The Graciousness of Nature, Not Doing it Right, Bad Jokes, the Mechanism of Happiness

I took this picture early this morning, around 7 a.m. hoping to capture what felt exhilirating at the time---the biting cold air, the neighborhood still hushed, the big pine and the early morning moon against that perfect blue sky. A sense of yet another chance to do it right. Nature is gracious.  I regret slightly the streetlamp, which seems to outshine the moon. But it has its place--the mechanized, motorized, electrified world is gunning its engines. I have always liked that--coffee, the fresh start, the modern world coming back to life.

But we manage---do we not?-- never really to do it right. I contrived, despite the promising start, a day of self-doubt and resentment and self-harassment and morbid introspection.
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Then, this evening Garrison Keillor came on the radio. It was the semi-annual "joke" show. I have always liked jokes. Corny jokes, old jokes, tired puns, slightly dirty jokes, bad jokes. I laugh at them out loud.

 Q: How do the Amish hunt deer when they can't use guns?
A. They stalk the deer down, then build a barn over it.

Q: How do you keep a blonde at home?
A: Build a circular driveway.

I laughed out loud and immediately the day was rescued. Endorphins, etc etc etc. People are basic, and happiness is mechanistic. Excercise, laugh, don't spend too much time alone.