Tick Warning

GOLDEN

50 years --- what's the big deal? This weekend, two people very close to me will be celebrating their Golden Anniversary.
If truth be told, theirs is not a perfect match yet they stuck it out despite all obstacles. One of them grew up in a frugal family of practicality and strong survival instincts. The other was raised in a less restrictive family --- overly generous with their inherited wealth --- bordering in gullibility. Two opposite worlds bound by the vows made in their youth. Was the journey worth it? I think so. Even God said he hated divorce (Malachi 2:16). Of course there are always exceptions but I leave that to your honest interpretation as it applies to your unique experience. I do not pretend to be an authority here as I am a traveler just like many of you.

Is your marriage lacking? Don't fret. I believe it's part of God's plan.

What do I think of marriage? There are no perfect matches to begin with --- the problems of some are just better hidden. It starts with an attraction of opposites (people love to get what they don't have). And then I believe that (in every vow) God prepares a golden pot at the end of the marriage rainbow. But in order to get to that pot, God uses this precarius partnership of imperfect, self-centered individuals to bring out their best and worst. Some get over their emotional family baggages quickly but a majority unload slowly and cautiously. Some "stick it out" for practical reasons and suffer their wounds that never heal --- their marriage is held together by band aids. They may be together but there is no joy. It is during this bonfire of insecurities and anger that many quit midstream and miss out on the blessings of having a partner who they could say shared all the trials. A blessed few discover their need for something beyond their limitations and find God. They mature through the test and understand the real meaning of humility, acceptance and yes --- love. They build each other up to become the best they could ever be. These are the truly golden marriages! And this is possible for ANY marriage. But it requires the partners to desire and work on this legacy.

50 years? Yes! It IS a big deal! Congratulations you old love birds!

Wisdom from Norm of Arcadia

Tick Warning
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

It's the scam of the summer! If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT! THIS IS A SCAM!!

They only want to see you dance naked.

I wish I'd gotten this yesterday ... I feel so stupid.

Fake Noodle
Contributed by Melba of Covina, CA

Q: what do you call a fake noodle?

A: an Impasta!

A.A.A.D.D.
Contributed by Linda Belle of Whittier, CA

Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. KNOW THE SYMPTOMS!
Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first ... but then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of soda I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks but first I need to push the soda aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The soda is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the soda, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye --- they need water. I put the soda on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote. But I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs. But first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
The car isn't washed,
the bills aren't paid,
there is a warm can of soda sitting on the counter,
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail ....

Do me a favor. Forward this message to everyone you know because I don't remember who I've sent it to. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

P.S. I don't remember who sent it to me, so if it was you, I'm sorry.

Videos of the week: (click on the picture)

Sausage Prank
Contributed by Joji of Antipolo, Philippines

Not exactly new but I still enjoyed this. Some people consider these "victims" as meat-eating hypocrites! What do you think? Hmmm ... be honest now!

Mob Museum
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

I didn't know this museum existed. Gives me a reason to go there. When I was a kid, I started a "gang" called the M.O.B. (Minding Others' Business). Our mission was to dig up all the juicy romantic secrets of our single uncles and aunts. This was when we were crossing the line of puberty --- from "woman hater" to "woman chaser."

Harp Music
Contributed by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

No need to wait for heaven --- you can listen to good harp music now!! Kidding of course. But this is a real treat for you classical music lovers. Hard to believe the talent of this young Russian lady.

Return of a Chevy Impala
Contributed by Jackie of Alhambra, CA

My family grew up with a blue Chevy station wagon. When it was brand new the AC was such a luxury in the sweltering summer. I remember it iced up on the way to a mountain resort. This video reminds me of my childhood and my father's constant tinkering with the Chevy in the weekends. My brother also owned a toy Impala that was probably the most expensive toy we had. Like the real Chevy we played with it until it had run out of spare parts.

How to Peel a Banana
Contributed by Jackie of Alhambra, CA

Sometimes we humans can learn from our primate brothers. My wife and I were amazed at the simplicity. To think we were doing it wrong the whole time. Peeling it this way also provides a handle. How cool is that?

Addicting Panda Commercials
Contributed by Jody of Silver Lake, CA

Warning: the theme song of this marketing campaign will revolve inside your subconscious for a long time. It isn't in English but you get the idea. Who would think such a nasty mascot would be such a marketing success?

Count Your Blessings
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

Need inspiration? Watch this video. Above all else, it's his attitude I find the most impressive.

Extreme Hill Climbing
Contributed by Charlie of New York

You still here? You must be desperate for entertainment. Well we end our Friday fun with something only people with a lot of time, money and energy can do. I hate to admit it but I actually watched the whole clip. Pathetic, huh? TGIF people!