Monday, March 5

Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned?,” (which is answered by both twins at the end of this message), my temple friend Paul shared, “To answer your question, I posed this to identical twins. Hmmmmm, not a good move on my part. I’m just saying.”

My Utahan friend Bruce quipped, “They both understand it - for their counterpart😀” which my social media friend Mark concurred, “Yes, and it is always the other one.”
Although my equestrian friend Royce believed, “This is one of those chicken and egg questions,” my dad’s beach buddy Bob concluded,”No, that is why the get along so well.

My cousin Wes  contemplated, “Really, I need to ask my identical twin in DR Missouri which of us is the unplanned one.”

Twin brother Henry replied, “Every time the older one reminds the younger one that they were just an afterthought!  Not that I would identify with this question.
And by the way, when our parents found out they were having twins, they picked out the names Paul and Susan.  The fact that Paul ended up marrying a girl by the name of Susan adds a little irony to that, don’t you think?”  Henry’s twin brother replied, “Hmmm, maybe you are a Susan.......Of course these days parents do sometimes plan to have twins, or triplets, or quads.........wasn't that an ice skating move?  Now about the other conundrum.  When I was a twinkle in my parents eyes (and Henry was a Susan), we celebrated the birth of two of the greatest leaders of this great country.  In today’s PC world, we couldn't leave anyone out, so we celebrate the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Who wants to celebrate the bad and the ugly?  So now no one cares.”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Why are a "wise man" and A "wise guy" opposites?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up

Monday, February 26

What does Presidents Day celebrate?


In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What does Presidents Day celebrate?,” my dad’s beach buddy Bob declared, “Who knows?  It used to be to celebrate the lives of great men who sacrificed much to build a great nation, but the loonies now try to destroy the memory of their selfless sacrifices,” to which my cycling friend Ted suggested, “we celebrate the days when the presidents didn't have mental illness.”  This led my my sister-in-law Lorrie called out, “I am cancelling Presidents Day this year.”

My cousin Greg replied, “The 45 men who were crazy enough to want the job.”  My social media friend Mark observed, “Simply honoring all presidents’ existence...which we this year also call it “mother” day in honor of our current one.”

My cousin Wes lamented, “Synergy, the business buzzword for eliminating and squeezing more from what is left. We uses to have two holidays, Washington's birthday and Lincoln's birthday. Now we have one and probably most of us get to work that day. Less becomes more at the expense of the hoipolloi.”

My temple friend Tracey explained, “Retail sales to get rid of the last bit of overstocked holiday stuff before inventory, and a day off work,” to which my equestrian friend Royce noted, “Discounts at LL Bean.”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.


Monday, February 19

Is chocolate the reason for a holiday, or is the holiday a reason for chocolate?


In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Is chocolate the reason for a holiday, or is the holiday a reason for chocolate?,” my adjunct executive friend Lindy declared, “Chocolate is the reason to get out of bed every day,  not just holidays. Some people use coffee, some use soda, I prefer my caffeine via chocolate.”  My college roomie Jon added, “Dark chocolate is the reason.”

My equestrian friend Royce professed, “A question that is, indeed, a conundrum” to which my cycling friend Ted explained, “I think the reason for chocolate gets a bit muddled in the story of Genesis. You see, G-d did not really rest on the seventh day, he got right to work on creating chocolate. So the bottom line is that the whole purpose of all of creation is so that we may enjoy chocolate. Clearly then the purpose of life is to eat chocolate!! With that in mind, you all can answer the question posted by King Hmmm.”

My temple friend Tracey concluded simply, “Yes” to which my dad’s beach buddy Bob explained, “Both reasons fit the bill.”

My sister-in-law Lorrie called out, “Who cares?  I'll have my chocolate, holiday or no holiday” to which my cousin Wes agreed, “There is no need for any reason for chocolate.  It is to be enjoyed because it is.”

And my writing and sailing friend Rich lamented, “I am married to the only woman in America who does not like chocolate.  This leaves jewelry or horses.  Per her, she has a wedding ring and her mothers broach and that’s enough bling for any woman.  That leaves horses, I am so screwed.”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

What does Presidents Day celebrate?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

My collaboration friend Tricia shared a thought from the prior week’s question about the Super Bowl, “The people who aren't interested in sports or television talk during the ads - even the Super Bowl ads!  And the people who talk during the game should just go to the other room. Clearly, they don't care about the game, so why pretend and annoy the rest of us who want to watch?!! 😁Wait - are they the same people for both??!

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

Monday, February 12

What type of person talks during the ads and what type of person talks during the Super Bowl?


In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What type of person talks during the ads and what type of person talks during the Super Bowl?,”  my cousin  Valarie replied, “Oblivious and astute, respectively (if not respectfully ;-) “

My equestrian Royce concluded, “Usually someone without regard for creativity and/or athleticism.”

My social media friend Mark lamented, “My wife. The only way to get her to stop, is to hit the remote mute button. It is uncanny.”
My dad’s beach buddy Bob calls them, “nitwits” while my hiking friend Kelly more crudely replied, “Bastards (for both questions)!”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Is chocolate the reason for a holiday, or is the holiday a reason for chocolate?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

I heard a great Valentine Day suggestion from a local Rotary club:  Find a widow or widower and invite them to lunch, coffee or dinner.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

Monday, February 5

What is better the second (or third) time?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What is better the second (or third) time?,” my social media friend Mark lamented, “Anything I post online. It seems as soon as I hit send, I have a better way to say ‘it.’”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob called out, “Renewing your marriage vows....every 10 years for 60 years.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich noted, “Depends on whether you are making love or hitting your thumb with a hammer,” to which my production management friend Ray explained, “They say that ‘Love is so much lovelier the second time around’, or was that the third, no wait, maybe the fourth, perhaps the fifth?  I think a more appropriate saying is ‘When at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try ..... again!  For you know, practice makes perfect.’  In this case, I have to be getting close to walking on water!”

My adjunct executive friend Lindy pointed out, “Football games that end with your team winning; certain leftovers; hearing the words I Love You – the second time, third time, fourth . . .”

My cousin Greg observed, “Reincarnation. According to ancient Hindu belief as you are reborn from body to body you strive to live better lives, so that eventually you are no longer reborn but ascend to the heavenly plane of existence.”

My podcasting friend Jason declared, “Easy for me....next morning Carvel Cake.  G-rated answer and mighty tasty,” to which cycling friend Ted concurred, “Ice cream! It just keeps getting better and better!”   My birthday bud Jon expounded on this, “Leftovers, flashbacks, and, for our president, marriage.  Or maybe not….”

My equestrian friend Royce  replied, “To paraphrase an old song:  ...is better the second time around. Ergo, the third time should be much better, he said with a sly grin,” to which my temple friend Bob added, “Do you have to ask?  To further illustrate, at my age, the second time I have sex in an evening is definitely better than the first.  The second time (there won't be a third time) you're not so rushed and anxious.  There's also the celebration factor that you were able to get to the second time.

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

What type of person talks during the ads and what type of person talks during the game?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Congrats to the Phila Eagles for showing what a back-up quarterback can do --- including catching a touchdown pass. Fun, fun game watching the underdog win….while the eTrade ad hit close to home for some friends.

On a sad note, thank you to our many friends and family for their condolences for the passing of our dog, Sarah.  The stories and pictures that you’ve shared helped tremendously.  Our grief is turning to joy as we remember how much fun she brought to friends and people we had just met.


Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.