Grocery Stores

Had some fun at the grocery store today.  A woman in a car stopped and rolled down her window to thank me for making her smile.  Another woman called me a Bozo!  I told here with a chuckle, "We are all bozos on this bus." With thanks to Firesign Theater. 

I am always fascinated by people and how they respond.  I keep a running log in my mind about who ignores, who laughs, who smiles and turns quickly away, and who speaks to me.

For those who are inspired to pay it forward.

I love you all!

New York Kinda Nose

My dear friend Becca came to visit this week.  We had a good laugh about the nose and I gave her one to take back home. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The First Quarterly Hayes Family Hunger Games

Last night my wife Vicki and I hosted the First Quarterly Hayes Family Hunger Games.  Vicki's brother Scott and his two children Dan and Courtney and our son Joe all sat down to a big bowl of macaroni and bacon which was prepared by Dan and was delicious! Then an evening of board games, laughter and merriment.  Thanks to all.

Twins

I was grocery shopping today and an older man who must have clocked in at 6' 4" with white hair and a cane and wireframe glasses says to me, "You look like my wife in the morning."

Merry Christmas

    It's been a very fun Christmas this year. A sensory delight with lights and smells, tastes and touches.  Shopping with the nose seem to elicit a lot of Rudolf comments especially when I wore my Santa Cap too.  I bumped into a Santa at Burgermaster.  I asked him if I could lead his sleigh this year and he laughed and said yes! 
    It happens occasionally that a couple (man and woman) will see me on the bus and begin talking about how fun it would be to have a clown nose in bed.  As I always carry a spare nose, I give it to them and what them laugh and whisper in each other's ear about intended uses of the nose.  No judgment from me.  Always makes me laugh.
    A Starbuck's barrista looked at me and said, "I am a big fan!"  to which I replied, "I am blown away!"   She laughed but no one else seemed to get the joke.
    Our daugher and son in law could not make the trip from NY this year, alas, but out wonderful son spend Christmas morning with us, helped us cook a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns with toasted homemade bread and homemade raspberry jam, cranberry juice, and hot fresh coffee.  Then we opened our stockings and exchanged gifts with plenty of good humor and laughter.

From our family to yours:

"May all beings have shelter; may all beings have food. Bless this day as it transpires and help me be the best Andy Towne I can muster."

With deep thanks for inspiratation from Wavy Gravy.

What Its Really All About

    This afternoon I was waiting in front of Harborview Medical Center and two women in a small pickup truck pulled up, rolled down the passenger window and the driver yelled up to me with a big grin, "Thank you for the smile!  I really needed that today!"  How sweet a moment.

    It's a good reminder that our brothers and sisters are often in need of even some small relief from their cares and suffering.  Such a simple act and yet so powerful.  It is good us all. 

7 Benefits of Smiling and Laughing

and if you need more reasons...

15 Facinatinhg Facts About Smiling

Happy Trails Mom

    Our mom crossed the Great Divide this week.  She was many things and certainly rascal was one of them.  She had a fabulous sense of humor and loved to make people smile and laugh with her.  It was a great pleasure to look out after her for many years. Our time together is such a precious treasure.  Love you mom and miss you.