RAISING YOUR HOPES

There are a series of little pithy sayings on a raised display sign outside a local dentist's office. Quite often they lift your spirits. At the very least, they may get you to "pause for the cause".

Like us, whoever makes up the sayings realizes there is too much seriousness going on around us.

The most recent message has to do with encouraging you to raise your hopes for both the future and yourself. It says, "Go ahead...Get your hopes up."

Don't know about other motorists who view this sign but; we often smile upon encountering the messages. Sort of, "a humorous thought for the day."

Wife Phyl and I spent a portion of Saturday watching a movie that explored "getting your hopes up." We , really enjoyed it, talked about how we could relate to the plot. The title of the movie is, "It's Complicated."

We recommend it for anyone who, due to a variety of circumstances: graduations, the kid's weddings, birth of a grandchild etc, find themselves interacting with a former spouse.

In the car later we allowed ourselves the pleasure of turning things into a vaudeville routine - similar to the one:

"Thank you!"

"No, Thank you, my good man!"

"Oh, but I insist, Thank You!"

"You're much too kind, sir . It is I who is truly thankful. So, please THANK YOU!" etc., etc.

You get the idea.

Ours went something like this, as we explored our extemporaneous humor genes. We invoked our best S.J. Perelman, as we imagined the possibility of the following conversation taking place in Geckos, a local restaurant:

Friend: "So what's this movie called, that Rendi (the Manager) said you've been raving about?

He: "It's Complicated."

Friend: "I'll bet it is; but surely it can't be that difficult. What's the title?"

She: "It's Complicated"

Friend: " So I heard, but what's it called?"

He: "Like we said, 'It's Complicated."

Friend: (quickly moving to acquaintance status) "Okay, trust me, I got that. But, if you'll let me know what it's called, perhaps I could see it too and sort out the plot for you."

She: "That's okay, we're movie buffs and used to being in the dark; but again,'It's Complicated."

Friend: (who has now become just another customer): "I'm losing patience with you two.Are you suggesting I'm too stupid to be able to figure out the plot and that's why you won't tell me what it's called?"

Wife: " Look, as my husband explained. 'It's Complicated."

(Customer, who we now realize we barely know, leaves quarter tip, exits restaurant in a huff.)

Adds the Wife, "Which is even smaller than a Smart Car."

This is not an unusual routine for the two of us We apparently watched way too much of the Marx Brothers in our youth. We still can't figure out how the elephant got into Groucho's pajamas.

If you think this is bad, you ought to hear the terrible puns when we drive past a herd of cows. It's an utter disgrace.

Should one of our friends, kids or grandkids be riding with us during one of these routines they probably assume we're slightly demented and pray we come to our senses.

Who are we to tell them not to get their hopes up?"