What did she do on...A SUPER DUPER BIRTHDAY???

This past birthday certainly started out like no other...It felt like there was a ticker/confetti parade going on when I logged on in the early hours of my birthday and saw all those wonderful Happy Birthdays from so many wonderful people!! Of course I cried and smiled and oohed and aahed....

The day before my birthday a sweet and thoughtful friend sent me some beautiful flowers (I still need to download my pictures) and then later on my step/heart daughter Kelly gave me some flowers and a miniature rose plant (hopefully one that Oliver won't eat this time).....
After looking at my blog I got the most wonderful call on my cell phone singing Happy Birthday to me....

I did NOT go for any thrills like these and more power to people who can...

After having gone out with Michael for breakfast, I found a beautiful message with a sung Happy Birthday again from a dear friend...

Here's where Michael and I went for my birthday breakfast and a buy one get one free deal too!...

After a little shopping (very little as it was pouring, but I like the rain), we decided it was siesta time, so we took a little snooze...just wish Michael's head was a little lighter (guess there's too many brains in there?)...

Later on we finished the cake I made the day before...I even requested that we have me make the cake as so often we don't eat all of the other bought cakes or they end up less than good. But not to worry, Michael did ALOT of helping with the cake...it was home made orange sponge cake with real whipped cream (even in the center after I cut it in half) and sweetened orange zest on top....mmm, yummy. Crazy Kelly said that if there is any left she'd take some to work on Monday...there was none left on SATURDAY!!

Uh oh...nope, we didn't take a second nap, but this does look like me throwing an arm over Michael...

For dinner we went to the only place that I eat steak (remember I am a HUGE chicken fan) and my dinner looked pretty much like this, only I chose the tasty salad instead of the green beans (plus lots of butter on my potato)...

This is the name of my 'steak restaurant' and it was the 7 oz. Victoria fillet...mmm, mmm yummy...

Here's another thing we did NOT do, although Jackie from Teacher's Pet would just LOVE this...actually, just looking at this would probably freak Michael as he has a fear of heights...hmmm...this could actually CAUSE that fear in someone....

Now here's my idea of getting a thrill...not really as I do some silly stuff (like the time I made Michael bob for apples in the bath tub) but it doesn't usually involve possible loss of limbs...

Now, poor Wanda was lamenting that no one took her award that she offered, so here it is but I captured it too little and it won't enlarge well, but I AM keeping it with my other valuables, Wanda and thank you for sharing it !!.....

This is yet another thrill I won't be trying...sure hope the brakes are good on that ride...

Reading about thrills is safer for your health and/or body unless the reading causes high blood pressure....

While I am not afraid of snakes, I don't 'long' for their company and this guy doesn't look like an evening of fun, except maybe for Jackie and then of course Wanda (who is really Snow White in disguise)...

Think I have thrilled everyone (esp. Diana who wanted to know about my BIG day) MORE THAN YOU WERE READY TO BE THRILLED, so calm down and take an elephant tranquilizer and all will be well!

Now, would I forget to give you the 'thrill' of some chuckles??? Hopefully never...

*************
A man asked his wife, "What would you most like for your birthday?" She said, "I'd love to be ten again." On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and they went to a theme park. He put her on every ride in the park - the Death Slide, The Screaming Loop, the Wall of Fear. She had a go on every ride there was. She staggered out of the theme park five hours later, her head reeling and her stomach turning. Then off to a movie theater, popcorn, cola and sweets. At last she staggered home with her husband and collapsed into bed. Her husband leaned over and asked, "Well, dear, what was it like being ten again?" One eye opened and she groaned, "Actually, honey, I meant dress size!"
*********
Fred: I was going to buy you a handkerchief for your birthday. Harry: That was a kind thought. But why didn't you?

Fred: I couldn't find one big enough for your nose.
***********
Fred: Do you like the dictionary I bought you for your birthday?

Harry: Sure. It's a great present but I just can't find the words to thank you enough.
*********
Cat: "What did you get him for his birthday?"

Dog: "Pant . . . pant!"

