We All Need A Good Laugh

There is no doubt about it – 2020 has been a nightmare. A global pandemic, civil unrest, economic misery and political disasters have all been on the menu this year. And now, here in Tucson, we are dealing with a massive wildfire in our beloved Santa Catalina Mountains. Sparked by a lightning fire 10 days ago, the Bighorn Fire has been getting worse every day. In started in the Pusch Ridge section and our offices sit right at the base there. For most of last week, we were all mesmerized and horrified as we watched the mountain burn across the street while helicopters, planes, and men on the ground valiantly tried to control it. I have never been so close to such a fire and I do not recommend it for the faint of heart. The fire has now moved a bit away from our offices but has grown to over 20,000 acres and is threatening many homes. At this point in 2020, I am afraid to think, “What can happen next?” In light of all these soul-crushing events, I have decided to try to find some humor to share. It’s all I can think to do and it’s good for us to laugh in the face of pain.

Humor is so subjective – there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to funny. So, I am offering a medley of humor to you with the hope that something in here will get that laugh we all so desperately need.

For my first offering, I am presenting something that is more “Awwww” than “Hahaha” – cats in pots. I didn’t even know that this is a thing, but apparently it is. It may not be funny for people who are trying to defend their plants from intrusive cats, but I think most people can enjoy the distraction that looking at this ridiculousness provides. Here are some of the best images.

Here at ARBICO, gardening is what we do. Gardeners can be a colorful and diverse lot, from the big-time greenhouse growers with their high-value crops to the family with a backyard plot. But what these people all have in common is their love for and frustrations with growing things. There is a great deal of gardening humor that covers those things and more and if you are a gardener, you should be able to find a laugh in there somewhere. Check out some here.

Another huge part of what we do here is insects – providing beneficial insects as well as providing products that fend off insect pests. Like gardeners, insect people have their own world of humor. Here is a lively Pinterest board with (mostly) insect cartoons. Even academics have tried their hand at curating insect humor.

We’ve all been staying home and TV/screen watching has become a competitive sport instead of a shamefully lazy and couch-potato-ish thing to do. The “what did you do this weekend?” kind of conversation has morphed into the “Did you see the latest episode of…” kind of conversation. If you are feeling down and anxiety-ridden, I’d like to propose less of Game of Thrones-type of violence and betrayal (even though I do love GOT) and more straight-up comedy. But nothing satirical or thought-provoking, just something plain ole silly. Another option is always The Simpsons, which regularly features a blend of the seven deadly sins wrapped in absurdity. Here is a list of one person’s choice for the best comedies on Netflix and here is one that purports to list the best movies of 2020.

Recently I stumbled across a TV show that really took me out of my doldrums – Amy Schumer Learns to Cook. I think this Food Network show is genius and it makes me burst-laugh and just feel better all around. The premise is that Amy’s husband (a chef) is teaching her to cook. But what they are really doing is showing how silly and messy quarantining with your loved ones can get. This is the antidote to slick cooking shows in gleaming kitchens, here we have dogs underfoot-using your hands-dropping stuff on the floor-while annoying in your spouse cooking. Just like in regular folks’ homes. Oh, and you can watch full episodes on the Food Network site.

If your entertainment choices are more talk-based, you have probably been on the podcast train for a while now. This genre has been a great source for information and mysteries, but there is also a lot of comedy to be found there. So, why not indulge in a little pod-based laughing? Here is a list of some great podcasts that should provide that for you.

Now let’s go Old School: Reader’s Digest humor. For those boomers out there, this little magazine was ubiquitous in their doctor’s offices and grandmas’ houses. And it was always known for its corny/classic/Dad-type jokes. Well, it’s still around and putting out humor. Here is a list of some of their funniest jokes courtesy of Reader’s Digest Canada.

Another stalwart provider of humor is the New Yorker magazine. They have been lightening the mood since the Roaring ’20s (1925, in fact). As the cartoon to the right shows, a sampling of their cartoons illustrates that, while time may pass, people remain the same and what was once relevant often still is. Here is a selection of their current humor.

