Raoul’s 2 Cents
Post Surgery
No miracles as I had hoped. But I’m OK with that. God had better ideas for me. So I am recovering from my Hernia surgery. It lasted only an hour. The wait was a lot longer. I have a lot of stories to share — about Doc Hollywood and my funny nurses and my loving wife who pampered me to death but I can’t really think straight yet (as if I ever did).
I planned ahead and prepared something for you below.
TGIF people!
“Behind every scar is a great story for my TGIF email.”
— Raoul
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sending this joke.
Video of the Week
Stand Up Comedy with Don Adams
Sent by Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA
The original Maxwell Smart actor from the “Get Smart” TV series was actually a stand up comedian. He was really funny … really classy. Hard to believe that comedy was so clean and so funny during those days.
WATCH VIDEODon’s Puns
From Don’s collection of puns
Heavy Thought of the Week
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA
Parting Shot
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this.
People from all over the world send him jokes and Raoul sends those jokes back with his original sketches. 
Joel
May 29, 2019 at 11:11 am
Sorry to hear about your surgery, Raoul. What was herniated? Heal quick. Speaking of hernia, I have a herniated esophageal base due to my GERD, so my gastroenterologist says. So now I avoid certain foods, eat half portions, and have my antacid ready whenever it flares up. You know, the usual stress of work and deadlines.
Joel
As If
Matthew 5:42 | Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
The Giver of all Good Gifts asks me
The Fountain from which every good thing flows, The Life who spends himself that all might live,The Root whence every blossom buds and grows,Calls me, as if I knew no limitation,As if I focused all his hidden force,To be creative with his new creation,To find my flow in him, my living source,To live as if I had no fear of losing,To spend as if I had no need to earn,To turn my cheek as if it felt no bruising,To lend as if I needed no return,As if my debts and sins were all forgiven,As if I too could body forth his heaven.
–Malcolm Guite, from “Parable and Paradox: Sonnets on the Sayings of Jesus and Other Poems”
JOEL
Raoul
May 29, 2019 at 11:15 am
Thanks for your concern Joel.
Not sure what part it was the stomach lining at the bottom left. I think it must have been the same as yours. Fortunately I still have no food restrictions. But I do try to avoid sweets and salt. At least I take them sparingly.
Interesting poem. Rather deep. Almost sounds like Khalil Gibran (?). Indeed God is the giver of all things good —- even a painful surgery.
Joel
May 29, 2019 at 11:17 am
We’re in that age already, [really!]. Glad you have health insurance. Mine here in Singapore is very minimal.
Btw, here’s a joke for you. Sent by a former choir member of mine in Michigan:
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The IRS decides to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, “Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I’m not sure the IRS finds that believable.”
I’m a great gambler, and I can prove it,” says Grandpa. How about a demonstration?”
The auditor thinks for a moment and says, “Okay. Go ahead.”
Grandpa says, “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.”
The auditor thinks a moment and says, “It’s a bet.”
Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it.
The auditor’s jaw drops.
Grandpa says, “Now, I’ll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye.”
Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn’t blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye.
The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Grandpa’s attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
“Want to go double or nothing?” Grandpa asks. “I’ll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, throw that full glass of water into the wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.”
The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there’s no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa stands on the desk and takes careful aim, but when he throws the glass, water covers the man’s desk, jacket, briefcase, and everything around it.
The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win.
But Grandpa’s own attorney starts crying and puts his head in his hands.
“Are you okay?” the auditor asks.
“Not really,” says the attorney. “This morning, when Grandpa told me he’d been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and throw water all over your office and that you’d be happy about it!”
Amy
May 29, 2019 at 11:12 am
Oh no!!!!!!! I didn’t know you had surgery!
I should have called or emailed you to see what we would you had been! Feel. Better and I will see you soon!!!!!!!!
Amy
Tom
May 29, 2019 at 11:13 am
Congratulations, Prayers answered showing the Power of Hope, Tournament of Roses Parade Theme this year.
Tom
Julieann
May 29, 2019 at 11:13 am
Glad to hear the surgery went well! May your recovery be blessed.
Heather
May 29, 2019 at 11:14 am
You are so cute.
Lee
May 29, 2019 at 11:14 am
Hi Raoul,
Thanks for letting us know all went well for you. Praise the Lord for his many blessings. While you will be sore for a while and the physical therapists never show any compassion or mercy in their treatments of us, you should bounce back soon.
Many blessings to you in your recovery and to your lovely bride!
Lee
Raoul
May 29, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Yup! To the professional care givers I am but a number. Glad my wife is my personal nurse … at least for a few days. Pretty unusual to be spoiled like this
Lee
May 29, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Enjoy getting spoiled for the short time it lasts and I suspect you would do the same for your wife. After my surgery was over and I got well, my wife now says “go get it yourself!” Oh the joys of esteemed honor in one’s on house!
Lee
Mike
May 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm
WOW, Hope you’re OK.Thank God for your wife and doctor!
Mike
Jennifer
May 29, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Hi Raoul,
Glad your surgery went well.
Love the cartoon with the bunnies!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Rick
May 29, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Hi Bro,
You look good! Glad all went well and wish you the best with the recovery process.
Take care and prayers are with you.
Rick
Anne
May 29, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Hope you feel better soon, Raoul!
Mandy
May 29, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Praying for your complete recovery !
best regards
Mandy