Cat: "Great . . . he needs a pair of pants!"
**************
A lady is throwing a party for her granddaughter, and had gone all out..... a caterer, band, and a hired clown. Just before the party started, two bums showed up looking for a handout. Feeling sorry for the bums, the woman told them that she would give them a meal if they will help nail some loose boards back in place on her deck. Gratefully, they headed to the rear of the house.

The guests arrived, and all was going well with the children having a wonderful time. But the clown hadn't shown up. After a half and hour, the clown finally called to report that he was stuck in traffic, and would probably not make the party at all.

The woman was very disappointed and unsuccessfully tried to entertain the children herself. She happened to look out the window and saw one of the bums doing cartwheels across the lawn. She watched in awe as he swung from tree branches, did mid-air flips, and leaped high in the air.

She spoke to the other bum and said, "What your friend is doing is absolutely marvelous. I have never seen such a thing. Do you think your friend would consider repeating this performance for the children at the party? I would pay him $50!"

The other bum says, "Well, I dunno. Let me ask him. 'HEY WILLIE! FOR $50, WOULD YOU HAMMER ANOTHER TOE?"

~~~~Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings of thoughtfulness all around us...may we look for and enjoy each and every small act of thoughtfulness.

Happiness = Helping

Sometimes answers are so simple that they can stun you and most of the time the "world" tells us the opposite of what is true, so we always need to go to GOD'S Word to get the answers....

Every time we answer the voice within us that is goodness, we feel good because we ....
It can be in very small ways or very large ways, involving our time, our money or our talents, even as "easy" as sincere prayer....

We can even give our life source, our blood, to help others...

Singing is praying twice, so sing to someone a song of love...

Let's keep today's reading in our everyday actions and when we can, let us always help one another...

Reading II
Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

"Dearest brothers and sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

And now for an uplifting true story as well as a laugh or two...

Pickpockets Put Back a Little Cash
--posted by Miracle Man on Aug 22, 2009


August 19, 2009 -- LONDON (Reuters) - Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets, but now there's another, more positive phenomenon on the loose -- putpockets.

Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London's tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.

Anything from 5 pounds ($8) to 20 pound notes is being surreptitiously deposited in unguarded pockets or open handbags in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and other busy spots.

The initiative, which runs until the end of August in London before being rolled out countrywide, is being funded by a broadbrand provider, which says it wants to brighten up people's lives in unusual ways.

"It feels good to give something back for a change -- and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate," said Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who now heads TalkTalk's putpocketing initiative.

"Every time I put money back in someone's pocket, I feel less guilty about the fact I spent many years taking it out."

London's police have been briefed about the plan, which will see at least 100,000 pounds given away.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Kate Kelland)
**********
Put the cat out
by Anna
(Mission Viejo)

Linda and Tom were leaving for the night, but first, they had to let Molly, their cat, out of the house. Linda picked up the cat and set her outside, but the cat just ran right back in while they were closing the door.

Tom ran inside to catch her. By this time, the taxi they had called was there, and Linda, not wanting anyone to know that there was no one in the house, told the driver that Tom was just saying goodbye to his mother.

A few minutes later, Tom appeared, his hair a mess, and he was breathing hard. "Sorry about that." he said, "The idiot went under the bed and I had to hit her with a hanger a couple times to get her out!"

*************
Heard This One Before?
A man boasts to a friend about his new hearing aid, 'It's the most expensive one I've ever had, it cost me $3,500.'

His friend asks, 'What kind is it?'

The braggart says, 'Half past four.'
*************
The Lord's Prayer
A mother had been teaching her 3-year-old daughter the Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after her mother the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. The mother listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some E-mail. Amen."
*********
~~~Lord, though I am not rich by any means, I thank You for the blessings of abundance that You have given me, please help me to give to others.

***T H A N K****Y O U***, ONE AND ALL!!

First let me give thanks to God, our Creator, for the blessings of all of the wonderful people I have been gifted to meet. When I first started this blog site it was to remind myself and others of the blessings all round us that we often overlook. Little did I realize that I would be so heavily blessed myself, so to my Creator I send all praise and thanks!

