“Humor During a Serious Plague”

“All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but he cheerful heart has a continual feast.”  (Proverbs 15:15, New International Version)

Call it a “pandemic,” or call it by an old-fashioned name like a “plague,” or call it macaroni, if you like.  This coronavirus outbreak is a serious matter.  It needs to be treated as such.  In fact, it is well past serious. It left serious in the rearview mirror weeks ago.  It is now downright grim, and likely to become much grimmer.

However, even in times like these, humor is important.  Perhaps especially in times like these, humor is essential.

So, today’s blog post—without glossing over how serious this plague-ish pandemic is—is going to risk (possibly) making you laugh.

First (and this is in the rather grim humor category), is an occurrence from a grocery store whose name shall remain anonymous.  (I will give you a hint: An anagram for the name of the store is rekorg.)

I was in the coffee aisle, with my mask and latex gloves on, trying to find some flavored coffee.  I usually buy whatever is cheapest at General Dollar, but I decided that, since the world was coming to an end, I would treat myself to some nicer coffee.  As I was shelf-reading the coffee aisle, my eyes suddenly were jolted wide open, as if I had just had a double-shot of espresso.  For there on the shelf was a coffee called—and I am not making this up—“DEATH WISH”!  It even had the skull-and-crossbones on the package. Where do coffee companies come up with the names for all these specialty coffees? In view of what we are going through right now, this one should probably be retired.

Second story.

I was sitting in the rocker watching a rerun of Adam-12.  Our little dog was on my lap.  She jumped down.  At the commercial break, I decided to look for her.  I did not even have to get up.  She was standing on the third step of the stairs, right beside the rocker, staring at me.  “What does that look mean?” I asked.  Of course, she did not answer in any language that I know.

“Come back down,” I said to the little black and white creature.  She did.  Then, she leapt back up in my lap, climbed up my arm onto my shoulders and neck, and began licking my bald head.  I laughed and laughed.  Apparently our little dog is not terribly intimidated by the coronavirus.

Third story.

I don’t know if Progressive is really good insurance or not, but they most certainly make good commercials.  Take, for example, the bigfoot commercial.  Before I make any comment, you need to have a look at the commercial, if you are not familiar with it.  You may access it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeavqyDYQtQ.

My wife was very eager to show me this video.  It may have been because she thinks I’m rather full of myself, and always want to be the center of attention.  If this was her thought, she had the decency not to say so.

Or, of course, it may be because my name is Daryl.  And yes, I’m afraid my feet really are pretty big. I am not writing a screen play, but I am a writer.

Go ahead and laugh!  I dare you! In fact, I give you permission!

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