The Season of Friends

I am super pumped up. I organized a neighborhood “People and Pets Potluck Picnic” this Saturday and I’m expecting a lot of people. We’re having games (volleyball, badminton, bocce balls) and a Pack Walk (dog walk) around the block. It’s the first time we’re doing this. A million things can go wrong — exciting! We have a lot of kids and dogs so it’s gonna be chaos … fun chaos I hope. The neighbors will finally get to talk to one another. Our dogs will finally bark and smell each other.

Hoping for perfect weather. The gardeners have already cleaned up the place but I’m sure we’ll still have to do the same a few hours before the event because the trees are shedding their leaves. The rest of the “To Do List” is daunting so I’m thankful I’ve got a few volunteers signed up. Need to buy spoons, forks, plates, napkins, table covers, balloons, drinks and ice. Need to set up the badminton net and sound system. I will be cooking a pot of my killer adobo.

Is it obvious that I love to entertain? I was an introvert when I was younger and I couldn’t understand why some grown ups open their homes to share their time, food and money with visitors until I started doing the same. Now it makes perfect sense. We extroverts love to connect people and start beautiful friendships. It brings us joy.

I remember Dionisio, a church mate from Guatemala, who had difficulty finding a job after he got his degree. Two years he waited. Within those years he was very active in church. Every once in a while he would get temporary jobs requiring long drives but, no matter the distance, he would still attend our local events. When he finally got his dream job some 200 miles away I was surprised to see him one Sunday. He said he would still try to make it on weekends. I wondered what was going on. Then it hit me — nobody had given him permission to cut the strings and start a new life away from the church.

I had to explain the seasons of friendship. “It’s not the end of our friendship. God gives us temporary and forever friends. We are fortunate that technology (email, chat and social media) has allowed so many more forever friends. Don’t force yourself to keep coming back,” I suggested. “We were here for just a season of your life. God has opened the door to the season of the next phase of your life. Maybe the new season is where you will find your wife. Then you two will start another season with new friends. We just keep expanding our circle of friends.”

From his eyes, I knew he understood everything I said. That was the last I heard from him. A few months ago I sent him a text just to see how he was doing. He never responded. And that’s alright. I still pray for God to bless him. I like to think he’s too busy enjoying his new season.

I long for the day when we will be done with all our seasons. In a blink of an eye we will be sharing stories of how we overcame the trials and joys of this earthly life with our combined circle of friends. Oh what a picnic that will be.

“There’s nothing better than a friend … unless it’s a friend with chocolate.” — Anonymous

Blessings to you my TGIF friends!

Raoul

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Garie of Paranaque, Philippines

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena. CA for these two interesting Trivia.
Click on the pictures to read the background stories.

It is interesting that American ingenuity saved the world from both global health crises of Polio and Covid.

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.

The post Husband’s Recipe for a Perfect Marriage appeared first on Traveling Archive.

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.

Domestication

Question: What is a sure sign you’re past your prime?
Answer: When you get domesticated.

These past weeks, with my wife gone visiting her Mom, I’ve been walking our dogs around the neighborhood. Since then, I’ve gotten to know my neighbors so much more. If you ever want to run for office, owning a dog is one way of meeting people and getting votes. I get all the local news — crime, home repairs, trusted handymen, best places to eat, and the pooping habits of pets. For instance:

• I know that Emiliano (a young kid who used to kick his soccer ball on the wall) broke the window pane in their house and he now has to pay over $100 from his allowance.
• Everybody hates this reckless young man who doesn’t pick up after his 200 pound monstrosity of a Boxer. “Who does he think he is?” inquired an angry resident.
• The reason Jeanett doesn’t let her French poodle run around anymore is because her dog slipped her disc when she ran too fast.
• Don’t underestimate Drake, a slow moving old bloodhound because his sense of smell is incredibly powerful. Believe it or not, “he smelled a chicken bone a block away,” said his master proudly.
• The reason no one seems to live in a brand new house at the corner is because it’s rumored to be a safehouse for the Chinese spies.

Yes, I know my neighbors and my neighbors know me. Indeed, when the urge to get ahead in your career is replaced by the curiosity of the name of your neighbor’s pet, you know life’s beginning to slow down. You’re domesticated.

My daughter saw me walking the dogs with my unkempt hair, baggy sweat pants and oversized sweater. She said I looked like an old man wobbling down the street. Her remark startled me. I used to think I would never grow old but seeing myself from her eyes, I knew she was right. But you know what? It’s not so bad. I actually like my new persona.

So don’t worry about that white strand of hair or that new wrinkle. Don’t waste your money on a pound of makeup or worse! — plastic surgery! — just to end up looking like a weird expressionless alien from Hollywood. Embrace your transition into the domesticated army. It’s a lot more fun!