I also found this lovely picture and verse by ee cummings which even speaks of the sun's birthday!


For all of you sweet and dear friends out there I really do thank you for the support as well as inspiration you give me almost daily to be the best me I can be...

This is a thank you card from England, so my thanks reach to the far ends of the earth...so cute...

Sweets for the sweet hearts in all of blogland, even people I don't know who visit other's blogsites, saw the birthday posts, then came here to say Happy Birthday...how wonderful is that??!!

Since I have been posting lately about cakes and ice cream, I would like to give you a cupcake thank you as well...

Let's not forget a memorable thank you in chocolate..mmm...mmm..good...one of the Major NEEDED FOOD GROUPS...

Like a circle, the giving of thanks should be never ending and I DO give daily thanks for all of you in my prayers, so here is a thank you where it belongs...

So many languages in which to say THANK YOU so much.....

If I could, I would publicize each and everyone of you in a newspaper extolling your wonderful qualities of caring and commenting and praying and just being ever so kind...

This was probably the most wonderful and exciting birthday of my whole life and my thanks come from my heart and soul....

This is a 'proper' blogland Thank You....

But here is just a cute mix of thank yous from such a cute mix of angel friends that God has so blessed me with....

Can't forget to send some smiles your way either....

Q. An ethical lawyer, an honest politician, and a merciful aerobics instructor all fall out of an air plane. Which one hits the ground first?
A. It doesn't matter - none of them exist.

.................................

What do you call a mushroom that runs into a bar and buys a round of drinks for everyone?
I guess that would be a Fun Guy.
****************
Thank You Notes
One Christmas, mom decreed that she was no longer going to remind her children of their thank-you note duties.

As a result, their grandmother never received acknowledgments of the generous checks she had given.

The next year things were different, however.

"The children came over in person to thank me," the grandparent told a friend triumphantly.

"How wonderful!" the friend exclaimed. "What do you think caused the change in behavior?"

"Oh, that's easy," the grandmother replied. "This year I didn't sign the checks."

************

A little boy, who wanted $100.00 very badly, prayed for two weeks but nothing happened. Then he decided to write GOD a letter requesting $100.00. When the postal authorities received the letter to GOD, U.S.A., they decided to send it to the President.

The President was so impressed, touched, and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the boy $50.00. Mr. President thought that this would appear to be a lot of money to the little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the $50.00 and immediately sat down to write a thank you note to GOD that read:

"Dear God, Thank you very much for sending me the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Washington, D.C., and, as usual, those devil's took half of it.

~~~Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit, my thanks for You and all those you have sent into my life, comes from my heart and soul...help me to be worthy.

****HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO........*****

These candles are on an unfrosted angel food cake, so it seemed so appropriate to post this picture in honor of my dear (and now in Heaven) friend, Fr. Eugene !

This picture came up under birthday candles and I thought...hmmm...how perfect for someone who did so much Good and is now in Heaven!...




This angel seems to be guiding people up to Heaven...




This is a thoughtful and yet wistful angel that just spoke to my heart about how good it was to have him on earth, yet how much better for his sake that he is in Heaven...

I found out that he had died when I got a greeting card returned to me in the mail with deceased-return to sender- written on it...so Mario was very gentle with me and sat me on the couch before I saw it...I wish I could have talked to him just one more time...

I did not know him when he was this young for God had him come into my life during a turbulent time and he was so good at counseling!....

He told me that no matter what comes into your life or how hard any situation may be, always speak in a LOVING and LOVEABLE way and I have held that in my heart all these years...

I was so thrilled when I found out that his birthday was the same day as mine. He was the first person I had ever met with my birthday and I felt honored!

I found what is in black print on an Internet site for all the men of God who died in the SDS (Society of the Divine Saviour) order:

FATHER EUGENE BROCHTRUP SDS

Born August 28, 1921 - Died January 10, 1997

Father Eugene Brochtrup (birth name: Clyde Gordon) was born on August 28, 1921, in Hollandtown, Wisconsin, a small farming community east of Appleton. He once told me that he REALLY disliked his given name (said WHAT were my parents thinking???)so he went by his Confirmation name of Eugene. He had a subtle but good sense of humor.

He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college. He entered the Society's Novitiate there in 1941, and made his profession of vows on September 8, 1942. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC. On June 4, 1948, he was ordained a priest in St. Gregory's Church in St. Nazianz.

He lost his mother when he was just a very little boy but he said that when his father remarried she was a good woman and that he never knew of a single night they ever spent apart for any reason!

For many years in his ministry as teacher, Fr. Eugene taught languages at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; and at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, where he also served as prefect of the Brother candidates for a few years. He taught at St. Gregory's High School in the village of St. Nazianz, where he was Vice Principal, as well as associate pastor in the parish.

He ministered as associate pastor of St. Benedict's Parish in Columbus, Georgia, and directed the Social Services Bureau of Catholic Charities in that city. For a time, he also taught at Pacelli High School in Columbus.

This is when I first met him and we shared faith stories and he gave great and gentle counseling.

In 1974, he returned to Wisconsin, and was chaplain of Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, and helped in St. Patrick's Parish in Menasha.
Later, he worked in St. Peter's Parish in Oshkosh; as chaplain in Holy Family Hospital and St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc; and as associate pastor of St. Mary's Parish, also in Manitowoc.

Mario and I went to visit him when we went up to Chicago on vacation for we would take one day to ride up to Manitowoc and just have a nice visit. He was also a very considerate person who never forgot to send cards for all occasions and to ALWAYS remember to mention that he was praying for each of us by name and he would always write about and ask about each person.

In 1992, he suffered a stroke, and he retired to St. Mary's Home. He died there on January 10, 1997, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.

This happened the summer that my son and I were going up to Wisconsin (for some reason Mario couldn't go that year) and he was going to show us all around the city. Instead we went and visited him at his hospital bedside and he was wonderful and even consoling as I cried, happy that the prognosis was good but sad at what had happened.

After his stroke we would continue to visit him and it was always so incredible...he NEVER complained one time or talked about his limitations. Instead he would talk sports to both Marios and ask how everyone else was doing, totally interested in us and smiling the whole time and then thanking US for having come to visit him. His 'silence' about his multiple limitations was so inspirational!! You knew you were in the presence of holiness.

Fr. Eugene is remembered fondly as a "man on the go," whose many ministries and appointments made it difficult for anyone to keep up with him. An avid jogger for over twenty years, he was often seen running in the wee hours of the morning for his five-and-a-half mile jog.

I even have an old newspaper (I asked him to send me anything any time he was involved but he was VERY humble and only did it because we were good friends)where he was featured for having jogged so much and under severe weather conditions (like snow and sleet and ice)! He had been a heavy smoker but when he gave it up and realized he could jog (something he DEARLY loved) he did it with gusto every morning at 4:00 or 5:00 A.M. for many years.

Gifted with languages as well as having excellent teaching skills, he taught the basics of Latin and Greek to many seminarians over the years in creative ways that made it easier for them to learn.

So strange to think about it but even though we both had a love of languages, we never spoke to each other in any language other than English...there were too many good Christian books to share or questions to ponder!

So I would like to ask everyone reading this to take a minute to"wing" a prayer up to Heaven that whatever he is praying about for good down here, will come true!

HE WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS LITTLE CARTOON BELOW......

AS WELL AS THESE GOOFY JOKES....

Grandpa Jones' Birthday


It was Grandpa Jones' 100th birthday and he was still in perfect health. At his birthday party he was asked how he managed to live so long and stay so fit.

He explained "I put my long life down to spending so much time out of doors. I've been in the open air, day after day, rain or shine, for the last 75th years."

"How do you manage to keep up such a rigorous fitness regime?" we asked.

"It's simple" he said. "When I married my wife 75 years ago, we both made solemn pledge on our wedding night. We agreed that whenever we ever had a fight, whoever was proved wrong would go outside and take long walk


Walking On Water


Amanpreet heard a rumor that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays. So, on his 21st birthday, Amanpreet and his good friend Brian headed out to the lake.

"If they did it, I can too!" he insisted.

When Amanpreet and Brian arrived at the lake, they rented a boat and began paddling. When the got to the middle of the lake, Amanpreet stepped off of the side of the boat... and nearly drowned. Furious and somewhat shamed, he and Brian headed for home. When Amanpreet arrived back at the family farm, he asked his grandmother for an explanation.

"Grandma, why can I not walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?"

The feeble old grandmother took Amanpreet by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained, "That's because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January... you were born in July, dear."
******

Q: What did one candle say to the other?
A: "Don't birthdays burn you up?"

*******
Q: "Were any famous men born on your birthday?"
A: "No, only little babies."
*******
Q: How can you tell that you're getting old?
A: You go to an antique auction and three people bid on you!
*******
"I'm giving a 'surprised' birthday party for you."
"A 'surprised'. birthday party? What's that?"
"That's where I invite a bunch of your friends, and if any of them come, I'll be surprised!"
*******
Q: Why did the boy feel warm on his birthday?
A: Because people kept toasting him!

