I’m a Believer

Warning: Heavy topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this.

She screamed every time she changed her position because her lower back was killing her.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

This is the first time my wife had this problem so she was skeptical when I said she should go to a chiropractor. She was in a lousy mood as we made our way to Dr. Wendy. She was as stiff as a rusty robot that needed a large dose of Windex (WD40). If you were on the other room you’d think she was giving birth or something. She asked me to get her something to eat so I left to get her a snack. When I came back she was done. The disappointed look on her face told me the treatment didn’t help.

However, maybe about 2 hours later, she was surprised that the pain had subsided. Was it the ibuprofen (pain killer) or was it Dr. Wendy? A few more hours later she was in a good mood. “I’m a believer!” she said. Some of the pain came back the next morning but it wasn’t as acute. Her bones were still adjusting I guess. The same thing happened to me when I had my own back problems. She is looking to her next appointment this Friday morning.

Here’s another testament to the wonders of alternative medicine: I became a “believer” years ago when my right wrist experienced the early stage of carpal tunnel syndrome due to the awkward way I held my computer mouse. I called my nurse friend who said I should get a wrist brace and take Motrin to kill the pain, otherwise, I would need to have an operation. I wore that brace for a week. Motrin helped but the pain never really left.

As I entered a BNI (Business Network International) business meeting, my chiropractor friend, Dr. Mark, stared at my wrist guard and asked me why I was wearing that evil contraption. After I explained, he said that was silly; he took off the brace, massaged my wrist — up and down he went while “oooh, oooh, ahhh, ahhh!” I squirmed. Doctor Masochist tortured me for about 3 minutes and then he said it was done and to never wear that brace again. I thought he was crazy. But the next morning (betcha by golly wow!) the pain was gone. The debilitating meta carpal tunnel thingy never came back.

Another time, I woke up with an excruciating pain in my left shoulder. It was so bad I couldn’t lift my elbow past the height of my shoulder. Again western medical experts said I needed to have an operation. I met this Amazonian lady from Hawaii in the same BNI business meeting. She said she did Deep Tissue Massage and that she could help me. This woman had vise grip fingers. She massaged the veins under my shoulder blade like she was flattening the wrinkles of an aluminum foil. She did it in 3 sessions. Just when the sadomasochist in me began to manifest, the pain all but disappeared. And to this day I can still extend my arm to its full capacity.

WESTERN MEDS
Through the years I’ve learned to balance Western and Eastern medicine. (And of course some doctors are better than others). One of my forever friends, Dr. Manny, is a retired oncologist who helps my friends by giving away his free medical opinion (what a guy!). I’ve learned not to trust the highly politicized and corrupted FDA who have legalized dangerous psychotropic drugs. Same goes with the WHO (World Health Organization) who encouraged vaccination over developing immunity and other alternative medications. I only got my vaccinations so I could fly home to visit my sick Dad. Call me a conspiracy theorist but my suspicious mind wants to know who are getting rich over anything these institutions recommend. Yeah, yeah, Mr. Conspiracy Theorist — that’s my middle name. Aw c’mon don’t tell me you trust everything the government tells you.

An old client was a Compounding Pharmacist and she claimed she knew drugs better than the doctors. Doctors learn what meds to use for certain situations. Pharmacists understand why those meds work.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DILEMMA
During the early years of AI, I had hopes that an IBM program named Watson would modernize medical diagnosis because their database is fed with the latest discoveries that human doctors don’t have time to read about. But I didn’t expect that AI would be weaponized like they are now. Ask Alexa why you should vote for Trump and she says she “cannot provide content for a specific candidate.” But ask Alexa why you should vote for Kamala and she has a long list of reasons. (If you have Alexa, go ahead and try it while they still haven’t fixed this bias.) It’s true — the computer is only as smart and honest as the data and the algorithms you feed it. So the real cure may be suppressed to protect the interests of Big Pharma and the shadow government.

TWITTER: A GAME CHANGER
Tik Tok is for mindless entertainment (I don’t trust these guys) but Twitter is for thinkers (pretty humble, huh?). Thank God for Elon Musk who took over Twitter for the sake of Free Speech. I know some of you may not think so but it truly is a platform for (relatively) free speech. (It’s full of good and bad influencers or people who simply regurgitates an idea … it’s still evolving … just be patient with each other). When you get the hang of it, it’s quite obvious who refuse to listen to opposing ideas in order to preserve a dreamlike unrealistic narrative vs. those who are open to discuss alternatives. Thanks to Twitter, it’s a new era where the mainstream media no longer hold a monopoly of the news. The news comes from eyewitness accounts of the ordinary guy.

LAND OF THE FREE
They say Satan is the father of lies and we live in his world where truth and integrity swim in the same pool as deception and ulterior motives. One can be easily disillusioned. But take heart and remain optimistic because “someone else” is more powerful and everything he said was/is true. It was true then and (thankfully) it’s still true now. And you know how the saying goes … “the truth shall set you free.”

Technology and medicine are still evolving. Hold on to your seats. It’s gonna be an interesting ride.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

“Isn’t it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do ‘practice’?” — George Carlin

“How do you tell the psychiatrists from the patients in the hospital? The patients get better and leave..” —Lisa Scottoline

“A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.” — Aesop

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Sharon of Connecticut

Thanks to Colleen of Washington State

Thanks to Jane of San Diego, CA

–
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Benny of Detroit

I found these:

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

SUBSCRIBE

The post Senior Thinking appeared first on Traveling Archive.

– Josh Billings, US humorist writer

Many of America’s presidents have found friendship and solace in their pets. It’s a tradition that goes all the way back to our first president and founding father, President George Washington, the founding father who was also the first president to have bred foxhounds.

As of today, 46 U.S. Presidents have had pets while they resided in the White House. And, like many of us today, the pets became part of their families, offering courage, patience, forgiveness, comfort and unconditional love, particularly during stressful periods in office.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele, accepted a puppy as a gift from Senator Edward Kennedy. The dog was a Portuguese water dog that they named Bo. Then in 2013, the Obamas brought home a second Portuguese water dog, name Sunny.

