Summer’s Here

It’s beginning to look a lot like summer. Goodbye winter coats! Hello Hawaiian shirts, tank tops, bikinis, sunglasses and suntan lotions! I don’t know about you but I kinda like the bright sunny skies. It’s like creation announcing its presence in all its glory. I feel like stepping outside in the heat and welcoming this bright day. So far, no forest fires. So far no earthquake. It’s a true gift from God.

King David said it best in Psalm 118:
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I still need to prepare for my talk on AI this Sunday. But in the meantime, here’s a song I just wrote:

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Summer

(Verse 1)
It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer,
Everywhere you go;
From the sunny beaches to
The cloudless skies so blue
And lemonade pitchers that seem to appear on cue.

(Chorus)
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer,
Bikinis and sunglasses in every store;
But the sweetest sight to see,
Is the ice cream truck that beckons me,
Bringing all the flavors I adore.

(Verse 2)
Can you hear the sounds of laughter,
As waves crash on the shore?
Children playing in the sand,
With their buckets hand in hand,
And brilliant paper kites that fly and soar.
(Repeat Chorus)

(Bridge)
A dip in the pool, a dive in the sea,
We’re feeling the summer vibes so free.
The sun is shining, the temperature’s high,
With sun tan in hand, we reach for the sky.

(Outro)
So let’s embrace this summer season,
With its warmth and joy so bright;
From the beach to the pool,
Any way to keep cool,
Let’s make memories of this delightful sight.

TGIF people!

Raoul

BTW, I didn’t really write that song above. It was AI generated. I just edited it a bit. Did you notice?

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Wyne of Mandaluyong, Philippines

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

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

The post High School Reunion appeared first on Traveling Archive.

There’s a Train Coming

Where does your security rest? On your career? On your insurance? On your retirement benefit? Your savings? I’ve been following the news lately and I’ve been concerned how quickly the godless global value system seems to be spreading. A Japanese animator went “postal” and burned an anime studio. There’s a Hollywood movie where the kids are exploited to be already sexually aware — they think it’s comedy. As usual, politicians spew ridiculous declarations and believe their own lies. Technology is advancing so rapidly that the laws that safeguard our security and privacy are non-existent. Somebody opened “Pandora’s box,” now every year we move closer to self destruction. It’s easy to drown in fear and worry.

Fortunately, I’ve found comfort studying the book of Daniel. He’s the guy who interpreted dreams and who was rescued from a den of hungry lions. Many who study the book dig into the details of his prophecies but I stepped back and looked at the big picture. And I saw a Daniel who was distraught by the visions of calamity but he calmed down when he understood God’s big agenda. Daniel never compromised his faith and he never deviated from his role as a steward of God. He not only survived several kingdom take-overs but also retained his top political position no matter who was in power. We can complain all we want, start wars and save the environment — but the bottom line is — God’s plan will carry through. There may be a delay due to prayers but the dreaded apocalypse is inevitable. It will be swift and it can happen within our lifetime. It can happen tomorrow. Where is our security then?

This reminds me of a provoking song written by Curtis Mayfield called “People get Ready.”  CLICK HERE for the complete lyrics.

People get ready, there’s a train coming.
You don’t need no baggage,  you just get on board.
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humming.
You don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.

If you’ve never heard it, there are a lot of musicians who have played it. Here’s one I just discovered by Matt Anderson where I thought the lyrics were clear. CLICK HERE.

Listening to the lyrics you could easily come away with a defeatist attitude — “the world’s coming to an end so I might as well drink and be merry.” But that’s not the intent of the song. Neither is it the intent of Daniel’s prophecy. Instead, look at it as a warning. God’s train is inevitably coming. You have a choice. You can be stubborn and demand your way and refuse to get on board just because the train doesn’t conform to your agenda. Or you can humble yourself, admit there is something bigger than you, and get on that train.

Life may get worse and unpredictable but as long as you hope in the Lord’s provision and ride that train you will be secure. You don’t need no ticket … you just get on board.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Tom Rush: The Remember Song
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Ed of Studio City, CA  who shared this.

The post Einstein’s Driver appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Gout

I had a terrible bout with gout for about a week.
Standing on the sore foot, I shouted out loud: Ouch!
But no one was about.
So I stayed in bed just to pout.

Yeah, yeah … I know my poetry is terrible. But it’s true. I do have gout and was bed-ridden because the pain was excruciating. I need to start exercising. Forget my excuse of a hurting back or a recovering hernia. Because now it’s my gout! This is getting serious.