~~~For the blessings of wonderful celebrations and the warm friends You send as additional blessings I most sincerely thank You, dear Lord.

Let's All Scream as a Team for Ice Cream part 2

Here we have an unusual combination of peach and almond but I can't figure out why the ice cream looks so dark, but it is one I would surely try...would you?...

Here is something that we had in Germany (Bamberg) when my late beloved hubby Mario, was stationed there. It is spaghetti ice cream, but it looked even more realistic where we had it. They strain vanilla ice cream through a ricer and then top it with strawberry juice and sometimes put some finely chopped coconut on top to look like Parmesan cheese on top of the 'sauce'...


Now Michael would LOVE to get his hands on this cone...it is his favorite, dulce de leche all over a vanilla cone!...

Now this one makes me a little skittish...I don't know what it is or what the combinations are, but in an 'emergency' ice cream need, I might just try it...

This one is called azuki (which is a small bean grown in eastern Asia), sounds almost like a sneeze noise...

Think I could hold back on tasting this one...

Much as I like the flower, I do wonder if verbena would make a good ice cream...

Another site on ice cream with another interpretation on its origins...

"Ancient History – And Myths
Much of what is written about the history of ice cream begins centuries ago...and it’s the stuff of legends. The claims of Nero (1st century A.D.) and the ancient Chinese (via Marco Polo) enjoying an “ice-cream-like dessert” are used to bolster ice cream’s long-standing popularity. Well, bunk. These desserts, while frozen, are not ice cream as we know it, but more like sorbet or probably a sno-cone! Nero would have servants run to the mountains for fresh snow, and then race back (before it melted) to his palace where he would enjoy the frozen treats topped with fresh fruits. Again, it’s not the dairy treat we enjoy today, and further – it was something only royalty enjoyed (not everyone could have servants sent to the mountains, y’know).

The Dawn Of Ice Cream As We Know It
Ice cream as a dairy delight was probably “discovered” in the 1600’s. The concept of flavored ices evolved, but no one is sure how. We do know that Charles I of England, or rather, his chef (either French or Italian), made ice cream a staple of the royal table. Depending on which version you read, either the chef had a secret recipe for ice cream and the king paid him a handsome reward to keep it a secret, or the chef was threatened with death if he divulged the recipe. Either way, once Chuck-One was beheaded in 1649, the chef blabbed. Soon nobility in Europe knew of, and enjoyed, “crème ice.”

Ice Cream Comes To The Colonies
The still-for-the-rich “iced creams” were widely known in the 18th century on both sides of the Atlantic. Several recipes appear in a 1700 French cookbook, “L’Art de Faire des Glaces”, and here in the soon-to-be United States, ice cream was also known. Thomas Jefferson had a recipe for Vanilla ice cream, George Washington paid almost $200 (a chunk of money then) for a specific recipe, and James and Dolley Madison served ice cream at their second inaugural ball. Still, ice cream was limited in quantity and popularity, due to the enormous effort needed to make it (think two large bowls, lots of ice and salt, and 40 minutes of shaking one bowl while stirring the other – whew!).

