20 Comments

Thank you. This started my Sunday with a smile. And yes. I've been writing for years, and I still trip over the correct homonym choice and spelling occasionally.

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I'm glad this gave you a smile and glad it isn't just me on the grammar things. Thanks, Darrell!

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Steven Wright is hilarious. I'm often thinking about jokes, and sometimes I crack myself up. When I get to speak at our internal quality conferences - I start with stand-up comedy (makes my bosses a bit nervous) but I love doing it and people laugh hard. Downside is I tend to run short on time. I've also done several sermons - I think the best ones have great humor - laughter relaxes us and releases endorphins and that helps us to be receptive (and less distracted) to the message. I really love The Chosen, in large part, because Jesus has a great sense of humor. I've seriously thought of doing stand-up. I do know someone who is a writer for Kevin Hart, I have a few that would be perfect for him. "Laughter is the best medicine" - at least one of the best.

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You should definitely do stand-up. If nothing else produce your own videos and put them out on Youtube or here on Substack. I’d subscribe!

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Thanks David - I've thought about videos but think I need the audience. The pinnacle was my Dad's retirement ceremony (it was in the arena, guessing 600-1000 people) - probably knew at least half of them. I brought the house down. I often replay that night in my head. I skipped the rehearsal because didn't want to ruin anything or make folks nervous. Funny thing is, that morning my uncle asked to see my notes. He says "this is not very good" - he's pretty nice at times, but is a know-it-all, and can be a real dick. Usually, I'm overly sensitive, but I knew I had gold - so that comment was like a bb bouncing off a tank.

So rave reviews, people coming up and contacting me days after. My uncle says - "That's not what was in your notes". I'm thinking "the hell it wasn't" - but just smiled, also thinking "come on man you shouldn't treat people like that". Unfortunately, the obvious rebuke of his original assessment was also like a bb bouncing off a tank.

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Even family members we love can be jerks sometimes. I understand what you mean about the audience. I do my presentations and speeches much better to a live audience. For a while I was doing Zoom speeches and it wasn’t the same.

A friend of mine rented a theater and invited family and friends to watch his standup/monologue. Maybe you could do something like that. Regardless, it sounds like something that’s on your heart and I want to encourage you to pursue in away that works for you. I’d come see you!

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Excellent commentary and having grandchildren it is fun especially at young ages. Nice to look back and also be in the present David. I was at a party recently with people around the neighborhood. Most are 10-15 plus years older than me. We arrived a little later to the party and it was people we wave to and see all the time. Many of them are in good health and take care of themselves....others have lost spouses and others are living the dream of traveling and enjoying family/friends. I did recollect what Shakespeare said about all the world is a stage and we all play the parts coming and going (paraphrase). I of course participated in the festivities with my wife, but for the most part it was their memories as they had their kids grow up together not my wife and me with them as much. Takeaway is to live and love in the moments...relatively short time here and for those that believe there is much more to come! Thank God!

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"... live and love in the moments..." Amen to that!

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Life is sweet.

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OMG, David! I came back and listened to you, and was drawn into you speaking directly to me. A chuckle here and there, and words added just right.

I often follow along reading while listening. But you? You're a natural.

Well, duh, me! You were a disc jockey when there were discs. Your voice is like... comfortable. Easy to listen to.

Thank you for recording the audio!

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Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the audio. I love doing them.

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Your family stories put a happy smile on my face.

My former husband used to say I was a genius spelling bee because I could spell anything in English, which is my second language. However, I never told him that I do have problems with waste and waist, breathe and breath, but happily not with They're, there, their! 🤣

At least!

Thank you for your beautiful article.

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At least! How about yor, your and you're? 🤣

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What in the world is YOR? 🤪 hahaha

And no, I don't confuse those because there is a logical grammatical reason behind them. I confuse them when there is no apparent reason. Like, did you know that we pronounce 'read' the same way we pronounce 'lead', and we pronounce 'read' the same way we pronounce 'lead'? Now, you tell me which one is which! 🤣

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Should have been ‘yore’ as in a long time ago. Spellcheck gone wrong. 😑

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I love the happy snail!

Appreciated seeing some associative thinking! Happens to me alot. I used to not realize that my husband didn't hear the chain of association in my head, and how what I said was connected to what he said ... I've learned to explain.

Also - a post I read reminded me of a line from a much loved book. Looked it up. Dawned on me that the line is likely a reference. Googled it - indeed it's from Milton's Lycidas. Which I studied in college. So now my Norton Anthology is down from the shelf with a bookmark in Lycidas and I hope to read through the poem by next weekend.

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Malka, my husband often asks, "What are you talking about?!", while we are engaged in a conversation. 😂

And, your last paragraph cracked me up!

Found another like-minded soul 🤗

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So pleased to meet a kindred spirit!

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David, I read this twice, saved it, and will come and read it again. (See. Read. Read. I get it! Oh, toooo well 😜)

It reminds me of my outgoing message on voice mail, "Please leave your phone number twice and speak slowly. I listen slowly."

Your grandkids are lucky to have you 🤗

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