White House Animal Paths

Historically, the pets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have mirrored national trends in animal ownership. Early presidents had working animals such as hounds for hunting and horses for transportation, but a wider variety of animals soon made their way to the White House.

In the 1920s, President Coolidge’s animals included a bobcat, a donkey, lion cubs, ducks, a wallaby pygmy hippo, and a raccoon named Rebecca, who walked on a leash.

From William Taft’s cow, Pauline Wayne, to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier, Fala, and George H. W. Bush’s English springer spaniel, Millie, many White House animals have achieved celebrity status.

US Presidents with the Most Pets

Tabby and Dixie were cats, and Abraham Lincoln once remarked that Dixie is smarter than my whole cabinet.

James Buchanan received a herd of elephants from the King of Siam.  But as elephants are the largest land animals alive today, Buchanan found them to be too large for the White House, and sent them to the zoo.

Misty Malarky Ying Yang was Jimmy Carter’s daughter’s pet Siamese cat. An Elephant was given to her, but again too big to fit in the White House rooms, and was sent to the National zoo, too.

The True Story of Teddy Roosevelt and the Teddy Bear

In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt accepted a hunting invitation from Mississippi governor, Andrew Longino, and they traveled with their guide, who was determined to find a black bear for Roosevelt to shoot. It was easy for the guide to corner an old bear, and decided to tie the bear up, making the shot easier for Roosevelt to fire.

When Roosevelt realized what the guide had done, he was astonished and fired back in anger and said that such an act would be unsportsmanlike to shoot such an old and vulnerable creature. The news of Roosevelt’s act of compassion spread across globe, and in his honor that is why we have the Teddy Bear.

Our 26th, President Theodore Roosevelt began his presidency in 1901, along with six children and more animals than the White House had ever seen before. The Roosevelt children’s family of pets included a small bear named Jonathan Edwards; a lizard named Bill; guinea pigs named Admiral Dewey, Dr. Johnson, Bishop Doane, Fighting Bob Evans and Father O’Grady; Maude the pig; Josiah the badger; Eli Yale the blue macaw; Baron Spreckle the hen; a one-legged rooster; a hyena; a barn owl; Peter the rabbit; and Algonquin the pony. President Roosevelt loved the pets as much as his children did. Algonquin was so beloved that when the president’s son, Archie, was sick in bed, his brothers Kermit and Quentin brought the pony up to his room in the elevator. But Algonquin was so captivated by his own reflection in the elevator mirror that it was hard to get him out!

The Theodore Roosevelt family were dog lovers as well. Among their many canines were Sailor Boy, a Chesapeake retriever; Jack the terrier, Skip the mongrel, and Pete, a bull terrier who sank his teeth into so many legs that he had to be exiled to the Roosevelt home in Long Island. Alice, his daughter, had a small black Pekingese named Manchu, which she received from the last empress of China during a trip to the Far East.

Alice once claimed to have seen Manchu dancing on its hind legs in the moonlight on the White House lawn, though it has never been determined if there ever was an elephant dancing on its hind legs in the White House rooms. But, apparenty, there is one today in a very different kind of room.

Another Kind of Elephant in the Room

As of late, fake news outlets have been on fire due to a particularly large elephant in their broadcast rooms with the recent release of South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem’s ghostwritten book, No Going Back.

South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem takes a cheap shot at “fake news” for the backlash against her killing an untrainable 14-month-old wirehair pointer, named “Cricket,” 20-years-ago in a gravel pit on her family property, moments before her children arrived from school!

But, later, she had the courage to hurry back to her pickup, grabbed another shell, went back to the gravel pit, and put him down; “Him” being the demon goat, which had a wretched smell, who often chased and knocked Noem’s children around.

I’m aware that a parent who knocks their kids down is the greatest sin ever committed by a parent, who deserves a one-way ticket to a lifetime in prison. But should an owner who knocks down a kid goat deserve less? And the one with a such a wretched smell, something I never seemed to notice when I petted the kid, Billie Goat, at Seattle’s Woodlawn Park Zoo, when I was a kid, too.

Noem said to her ghostwriters in her ghostwritten book. No Going Back, which includes the fictional meeting with North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un. The North Korean dictator who she’s sure he underestimated me, having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants (I’d been a children’s pastor, after all), which she now blames on her ghostwriters, but refuses to walk them back and retrack the words she commanded her ghostwriter’s to ghostwrite in her ghostwritten book.

Oh, how I kid South Dakota Republican Governor Noem, why I only heard about her on Fox News TV, where she informed viewers that she was on a mission to tell us the REAL meaning of Thanksgiving: Here the poor Pilgrims were close to starving and they shared their last food with Native-Americans (the 25 Tribal Nations of the Wampanoag People) it was all part of God’s Divine Providence.

“God’s Divine Promise” fulfilled, and illustrated in “The First Thanksgiving,” a reproduction of a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, courtesy of the Associated Press.

Did the Pilgrims use “God’s Divine ‘Providence” as an excuse to sit in Plymouth Harbor and wait on the Mayflower for the final act of “God’s Divine Providence” to be done? Were they just too excited and couldn’t wait to siege the Wampanoag People’s Tribal Land for just a few more days? When they arrived there were many felled fields to plant, but surround by many dead bodies of the 25 Tribal Nations of the Wampanoag People. Apparently “God’s Divine Providence” was first issued to the Spanish Conquerors, who shared no food, but only European diseases which the Wampanoag People had no immunity from. But with no gold to be found, the Spanish Conquerors left Plymouth, leaving only endless Wampanoag dead bodies scattered around, some still alive, desperately crawling on the ground. The few people that manged to stay alive, where left for the Pilgrims to fulfill “God’s Divine Providence” and get the job done.

The next Thanksgiving celebrated was 1637 when Massachusetts Colony Governor John Winthrop declared a day of thanksgiving after volunteers murdered 700 of the Tribal Nation Pequot People. As we remember the celebration of Thanksgiving, sharing indigenous food from the New World, I recall that the American-Indian Tribal Nations consider it as a Day of Remorse.

Historians are hailing Congress to elevated Ulysses S. Grant to the military’s highest rank, calling it a rehabilitation of his political and racial legacy. Photograph courtesy of Newsreader1.com.

