Catholic Dads » Fun

Letter to Our Daugter’s First (Potential) Date…

Joseph K — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:05:08 +0000

24:15 Rib Ticklers

Nod — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:43:40 +0000

We take life so seriously sometimes that we forget to laugh. Yes, God calls us to be “sober and awake” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:6), but nobody likes a dour-faced saint. We should let the joy of living in Christ shine through as well. Medical studies are quite clear on the fact that stress can literally kill you; other studies have shown that laughing may actually release endorphins in the brain that counteract the effect of stress and induce a feeling of well-being.

We often laugh because we’re happy, but laughing can also make us happy – and healthy. Laughter releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine and are probably connected to euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones (7). Studies have shown that laughter boosts the immune system in variety of ways. Laughter increases the amount of T cells, which attack viruses, foreign cells and cancer cells, and gamma interferon, a protein that fights diseases (8). It increases B-cells, which make disease-destroying antibodies (1). Immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights upper respiratory tract infections, and immunoglobulins G and M, which help fight other infections, levels all rise due to laughing (8). The amount of stress hormones are also reduced by laughing, some of which are hormones that suppress the immune system (1). So when you feel better after laughing, you really are happier and healthier. [BrynMawr.edu]

So induce me already! There is nothing like a good, clean joke that is also funny. Ever wonder why we laugh at jokes? Some people say it is due to incongruity, or recognizing the disparity between the thing that is expected and the one that is experienced. That is why most jokes have a “twist” at the end that makes us laugh. So whether you like jokes, witticisms, shaggy-dog stories, puns, tall tales, gags, anecdotes, yarns, tales, tall stories, jests, put-ons, or rib ticklers — laugh!

This joke is one of my favorites:

An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers.

The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more.

This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. “I don’t mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?”

‘Tis odd, isn’t it?” the man replies, “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond.”

The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.

Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening – he orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.

The next day, the bartender says to the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all…”

The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well… It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent.”

Singing to the Baby Jesus tonight – Christmas 2010.

Rick — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:16:05 +0000

I started a tradition of singing carols to the baby Jesus to focus on the reason of the season. Merry Christmas to my fellow Catholic Dads and to our readers. God bless you all.

Coping during hard economic times

Rick — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:25:26 +0000

During these tough economic times, I’d like to share the Filipino secret to coping.

The Philippines is like Haiti in the East. But despite widespread poverty, Filipinos have the lowest suicide rate in Asia. Japan, the wealthiest, has the highest. How do Filipinos face their hard lives daily without sinking to despair? Is it with our faith in the crucified incarnate Son of God? I think so. However, I also think that it has something to do with our sense of humor. Here in the states, you can tell if a group of Asians are Filipinos by laughter. It seems to be an ethnic trait so, it is hard to teach. But I did find these suggestions from the Christophers.

Start the day by smiling at yourself in the mirror. Beginning with a good, solid chuckle helps set the right mood for the whole day.
Sing out loud in the shower.
Have contact with children, even if it’s just observing kids in stores, at church or on the playground. Kids are a guaranteed source of laughter.
Remember at least once a day something that made you laugh when you were a kid.
Look for laughter on television comedies or from rental movies. Don’t forget the oldies – the Marx Brothers’ movies and the Laurel and Hardy shorts show the universality of humor over time and place.
Look for the opportunities to do fun things. Just finding fun can bring pleasure.
Remember: laughter is contagious. And so is grumpiness. Be with people who laugh. It’s possible to forgive someone a great deal if that person makes you laugh.
Read a funny book on a bus. Trying not to laugh in front of strangers is guaranteed to get you laughing.
Recognize the silly in the stressful. A hint: imagine during a stressful time – like a visit to the doctor’s office – how you will re-tell it to your friends later to get a laugh.
Don’t hesitate to fake it. Whether laughter is forced or spontaneous, the same muscles are used. Keep smiling and you’ll find that real laughter is not far behind.
Never feel guilty about your laughter since it’s the way the body and the spirit help you to cope.
And most of all, remember the cardinal rule: Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.

Besides the physical and mental benefits of laughter, there are also spiritual benefits. As a former Salesian, I recall that joy is part of the Salesian spirituality or way of relating with God. The Rule of St. John Bosco states: ”We make our own St. Paul’s exhortation “Rejoice in the Lord always.” This is the witness we must give to youth. ”…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace…” and this is where our own hope and openness to the Spirit is rooted.

Perhaps, this is also the source of the Filipino humor as it is a Catholic nation.

Dad’s Life Video

Rob Kaiser — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:42:23 +0000

Kindred spirit to the “Swagger Wagon” video, but not a commercial. Enjoy.

Strengthen core stability

Dr Matthew Doyle — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:52:56 +0000

My Bouncing Baby Boy, Louis! Babies are great!

A mini van ad dads can appreciate!

Jason Gennaro — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:21:02 +0000

Who says mini vans emasculate fathers?

This is too funny!

Catholic Football Food

Nod — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:05:29 +0000

Are you ready for some football?

The Nodlings enjoy watching football with dear old Dad. My boy, Wynken, likes football; the toddlers, Nub and Nib, love to shout “Touchdown!” on every play; the older girls, Blynken and Nod-girl, just like hanging out and eating my snack food.

So with one hand on the remote to avoid the commercials and one eye on my snack plate, we are getting ready to enjoy the Game-That-Must-Not-Be-Named-Due-To-Litigious-Copyright-Holders.

A major part of The Game ™ of course is the football food. Catholics everywhere will be watching (and eating) along with the rest of the nation at the biggest football game of the year.

Everybody’s got their favorite football food; Catholics are no exception. So how will you know if you’re at a Catholic Football Fest? Let’s take a look at a sample menu:

Beer: choice of Don De Dieu (Gift of God) or Angel City Ale
Saints 7-Sacramental-layer dip
Hotter-than-Hades wings
Dante’s Onion Rings of Hell
Immaculate Reception drink holder
St. Lawrence’s Barbeque Ribs
Jalepeno Popers
St. Stephen’s Stoned Wheat Crackers and Cheese
Heavenly Hash ice Cream
B16 Burger and Fries
Crusader Chili Dogs

There have to be more! Your suggestions in the combox; let’s have some fun.

——–

Cross-posted at: Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Things I never thought I’d say before I became a dad…

Mike in CT — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:11:13 +0000

If throwing your toys is unacceptable and spitting is unacceptable, why would you think that spitting your toys is acceptable?

Pug Fun

Dr Matthew Doyle — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:19:31 +0000