PANDEMIC DIARY

CAREFUL WHAT YOU LAUGH FOR

AUGUST 5, 2021

The expression, ”careful what you wish for” came to mind this morning. Yesterday, I posted a series of cartoons and the response has been overwhelming. It is as if a Dam of Humor was released and washed our spirits with cooling refreshment. To be honest, I thought the post was ‘cute’, but did not expect such an immediate and favorable response. So many took the time to thank me for the cartoons and opportunity to get to know my knee more intimately. It also made me fathom the fervent need for laughter and release.

I do not give myself credit for these replies. Might it be true that the reaction was derived from an offering between an arcane, indispensable hankering for hilarity opposed to the sad, ironic and vexing laughter caused by a constant flow of ever disturbing news. Was I unconsciously suggesting the dichotomy between the incongruous humor associated with “the pain in my knee” and the inescapable, defensive, macabre humor of our “the pain in the ass” president?

One causes ‘over the top’, irresistible mirth, usually accompanied by tears of joy.
The other causes a head shaking, sickly solemnity also accompanied by tears…but tears of melancholy.