It couldn’t have happened at a worse time because I missed helping raise funds by doing caricatures for the “Meals on Wheels”  charity event last Saturday. Then on Sunday there was a water leak in one of the properties I managed. In both events, I was helpless to do anything. It just wasn’t my day.

I researched that the cause of gout is very high levels of purines which come from food rich in uric acid. I also read that gout hits men more than women. What makes a man different from a woman? Aha!  Blood! Women shed blood every month. Men don’t. So my theory is: To avoid gout, men need to give away blood periodically to clean their system. I remember that I used to donate blood often and when I did, I never had gout.

The swelling has gotten better so today I went to the Red Cross to do my civic duty to donate blood and test my theory. I went through the usual screening to make sure my blood was usable. It was all systems go until they asked a crucial question: “Have you been out of the country in the last year?” I said I went to Nigeria on a Rotary mission trip. Immediately, red flags went up and the nurse disqualified my donation. It appears that Nigeria is a high risk malaria country. One needs to be here in the U.S. about 15 months before their blood could be accepted by the Red Cross. Bummer!

So now I’m in a quandary. How do I get rid of my old blood if the Red Cross won’t accept it? Do I prick myself? Yeow!  It really isn’t my day.

So … do you know anyone suffering from gout? Can you ask him to try my theory and donate blood? Also, do you know of any hungry vampires?

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Mark Lowry: Clean Comedian
Sent Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Chinese Restaurant Skills

Sent by Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA and Don of Kelowna, B.C.

These Chinese Food artisans are a joy to watch.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Ernie of Fresno, CA who shared this.

The post Turtle Attack appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Good Samaritan

I woke up and looked at my schedule for the day. It was pretty full: a business breakfast, a phone conference for a website, a meeting with an electrician with a trip to City Hall, a meeting with a gardener to repair a leaky sprinkler system, a meeting for a Robot Rally competition for several High Schools, then a ton of things to do in the office — I needed to conceptualize a marketing plan for a new client and finish up a website for another client. Yup, it was going to be a full day. So my first stop was my business breakfast meeting.

My fellow entrepreneurs joked around and talked about everything under the sun for 2 hours. When the meeting was over, people started heading to their offices but Jesper blocked my exit and decided to strike a conversation. As he spoke, I was trying to find words to excuse myself and prepare for my series of meetings. But Jesper had a look of concern and I knew he needed to unload to someone. So I stayed and listened … and prayed.

We live in a fast paced world where our priorities blur so easily. Sometimes we miss the opportunity to don our Super Hero outfit.  [Luke 10: 30-35]. This day, I almost did.

I discovered Jesper shared my faith but he had forgotten how BIG God was. For almost an hour we shared life and his eyes lit up like a light bulb. A funny thing happens when you connect with someone — the energy you help generate somehow finds a path inside you that also lifts you up from your own concerns. It makes you want to do it again.

Oh, and by the way, remember that long list of meetings? They went by very well. It was a very productive day … in more ways than one.

TGIF people!

“Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world.”
— Anonymous

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S. Pasadena. CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

What I Want People to Say in My Funeral
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

What would you want people to say about you when you die? A Muslim, a Catholic and a Jew share their ideas.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this.

The post Camel Thoughts appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Grown Up Christian Wish

A good friend called me yesterday and told me he was in dire financial straits. Another one called and he too was facing dwindling resources. They have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since.

We are in the season of discounts and holiday sales. People are marching out of the malls with their conquests on their shopping carts. But I’m sure there are many others like my friends who can only watch and wish. The lavish parade of happy shoppers only compounds their misery.

I think of the thousands of Californians who have lost their homes in the recent forest fires. They’re in a different level of desperation. What will Christmas be like for them?

Moving a scale upwards, I also talked to a fellow entrepreneur who owns 5 convenience store franchises. He said people think he’s rich but he just gets by. In fact, he isn’t making any money in one of his branches. Yet one of his employees sued him for the flimsiest of reasons thanks to the encouragement of an opportunistic lawyer. The employee was desperate for cash and thought he was entitled to the owner’s “wealth.” Who do you weep for?

There will always be rich and there will always be poor. Those who are UP will find comfort looking at those who are DOWN … that is, until they look UP and realize they are actually DOWN. But when they see how unhappy those who are UP really are, then they are content to be where they are. It’s just human nature to compare. So where is truth? For sure, it isn’t in emotions that swing its pendulum positively and negatively depending on the time of day. There is a reality … and it’s God’s reality. And His reality is this: We are precious in His sight. Even in times of struggles (for they will surely come) He is there.

