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Smart Move

Grumpy Grampy climbed up—on a chair,
Grumpy Grampy slipped down and fell there.
All the good doctors and chiropractors Said,
“Grampy, remember—you’re not a spring chicken anymore.”

Early this morning the smoke alarm went off. In my dreamy state I fumbled in the dark and picked up a chair so I could reach the alarm to turn it off. I didn’t know there was a puddle of water on the floor and, halfway up the chair, my weight caused the chair to slip underneath me. I hit my head on the wall and landed on my back and my right wrist. I eventually turned off the alarm but my body was mangled and sore. The last time I felt that kind of concussion was when I was a kid. Going back to sleep was difficult because I had to contort my body every which way to a position that gave the least pain.

TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED
As I lay on the bed with the unfamiliar pain, I thought about the draft I wrote earlier for today’s TGIF edition. It was ironic because in my draft I was bragging about my good health. Old as I am, I mentioned that I didn’t have any of the pain that usually comes with people my age. I guess this was God slapping me in the face for my arrogance.

How many things do we take for granted? The roof over our heads, our cars, our food, our friends, peace and order, etc. How desensitized have we become to recognize our blessings only when they are taken away from us?

I thought about my friends who have recently lost their partners, friends who are dealing with health issues, financial problems … was God also reminding them to be thankful too? This fall made me more compassionate of their plight.

I’ve got ice on my back and on my wrist as I type this. Please excuse this brief message.

TGIF people!

(BTW, I’m trying out this new email program. The other one kept putting my emails in the Spam folder. Hopefully, this will solve that problem. Appreciate your patience.)

I woke up. I have clothes to wear. I have running water. I have food to eat. Life is good. I am thankful. — Anonymous

If you can’t be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped. — Anonymous

We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics. — William Vaughn

The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank. — Dante Gabriel Rossetti

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. — Psalm 9:1

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:7

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. — James 1:17

Thanks to Art, Norm, Barbara and Jonathan for these memes.

I found these:

My good friend Terry Cassel and I worked on these cartoons.

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9 Comments

  1. Larry

    July 17, 2026 at 4:14 pm

    Yes Grateful

    As we get older we are going to experience health issues and doctor’s appointments and trips to the pharmacy.

    Part of the deal. I don’t think it’s a wake up call from God, but it’s a good thing to count our many blessings.

    A roof over our heads. Partners who love us. In your case, children and grandchildren and dogs.

    I appreciate your friendship. I send you verses and prayers to try and bring some comfort to you.

    I believe this back pain and stress it causes may give you greater empathy and understanding of our fellow humans.

    We shouldn’t be judgemental.

    You know about my charity work for food banks. I had to fill out a monthly report and I had to tell Pastor Kim, that the milk was close to expiring.

    Concerning about liability if someone gets food poisoning.

    Food insecurity is a greater issue. As oil prices rise and food prices rise.

    Your email came into my inbox.

    God Bless You, Raoul. Prayers for you and your family as always.

    TGIF

    Reply

  2. Ed

    July 17, 2026 at 4:14 pm

    Enjoyed!

    Reply

  3. Oscar

    July 18, 2026 at 5:53 pm

    I’m sorry you took that fall or slip Brother I’m praying you slept well and that your body recovers asap.

    I’m praying 🙏🙏🙏❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

    Hope you feel better Brother.

    If the Smoke Alarm is old ( like over five years old ) and it went off for no reason, it’s probably a battery issue, now a days it’s better to replace the whole alarm than just the battery. From my experience, sometimes they don’t chirp to let you know it’s the battery, but the alarm WILL KEEP turning on for no reason and it can drive you nuts or on your case get you Hurt. I’m praying bothers. 🙏🙏🙏❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

    Reply

  4. Esther

    July 18, 2026 at 5:54 pm

    Hi raoul

    Sorry to hear about your injury

    Please let me know if I can help

    It’s the nurse in me…

    Reply

  5. Lois

    July 18, 2026 at 5:54 pm

    I’m so sorry about your accident, and hope you feel better soon.

    Reply

  6. Benjie

    July 18, 2026 at 6:14 pm

    Salamat, Raoul. Always a pleasure to read your treasures.

    Reply

  7. Mary

    July 18, 2026 at 6:14 pm

    This is pretty cute, Raoul. Did you really hurt your back? Hope you feel better soon!
    Mary

    Reply

  8. Rick

    July 20, 2026 at 5:11 pm

    Ouch, that hurt!! I hope you are feeling a bit better by now.
    Point well made! We are blessed and we must be thankful to God for all of our blessings.
    Take care brother!

    Reply

  9. Betty

    July 25, 2026 at 6:57 pm

    Oh my, you ok, Pasky? That fall was no joke. Be mindful that you are now a Senior citizen. 😂

    Reply

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