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Classic Comedy Duos and Why They Still Make Us Laugh
Trivia: Which famous structure was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a defensive fortification?
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February 25, 2026
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Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
Warning – to my husband – I told you this was coming.
When my husband retired in 2024, we celebrated like we had just won the lottery, but
instead of cash, he got to stay home every day and not have to report to managers who
wanted him to work quicker, more efficiently, with maybe longer hours. I, on the other
hand, was awarded someone who would be home all day. In my mind, he would clean
the house, do the laundry, cook the dinners and fix anything and everything that needed
fixing!
With the above in mind, he retired and I did not. This is an important distinction. And
then reality stepped in.
On his first day of retirement, he got up with me at 5:00 a.m., went downstairs to make
my morning coffee, and brought it up to me in my favorite Disney mug. And then he
said “So, what are we doing today?” Well, I was going to work, and he was going to
begin his domestic sabbatical.
At 9:00-ish that same day, I received a text while I was at work. “Where are the good
scissors?” In reality, we only have one pair of scissors. They’ve been in the silverware
drawer since we moved into the house nine years previous. By noon I had already
received three other texts. I responded: HONEY, I’M WORKING. PLEASE STOP
TEXTING ME!
Fast forward almost two years. I rarely get a text unless it is urgent, but there are many
other things that make me laugh and also make my blood pressure rise, all at the same
time.
As soon as I walk in the door, I get my daily briefings. This is what came in the mail
today. I am advised about how many deer crossed our lawn and came up to our
bushes for a smorgasbord – and if I want to see the video, he can pull up the Ring
doorbell so I can experience it first-hand. The neighbors got a new grill from Home
Depot – stainless steel and pretty nice – we should look into getting one. I know every
headline from the three local newscasts and one headline from the national news
channel before I’ve taken off my shoes.
He reorganized the pantry – told me to come look (after I already sat down).
Apparently, there is a new system in place to store our items, but I have concluded that
the system is only known to him and possibly NASA. My only requirement to the new
design is that when I want a cookie, they better be right up in front where I can see
them.
He also cooks dinner, which either consists of a full-blown 3-course meal, or a bowl of
cereal, depending on the day. But we definitely need to get our schedules synchronized
– on the days he cooks a massive spread, I’ve already had a late lunch at a 4-star restaurant. On the days I come home starving, I see the Rice Krispies box on the
counter. Not that I am complaining.
But his new habit that is putting me over the top is what I consider his commitment to
hitting a verbal word count each and every day. I don’t have the actual numbers, but I
think it is like 50,000 words per day. Just as I am winding down in my pajamas and
playing Jeweled on my phone, he realizes he has 2,582 words left that he has to
verbalize before we go to bed. I now just ask him at the end of the evening how many
words are left so I can plan out my solitude. We laugh, but somehow, he sees me
rolling my eyes even though I am not facing him.
In reality, we can’t help but laugh all the time. And, isn’t that what retirement is all
about?
For now, I’ll continue to go to the office to get actual work done, and he can continue to
work on my never-ending honey-do list.
If you didn’t know by now, he is the best thing that ever happened to me! And he still
brings me my coffee in my favorite Disney mug every morning when I get out of the
shower. He is a keeper.
Please email me at [email protected]. I love to hear your comments, stories
and questions. And I do try to respond to each and every one of you!
On a side note, congratulations to the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams for
making history! They were exciting games to watch, and I am so happy to see them
bring home the GOLD. All the Olympians did a fabulous job.
22 Days Until Spring! Have a great week, everyone.
Joanne
How was this column? |
On this day in 1964, Muhammad Ali (then fighting as Cassius Clay) defeated Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight boxing title in a stunning upset. The 22-year-old’s victory shocked the sports world and marked the beginning of one of the most legendary careers in boxing history.
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Classic Comedy Duos and Why They Still Make Us Laugh
There’s something timeless about a great comedy duo. Long before viral videos and late-night monologues, audiences gathered in theaters and around radios to laugh at perfectly timed punchlines, physical mishaps, and unforgettable personalities playing off one another. Decades later, many of these classic pairs still leave us chuckling — proof that humor, when done well, truly stands the test of time.