I’ll leave you here and encourage you to venture fearlessly into the world of humor. Try something new and perhaps even a little outside your lines. It can make you feel better, if only for a moment.

Submitted by Pam

5 Fun Things You Can Do Besides Holiday Shopping And Still Pick Up A Gift

Want to opt out of the whole darn shopping thing this holiday season? I highly recommend taking that stand and would like to suggest a little less time spent shopping for someone and little more time spent with them. All of the activities below are excellent opportunities to put down your electronics and look someone you love in the eye. If, however, you would like some time to yourself away from your people, all these things can be enjoyed solo.These activities can also produce gifts so you don’t have to take another step to shop.

1) Go to the zoo

This time of year is an exceptional time to visit your local zoo. There may be fewer animals on exhibit, but you won’t have the high-summer crowds. After all, you’d like to see the animals and not someone’s back as you stand three deep at an enclosure. Many zoos across the country (and the world) have embraced zoo lights as a way to bring in much-needed winter revenue. Most children will be entranced by the combination of animals and lights and you can get a break from the “buy me that” commercialization of the season. Of course, always make sure that you are patronizing a zoo that is actively working in conservation (see a list here).
Gift idea: Zoo tickets or memberships and/or any number of cool items in the gift shop.

2) Go to an improv show
Holidays are nothing if not stressful and laughter is a stellar way to reduce stress. Make some time for silliness (it’s good for the soul), support local performers and engage with others in your community. Very little brings people together like a good laugh. To find a theater near you, check out this list. Many theaters are surprisingly affordable and offer family-friendly shows; my family loves the one they do at our local improv (Unscrewed Theater).
Gift idea: Take someone out for a nice evening as a gift and make the show a part of it. Or buy tickets to an upcoming show, CD’s, T-shirts or other bits of swag.

3) Have some kitchen fun

Okay, you may have to do a little shopping for this one; but, it is grocery store shopping, which you have to do anyway. This is the perfect time to experiment with new foods or to fine-tune your holiday menu. Get a bottle of wine (or warm up that blender) and a cohort or two (optional, but highly recommended) and dig into your kitchen. You can go old school, with a Betty Crocker cookbook propped up on the counter (those recipes speak to many childhood memories) or find the just-right YouTube tutorial. This is also the perfect time to clean out your refrigerator by making a soup - it will free up space for all the incoming holiday goodies.Try this recipe or make one up as you go along.
Gift idea: There are a great many easy food gifts you can make and nearly everyone responds to food. But there is also a hidden gift in this activity – the gift of an aromatic house on a crisp winter day. So cozy!

4) Go play some pool
Grab some friends and find a place to play pool. Or find a place to play pool and make some new friends (just challenge a table). It’s virtually impossible to play pool without witty repartee and other fun types of human interaction. Hit up a sports bar and you will also be able catch some late-season football while you play and have a room full of like-minded sports fans to enjoy it with. Don’t like pool? The idea is to get out and play, what game you choose is up to you. Places like Dave and Buster’s and Culinary Dropout, here in Tucson, offer many game choices. There are also places where you can play more cerebral games such as chess. Learn where to find a chess game here. Just go and relax and enjoy the company of others, that’s the key to this activity.
Gift idea: Gift certificates, of course. But, also use the chance to get to know your companion/s a little better and try to ferret out things they really like (such as a team preference or something they wish they had, like new darts). Some of these things you may be able to get right where you are.

5) Get out in Nature

Weather permitting, of course, get out and just enjoy the season around you. Take a companion or two on a drive and have an old-fashioned picnic or eat at a quaint restaurant. If you live near an ocean, put some layers on and walk on the beach. There is a unique beauty to the beach in winter. Can’t get that far away? Get those kids bundled into the car and drive them around the neighborhood to check out people’s decorations.
Gift idea: This activity is really just about the time spent in the season; but, keep an open mind and gift ideas could pop up anytime during your excursion.

Submitted by Pam