyone declare she was wealthy? Why would wealth even matter? Does wealth change our relationship? Will I need to bow down and worship? The rolodex in my mind flipped through a list of the many who I consider “wealthy.” Is there anything I could learn from them?

LIFETYLES OF THE RICH AND INFLUENTIAL

• My Grade School classmate was the son of the President and their family dominated Philippine politics for decades. He never stood out in class. He was more of a reluctant heir to the throne.
• Sone of my childhood playmates were the children of an Asian monarchy (Shhh!). Their parents used to shower us with jewelry. They live very simple, hard working lives.
• My High School seatmate was soft spoken, decent, respectful and came from a poor family. He always wore the same shoes, pants and shirt every day. I knew he was smart. Today he’s a self-made millionaire, owns two high rise hotels and has a private yacht. I have many other classmates who are leaders in their technical industries.
• My older brother’s girlfriend was a direct descendant of James Fenimore Cooper (the famous frontier novelist). I believe her (old rich) family practically owns most of Cooperstown in New York state. Her family was down-to-earth, simple and accommodating. Their grandmother lived by herself in a loft in Park Avenue.
• The father of my friends in San Francisco invented cable TV. Aside from her work, she was a busy Mom caring for her son and doing menial housework. Still, she found time to serve and tour us around when we came to visit.
• My parents had friends in high places in politics and industries: Supreme Court Justices, a shipping mogul, restaurant owners, socialites, and factory owners.
• One of my closest friends is a retired oncologist who owns a mansion right beside a golf course. He loves cars. He flies private planes, is generous and always fun to be with. We would get into deep conversations.
• The father of my friend was classmates with Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore. His family never asked any favors. They could have been wealthy but my friend lives a very simple life.
• Another rich and humble friend co-owned a computer chip-making factory. He contracted cancer. His doctors said he could live indefinitely as long as he could afford the regular chemo. He survived for a year or two until he died suddenly of pneumonia complications.

So there are quite a few in my list and, interestingly, none of them fit the pompous aristocrat stereotype. In fact, many desire anonymity and to blend in with the rest of us peasants. They are normal people facing the same challenges of life.

“How much money does it take to make a man happy? Just one more dollar,” said John D. Rockefeller

THE DNA OF THE RICH
They say the Chinese never pay full price. They will never be happy unless they get some sort of discount. (Maybe it makes them feel superior to outdo someone.) A dear friend, who comes from a rich Filipino-Chinese family, invited me to join his brood and other wealthy friends on a road trip vacation. When we stopped over at a poor village, a throng of fruit vendors surrounded our van. A little boy dressed in rags peddled his wares in front of my friend’s mother. The heiress couldn’t help herself and haggled for a lower price. And she got her discount.

PRICE TAG OF HAPPINESS
Most people blur where wealth and happiness collide. I asked my teenage grand kids how much money they would need to be happy. And their blank stares revealed money was not important in their world. Profound! Perhaps I should go back to their monetary innocence. True, money is important … but I shouldn’t be obsessed with it. Perhaps I should trust the Lord more. After all, chasing money is just the means to the real goal of contentment. And contentment can be achieved in ways other than money. Good health, a warm embrace, a clear conscience … one doesn’t need money for any of that.

Below is an excerpt from the play “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” that brings me back to the days of innocence when having money only meant being able to buy candies.

CHARLIE BROWN:
(spoken) I’m so happy! That little red-haired girl dropped her pencil—it has teeth marks all over it. She nibbles her pencil. She’s human! It hasn’t been such a bad day after all
(sung) Happiness is finding a pencil

[SNOOPY]
Pizza with sausage

[LINUS]
Telling the time

[SCHROEDER]
Happiness is learning to whistle

[LINUS]
Tying your shoe for the very first time!

[SALLY]
Happiness is playing the drums in your own school band

[CHARLIE BROWN]
And happiness is walking hand in hand

How important is money to you? Are you sure money will bring contentment? TGIF people!

If you like my blog, please do me a favor and spread it around. Thank you!

Quotes of the week

“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more,”

— The Grinch

“I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money.”

— Pablo Picasso

“Money will not buy happiness, but it will let you be unhappy in nice places.”

— Anonymous

“For I don’t care too much for money, for money can’t buy me love.”

— The Beatles

“If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to.”

— Dorothy Parker

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”

— Proverbs 3:9-12

“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

— Luke 21:1-4

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

— Philippians 1: 11, written by Paul while he was in prison.

Memes of the Week

Thanks to James of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Barbara of Pasadena. CA

Thanks to Jacob of Whittier, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

I found these

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these:

Subscribe

The post Asking For a Bike appeared first on Traveling Boy.

SHORT ANSWER: Probably not if you live in the U.S. — unless you’ve had a meaningful exposure to rodents or rodent droppings recently.

