Honest Apology

Raoul’s Two Cents: April 10, 2026

Gene Pool

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

Easter Sunday with the whole family was so much fun. All of my kids and grand kids were playing at the park — from my oldest kid to the youngest grand kid, they were running around like little children. This was just as I imagined and hoped to see when I reached this age. God is good.

And talk about genetics! I could see different strains of personality traits in each one. Do you also see that in your own family? Among my siblings, there are those who look more like my Dad’s family (slanted eyes, prominent chins, straight hair) and others who look more like my Mom’s family (almond eyes, rounder/softer features, wavy hair). My Dad could move facial muscles, move his ear, and tip his head horizontally from left to right like a Hindu dancer. I can’t jiggle my head like that. I tried but I just can’t. However, I do have a bit of a rubber face just like Jim Carrey … but my daughter can do all of that. I got the tall genes. Only one of my daughters got it. I got my Mom’s musical talents and creativity so does my youngest daughter. I see this love for music in 3 of my grand kids. My son got the analytic vibes of my wife and father. I also see my athleticism and energy in all my boys. Neither my Mom nor Dad, nor any of my other older relatives have dark brown skin … I do. Only my youngest has dark skin.

Did you know that Adam lived to be 930 years old? (There is no record of Eve’s age. I guess even then, you never ask a woman’s age.) In fact, Noah was born when Adam was still alive (at least that some say). Imagine what must have gone through Adam’s mind observing the variety of personality traits running around his yard. Sadly, he bred rotten kids that forced God to wash them away and start from scratch with 8 people on the ark. Pretty wild, huh?

I can see this scenario:

Adam: Look at all our kids, Eve. Hard to believe all these wild kids came from us. When God told us to procreate, we sure did, didn’t we?

Eve: The wild ones come from YOUR line of the family! I heard Nimrod played with fire again … almost burned down the tool shed Seth built. I’m tellin’ ya, you better start disciplining those kids or we’ll have another Cain in the making.

Adam: I tried to teach them, but they wouldn’t listen. Kids ain’t got no respect! The minute they turn 100 years old, they think they know everything! I’ve long given up! Well, at least we’ve got Noah … always building something creative.

Eve: Yeah, but did you hear? He’s building a boat!

Adam: A boat? What’s a boat?

Eve: Something that floats!

Adam: Well, isn’t that amazing? (laughing) A boat that floats! I knew that kid would invent something useful one day.

Eve: “Useful?” … he’s building it in the middle to the dessert!

KIDS
We hope and pray the best for our children but with the challenges of life we never know how our kids will turn out. Of course, teach them while they’re still impressionable but realize there’s no guarantee they will always make the right decisions. Adam’s “sin nature” passed on to all of us. I believe there are good and bad genetic strains in all of us.

TWO WOLVES
You’ve heard the old Cherokee story: A father tells his son that we all have 2 wolves growing inside us — a good wolf and a bad wolf who are constantly battling for dominance. Which wolf wins will depend on who we feed the most. Needless to say, we should strive to be the good wolf. Why? The good wolves become dogs. Dogs become man’s best friend. They’ve get a roof on their head and play all day and they get spoiled rotten. The bad wolves? They’re still out there hunting their own food.

Three things I know: When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade. When life gives us a box of chocolates, we never know what we are going to get. But when life gives us chocolate lemons, we will have indigestion!

So be a good wolf and stay away from chocolate lemons!

This is just silly ol’ me. TGIF people!

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Quotes of the Week

“When you keep criticizing your kids, they don’t stop loving you. They stop loving themselves.”
– Unknown.

“There are two gifts we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings.”
– Unknown.

“Behind every young child who believes in themselves is a parent who believed first.”
– Matthew Jacobson

“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.” – Erma Bombeck

“Why don’t kids understand their nap is not for them, but for us?” -Alyson Hannigan

“If evolution works, how come mothers only have two hands?” -Milton Berle

“Having one child makes you a parent. Having two kids makes you a referee.” -David Frost

“One day I’ll be thankful that my kid is strong willed but that will not be today, not in this grocery store.” – unknown

“Silence is golden…unless you have kids, then silence is just suspicious.” – unknown

“Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, and hold our breath, and hope we’ve set aside enough money to pay for our kids’ therapy.” – Michelle Pfeiffer

“Based on the amount of laundry, I’m going to assume there are people living here that I’ve never seen.” – unknown

“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.” — Proverbs 29:17 (ESV)

“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” — Luke 11:11-13

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Jonathan of S Pasadena, California.

Parting Shots

Thanks to James of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Barbara of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Jennifer of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these:

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

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
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