Raoul’s Two Cents: August 5, 2022
In a Nutshell
I’m stumped. As I stare at the monitor … writing today’s TGIF edition, I’m stumped. Writer’s block happens a lot when I decide to write this intro at the end of a long day when my mind is already fried.
So (just now) I shared this predicament with an old friend (Edwin) who happened to be in a texting mood and he suggested I make this short: “Share the events of the day without editorializing.” That sounds good enough for me. So here goes:
I woke up just as the sun was about to shine. I put on my jeans and T-shirt. Drove to one of the properties I manage and stuck a jar full of water under a wasp nest. Nya ha ha! Killed those little varmints before they could start their day. When I got back home, I hopped on my computer to start the day on a big web project where I needed to focus … focus … focus … failed! I had one conversation after another and my thoughts flew in many directions. It was like the scene in the movie “As Good As It Gets” where Jack Nicholson, the famous author, is seated in front of his computer. Deep in thought, the music crescendos as he gets more and more into the creative zone and then — a knock on the door — then he crashes back to the real, boring, world. Life was like that for me today. Through phone calls, emails, texts and Zoom, people were bouncing ideas about business, about Biblical lessons, about finances, about land matters, about relationships, about politics, about personal tragedies, about technology, about music, about desperate situations, etc. As the sun set, I met a very interesting entrepreneur (through Zoom) who fabricates machinery. He goes in my file of important people whose talent I might need.
It’s the end of the day. So now I’m wondering, how I get into these different conversations. The answer is simple. Sometimes it’s part of my job but mostly it’s because I enjoy it. I admit it. I love sharing life with others. I love listening to their stories. Don’t you?
I’ve got the ears to listen, the shoulders to cry on, the arms to lift people up, and the mouth to pretend I know what I’m talking about.
End of the story. Thanks for the suggestion, Edwin!
TGIF people!
Raoul
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines for this joke.
Video of the Week
Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines.
The many reasons why you should live life now!
Parting Shots
Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
I found these.
Rene
August 9, 2022 at 11:13 am
Nice one again Raoul! I’m enjoying your TGIF, keep them coming. Thanks and regards.
Heather
August 9, 2022 at 11:13 am
Amen to that process.
Gary
August 9, 2022 at 11:14 am
Good morning Raoul,
Always good to read your letter Friday morning. I am here in Mexico with my wife. We will be here for a few days working with a church that we help support. It’s in a very small town called Héroes de la Independencia. I found out about this church through a mutual friend who brought me out here a few years ago and we have come back on a number of occasions to help with various projects.
Have a great day,
Gary
Steve
August 9, 2022 at 11:14 am
Thanks 🙏
I enjoyed it, it’s Pretty funny 😄
Hilda
August 9, 2022 at 11:15 am
A Humdrum day for you maybe but someone’s dream of a day. 👍🥰
Betty of Australia
August 9, 2022 at 11:15 am
Salamat po!
LM
August 9, 2022 at 11:16 am
Hi Raoul!
Your “in a Nutshell” comment from you friend, Edwin, reminded me of something a deacon told me after a sermon I gave in the first church I serves (as a youth pastor). The pastor was taken to the hospital and I was called late on a Saturday night and told I would have to preach three times the next day. One of the sermons was in a jail and I just modified the morning service sermon to fit there. After that was over I worked feverishly to prepare for the next one and–by the way–I also taught Sunday School Sunday morning and had the Baptist Youth Program in the evening before the service! In other words, I spoke 5 times on that Sunday.
As the evening service concluded, a deacon stood behind as I greeted folks and then he came up to me and said “Brother Lee, when you don’t have a thing to say, the people will always forgive you if you let them out early!” I never forgot that. When I was a member of the Rotary Club in Alhambra, the president of the club was surprised that the speak of the day finished in only 15 minutes and that was about 1:10 p.m. and he was trying to fill up the space asking if anyone had a joke or wanted to say something. I stood up and said “I am not sure if this is important, but I have a story to tell!” I told them the story that I just told you the folks that same story. After I finished everyone had a great laugh and the president hit the bell and said we are dismissed! It was a funny moment and several folks repeated it later when other speakers finished early.
I also told that story to seminary students every year and said if God has only given you a message that you can give in 10 minutes, don’t stretch it out to 30 minutes!
Anyway, that came to mind as you began your Nutshell comments here! Oh the joys of getting older!
Blessings !
LM
Ed
August 9, 2022 at 11:17 am
Nice, and yes, short.
Nicholson writer’s block very true…