I went to the internet and looked up the health of laughter.  “helpguide.org” came up as a source:

“Laughter is the Best Medicine

Women Laughing Together

Sure, it’s fun to share a good laugh. But did you know it can actually improve your health? It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. By seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, though, you can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.”

—–How did I ever get to writing to you about laughter? Well, here is how:

My first drawing at the dealership – ROFL

Monday I had to drive my car 50 miles to the dealership where it gets  free service of oil, grease,  etc. Well it is not free – nothing is free at the Audi dealership – but shall we say it was “pre-prepaid.”  I listened to Sirius all the way – always like to catch  Joel Osteen’s sermons.  I make sure to catch the first  few minutes of his sermons – ’cause he tells a joke that relates to the message of his sermon.

For example:

Dyna – my dog ROFL

The scene: Man walked up to the country store where a young boy  was sitting on a bench. Nice big dog sitting beside the boy.

Man: “Does your dog bite?”

Boy: “No, he is very gentle.”

Man: Reaches down to pet the dog saying “Pretty dog”

Dog: Growls,  jumps up and takes a bite of the man’s arm.

Man: “I thought you said your dog was gentle and does not bite!”

Boy: “Ain’t my dog.”

—–The message of the sermon had to do with asking God the right question –

—- Anyway, sometimes I like to tell jokes of my own:

I was riding along on my bike and saw a 10 foot gator laying by the lake. I stopped to take a photo and along came women in her car – She stopped the car and walked over to see what I was photographing.

I said to her – “You know something? I never talked to anyone who petted an alligator.”

The women said “Me neither” and started walking to the car. Halfway there she started laughing – I thought she would roll in the grass laughing.  Sometimes my jokes are subtle and require a little thinking time.

Not me – but close enough – ROFL

Next day I was riding along on my bike again. I ran into, Bob, the leader of out “Writing Club.” I told him of the 50 mile ride to the dealership and back. I told him of the joy I got from the sessions with Joel.

Bob hardly acknowledge my Joel story. He just started writing – no, I mean – telling me his story:

Bob said, in church on Sunday the preacher was about to start his sermon. The preacher looked out over the parishioners and ask the question: “Who wants to go to Heaven?” and he paused while every hand went up, reaching for the Heavens.  Then he finished the sentence, “today?” You can guess what happened to the hands of the  parishioners.

Peanuts the cat ROFL

Thanks Bob.  You made me laugh and I got to tell your story at least 5 times – and got to laugh with a 5 friends – well, only 4 friends ’cause I forgot and told the same joke to one friend two times.

Oh, while at the dealership waiting for the car, I studied and practiced with the “drawing” software on my iPad.  Of course, the image of the “gator” woman almost rolling in laughter was on my mind.  So I practiced having people and animals rolling with laughter. That is where the little sketches of ROFL came from.

Perla my horse laughing – ROFL.

Oh my, by the way did you know that your Grandchildren write in shorthand?  For example:

ROFL means Rolling on floor laughing.

LOL means Laugh out loud.

LOLZ means more than one laugh.

LQTM means laughing quietly to myself.

LMHO means laughing my head off.

HAHA and

goes without saying.

There are others that use language we older folks prefer not to use.

Oh my, as you swing through life, laugh as you pass a friend – do it on the way down as well as on the way up.