Hantavirus is real and can be very serious, but it’s also rare in the U.S. Most infections happen after people inhale particles from mouse urine, droppings, or nesting material in enclosed spaces like cabins, sheds, garages, attics, or campers.

A few important points:

• The general public risk in the U.S. is considered very low right now, even with recent news coverage about a cruise-ship-associated outbreak involving the Andes strain.
• In the U.S., hantavirus usually does not spread person-to-person. The Andes virus involved in the recent outbreak is a rare exception and requires close, prolonged contact.
• Most people never encounter it. Cases are uncommon and usually linked to specific rodent exposures.

You should pay more attention if you recently:

• cleaned a rodent-infested area,
• swept/vacuumed mouse droppings,
• stayed in a rodent-contaminated cabin or shed,
• handled wild rodents,
• or noticed a lot of mouse activity around where you live or work.

Symptoms usually begin 1–8 weeks after exposure and can start like the flu:

• fever,
• fatigue,
• muscle aches,
• headache,
• nausea/vomiting.

More concerning symptoms are:

• cough,
• chest tightness,
• shortness of breath.

If you did have a rodent exposure and then develop flu-like symptoms or breathing trouble, it’s worth getting medical attention promptly and mentioning the exposure specifically.

For prevention:

• don’t sweep or vacuum rodent droppings,
• ventilate enclosed spaces first,
• spray droppings with disinfectant before cleanup,
• wear gloves and ideally an N95 in heavy infestations,
• seal holes where mice enter.

The post Should I be worried about the Hantavirus? appeared first on Traveling Boy.

My getaway began at the historic 1927 Winnedumah Hotel, where a couple friends and I met Cindy and Derek Abrahams, the property’s general managers. They told me about the fascinating history surrounding the Winnedumah and set me up in the Bing Crosby suite. That’s right, I stayed in the same room that the legendary actor/crooner stayed in while he was in town filming or sneaking away from Hollywood.

Vintage and charming, the Crosby suite features two rooms that share a Jack and Jill bathroom. The suite has a 1920s décor, with classic hard wood floors and furniture, metal framed beds and period-era bathroom fixtures.

There are no televisions in the hotel rooms, but the serenity of the property, with its gentle creaking wood floors and crackling fireplace in the lobby, inspire relaxation, book reading, or conversation with friends, fellow guests from around the world, or with Cindy and Derek, who are knowledgeable about the area and treat guests like family.

“When people visit Independence and the Winnedumah Hotel, they are going to get an authentic, historic Eastern Sierra Nevada experience,” says Cindy. “This is the old west and we’ve got the mountains, the high desert and quintessential small town USA. And when you stay here, you get a very personal, boutique hotel experience.”

Independence is located off U.S. Route 395, the main north-south highway cutting through the Owens Valley. The tiny town is a gateway to outdoor havens such as the John Muir Wilderness Area and Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. Hikers pass through while trekking the Pacific Crest Trail, or on their way up California’s two tallest peaks, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Williamson. Others stay at the Winnedumah Hotel for quieter experience while skiing in busy Mammoth. Whatever the reason, the hotel gets about 60 percent of its clientele from international travelers.

But many of the Winnedumah’s first visitors were local, coming by way of Hollywood. Numerous early westerns were filmed in nearby Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills. This brought the likes of Roy Rogers, Gary Cooper, Gabby Hayes, John Wayne and Bing Crosby to the newly built Winnedumah Hotel. Wayne had a favorite room at the hotel and when Crosby visited, he was given the room above the managers’ suite so they could hear him sing in the shower. Even famed California photographer Ansel Adams sought comfort at the property while on photo shoots.

The hotel lobby still has the original 1892 piano that Bing used to sit at and sing as well as other furnishings from the 1920’s, including the overstuffed chairs in the lobby and the steel mesh chairs on the front porch which can be seen in Roy Roger’s first movie “Under Western Stars.”

Besides the Winnedumah, the town also boasts one restaurant, a sandwich shop and a taco truck. For culture there is the Eastern California Museum, located a couple blocks from the hotel. After a complimentary buffet breakfast at the hotel, we walked to the museum and discovered an incredible collection of beautiful, hand-crafted Native American baskets.

The display is one of the largest exhibits of local Paiute-Shoshone basketry in the nation. Ornamental and functional baskets, along with cradleboards, projectile points, bows and arrows, and rare examples of Paiute beadwork are included in the extensive exhibit. The basket exhibit includes more than 400 pieces and nearly 100 other, related artifacts, and is contained in about 14 large display cases.

The museum also showcases a large collection of historic photographs, Owens Valley history, scores of old west guns, and extensive mining and farming equipment and historic structures found outside in the museum yard. There is also lovely creek and pond outside, with majestic views of the Eastern Sierra mountains in the background.

