We really need some laughs for a change

We need funny stuff after the past two weeks (both courtesy of our Leavenworth connection, Ken Fraser) ... did you hear the one about "Little Mary and her goldfish?" Seems little Mary was in the garden filling up a hole with dirt, when her neighbor asked what she was up to ....

"My goldfish died, and I've just buried him," she sobbed. Very concerned, the neighbor said, "That's an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn't it?"

Mary patted down the dirt and replied, "That's because he's inside your ____ cat."

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And, here's the one about the grandmother who was getting her young grandchildren to bed ... after a couple of set-to's, she had them bedded down for the night and went to her room to put on her old sweat pants and a droopy shirt. She then went into the bathroom, washed off her makeup and began to wash her hair. In the midst of that, she heard a commotion in the kid's room.

Wrapping a towel around her soggy head, she marched into their room and read them the riot act. As she was leaving, she heard the 3-year-old fearfully ask the 5 year-old, "Who was THAT?"

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We also heard another good one ... "I don't approve of political jokes ... I've seen too many get elected ...."

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In other news ... Tod Jennings reports that the C Hill flag site was mostly untouched by the fire ... the strings are still intact, as was the new bench ... only one piling was scorched, and that's good.

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We saw Ben Hammock on Saturday at Lefty's at the Comstock Casino having breakfast ... he was in the thick of things during the fire ... thanks, Ben.

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Also, on the local scene, Carolyn was ticked off at the "looky-loos" when she was helping her sister evacuate from Timberline .... "They were getting in the way of everyone trying to get out ... maybe a couple of $1,000 fines would stop them ...." Then she left for a vacation in Idaho. On the way (because of her late start), she stopped in Winnemucca at the Shady Court Motel, since they usually give state workers a "deal."

Now, mind you, other motels were showing "$29 a night," but they quoted her $35. She asked about a state discount, and was told, "Oh, yes ... fill out this form." Which she did. She then asked how much the room would be. "$35." Such a deal ....

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Mystery of the week ... has anyone seen Donald Rumsfeld? Just asking .... Speaking of the boys in Washington (that's stretching it, we know), wouldn't you like to have what they're spending in Iraq for just one day ... $125,000,000 ... multiply that baby for the time we'll be there, then wonder why we're in a "world of hurt" here at home ....

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Good memories ... Maizie saw lots of nice people at Jackie Laxalt's funeral last week, family and friends ... she also remembered the times Jackie would welcome her and Pegee Haman (now of Billings, Mont.) into the Governor's Mansion on Halloween ... they would be dressed as "Wanda Witch" and "Witch Hazel" and would sit in the kitchen with Jackie and have a grand old time. She was a wonderful and witty hostess ... and many people will miss her ... especially two witches...

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Robert Darney lost his house in the Waterfall Fire, but part of his letter to Pat Pusich (Maizie's niece's husband) says it all: "Please remember that what we just suffered was a small disaster, a temporary setback. My good friend, Greg, here in our office, just lost his father prematurely to cancer. My receptionist, Candice, just lost her father in a car accident. They are the ones who suffered tragedy. My wife gets a new kitchen and a sewing room. My kids get new bedrooms and toys. Me, well, I'll be crying over all of those cool toys I had been hoarding for years which will not be replaced by any insurance ..." Mr. Darney ... you show us you are made of the "right stuff ..."

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Bits and pieces ... thanks to Bill Dolan for writing Past Pages every day in the Appeal ... always interesting; CHS's Dom Procaccini has been cast in "Ragtime School Edition" for the International Thespian Festival, summer of 2005 ... congrats; and meet Sen. Harry Reid at the Senior Center, Aug. 2 from 3 to 4 p.m., at a town hall meeting; also don't forget the prison craft fair today and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (checks and money orders only) ... lots of leatherwork, toys, knitted items and stonework ... they help Empire Elementary, too ....

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The best thing about going to Comma Coffee and Java Joe's is their food and ambiance, not just their coffee ... Carolyn thinks CC has the best pastrami sandwiches in town, while Maizie likes their "Bagel Variation" (spinach and pesto and tasty stuff) ... M likes the apricot scones ("to die for") at JJ's and C likes the fruit and yogurt parfait ... your tummy will say "yummy" ... see ya ...

Carolyn DeMar and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.