Part of what makes legendary duos so enduring is contrast. One partner is often confident and quick-witted, the other innocent or exasperated. Think of the elegant scheming of Laurel and Hardy, the rapid-fire banter of Abbott and Costello, or the sharp domestic sparring of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Their differences created tension — and tension, when handled playfully, is comedy gold. We laugh because we recognize ourselves in their misunderstandings and mishaps.
Physical comedy also plays a big role. Slapstick routines, exaggerated expressions, and carefully choreographed chaos transcend generations. Even without fully understanding the cultural context of the 1930s or 1950s, we instinctively respond to a perfectly timed double take or a well-executed pratfall. Humor that relies on timing and human nature doesn’t age the way topical jokes sometimes do.
Another reason these duos endure is chemistry. You can’t manufacture genuine comedic rhythm. The best pairs trusted each other completely, allowing scenes to unfold naturally while still hitting every beat. Their rapport feels authentic, which invites audiences to relax and enjoy the ride.
For many of us, classic comedy is also deeply nostalgic. It reminds us of evenings gathered around the television, matinees at the local theater, or listening to records with family. Laughter shared becomes part of our personal history. Revisiting these performers isn’t just entertainment — it’s reconnecting with moments and memories.
Perhaps most importantly, these duos focused on universal themes: friendship, pride, love, jealousy, ambition, and everyday absurdities. Human nature hasn’t changed all that much, which means their humor still feels relatable. In a world that can sometimes feel heavy, their lighthearted antics offer a comforting reminder that laughter truly is timeless.
Whether you prefer witty wordplay or over-the-top physical comedy, classic duos prove that two funny minds working together can create something magical — and that a good laugh never goes out of style.
Which classic comedy duo still makes you laugh the most? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Which digital library tools do you use most often?
It’s a close call! E-books and audiobooks narrowly took the lead at 42.6%, showing that many of you are happily borrowing digital reads and listens from home. At the same time, nearly as many readers (41.6%) shared that they haven’t yet explored their library’s digital tools — which means there’s a whole world of free entertainment and learning still waiting to be discovered. Streaming, magazines, and online courses rounded out the list, reminding us that today’s library card opens far more than just bookshelves.
TOP COMMENTS
“I so enjoy listening to books. I can ‘read’ while I knit, crochet, sew, cook and, gasp, do my taxes. I can do road trips, drive around town and play online games and still be reading. My husband can watch reruns of all his favorite shows (i.e., Big Bank, Seinfeld) and I can be ‘in attendance,’ but listening to my newest book.”
“I take many classes through the local library system each month. Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Yoga ”
“When I split with my wife and moved into an apartment, I had no computer, so I signed up with the library to use the computer. When I moved to a different city, I never bothered to check out the library there, although I do donate blood at that location, occasionally, I've never checked it out.”
Simple Food Choices That Help Protect Your Heart
Heart disease doesn’t develop overnight — it builds gradually, often influenced by what we eat every day. After meals, the body can experience temporary spikes in inflammation and cholesterol, but choosing foods rich in plant compounds like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and tea can help reduce these effects and support healthier blood vessels.
The article encourages adding colorful, antioxidant-rich foods to each meal and following a balanced pattern that includes whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting processed items and excess sugar. Combined with regular movement, maintaining a healthy weight, and other positive lifestyle habits, these small daily choices can add up to meaningful protection for your heart over time.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Mind sparkle
Meaning: A playful term used to describe a moment of mental brightness — when curiosity, creativity, or insight lights up your thinking and makes you feel energized and engaged.
In a sentence: “After joining the weekly trivia group at the community center, Harold said it gave him a real mind sparkle — he hadn’t felt that mentally sharp and excited in years.”
Good News of the Day
Bacteria-Boosted Mosquitoes Cut Dengue Risk by About 70% in Citywide Trial
In a large-scale experiment in Singapore, scientists released male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with a naturally occurring bacterium called Wolbachia to help block transmission of dengue fever, a disease spread by mosquito bites. The results showed that in areas where these Wolbachia-infected males were released, the number of dengue cases fell sharply—about 70 % fewer residents tested positive compared with neighborhoods that didn’t receive the treated mosquitoes. At the same time, mosquito populations dropped significantly, offering promising evidence that this biological approach could complement traditional mosquito control methods and help protect communities from dengue.
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