Word of the Day Challenge, Clown

Cranny’s Cove word challenge for today is something I miss, the fun of clowning around.

The word clown brings to mind images of silliness to the extremes of horror. But to a few of us, we were Christian Clowns, and we had a specific purpose…prior to Covid.

Before we were no longer allowed to get close…we had hospital duties where we tried to bring a few smiles to those who sometimes forget to smile. We had nursing home duties where people needed the goofiness of clowns to help them forget where they were or help them remember to laugh. Then there were those of us who were face painters and even the adults would join in on that fun. Yes, clowning was a fun way to share in the goodness of laughter than now the fear of closeness seems to squelch that activity. But maybe one day…

These shoes may again get to share in some laughter. But even if they don’t, we can still share in the kindness of what they use to represent.

Always Be Kind

A Time for Laughter

There are many things that happen in our life that make us smile, bring us joy, make us chuckle and sometime make us laugh out loud. I think the current techno symbol is LOL – regardless I bring you some laughter. But to fully understand you must first understand the subject at hand.

In life, there is the purity of a child’s laughter that can make even the hardest old goof at least grin and for some of us, we laugh along with the child – even if we don’t know the child. A smile or chuckle will come from us at this simple form of purity.

Laughter is a medicine we all need from time to time which can sometimes get us out of our dulldromes. But some of us have 4-legged children that really make us laugh due to their antics. Last night my daughter was able to have her phone in hand when this happened and we both laughed about it. For those who don’t know much about basset hounds, they have a high energy spurt that lasts for about 5 minutes and then it is abruptly gone…sometimes for several hours. This is Max…

That is King Max to my underlings…

If you didn’t know better, his bark would sound like he was going to eat you alive. When I was growing up, my mother had one and her bark scared off a German shepherd that made the mistake of coming in our yard. But some will have to get up first, as many wont even bother as they lay there ferociously barking.

Last night Max was playing with his ball, bring it back to his mom for her to throw it again. We are not talking about a long distance throw but still…

I’m playing,,,I’m playing…I’m done

Even though he was done, he was not giving up the ball…plus there is no one that would want it’s wet slobbery thing anyway. I know that many of you have pets that make you laugh in much the same way, so share your pets with us as well. We all need as much laughter as possible. And as always I remind you to be kind, this too can make someone smile.

Always Be Kind

Bazar Things That Make Us Laugh

I don’t know if it is because of my quirky personality or just a loose screw but the newer fad of putting googly eye on inanimate objects makes me laugh. Recently a friend of mine, who has the same loose screw, sent me a photo and told me where to go to look up more photos of the same and I did. After a good chuckle, I decided a story needed to be written, to remind us to laugh even when it hard, and for us here to not forget the recent derecho that pushed through Iowa leaving millions of dollars of damage. Some are still dealing with its aftermaths. A derecho is like a short termed hurricane running across the ground. So here you go…as told by the local trees.

The Storm of 2020, In Memory of Slim

Did you hear what happened to Slim
You mean about the storm that tore through here?
I hear he is down for the count.
I saw a lot of good friends go down, some broke in half.
No! Say it ain’t so. Slim was a mighty oak!
I hear tell he just lays there weeping like a willow.
Oh, woe is me. My top notch is gone, limbs are broken, I am doomed I tell you, doomed.
Don’t give up Slim. Look what I was able to do when I go blown down. My limbs are growing strong still. Still try to reach for the sun.
Or you can be like us Slim. When our original tree fell, we became four trees. So don’t ever give up. God always had a plan for each of us.

This silly story does have a heart to heart true message. Life can be hard and can knock you down from time to time. But don’t give up. That life storm may be just the thing to help you be what God needs you to be. Hang on, reach out to His hand and left Him guide you through all of life’s storms.

Let His goodness, love, patience, peace and kindness wrap around you snuggly so that you can show others that God never leaves you alone. He is always by your side. So have faith as best as you can, smile as much as you can and always be kind, even when it is hard.

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Animals

Jansenphoto has a fun Tuesday Photo challenge and I haven’t played in awhile. But today was right up my alley, animals, and I had to play.

As pet owners across this world, we think we have pets for our fun and entertainment but truth be known, we are the pets and they are the owners. Example: Can’t you wait two minutes until the commercial? Answer,  No – Fine. Thank goodness for the pause button.

 

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Mimi, out NOW!

Then  of course when it is time for bed, who really owns it and can I please get in? It’s not your bed!

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What do you mean it’s not my bed??

And of course, I just HAD to have another dog…so now the sofa is somewhat off limits as well. I get the end edge.

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Then you have those pets with attitude and the proverbial ability of talking back. I don’t know if your dogs do this trick but two out of the three dogs in this house do.

The grumbling mumbling tone I hear says  “Do you not understand what I am telling you?” And of course, she is teaching Daisy all the tricks.

My daughter lives downstairs in the basement and her dog Max has looks that can kill, or make you roll over laughing.

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I can’t believe you asked me that question!

But we love our furbabies. From cats to dogs to exotics, they make us smile and bring us joy. Especially now that we are cooped up inside our homes. May you enjoy my furbabies and I look forward to seeing the animals you post.

And as always I remind you to be kind. Right now we all need the help and kindness of each other to survive this mess.