Sure, “God is good and He is aware of our situation” but lofty declarations like that seem to get lost when the reality of debt stares us in the face. I admit the line where Faith begins isn’t obvious. But what is obvious is it’s “Soul-Searching” Time. Finances are important but they are still material … they are temporary. What happens to the soul is eternal. Perhaps God uses these predicaments to draw our focus back to Him — “seek ye first the kingdom of God and ALL these things will be added unto you.” Just because this is hard to grasp doesn’t mean it isn’t true. (And I need to remind myself of this all the time.)

We can learn from the apostle Paul’s letter. He was writing in the midst of his own suffering in prison and he had the “audacity” to comfort the Philippian church with these words:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through HIM who gives me strength.”  — Philippians 4:11

If you can, please throw a bone … or even throw a whole turkey …  to someone in need. It will be a slight inconvenience to you; but to them, it will mean the world. And when we are faced with an impossible situation, it’s time to call on Him — the solution to the impossibilities of life.

But this is just me.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Communication Problem

Shared by Tom of Pasadena, CA

To be honest, when I was a kid and saw that title in the Bible, I didn’t understand what “Flight” meant. I also thought it had something to do with an airplane. — Raoul

Videos of the Week

Italian Grandma Meets “Hey Google”
Sent by Mike of New York

Cute video of a senior trying to make friends with technology.

WATCH VIDEO

Lauren Daigle Sings Noel
Sent by Charlie of New Jersey

I never heard of her but was blown away by her voice. Actually, Charlie sent me another video of her singing “Winter Wonderland” but I couldn’t find the URL so this will have to do. I discovered she has a Christmas album — sounds like a good one.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Good Thoughts

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Tom who shared this photo

Hey, do me a favor. Get your copy of the brand new Traveling Boy Joke Book. It’s pocket size and is perfect for a stocking stuffer. It’s about $10 only, unique and … ideal for your office mate or business friend.

The post Drawing the Flight to Egypt appeared first on Traveling Archive.

“We all pray to the same God” — nice thought but is that true?

“All dogs go to heaven!” — another nice thought but is that true?

When people make these kinds of statements, do they really believe it? Or are they fishing for a cosigner to agree with them … as if adding to their number of “believers”  will turn the cosmic wheel of truth towards their reality? With all due respect, TRUTH isn’t a popularity contest! 

I don’t know about you but I believe in an absolute truth. There is black. There is white. There may be 50 shades of gray but there is only one black. In music, the key of C is not C sharp or B. A tensile deviation from the standard strings of a piano will produce an awful chord.

A dear friend of mine is dying of brain cancer. Her memory is almost gone. When she still had her facilities, I tried to explain that Jesus Christ died for her and it wasn’t how good she was but her faith that was the measure of her salvation. But she dismissed my message and said she already knew all about it. She said she grew up in church. Knowing her, I knew her understanding was different from mine. Anyone can proclaim they are Christians but their actions speak louder than words. I’m not a better person nor am I that knowledgeable. All I wanted was to compare notes. I only wanted to share. But she had her own ideas. A fireman cannot force you to leave a burning building.

For all you know, she genuinely had faith. Problem solved! Yet I wish I had persisted because now it’s too late. Her brain’s gone.

Do we all pray to the same God? Do all dogs go to heaven? For my friend’s sake, I sure hope so because we only have one chance in life.

Of course this is just me.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,
— Hebrews 9:27

TGIF people!

A Second Opinion

Shared by Lois of Whittier, CA

This is my all-time favorite joke, so I probably have already told it to you. It was told by one of the funniest guys who ever lived, the talented Rodney Dangerfield.

Here’s a LINK to Rodney’s website which has a lot of his material.

How to Survive a Knife Attack
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Very practical approach to a knife wielding predator. Short and funny.

WATCH VIDEO

Scammers in China
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Tariff Wars with China cover the news. Here’s a video explaining how scamming is done in China. Of course not all Chinese are scammers but sadly it is an essential part of the Chinese culture. If you’ve purchased shoddy stuff from Ebay, you know what I’m talking about. I know a personal friend who moved her whole family to China to train the locals. There was a contract for her to teach for several years but as soon as they learned how to do things, they let her go. This video is pretty long.

WATCH VIDEO

Positive Words
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

Snopes.com says this video about Thomas Edison isn’t factual but the lesson is still good. Words are pretty powerful. Be careful how you use them.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA who shared this photo

The post Second Opinion appeared first on Traveling Archive.