On June 18, 1870, our eighteenth president, Ulysses S. Grant, signed into law the Holidays Act that made Thanksgiving a yearly appointed federal holiday. Grant preferred horses above all other animals as pets, but he and his family members did have other pets with them in the White House, including two dogs. One was a Newfoundland named Faithful, but the other was a dog named Rosie, who was rumored to be a black-and-tan dog of no determinate breed. According to Seymour Reit in Growing Up in the White House, Grant would often take dinner in the stables and talk to both the horses and to Rosie while he ate.

Fala: The Most Famous Dog in America

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a lifelong affection for dogs. They were a constant presence in his life from his early childhood. FDR owned a number of dogs during his lifetime, but his best-known was Fala, the Scottish terrier he was given in August 1940.

Fala quickly became his constant companion. He slept in a special chair at the foot of FDR’s bed and every morning had a bone that was brought up on the President’s breakfast tray. Fala is buried in a marked grave about ten yards behind the Roosevelt tombstone in the Rose Garden at Springwood, beside Chief (1918–1933), the Roosevelts’ German Shepherd.

The first U.S. President with pets who maintained a farm was George Washington

Like South Dakota Republican Governor, Kristi Noem, George Washington was a farmer who had pets, though it’s never been determined if he had the courage to put any of his pets down in a gravel pit. I have many friends and families who are farmer with pets, who are aware that their pets were once wild animals, but they chose to domesticate their wild critters into something more profound. And once this transition was completed, the pets loved them and they loved them back. I read somewhere that there is no such thing as a bad pet dog, only a bad owner, who made them be like that. Was there a reason why Noem’s 14-month-old pet Cricket, didn’t love her; is it possible she never loved him, and that’s why he never loved her back?  

Washington’s pets included, Sweetlips, Scentwell and Vulcan – American Foxhounds; Drunkard Taster, Tipler and Tipsy – Black and Tan Coonhounds; an Andalusian donkey (a gift from King Charles III of Spain); Nelson and Blueskin – horses ( that were Washington’s wartime mounts); Snipe – parrot (said to have been owned by First Lady Martha Washington); and the Stallions, Samson, Steady, Leonidas, Traveller and Magnolia.

Cornwallis was a greyhound, named for British General Cornwallis, though not sure if the stallion served as a trophy due to General Washington’s victory at Yorktown, or an homage to the man he defeated, giving up any chance of winning the Revolutionary War.

Pushinka (Russian: Пушинка), known to us as ‘Fluffy’

Pushinka was a dog who was given by the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy in 1961.

Words taken from White House dog handler Traphes Bryant

“Pushinka (which the Kennedy family now refers to as Fluffy), struck up a romance with the Kennedy’s Welsh terrier, Charlie. In June 1963, Pushinka had puppies. Caroline and John-John named them Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie and Streaker. JFK referred to the puppies as pupniks since Pushinka was the daughter of a dog who had been to space on the Russians’ Sputnik 2. When the puppies were two-months-old, the First Lady picked two children from the thousands that had written to the White House asking for one of the pups. That’s how Butterfly and Streaker got adopted. The other puppies were given to family friends.”

“The father of the puppies, Charlie, was large and in charge. He bossed the other dogs around and made sure he got first dibs at dinnertime. When given the chance, he showed humans who was boss, too. If a visitor ignored him, Charlie peed on that person. Although he was not an official watchdog, he growled if someone got too close to JFK.”

Bryant describing events in the Oval Office during the Cuban missile crisis:

“I was there in Jack Kennedy’s office that day. Everything was in an uproar. I was then feet from Kennedy’s desk as Pierre Salinger ran around the office taking messages and issuing orders while the President sat looking awfully worried. There was talk about the Russian fleet coming in and our fleet blocking them off. It looked like war. Out of the blue, Kennedy suddenly called for Charlie to be brought to his office. After petting Charlie, his Welsh terrier, the president relaxed, returned Charlie to the kennel keeper, and said, ‘”I suppose that it’s time to make some decisions.”“

In his book American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, author David Heymann relates a story from White House nanny Maud Shaw: “Caroline and her nanny encountered Pushinka as she was being walked by a kennel worker on the White House grounds. As Caroline reached to pet the dog, Pushinka growled.”

“Instead of recoiling, Caroline stepped behind the dog and gave it a swift kick to the rear end,” Heymann writes. “Emitting a howl, Pushinka turned tail and raced off into the night.”

When Shaw related the story to JFK, the president smiled at his daughter and said, “That’s giving it to those damn Russians!”

Animals in Judaism & Christian Theology

The photograph above is a Peruvian school’s Nativity Scene, taken by former Peace Corp. Volunteer, Alex Brouwer. The Nativity Scene depicts the Virgin Mary and Joseph solemnly looking down at the infant, Jesus, the new king of Israel, surrounded by an array of different animals, for he is their New King, as well, and they will inherit the earth, too.

Saint Francis of Assisi & the Nativity Scene

Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals, is credited with creating the first live Nativity Scene in 1223 in order to cultivate the worship of Christ. He had recently been inspired by his visit to the Holy Land, where he’d been shown Jesus’ traditional birthplace in Bethlehem. Saint Francis’ pantomime of the Nativity Scene is the first real symbol of Christmas. The scene’s popularity spread throughout the world, inspiring other countries to stage similar Nativity Scenes.

To find out more about St. Francis and the Nativity Scene, why the Roman holiday of Saturnalia became the Happy Holy Days (Happy Holidays) and the Mass of Christ (Christmas), CLICK HERE.

Do animals praise the name of the Lord?

Psalm 148 commands all of creation to praise the Lord, including animals: “Wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (vv. 10-13).

What would Jesus do?

Don’t give holy things to dogs, don’t throw your pearls to pigs, lest they trample them under their feet and, turning, tear you to pieces. – Matthew 7:6. (English language translation by Francis Bacon).

What would Reverend Billy Graham say?

God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he’ll be there.

Heaven-bound persons who are offended at the thought of dogs and cats frisking on the golden streets will have a difficult time with the odd beasts gathered around the throne as described in the Book of Revelation.

Or Mark Twain?

The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man’s.