Kindhelp

 

 

Spring is Finally here…Nope Just Kidding

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Twas the night before tax day, here in the US

Everyone hunkered down, for the fear of virus

Our doors were brightly covered in unity of red

In hope that the virus would soon be dead

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The people were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of hugging danced through their heads

I rose from my bed for more movies of old

Must take the dogs first, get me jacket, its cold

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I open my door and what do I see

But three inches of snow on the ground just for me.

I run back inside for proper clothes for snow

For the craziness of lock-down had taken its toll

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With silliness and laughter I roll in the snow

The dogs looked on…do I to stay or do I go

After a brief moment they piled in too

As tensions was released with a loud yahoo.

Anita Neal

I was expecting flurries last night, not inches so I was surprised to see what we had. Last week’s temps were in the 70s. Old man winter’s one last hurrah I guess. Ground was too warm to be an issue there so that was good for the heroes that needed to get out. I pray you are all safe and snug in your homes as we wait out this crisis that has covered the entire world. I could think of a lot better ways for us to connect with one another than a pandemic. Be safe everyone and remember now more than ever – be kind.

Choose being kind and you will always be right. | Inspiring quotes ...

 

A Morning Giggle

We all need a giggle sometimes and when I saw this picture of facebook, I had to share. There are days when this is a real thing…

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But try to look at the bright side of how very strong you are and the wise old saying we share in the clowning world…”Growing old ain’t fir sissies!”

Have a blessed and pain free day and try to laugh and remember to always be kind.

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Smiling… and Laughter

As you go day to day do you think about the things that make you smile? When heading to work today, I passed a car that had two dogs in the back seat and both of them had their heads out the window, tongues flapping in the breeze. Dogs are so funny. I know that if Mimi gets loose which has happened a couple of times, if I go after her in the car and open the door for her, she will jump right in. The only time she has ever been in the car is when we go to the vet. Does she love going to the vet? Don’t think so, she just likes riding in the car. Her silliness always makes me smile.

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On guard for anything that may be on the sidewalk

Other things that make me smile is my flowers. They bring in that beauty of creation and they seem to smile when the sun splashes in their face.

Then there is the bulb that bloomed again this spring, the angel holding a flower pot …or the birds helping to grow sunflowers.

All of these make me smile…but what makes us laugh. Why does watching someone slip, knowing they didn’t get hurt, make us laugh. Or a clown throwing a pie at someone else can make us laugh. Silliness. I have seen women get so tickled and laugh so hard they are making no sound what so ever, just tears. I want to stop them and remind them to breathe. Too funny. Laughing people make us laugh. And how about the most precious laugh that there is…a babies laugh. I don’t know too much else as sweet. About a week ago my daughter and I went out to eat and while we were there a family with a grammar school age child and a baby were eating about 3 table over from us. The older child got the baby laughing and the baby was so tickled it got that end of the restaurant snickering and giggling. It was marvelous to have so many strangers all laughing at the same time without understand what the baby thought was funny. We took that joy with us as we left. Laughter a true release of joy.

In Genesis, Abraham and Sarah both laughed at the Lord. Not something I would recommend doing but know the circumstances, I can understand. Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100 and the Lord told them she was going to have a child. Wow. And when the child was born they named him Issac, which means ‘he who laughs’.

So I remind you to store up for yourselves the smiles of life and the joys of laughter and share them with others in kindness. Kindness shared with smiles can create laughter so smile often and be kind.

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Rainy Day Ramblings

Its funny when you are stuck inside on a Saturday how your mind wanders on off the wall stuff you never much think about otherwise. Or that could just be me and my “special” way of thinking.

Thursday was beautiful with warm sunny skies and then yesterday we got 2 inches of rain. Now we are receiving the possible morning inch with maybe another tonight …chances of rain tomorrow as well. The flood clean up was halted yesterday as the still flooded areas are expected to rise again to 20’…5 feet above flood stage…which we are still flooded. And the storm lines are running northward into Wisconsin and that water will just flow into the Mississippi and down to us.  But enough of that, let’s move on to random ramblings.

This morning I was out of milk, pooh, no cereal for breakfast. Hmm, I stare at the fridge and I have ham, cheese and eggs, lets make an omelette. That will cheer a dreary day, oh and there is still raisin bread. So omelette and raisin toast with apple juice. Score!

So I cracked in the pan the first egg as the ham  was getting sizzly then added the 2nd egg – oh look at that, a double yolk. You don’t often see that, from the store anyway.

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Twins

And then my mind started rambling on the amazing phenomenon of twins. I grew up with a set of twins, Joe and Jim. The parents in the neighborhood called them Joe-Jim because they could never tell them apart. To us kids, it was easy. Joe’s facial features were a little sharper than Jim’s softer features. They were cool kids and I have many fond memories with them. But as a adult, I have worked with some twins that I wonder how mom was surviving. I remember when I was pregnant with my last child, they were concerned about twins as I got so big so fast. They did run in my husbands family. Fortunately for me just one, albeit a big one; nearly 10 pounds – kind of made me grateful for the c-section.

Back to my double yolk…I did some research to see if “twin” chickens were a thing and while they did remark on the chickens that throw double yolks, not much has been known of hatchlings occurred from it. Yes we are clearly bored but maybe I made you smile today from my silliness. We all need silliness form time to time to get away from all the seriousness going on. Helps keep balance. My hope for you today is to enjoy your Saturday and if silliness happens…smile and move on. Remember that a smile is just a frown turned upside down so I challenge you to flip some of those frowns around and reflect much joy with silliness, kindness and maybe the occasional hug. Kindness can always brighten a really gray day.

 

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