If You Want Something Done Right, Ask A Woman
Give credit to Nancy Johnson. In 1847 she developed the first hand-crank ice cream maker, and despite what you might read elsewhere, received a patent for it. Much of the confusion (and lack of credit) to Ms. Johnson comes from the fact that she sold her rights to William Young for just $200 (still a pretty good sum in those days). He at least had the courtesy to call the machine the “Johnson Patent Ice-Cream Freezer.”

Mass Production – Finally, Ice Cream To The People!
The hand crank might have been fine for backyard picnics, but no one considered ice cream making as an industry – until Jacob Fussell in 1851. The milk dealer was looking for a way to keep a steady demand for his cream. He discovered that he could do so by turning it into ice cream – and he could get twice the price! His Baltimore factory utilized icehouses and a larger version of Johnson’s machine, and by the start of the Civil War he had additional ice cream plants in New York, Washington, and Boston. Ice cream still didn’t become a widespread phenomenon until the 20th century, when advances in refrigeration and power allowed for the dramatic increase in production as shown in the chart below:

Year
U. S. Production
(in gallons)
1899
5 million

1909
30 million

1919
150 million


However, before supply came demand…and the controversial “inventions” of the ice cream sundae and the ice cream cone.

The Birth Of The Sundae – Fact Or Fiction?
There are several stories as to the birth of the ice cream sundae (as there are to its predecessor, the ice cream soda). Most of these “true accounts” revolve around concentrated efforts by Midwestern religious leaders in the late 19th century against “sucking soda” (I am not making this up). Evanston, Illinois was one such town, as was Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Both claim to have locals who circumvented the soda ban by serving ice cream topped with syrup, and they did it on Sunday, and then changed the name slightly to avoid any connection with the clergy…"

Let's finish with a nice dish of lemon ice cream to clear the palate...

Women have known this about ice cream AND chocolate for ages, now we must pass it on to the unknowing male population...

A smiley cartoon or two and a joke or two, too for you...

*******
Knock! Knock!
Who's there?
Ice cream!
Ice cream who?
Ice cream if you throw me in the cold, cold water!
*******

Knock! Knock!
Who's there?
Ice cream soda!
Ice cream soda who?
ICE CREAM SODA PEOPLE CAN HEAR ME...
*******
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Ice cream!
Ice cream who?
Ice cream of Jeannie!
*******

"What flavors of ice cream do you have?" inquired the customer. "Vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate," answered the new waitress in a hoarse whisper. Trying to be sympathetic, the customer asked, "Do you have laryngitis?" "No...." replied the new waitress with some effort, "just...erm.... vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate."
*******

(I found this delightful English joke and just had to share, but Angie and Eddie and even Joolz won't need the translator part like the rest of us)...

Ice Cream Man
You need to have a British sense of humor (ahem - that would be humour) to fully understand this. There is an explanation of some of the terms following the joke.....

Carlos the ice-cream man's van is parked at the side of the road. Lights flashing, music playing, a big queue of excited kids stretches down the street. But there's no sign of Carlos.

A copper walking down the road wonders what is going on. "Where is Carlos?, Why is he not dishing out the ice-cream?"

He goes over to the van and peers over the high counter.

On the floor he spots Carlos. He's lying very still covered in chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, nuts, hundreds and thousands and those little jelly bits.

"Get back kids," he shouts.

Moving away so the bemused kids cannot overhear him he gets on the radio to the police station.

"Sarge, get someone down here quick," he stutters, "It's Carlos the ice-cream man... ... He's topped himself."

---------------------------

Being English myself I don't have any problems understanding this joke, but if you are not familiar with the English way of life, then you probably are not aware that we have ice-cream vans everywhere - much more than the USA, and many are run by Italians. We still have coppers (policeman) who walk the streets rather than drive around in cars, and the phrase "to top oneself" means to take your own life. Cor blimey - does it make sense now mate?

~~~~Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings of the heavenly delights for our eating pleasure here on earth, please help us to BE delights to those in need.