Tag Archives: humor

Jun27

Writing Prompts

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Writing Prompts

Here on WordPress, writing prompts are suggested for those days when you want to write and are struggling to come up with a topic of your own. I scrolled through a few today and I’m not inspired to write using even one of the suggested prompts. And I think back to that creative writing course I took back in college. The prof’s advice….Write about what you know.

Having been around for more than a few decades, I think I know a lot. Yet I also believe that there is still a great deal for me to learn in my lifetime. After all, you can never know too much.

Or can you?

I have gingerly gone back to reading daily newsfeeds. Locally, the news is all about the ongoing manhunt for a father accused of murdering his three daughters. Nationally, the headlines deal with the political situation. Globally, all eyes are poised on a potential World War lll.

On a happier note, I attended a luncheon the other day for a woman in my book club who was celebrating her 99th birthday. She is moving to the other side (a Washingtonian knows this means to the other side of the mountains) this week. We’ll all have to travel next year if we want to attend the 100th.

I’ve learned a lot about American history in the past few months. Book club has focused on historical fiction. The current read is all about Patsy Jefferson, daughter of Thomas Jefferson. I find it to be lengthy and long-winded, although a few others find it most interesting and a delight to read. However, I must admit that I do find American history to be much more colorful than Canadian history.

I wonder what the history books will say twenty or thirty years from now. It will depend if they’re written by a Democrat or a Republican; or in the case of Canada, a Liberal or a Conservative. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine the world I’m living in now. Enough about that.

Back to happy. Come to Cashmere this Saturday for a Founders Day celebration. I’ll be volunteering at a book sale organized by Friends of the Cashmere Library. Other events include a classic car show, a parade, games for kids and entertainment.

I decided to end this post with a Johnny joke, because we can all use some humor in our lives.

Teacher: “If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven.” Teacher: “No, listen carefully… If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven.” Teacher: “Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Six.” Teacher: “Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven!” Teacher: “Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!” Johnny: “Because I’ve already got a freaking cat!”

Groan………..

Mar14

SMILE! LAUGH!

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SMILE! LAUGH!

Let’s take a break from politics. Let’s take a break from airline disasters. Let’s take a break from deadly tornados, blizzards and erupting volcanos. Let’s take a break from all the fear-mongering on social media. Let’s talk humor instead.

Years ago in another lifetime when I had a motivational consulting business, I was asked to do a workshop which I then called Healing With Humor. The first time I did this, it was at a luncheon for seniors. I didn’t want to bore them with all the scientific evidence that supports the theory that laughter really is a wonderful medicine for what ails you, whether it be an emotional or a physical hurt.

Instead I got them actively discovering this on their own. Blowing bubbles and playing with silly putty were two of the most popular activities. Puppets, balloons, jacks……….memories of childhood and happy times surfaced. While children laugh approximately 300 times a day, adults merely smile about 20 times a day.

Here in Mexico we have Dia De Los Inocentes on December 28th, equivalent to April Fool’s Day elsewhere. The history here is a rather solemn one as it dates back to when King Herod decreed that all children in Bethlehem under the age of two were to be killed. This would ensure that the predicted Messiah, the future king of Israel, would be killed. So why the jokes and pranks on December 28th? This also dates back to the tricks parents had to use to protect their children and thus deceive Herod’s persecutors.

Now let’s turn to April Fool’s Day, observed on April 1st. This day is celebrated in different ways in different countries. A common belief is that it dates back to ancient Roman festivals or medieval celebrations. The premise is the same as Dia De Los Inocentes……….jokes and harmless pranks.

We’re only halfway through March, but I think we can all use a good dose of humor right about now.

Remember to SMILE. Remember to LAUGH. Do this EVERY SINGLE DAY OF YOUR LIFE.

LAUGHING isn’t just for kids. LAUGHING is for EVERYONE!

Feb2

Avocados and Audiobooks

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Avocados and Audiobooks

And I thought January was the month from hell. But it has now extended into February. World War III has begun with tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. A convicted felon can be president of a country but immigrants with offences as minor as traffic violations are still being deported. And a jet catches fire on the runway before takeoff. Thankfully all passengers were evacuated safely.

But back to avocados and audiobooks.

I limit my intake of bread here in Mexico as the sugar content is way too high. This morning as I tuned in to my online church service I realized that I would have to substitute something for bread as we were doing communion. I reached for a slice of avocado. I found my mind wandering to the price of avocados now that all these tariffs have been implemented. They were expensive enough last summer when I was in Washington. I wonder how expensive they will be this year. Will guacamole still be as popular?

These tariffs are ugly. How can people eat healthy foods when they almost have to mortgage their homes in order to afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables? Sorry but I do not sympathize when it comes to the imported alcohol. As far as the fentanyl goes, we’ll just have to wait and see.

On to the audiobooks. I belong to a book club in East Wenatchee. While I can’t attend the meetings in person while I’m in Mexico, I am able to access the books through the North Central Washington library system. Sometimes I read the books but lately I have resorted to the audiobooks. Staring at a computer screen does not have the same comforting feel as holding a book in my hands. By listening to a book, it leaves my hands free to color, one of my favorite pastimes when it comes to relaxing.

I think it’s time for some humor, as corny as it may be.

Why can’t you trust atoms? Because they make up everything.

Thanks Alexa.