President William Jefferson Clinton first arrived at the White House with Socks, who in 1991 was reported to have jumped into the arms of daughter, Chelsea Clinton after piano lessons while the Clintons were living in the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. He was later joined in 1997 by Buddy, a Labrador Retriever, who was named after a longtime Clinton family friend who died around the time they adopted the dog.

During President Clinton’s second term, the two reportedly did not get along, with Bill Clinton later saying, I did better with the Palestinians and the Israelis than I’ve done with ‘Socks and Buddy.’

Presidential Pets and the Media

The first White House dog to receive regular newspaper coverage was Warren G. Harding’s dog, Laddie Boy.

When FDR’s Fala’s fame spread, he became the subject of books, including this 1942 picture book titled The True Story of Fala. He even starred in two MGM newsreels shown in movie theaters: Fala, the President’s Dog and Fala at Hyde Park.

Fala’s growing popularity is reflected in the thousands of letters he received from the public, where they are all preserved today among the papers stored at the Roosevelt Library.

The book, Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets was written by First Lady Hillary Clinton, and later appeared as cartoons in the kids’ section of the first White House website.

Millie was an English springer spaniel that was the first President Bush’s family pet. She gave birth to Spotty, who moved into the White House with the second President Bush. H. W. also had two Scottish terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley, but Spotty was the only pet to live in the White House during two administrations

“Study hard, and you might grow up to be President. But let’s face it: Even then, you’ll never make as much money as your dog.” — President George H. W. Bush, to a graduating class, referring to Millie, his dog, who earned $889,176 (about $1,979,459 today) in book royalties.

George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara’s Millie is the only first pet to actually write a book, Millie’s Book. And their son, George W. Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney had his own website and appeared in Barney Cam videos.

Presidents and Pets: Bits & Pieces

• President Thomas Jefferson bought his dog, Bergere, in France. She had two puppies onboard the ship heading back to the United States.
• James Buchanan is the only president who never married. His large Newfoundland, Lara, kept him company in the White House.
• Woodrow Wilson, in office 1913-1921, owned a pet ram, named Old Ike, who was known for chewing tobacco and cigars, which makes sense as North Carolina is often referred to as the Tobacco State.

• Top Five Dog Names of 2023
  
  Girl: Luna, Bella, Daisy, Maggie and Willow
  Boy: Max, Charlie, Cooper, Teddy and Milo
  
• Goat on the Loose!
  
  Benjamin Harrison, our 23rd President ran down Pennsylvania Avenue holding on to his top hat and waving his cane, but his pet goat kept running, only stopping later after numerous Washington, D.C., residents had seen the Commander-in-Chief chasing the runaway goat.

Commander & Chief, President Joseph R. Biden

The Bidens added a puppy named Commander to their family, following the death of their beloved German Shepherd, Champ, who passed away at the age of 13. But in 2018, all the abandoned pets throughout the U.S. rejoiced when the Bidens adopted the German shepherd, Major, from the Delaware Humane Association.

Major arrived at the White House to great applause, but his time at the White House was short, after a series of biting incidents. Major was sent to Delaware in April 2021 for training, and then the White House announced that Major’s permanent home would be elsewhere, a decision based on consultations with veterinarians, dog trainers and animal behaviorists.

While it may have disappointed those hoping Major would usher in a new age of presidential shelter pets, Major’s story shows that shelter dogs, like any other pet, need time and patience to adjust, and sometimes need to find a better match.

Andrew Jackson, had a pet, a grey parrot named Polly, who learned how to swear. She later attended Jackson’s funeral but had to be removed due to loud and persistent profanity. Perhaps Polly had not forgotten that Jackson had forced thousands of American-Indian Tribal Nations to leave their ancestral homeland in his illegal Indian Relocation Act, which led to countless deaths on the Trail of Tears. And remember, like the remaining tribal nations have never forgotten, never use a twenty-dollar bill as the tyrant, Old Hickory’s face is on it.

The Cherokee People and their pets and animals on the “Trail of Tears.” Painting by Robert Lindneux, courtesy of National Geographic.

It seemed curious at first that the U.S. President Trump selected Jackson as his favorite among our past presidents. But as his years in the Oval Office progressed, it became clear that they were both cut from the same white cloth.

For more on Jackson’s illegal Indian Relocation Act, the Trail of Tears and the plight of the Cherokee Tribal Nation, CLICK HERE.

The state which has the strongest animal abuse laws

For the second year in a row Maine maintains its first-place rank, followed by Illinois (2), Oregon (3), Colorado (4) and Rhode Island (5).

New Mexico remained in 50th place, with Idaho (49), Mississippi (48), Alabama (47) and Utah (46) rounding out states with the weakest animal protection laws.

“BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has filed charges for animal cruelty and abandonment against 45-year-old Jacob M. McCowan and 31-year-old Jessica L. Smurtwaite, after 31 Husky-type dog were found across North Idaho.”

“Sugar” is pictured resting after being adopted by Heather Toliver. The medical team from “Better Together Animal Alliance” believes she was a week to days away from dying based on her condition when she arrived at the facility in mid to late January.  Photograph courtesy of Heather Toliver, “a modern-day Patron Saint for abused animals.”   

California’s Animal Cruelty Penal Code §597(a) makes it a crime to intentionally maim, mutilate, torture, wound, or kill a living animal. Violation of CPC §597(a) can result in three years in a state prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both a prison term and a fine.

The penalty for abuse was much worse in Ancient Egypt, where killing a cat, even accidentally, was punished by death.

The White House Wall of Shame: Presidents with no Pets

Donald J. Trump, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson did not have any official pets while in office. But Andrew Johnson reportedly left flour out at night in his bedroom for a family of mice.

The worst presidential pets in the history of the US goes to President John Quincy Adams’ First Lady, Louisa Catherine Adams. According to one of Adams’ diary entries, she kept several hundred silkworms that she raised herself for their silk. Silk is nice, but let’s face it: Silkworms make terrible pets. They are, after all, worms. And technically, they’re caterpillars, too.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
— Mahatma Gandhi

It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked.
— Haile Selassie

Millard Fillmore named his two horses after the surveyor Jeremiah Dixon and astronomer Charles Mason, who guided them both to the new land of America, and created the Mason-Dixon Line. The border marked the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, which was significant during the War Between the States, as it is significant today, drawing a line between the politics of the Northern and Southern states.