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Bob of Whittier, CA

Video of the week

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

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

The post Age Is Just a Number appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Age Adjustment

It’s hard to believe the Christmas break is over… hard to believe 2020 is over… hard to believe I’m not as young as my mind thinks I am.

There is a saying that people’s self-image is transfixed on their prime years. We think we can still jump and run like we did back in our twenties. That’s why it’s always a shock to see the old person in front of the mirror. I confess that I often dream about my childhood years and the characters in my dream are people from my youth. In my dreams I still live in my childhood home. How weird is that?

Hollywood is a prime source of age-deniers. Can you blame them?  Maybe they hear me when I watch old movies and point out how much older the actors are today. Maybe that’s why actors are suckers for plastic surgeries.

I admit I too was a denier. When that bald spot started to expand its boundaries I researched for hair solutions. When I started to look like a frog with a bad case of botox because of the puffiness around my eyes, I asked my ophthalmologist to have it removed. But he looked at it and said it would require an expensive plastic surgery.

He uttered a key word — EXPENSIVE. Only Holly-weirdos do that! And that slapped me into accepting the inevitable force of gravity.

I figured out a strange balance of scales: With age, our physical bodies go down but wisdom from experience goes up. (At least we like to think so). We have a choice: 1) to devote our time searching for the fountain of youth or 2) to embrace our age and share our life lessons with friends and the younger generation. Maybe that’s why I love conversations. With older people, I have so much to learn. With younger people, I have so much to share.  Life is exciting no matter what age. How cool is that?

Be safe, be healthy, and remember: You can’t help getting old but you don’t have to get old. TGIF people!

Raoul

“I’m not getting old. I’m getting better!”
— Shirley Bassey

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.  for sharing this joke.

Video: Family Photo Session

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

Pun Time

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC who sent this pun

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.

The post Covid Cabin Fever appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Getting Older

Upon an invitation from another couple, my wife and I welcomed 2019 in a night club that played loud 80s music — not my “cup of tea” but I tried to make the most of the situation. Like many other guests, we were dressed for New Year. Mine was an aluminum Terminator-like mask that covered my whole face so I felt practically invisible.

I was an alien observing the crazy earthlings. All around me were intoxicated flashy, sweaty, party animals gyrating to the 80s beat (it’s a great place to get your tinnitus going, I can tell you that). In earlier days, that room would have been filled with second-hand smoke — it was that kind of a place.

I think I’m getting old. These humans looked real stupid. They paid big bucks to be in this overcrowded hall. People bobbed up and down because there was hardly any room to dance. The ladies protected themselves from being touched and the men flailed their arms to reach the “untouchables.” Scotch on the rocks was 90% rock (ice): Ka-ching! for the night club ownersa and Ka-where-did-it-go? for the big spenders. A few fights erupted due to the booze and the claustrophobic atmosphere. A woman dove under a table for safety. One drunk Surfer Dude seemed to have the hots for my wife. I was behind her so I didn’t realize what was happening but my friend did and he told Surfer Dude to back off. I thought the drunk was merely asking her a question — I was oblivious that she needed my protection. I did contemplate using my old judo move I learned from college. Thankfully, the Dude said my mask spooked him out so he moved away. It was a very strange scene: A long time ago I used to be part of this insanity but now I was looking at it with alien eyes wide open. (Hey, I don’t mean to judge you if this is your “thing” — that’s cool. It just isn’t mine.)

On the way home I told my wife that I didn’t want to go back there. I’m glad she was thinking the same thing.

“Getting old.” What does that really mean? Of course, derogatively, it means one is aging: one’s body parts start falling off. But “getting old” also means getting more mature … getting wiser. To have a body that nears its expiration date and a mind that still thinks like a child is a double tragedy. I remember a news clip of a pathetic aging hippie beckoning people to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with him to relive his youthful hormones. This senior never grew up. He probably never will. (BTW, 2019 is the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock buy your tickets now — NOT!).

With every new year, adding a notch to our longevity here on earth is not an option; But adding a dose of wisdom in the mix — that’s an option we should not miss. That’s a good new year resolution.

TGIF and have a great 2019!

“Maturity is being able to apologize and admit when you’re wrong because you know that your mistakes don’t define you” — Anonymous

Joke of the Week

Our Friday joke of the week comes from: Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

WARNING: Might be insensitive to some.

Video of the Week

One Wedding and a Funeral
Sent by Sam of Los Angeles, CA

This is a classic Mr. Bean video. He’s a modern version of Charlie Chaplin. And like Charlie, Mr. Bean uses no words.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this

The post Wife Sharing appeared first on Traveling Archive.