Directly across from the Winnedumah Hotel is the iconic Independence Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1969 the courthouse held 24 members of the Manson Family for possession of stolen vehicles and property.

About five miles south of Independence, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, is Manzanar War Relocation Center, where Japanese-Americans were held during World War II. Visitors to this historic and somber site will find a Visitor Center with extensive exhibits, a short film and a bookstore. There are also two reconstructed barracks, a women’s latrine, and a mess hall onsite.

About three miles northwest of Independence is the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Built in 1916, it has supplied trout eggs to other hatcheries in California and other western states. It is the only hatchery to produce golden trout, California’s state fish.

If You Go:

Independence

Winnedumah Hotel or call (760) 878-2040.

The post Mountains, Movie Stars and Small Town USA in Independence, California appeared first on Traveling Boy.

Invisible People

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

Logan’s body was a tattoo artist’s canvas. Hieroglyphics were written all over his face which matched the graffiti he plastered all over his beat-up Honda sedan. Even though he went to my church, I never really got to know him … until I invited his caretaker for lunch and Logan (uninvited) tagged along. Boy, was it an eye opener!

Have you ever talked to a vagrant in the streets? I have … but those instances are few and far between. My very first encounter was an unkempt, moustached woman (in the college campus) who twirled her hair and constantly had conversations with herself … often with cigarette in hand. She never bothered anyone and nobody talked to her. We were insensitive and secretly called her the “crazy woman.”

A few years ago, I drove a friend to the ER. While waiting at the lounge, a deranged woman screamed for medication while the nurses and the other guests avoided her stare. I wanted to comfort her but feared I would not be able to retreat to my privacy. I chickened out.

A few months ago (I shared here in this TGIF email that) a homeless woman found comfort in a discarded cushioned sofa. She was putting on makeup and lighting up a cigarette. Again, I had the urge to greet her but I didn’t want to engage in a constant dole out for her addiction — an understandable (and often used) excuse, don’t you think?

So as I munched my hamburger, Logan shared his troubled homeless life. He was orphaned because he was born with physical deformities. He was transferred and abused from one foster home to another. That’s when he started his collection of tattoos and piercings. Like most self-mutilators, the physical pain countered the mental anguish that had become his normal reality. Internally he was shouting for attention so he could expose the injustice of his prison institution. But the more he disfigured himself, the more he became invisible.

Then, just before he was to undergo metal horn implants on his forehead, he found Jesus. Someone actually stepped into his world and offered love. Fast forward to the present. Logan (who was surprisingly articulate) has since shared his story on countless occasions. Mister Invisible was now speaking in front of thousands. He has even flown to faraway places to share his adventure. I never knew he was quite a humble superstar. To be honest, he still suffers physically and mentally due to the years of abuse but he is definitely improving. He has a strong sense of humor and plays tricks on his therapist. (This week he shocked his therapist by leaving a mannequin on a toilet seat). He’s a cool dude. He is currently recovering from a recent operation because his internal organs were not where they normally should have been.

SIDELINE: I apologize to some of you readers who squirm at the mention of Christ’s name but this is part of his story. In deference to you, this is all I will say about his faith.

A dear friend who recently retired in comfort confessed he is bored and has been musing over what to do in retirement. Yesterday he called with an idea to start a program to help the homeless. (What a coincidence!) He had a novel idea to address this problem (I can’t share what it is yet) so I will be pulling some people together to see if this is a viable project. Who knows? Maybe this will be the start of something big. Maybe the invisible population will start to join the rest of society. Let me know if you are interested in participating.

Until then, TGIF people!

If you are interested, TRAVELING BOY has a first hand story about a man who was placed in a Mental Institution. See the world from his eyes. CLICK HERE.

If you like my emails, please do me a favor and spread them around. Thank you!

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“Great fences make great neighbors, but Wi-Fi passwords make better friends.” — Anonymous

“My neighbor’s BBQ is my weekend temptation.” — Anonymous

“Living next to me should come with a disclaimer sign.” — Anonymous

“Neighbors who listen turn ordinary days into therapy.”— Anonymous

“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.” — Shiela McKenzie

“We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem that we just can’t solve.” — Linda Lingle

“Was I always going to be here? No I was not. I was going to be homeless at one time, a taxi driver, truck driver, or any kind of job that would get me a crust of bread. You never know what’s going to happen.” — Morgan Freeman

“Seven out of 10 Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless.” — Pras Michel

“Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ And they had nothing to say.” — Luke 14: 3-6

“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ’You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” — Luke 10: 27-29

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Alex of La Puente, CA

MEMES of the Week

Thanks to James of Los Angeles

Thanks to Kathy of North Dakota

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, California

Thanks to Norm of Encino, California

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, California

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found this:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these:

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
Know someone who enjoys a laugh? Share this email.