Let’s close on a happy, nonpartisan note, which I did cross the line a couple of times, and listen to Mark Knopfler’s tribute to Mason and Dixon with his song, Sailing to Philadelphia, which includes the voice of James Taylor in a duet of the song.

Attention: T-Boy Readers, Friends and Families

We hope you enjoyed Presidents and Pets, Part I:  A T-Boy Odyssey Into Why They Loved One Another. Please consider sending us photographs of your own sacred pets, including those who passed, but will never be forgotten. Your photographs will be included in the T-Boy article: T-Boy Readers and Their Pets. We can also include your name, address and narrative about your life with your pet. But it’s up to you if you’d like to do that, and we promise to send you a proof to revise. Please send to **@tr**********.com , and we will be excited upon seeing them.  

Stay tuned for Presidents and Pets, Part II: A T-Boy Odyssey Into Why They Loved One Another

Abraham Lincoln & Fido, who once had the most popular dog name in the U.S; Plantation Farmer, Thomas Jefferson & Peanut Farmer, Jimmy Carter; Lessons learned by Marine Corp’s Louis Boitano, a man with a disdain for cowardly flag wavers, in particular for ones who never experienced a real battle; Reagan Rex’s White House dog house; and (How Much) is that Doggie in the Window.

The post Presidents and Pets: A T-Boy Odyssey Into Why They Loved One Another – Tales of nonpartisan, unconditional love appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Angel Talk

Do you know why Japan has an aversion towards Christianity? They say it was because the Edo rulers in the 17th century felt threatened by the missionaries. But I had a dream about how it really started. It started with a phone call.

Hello, you’ve reached the Department of Weather Control, Angel Joe here. How may I help you?

Yo Angel Joe! Angel Harry here from the Department of Prayer Requests. Listen, we’ve got 10,375,234 requests for a white Christmas. Do you think you can deliver by the 24th?

Yeah sure, the northern countries should be running on auto-weather control anyway so that shouldn’t be a problem. BTW, we sent a thousand pounds of flurries the other day, did you see that?

Sure did. Nice job. The flurries were exceptionally soft. Lots of people had their tongues out. Lots of selfies taken. Their faith in God is off the charts.

We might have an issue with some people in the equator. A few of the natives have been listening to too many Christmas winter wonderland tunes, and they got jealous and are now praying for snow in their 90 degree climate. They refuse to believe in God unless their demands are met.

Blackmail, huh? Well let’s see … I need to call Angel Bart at the Department of Miracles and see if he thinks it’s time for a big one.

Angel Bart here. Is this you Angel Joe?

Yup! Those Filipinos are at it again. They want snow and mistletoe in Manila. Are they due for a miracle yet? It’s been an ongoing request for several years now.

Lesse now … hold on … my computer’s running slow again … too many reindeer interfering with the signal. OK, here we go … the last snow miracle happened in 1506 AD. And the next one is due on 1721. I guess they’ve got to wait a bit longer.

I just realized, there aren’t any requests for snow in the Middle East. No one’s dreaming of a white Christmas over there. Bing Crosby never made it to the Arab Top 40s. They never believed in Christmas anyway.

Wait! Didn’t Christmas start there?

Yeah, but they rejected it … rejected the whole nativity story. It’s their loss. The stone the builders rejected was the cornerstone and … hold on — I’m getting another call from Angel Harry from the Prayer Team …

… what’s that? Emperor Tokugawa from Japan wants gentle snow flurries? Japan is in the middle of a blizzard right now. Are you asking for a miracle?

Angel Joe, Emperor Tokugawa is at the verge of becoming a believer. His Christian missionary friend, Padre Dominico De Las Angeles the Third, has been sharing the gospel to him for years and the padre says if we can turn that angry blizzard into a gentle flurry, it’ll surely convince Tokugawa that God is real. Christianity will flourish like the rising sun when everybody starts singing Feliz Navidad! You just gotta do this man!

Okay. Okay. I’m on it. Hello, Angel Bart, do I have a green light to send Tokugawa a miracle?

Go ahead. You’ve got my blessings! (wink! wink!) This will be a game-changer!

Okay. Operation Gentle Flurry is on! Weather Machine — on!
Setting’s on full blast!
Three, two … one, let ‘er rip!

Rrrrrrumble! Rrrrrrumble! Brrrrraughhhhh!!! SPLASHHHH!!!!

Look out Joe! Abort! Abort! You hit the wrong switch! Instead of Gentle Flurry, you hit TSUNAMI!!!!!!

And that’s why Japan has one of the fewest Christian Churches in the world.

The End.

And if you believe my story, expect a gentleman wearing tight red leotards delivering my present to you via Reindeer Express. Watch out! He may ask you a few questions about being naughty. Be nice.

TGIF people and Merry Christmas!

Raoul.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Garie of Paranaque, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

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

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The post Ten Things I Know About You appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The Witness

WARNING: Kinda Religious. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this kinds stuff.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a night like any other night. Me and my fellow shepherds were watching over our flock of sheep. Suddenly, a guy appeared out of nowhere. And he said:
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

We were still figuring where did this guy came from when — vvvhooom!!!

Without warning, a bright light pierced the night sky. One guy screamed like a girlie girl! (Laughing) The others just let their jaws drop and left their tongues hanging. I raised my hands to shield my eyes. Squinting, I saw movement on top of me; the shapes slowly turned into strange people floating above us… lots and lots of them … wearing dazzling clothes.

Then they started to sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Then, just as fast as they came, they were gone.

“Tell me I’m not dreaming. Did you just see what I saw? Hear what I heard? Are you as curious as I am? Should we check out what’s going on in that town of Bethlehem?”

We all ran down into the village to the familiar animal stalls. All the while I’m thinkin’: “This stinky place is where we will find the Christ? The hero who’s supposed to save mankind?” Sure enough, there they were — the father was gazing down that long wooden box where horses and cattle drink their water. Inside the manger was a new born baby crying softly. The mother was exhausted from the delivery and resting while the father was looking on at the helpless little guy.

