Laugh Break 6: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Although this book is recommended for children pre-Kindergarten through second grade, I would say ages 7+ is more like it. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus had my children rolling on the floor. The illustrations are simple and unique, with a surprising peak of visual action in the middle of the story. They identified with Pigeon's antics, seeing them as silly and outrageous.

There are more books in with Pigeon series. Hopefully, there are more laughs to be had.

Laugh Break 5 Irish Humor

I grew up in NE Pennsylvania and my hometown's St. Patty's Day parade was the biggest event of the year. Really. Corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, and more. Picture green...lots of green...especially lots of green beer. I remember the jokes, many of which would not be considered politically correct. Yet, I remember the from-the-bottom-of-your-toes laughing. Big belly laughing. So here's a joke, in the spirit of Parade Day laughing...

A man stumbles up to the only other patron in a bar and asks if he could buy him a drink.

"Why of course," comes the reply.

The first man then asks: "Where are you from?"

"I'm from Ireland," replies the second man.

The first man responds: "You don't say, I'm from Ireland too! Let's have another round to Ireland."
"Of Course," replies the second man.

Curious, the first man then asks: "Where in Ireland are you from?"
"Dublin," comes the reply.
"I can't believe it," says the first man.
"I'm from Dublin too! Let's have another drink to Dublin."
"Of course," replies the second man.

Curiosity again strikes and the first man asks:
"What school did you go to?"
"Saint Mary's," replies the second man.
"I graduated in '62."

"This is unbelievable!" the first man says.
"I went to Saint Mary's and I graduated in '62, too!"

About that time in comes one of the regulars and sits down at the bar.
"What's been going on?" he asks the bartender.
"Nothing much," replies the bartender. "The O'Malley twins are drunk again."

After writing this entry draft last night, I was pleased to wake up to this article, The Value of Irish Humor. In it, Tom Purcell writes, "James Thurber, one of my favorite humorists, says the wheels of humor are set in motion by the damp hand of melancholy. Aristotle wrote that comedy and tragedy are close cousins. The Irish have long known that humor and laughter are our chief weapons for combating sadness and pain."

May some Irish humor find its way to you today as we hold close to our hearts Lent and the sadness and pain of Christ's suffering for us. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Laugh Break 4

I found this Considerate Catholic Parking Lot Pointers at the back of our church recently. I live in a town that triples in population during the winter. Retirees, also known as snow birds, come to beautiful Arizona during the winter months to enjoy the heat. Some of the greatest HEAT can be found in my parish parking lot as folks jockey for position in a way that I have never witnessed anywhere else. We're talking, the Sheriff's Department has been called out on Sundays to deal with traffic issues that are affecting the community to include accidents and fender-benders galore. What is the answer to this dilemma? You betcha...a gentle and positive pamphlet.

You have got to be kidding! The ruthlessness of this parking lot can't possibly be touched by, "The main reason for problems in the parking lot is the impatience of people who are running late." Not here. Retired folks show up 45 minutes early for Mass. "Go to your closet and look at the outfits you and your family plan to wear. You may find some of the items aren't ready to be worn." Not here. Making a fashion statement doesn't seem to be an issue for retirees. "This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said: If you see a sign that says No Parking, please don't park there." Not here. No one reads signs. "Pray that someday everyone will be as good a driver as you are and for the strength to tolerate them until they are." Now that's, funny.

It is obvious to our family that these pamphlets can't touch our parking lot issues. The level of problem here would need to be addressed by, let's say, on-going homilies about entitlement. The good news is that this pamphlet has given our family an inside joke and an ongoing laugh. Not the intended outcome, but a good one none the less.

Toddler Rules - Laugh Break 3

Our littlest has been the most easy going baby I have ever known. He has most certainly been the most easy going baby I have mothered. Well...he is nine months old now and he is decidedly one of us. Over night he has become Mr. Opinionated! As he was demanding the telephone and the remote and the knife, I watched my older children look on puzzled. Then I reminded them about Toddler Property Laws:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, Its mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, It's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I am doing or building something,all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

My children thought these were hilarious! Instead of locking into a view of their baby brother as a wrecking ball on hands and knees, they received a glimpse into normal child development which often softens the heart. Once again, humor saves the day!

Home Education as Super Glue + Laugh Break 2

I love homeschooling. I really love it. Learning at home offers our family an infinite number of opportunities to grow in family unity, enough to keep this blog going for years. You've been warned.

The practical matter for me is time and style. We have more time available together than most families. We are challenged to use time wisely, to learn how to work together, to depend on each other, and to be kind. Finding the right style and fit of home educating is crucial to learning and keeping family harmony. We are challenged to find ways of learning at home that are enriching, encouraging, and glorifying to God.

I also love homeschoolers. I really love them. I love the community, the lifestyle, the quirkiness, the encouragement, and the passion for learning. I also love the jokes. Here's one of the first I heard and it is still one of my favorites. How many homeschoolers does it take to change a lightbulb?

Laugh Break 1

My friend, Chari, found this on the outside of a fudge display while visiting Virginia and shared it with me. Girlfriend jokes help wife-n-mom to lighten-up, and that's good family glue...

The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man
has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is
a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet
of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!

DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: here, Have some chocolate

DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: here, Have some chocolate

DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: here, Have some chocolate

DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: here, Have some chocolate

DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: here, Have some more chocolate

Have a blessed Sunday!

Make 'Em Laugh

I was born serious. Fortunately for me, I was born into a funny family. My Dad can deliver an infinite number of jokes with aplomb. He has a keen insight into human nature and shrewd sense of wit about it. He was swiping at corporate America well before Dilbert. When he and his working buddies get together, there isn't anything funnier.

My Mom can't tell a joke to save her life which somehow makes every joke she attempts to tell even funnier. She has a room-filling laugh that comes from her very depths. She is easily embarrassed which makes for lots of laughter on the part of other family members. Don't let her near the horseradish, if it gets up her nose, she will react in a way that causes the rest of us to fall out of our seats!

My brother is arguably the funniest in the family. He was born with a gift of humor and has a charismatic personality that lets him get away with a lot. He is not above Elvis impersonations or creating and performing Chuck Berry dives into his pool. There isn't a bad joke that is too bad for him. His smart play on words leaves me spinning.

My sister has a dry wit that makes me belly laugh. While going through life difficulties, she can make fun of herself and her situation in a way that brings me to tears. Here "glass is half empty" humor can quickly cut to the truth that life is really wonder-full.

I see myself as the appreciator of humor in my first family. I love to laugh and really appreciate those who have a gift and talent for wit. It is similar to the fact that I don't play an instrument but I love to listen to music. What would all these funny people do without someone to laugh at their good humor?

My first family and I have gone through many a difficult struggle. By all rights, we shouldn't be united in love and friendship today. But we are. When I think about why this is true, I pinpoint several of the usual suspects such as prayer (thanks Mom,) desire to work things out individually and collectively, and patience over the long haul. Right up there and not to be overlooked is our ability to laugh together.