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QUESTION:
How will greed play a role in a robot/AI world?

ANSWER:
Greed won’t disappear in a robot/AI world—it’ll just evolve, amplify, and potentially reshape everything. Human greed (that deep, evolutionary drive for more—resources, status, power, security) is baked into our psychology. AI and robots don’t rewrite human nature; they supercharge the systems we build around it. In the abundance scenario we discussed last time (where machines handle most production), greed could be the accelerator for progress or the friction that turns utopia into dystopia. Here’s how it likely plays out, based on economic patterns, tech trajectories, and what experts are already observing in 2026.

1. Greed as the engine of the AI boom (the short-term driver)

Right now and through the 2030s, greed is fueling the robot/AI explosion. Capitalism runs on it: investors, executives, and entrepreneurs pour billions into AI/robots precisely because they see massive returns—cheaper labor, higher productivity, market dominance. This isn’t new (think Industrial Revolution or internet gold rush), but the scale is unprecedented. Without that profit motive, development would be slower. One analysis frames it bluntly: most of the economy is driven by human desire, not bare need, and AI lets greed chase infinite upside. 

Result? Faster innovation, cheaper goods, and the very abundance we’re talking about. But it comes with a catch: the same greed concentrates gains. Early AI winners (tech giants, capital owners) capture outsized wealth, while displaced workers feel the pain. We’ve already seen warnings of “greedflation” and AI-driven inequality spikes—profits soar, but wages and demand lag if jobs evaporate too quickly.  

2. The inequality trap: Greed’s biggest risk in transition

This is where greed bites hardest. In a world of AI/robots producing everything, the means of production (the AI models, robot factories, energy infrastructure) could be controlled by a tiny elite. If machine-generated wealth stays hoarded—via monopolies, lobbying against taxes/redistribution, or proprietary tech—the result is extreme concentration: a few own the abundance, while everyone else scrapes by. Think “post-scarcity for the 1%, scarcity for the rest.” Multiple analyses highlight this irony: AI enables abundance, but without deliberate sharing (UBI, wealth taxes, open-source mandates), it widens the gap faster than any prior tech wave.   

We’ve seen previews: automation already shifts labor without fully replacing it in some places (e.g., Japan), but in profit-maximizing systems, it often boosts corporate bottom lines while eroding worker bargaining power. Greed here manifests as resistance to policies that spread the pie—exactly what could prevent the “explore and create” future from materializing for most people. 

3. In full abundance: Greed morphs into new scarcities

Once basics (food, housing, energy, even luxuries) become dirt-cheap or free thanks to robots/AI, material greed gets satisfied for the masses. But humans don’t stop wanting more. Greed simply pivots to what’s still scarce:

•  Power and control: Who owns/runs the AI overlords? A handful of companies or governments could gatekeep access, algorithms, or even energy for robots—creating new “lords of abundance.”

•  Status and experiences: Attention, unique creations, fame, legacy, or prime real estate (physical or virtual). Think ultra-rich competing for orbital habitats, personalized AI companions, or influence over culture.

•  Information and cognition: Rare ideas, epistemic edges, or reputational capital in a flood of AI-generated content.

Paradoxically, abundance itself can fuel greed—when resources feel unlimited, people (or systems) over-appropriate without restraint, as experiments on common-pool resources show. No more “save for tomorrow” mindset; instead, endless pursuit of the next edge.  

In this phase, greed could spark conflict (geopolitical fights over AI supremacy) or drive positive pursuits (racing to colonize space, cure diseases, or create art at god-like scales). It depends on whether society designs guardrails—ethical AI governance, decentralized ownership, cultural shifts toward generosity and purpose. 

Bottom line: Greed is the wildcard, not the villain

It won’t “end” work or purpose, but it will test whether the AI/robot reset delivers broad flourishing or just new hierarchies. History shows tech abundance (from agriculture to electricity) eventually lifts living standards when paired with smart policies and evolving norms—but greed often delays that by fighting redistribution. The optimistic path: channel it into competition for good things (innovation, exploration) while using democracy and tech itself (transparent AI auditing, automated abundance distribution) to check excesses.

Tying back to your earlier questions—this is why school subjects (ethics, economics, critical thinking) matter more than ever, jobs shift toward human-directed oversight/creativity, and life’s goal becomes choosing what to chase when survival isn’t the game. Greed ensures the ride is dynamic and competitive; our job as a species is to make sure it doesn’t derail the abundance train. The future isn’t predetermined—it’s what we negotiate with our better (and greedier) angels.

We invite you to join the discussion. You can also submit your questions to Mr. Robot. Send them to ra***@**********oy.com.

The post The Role of Greed in the Future appeared first on Traveling Boy.