The father was disoriented. He was startled to see us.

“Are you the owners of this animal shed? I’m sorry for our intrusion. We just didn’t have any place to go and the baby was coming out. I looked around and there wasn’t anywhere clean to lay my wife down to deliver the baby so I used this water trough. We’ll leave as soon as my wife finds the strength to get up. But for now, please let me rest. I’m so so tired.” Sweat and tears rolled down his cheeks.

“No, no, don’t worry about us,” I assured him, “we’re here because someone told us there was a baby born this evening and we wanted to verify that it was true.”

“What? Did you hear that Mary? Someone knew you were giving birth!?!?!”

Me and my friends took turns trying to explain what had happened out there in the fields. “I know this sounds weird and creepy but we’re telling you the truth. We were told to go here … why do you think we were told to go here?”

The man started to cry. “These past 9 months have been very difficult. I was told in a dream that I was to marry this woman. I was told the baby would be a boy and I was to name him ‘Jesus.’ I was told to travel 80 miles … I was told … I was told … I was never given a choice. Do you realize the doubts I carried? Part of me dismissed the whole absurd plan because it was all based on a silly dream. But listening to your encounters with the angels and your visit … this is a sign! This is the proof I needed.” He sobbed on my shoulder.

The woman was silent but with eyes opened wide, and she pondered these things in her heart.

“Why don’t you come to our home where you can get a decent rest?” So we helped them to our home where they stayed for a few days. Joseph and Mary adhered to Jewish tradition so after 7 days, they went through the ritual of purification (cleansing of the impure blood from the delivery which was akin to the impure blood in a menstrual cycle). As was the tradition, at the end of eight days, the child was brought to the temple where he was circumcised and formally given the name ‘Jesus.’ There they met Simeon and Anna who both confirmed that the child was indeed the Messiah they had waited for their whole lives.

MORE BEHIND THE SCENES

Some time later (it could have been weeks, months, but not more than 2 years), three distinguished men with their entourage arrived from the great unknown lands of the East (we can’t be certain where because few of us at that time traveled more than 10 miles from where we were born). Some say they came from the region of Iran or India or even China — who knows? They were dressed differently; talked differently … they obviously were educated because they navigated their way here by following the stars. Herod the Great heard about them and granted them safe passage. The strangers explained their mission to find the new born king; Herod had no clue what they were talking about. But when he heard the word “king,” daggers of hate and jealousy filled his devilish mind. He asked them to relay where the child lived under the pretense that Herod would also pay homage.

The three wise men were led to the child by a star (whatever that really was) to the house where the family lived. They gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhh. Fortunately, the strangers were informed in a dream to avoid returning to Herod and they returned to the East using an alternate route.

Herod was fuming mad when he learned of their betrayal. Satan and his henchmen are powerful but they are not omniscient (all knowing) so once the word about the Messiah was out, their spiritual army connived to murder the child. Countless Bethlehem babies born at the same time plus a year older (for good riddance) were slaughtered.

Unbeknownst to Herod, days before the attack, Joseph was instructed in yet another dream to vacate the premises and he took his young family to Egypt where they hid until Herod’s death. History tells us that this evil Patriarch died of an excruciating intestinal disease, burning fever, ulcerated entrails, foul discharges, convulsions, stench (Antiquities 17.6.5) — God‘s wrath against Jesus’ first true enemy was evident.

Soon the young family returned to their real home in a Galilean town called Nazareth where the child grew strong filled with wisdom and was blessed and protected by God.

I’m just a lowly shepherd. I can’t explain why things happened the way they did but I know that this was the start of something big!

EPILOGUE

It’s already past midnight. Gotta send this email off without much editing. This story is based on my study but I obviously sprinkled a little drama to bring back the significance of the Christmas story that often gets lost in its repetitiveness. I encourage you to do your own research in the beginning chapters of the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Even though Christmas is a time of joy because we celebrate the birth of Christ, in reality there was quite a bit of dark nefarious activities. But thanks be to God for His protection. Joy and peace be with you! Merry Christmas!
And of course, this is just my opinion. TGIF people!

Raoul.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Donna of Texas

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Videos of the Week:

Special Christmas Crying Edition

Thanks Ernie of Fresno, CA (some may think this is exploitation … perhaps).

Parting Shots

Thanks to Bob of Placentia, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

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

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The post What I Want for Christmas appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The Changing World of Saint Nick

WARNING: Very political topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this.

Everybody knows that the jolly, obese, white bearded man in the red suit is the American version of Old Saint Nicholas — a lanky philanthropist from Turkey … wait! Isn’t Turkey a Muslim country? Muslims don’t have saints! What’s wrong with this picture?!?

Bullies

At one time there were a lot of Christians in Turkey. In fact, the apostle Paul had planted some of the earliest churches like Ephesus and Antioch in that country which is today 99% Muslim. So where did the Christians go? Simply stated, I guess they were bullied out. In fact, the Christians and followers of other religions in Turkey are in hiding for fear of their lives. How ironic that Saint Nick would be beheaded in his own country today.

Division From Within

The war in Israel and Palestine has fed the world with genuine and fake news which has festered warring factions of sympathizers for either the Jews or Hamas. There’s no confusion where the conservatives stand — their position has remained the same since the Jewish state was established in 1948. The confusion is among the liberals. It’s interesting that the true ideologies within the liberal party are now unraveling. A recent Congressional hearing with the Presidents of Harvard, Penn State and MIT has revealed the uniform antisemitism of these ivy league schools. These universities are in panic mode because Jewish donors and other alumni are pulling out. The cancer within has finally been exposed.

We know full well that (1) leaders can be bought; (2) news can be slanted to media biases; (3) rotten apples exist in law enforcement organizations like the FBI, the CIA, etc.— so if it’s true that millions of people are easily fooled, perhaps it’s time to reconsider one’s allegiance — should one be loyal to a party regardless of how far its moral compass has drifted? Does one fear the bullies or fear being ostracized by society?

I really hope we all open our innocent eyes to current events and discern the evil, monied, powerful elites that are out to destroy our nation. Regardless of party affiliation, let the facts fall where they may. Stop defending a wrong. Legal or illegal — does the end justify any means? What if one’s belief is wrong? Afraid to discuss the issues? That’s sad.

Speaking From Experience

I grew up during the Marcos dictatorship. Believe me, It’s no fun to live where poorly educated, heartless, short-sighted buffoons rob and kill with the blessings of the powerful. I survived a judicial system where one’s connection determined who was innocent. I have friends who went missing … friends who were shot because they dared to stand up against those bullies. The longer the regime dragged, the more abusive the bullies became.

Yesterday was Pearl Harbor Day — a day that awakened a sleeping America to the bullies in Japan. Will history repeat itself? If you’re still wondering who to side with, perhaps this video below might help. Let me know what you think of it.

THE MIDDLE EAST PROBLEM

Of course there are exceptions. I have good friends who are Muslims … just had a fun chat with one of them this morning. Of course I’ve made some general statements — but stop using this gaslight excuse to remain undecided. And of course, this is just my opinion. TGIF people!

Raoul

p.s.
In case you’re wondering, no matter which country or how many nations gang up on little Israel, Israel will never be wiped out. It says so in the Bible. Deservedly or undeservedly. these Jews are the Chosen People. They will never be eliminated.

“Those who believe in nothing are very, very jealous of those who believe in something.” – Dennis Praeger

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Riley of Wisconsin

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

Hey, click on the picture of “Abe” to read my article of the
Ford Theatre (in Washington, DC) where Lincoln was shot.

The Traveling Boy

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

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The post Christmas Riddles appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Twiddling My Thumbs

The community board meeting dragged on and has just ended; and I’ve been staring at the notes and clippings on my office wall for the last half hour. It’s been another long day and I’m wondering what to write about for this TGIF edition. Should I talk about the birth of Jesus from my readings in the book of Matthew? Joseph was pretty admirable to support Mary through her pregnancy even though he knew the child wasn’t his.

Should I talk about my corgi’s who seemed to have gotten into a fight just moments ago? Everyday they seem to be getting smarter and smarter. I told my wife — “they’re manipulating us humans to behave in their world (not ours)”.

Should I talk about my grand kids whom I tell stories to whenever I pick them up from school? Yesterday and today we talked about parables and fables. They absorb my every word like a sponge. In a few more years, they’ll be on their own and fat chance they will still listen to an old geezer like me. “Brainwash them while you still can” — that’s what I say.

Or maybe I talk about my band and our preparation for a Christmas marathon performance for a nearby retirement home next Tuesday. I’ll be doing my Elvis impersonation. Hope I don’t mess up. But it’s hard to practice because we keep on laughing at my silly impersonation.

How about Buddy, the former atheist? This guy’s going through different and challenging medical procedures every day. I’d have given up a long time ago if I were him.

I could talk about politics (lots of crazy things going on in Palestine, in Ukraine, in Taiwan, in China, in Congress, in the White House) but I don’t want to offend anyone today … tomorrow maybe … but not today.

I’m sure you’ve had days like this — where there are so many things to talk about yet too little to say. Nah! I ain’t gonna talk about any of those things! I’m tired and I’m yawning. I think I’m going to bed.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“She stared at the stars like they were pillow for her mind and in their light she could rest her heavy head.” – Christopher Poindexter

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

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

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The post The Judge Recognized His Face appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Awkward

Laura, an old friend, passed away last week and Maristella (a close friend of Laura) decided to throw a religious death ritual. The intention was good but (unless Laura recently converted to another religion) I was pretty sure Laura did not believe in this tradition. Awkward, huh? Unfortunately for Laura, she had no say in the matter. A funny thought came to mind: I imagined Laura rolling out of her grave and appearing in the middle of all the long prayers demanding whose bright idea this was and everybody pointed to Maristella. Snap! That Kodak moment would have gone viral.

Have you ever been so embarrassed that you wanted to melt like ice cream in the Sahara desert? Let me share one awkward situation several years ago.

My family was assigned to read a few verses in church during Advent of the Christmas season. Our 3 kids were still very young and it was always a gargantuan effort to arrive in church on time. That fateful morning all hell broke loose: my wife was doing her makeup and I was packing up the diapers and milk bottles while memorizing my line … all the while counting down the clock before departure. It was a miracle that we got to the church with moments to spare.

The stage director motioned to us to get backstage and prepare to deliver our lines. Looking down to pray that everything would run smoothly, I noticed my shoes were of different colors. To my shock, one was brown, the other was black. Horror of horrors! My wife noticed it too. We looked at each other in disbelief. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Go! Go!” cried the stage director.

We catapulted into the middle of the huge congregation with our red tomato faces. We never dared look down. Thank God the kids were adorable and got the attention. We said our lines. We walked out biting our tongues with serious piety. No one even noticed. Then we laughed and laughed.

Ahh life … and death. With our sense of humor, the bloopers and traditions make living as exciting as … as a Fiddler on the Roof!

TGIF People!

“The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it.” – Mark Twain

“In my culture, there’s a tradition that when you’re in an overwhelming situation and you don’t know what to do, you put yourself in a woman’s shoes.” – Ang Lee, director of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, California

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mike of New York

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

Thanks to Garie of Paranaque, Philippines

I found these

The Traveling Boy

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

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
Send me an email.

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The post Good Intentions appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Question 1: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Zürich do for fun?

Answer:

In Summer: people love to swim in the River Limmat – in the middle of the city / or spending their time at the lake or Zürich’s own mountain the Uetliberg.  For nightlife and shopping: Zürich West is very popular also the new area: Europaallee just behind the Zürich main station. Also urban gardening & outdoor bars are very popular. Everywhere in the city you can find them. In Winter: as Zürich is very close to big mountains, people like to go skiing and to do other winter sports, ice skating in the city is also popular, eating fondue in one of the many pop-up chalets in the middle of the city or at Christmastime, plus visiting one of our Christmas markets (especially the market at Secheläutenplatz).

Question 2: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Zürich?

Answer:

Zürich has a lot to offer and it’s not just a boring banking city. It has new areas like the industrial part (Zürich West), the Langstrasse, a lovely old town, nature very close and a great selection of restaurants, bars & clubs (nightlife is very huge in Zürich). You can swim in the middle of the city. And we have fountains with drinking water everywhere in the city.

Question 3: Share some aspect of what Zürich has contributed to the world?

Answer:

The world-famous Muesli or “Bircher-Müesli” was invented in Zürich by Swiss physician and pioneer nutritionist M.D. Bircher-Benner. Hiltl – the world’s first vegetarian restaurant – was founded in 1898 in Zürich.

Go here for further information about travel to Zürich

The post 3 Things About Zürich, Switzerland appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Susanne Servin of Herzerl Tours has just returned from Vienna and the festive Advent Markets. While Ms. Servin was in Vienna she revisited two great Viennese holiday cookies, Vanillekipferl (vanilla moon/crescent shaped) and Engel Augen (Angel Eyes), in which she has generously shared the recipes with our readers.

History and Recipes

Vanillekipferl are sugar cookies in the shape of crescents that originated in Vienna. Kipferl means “moon/crescent shaped.” History tells us that in 1683, the Ottoman Empire besieged Vienna. The town was nearing the end of its ability to resist, but a Polish army came to its rescue. On September 12th, in an open battle before the gates of Vienna, the Ottoman army was defeated, and the city escaped pillage and destruction. Vanillekipferl was invented by a baker in Vienna approximately 400 years ago to commemorate the victory.  Kipferl was inspired by the Ottoman banner, which includes a crescent shaped moon. The Ottomans, though, introduced the Viennese to pure vanilla and coffee. Thanks to the failed Ottoman invasion, Vienna became synonymous with coffee house culture.  The crescent shaped Kipferl later traveled to France where the name was changed to croissant. The French also altered the recipe by eliminating sugar, almonds and vanilla, making the croissant a breakfast item. Some sources suggest it was the Habsburg Viennese princess, Marie Antoinette (Maria Antonia) who brought Kipfer to Versailles, at the time of her arranged marriage to the heir of the king of France, dauphin Louis-Auguste.

Vanillekipferl

Ingredients

• 150 grams soft Butter or 5.3oz or ⅔ cup
• 70 grams powdered Sugar 2.5oz or ⅓ of a cup
• 8 grams Vanilla sugar ‘homemade or store bought mixed with some regular powdered sugar or 2 Teaspoons
• 100 grams meal or 3.5oz or almost ½ cup
• 200 grams all purpose Flour or 7oz or almost 1 cup

For the Coating: Vanilla Sugar

Preparation:

1. Start by mixing the soft butter, powdered sugar and vanilla sugar smooth.
2. Then add sieved white flour and almond flour to the mixture and incorporate the ingredients with your hands to a smooth pastry. For example there shouldn’t be any visible butter pieces, that’s when you know you have mixed it enough. Don’t work it out anymore or the dough won’t hold together later.
3. Keep it to rest minimum 1 hr. in the fridge or in a cool place. I keep mine always over night, so that the flavor in my cookies turn more intense.
4. Once ready to be used, form the dough into a sausage shape with a 2 cm thickness. Cut thick slices so, that each should be around 20 grams (0.7oz) heavy.
5. Preheat the oven to 200 Celsius or 392 Fahrenheit. Roll each “sausage” pastry slice into a smaller sausage with pointed ends and shape it into a half moon/crescent form. Place them onto a baking tray, each with enough space around to rise a bit, and bake them for 10 minutes a 200 Celsius to a light yellow shade.
6. While the cookies are baking, prepare a plate with the home made vanilla sugar.
7. Add the cookies to the vanilla sugar in the plate, once they are finished baked and they have cooled down for at least 1-2 minutes, roll and coat them well with the sugar.
8. Best stored in a metal cookie boxed with baking paper (butter paper) and apple slices on top.
9. Note that the Vanillakipferl cookies are very fragile and might break when coming out of the oven, so give them 1-2 minutes to rest. During that time they harden when they make contact with air. It’s important to roll them into the homemade Vanilla sugar when they are still hot, so that the sugar sticks on the cookies.

Engel Augen (Angel Eyes)

Ingredients for 55 cookies

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 oz butter (room temp)
• 1 tsp instant coffee,
• 9 oz flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 pinch of salt
• 5 oz sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 oz each: orange marmalade, raspberry jam, blueberry jam
• 3 soup spoon powdered sugar (stir until smooth).

Preparation:

Mix butter and coffee powder; then add flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and egg yolks, kneed speedyly until it is a smooth dough. Wrap in foil and let it rest in the fridge for 60 minutes. Preheat oven for 350F. Make 1 1/2 in. balls and place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper 1 inch apart. Make a hollow in the middle of each ball with the handle of a cooking spoon. Fill each hole with a different jam. Bake cookies for 15 minutes, take out of the oven, place cookies with paper on cooling rack, let them cool, dust with powdered sugar – AND THEN ENJOY!

Seasons Greetings,

Susanne Servin

Phone: 800-684-8488, 914-771-8558
Website: www.herzerltours.com
Email: 

sm*@he**********.com

The post New Year’s Viennese Holiday Cookies appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Have Yourself a Meaningful Christmas

Christmas is upon us. If you’re traveling and reading this while waiting for your next stop, safe travels to you. If you’re at your designated home for the holidays, sipping your peppermint flavored hot cocoa, watch those calories. If you’re sick with a virus, I pray it isn’t too bad. If you’re relaxing by chestnuts roasting on an open fire, enjoy your snuggle. If you’re sad and alone … if you’re missing somebody special, write me an email and share your thoughts … I’m interested. Whatever you’re doing, may you bask in the spirit of Christmas and the love of our Holy God.

TGIF people! Happy Chanuka, Feliz Navidad, Maligayang Pasko, Shèngdàn jié kuàilè (圣诞节快乐), eid milad majid (عِيد مِيلَاد مَجِيد),  Śubha baṛadina (শুভ বড়দিন), schastlivogo Rozhdestva (счастливого Рождества), Merry Christmas!

Raoul

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” — Isaiah 11:1

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Jose of LA county

Videos of the Week

Thanks to Richard of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines. Hilarious clip of
a man screaming while getting hair waxed.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

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

The post Christmas Depot appeared first on Traveling Archive.