Indulgence. A word that means different things to different people. And different things to the same person, depending on their mood, level of stress, time of day. I think most writers would agree that giving free rein to a work in progress when that particular work has taken off into the stratosphere is the greatest indulgence we have. You know what I’m talking about, right? You’re written to the point where your characters have taken over, where you have no idea where they’re going, and basically all we as writers are doing is watching a movie unfold in our heads and trying madly to transcribe the spoken lines into some permanent form on our blank screen before they stop talking for the day. Now, I’m a pantser, and I realize that’s a pantser’s point of view, but I’m certain there’s something similar for plotters. In other words, we’re on a roll, and we don’t care who’s hungry, who needs clean clothes, which pet needs a yard break – heck, we don’t even notice if we need a bathroom break until the situation’s dang-near embarrassing.
Those are great times, aren’t they? The best. But eventually, physical and mental exhaustion take over and when we emerge from whichever world we’ve been emersed in, we realize – we’re tired. And brain-dead. That’s when I take a hot shower. Hot shower. The water’s not hot enough unless it’s almost scalding. And when I’ve finished my shower and wrapped myself in a warm, soft robe, that’s when I indulge in something I indulge in far too seldom these days. I used to indulge a lot more often. (Bet you’re wondering where I’m going with this one, huh?) It’s an accepted indulgence when there are kids in the house, a lot of grownups won’t admit to it.
I love to unwind by watching comedies. Funny movies. Not sophisticated, smart, sparkling, “adult” comedies. Oh, no. Not me. I like the ridiculous, slap-stick, I can’t believe I’m watchin’ this funny movies. Now, in my defense, my whole family does. We can quote a line from one of those movies – anywhere, anytime – and without missing a beat, a nearby family member will pick up the dialogue and before you know it, we’ve acted a whole scene. For example, never walk through the produce department with any member of my family if you’re easily embarrassed. Somebody’s sure to issue forth an ear-splitting shriek when they pass the eggplants. Don’t know why? You’ve never seen Coneheads, huh? Oh, yeah, we know ‘em all. Dumb and Dumber. Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. Ace Ventura, When Nature Calls. Hotshots. Airplane. Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Joe Dirt.
But our favorites of all time? The Ernest movies. Remember Jim Varney? No matter that Mr. Varney passed away a few years back – I was and am a big fan, “Know what I mean, Vern?” Jim Varney, in my book, wasn’t a comedian. He was a true clown, with a talent for timing and delivery that has seldom been equaled, an endearing, powerful voice (he usually disguised it with a “twang” but could and occasionally did break forth in Shakespearian projection) and a hang-dog expression. He was “Everyman”. The average Joe. Everybody thought, of course, that Ernest was of below average intelligence, not the sharpest knife in the drawer or the brightest penny in the cash register. I beg to differ. Ernest was tuned in to a different frequency, that’s all. And he always got the problem solved. Whether that problem was saving a summer camp, or preventing a bank robbery, or banishing a troll back into the depths of the earth or even saving Christmas – yes, he saved Christmas once, you don’t believe me, go check it out – Ernest got it done! He was the man! Well, actually, he was several of ‘em, with an occasional lady thrown in as well – a master of multiple characters who imitated voices with uncanny skill. He’s one of the few imitators I’ve ever seen who could sound like Walter Brennan . Or John Wayne. Or any number of other classics with a few of his own creation.
And for all the tension-dissolving, gut-bustin’ laughter Jim Varney and Ernest produced in my house over the years – let me say, thanks, guys. I miss you, and in my book, you’ll never be replaced.
Coming Soon From Gail:
Gail, it's great how you unwind. I go for a walk and it clears my head and gets that pesky chore of exercise out of the way at the same time. Marian
Thanks for dropping by Marian.
Hey y'all and good morning! My home internet's out so I couldn't thank Chris for having me over yet! Thanks Chris!
Thanks for sharing, Gail. I love watching sit-coms on TV. One of my favorite (and I have many) Christmas movies is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. No matter how many times we watch it, we still crack up. They (whoever they are – I still haven't figured it out) say Laughter is the best medicine. I have to agree.
Sometimes, during a particularly stressful day at our house, my husband, one of my children, grandchildren or I will do something without thinking, which results in egg on our face. Of course, none of the rest of us will allow it to slip by unnoticed, which means we all dissolve into laughter, which lifts the tension and makes the day easier.
Gail – you are such a hoot. HMMMMM how do I unwind? It normally has something to do with a bottle of wine or going outside and getting my hands REALLY dirty on some physical project. Great post…..BUT……Earnest? Really, Earnest?
Yes, Penny, Ernest. Gail, you are amazing, girl. I remember all those old flicks and the roll on the floor laughter it gave me. Just remembering that gave me a few minutes of joy in an otherwise dull day. Thanks for your wit and way with words. Can't wait for your books to come out!
PD
You're more than welcomed, Gail. Glad you came by. I'm an Abbott and Costello gal, myself. More so when they're meeting my favourite monsters.
Thank you…Roseanne (hmm, wonder where you'll be tomorrow, somewhere creative? hint hint 😉
Thank you, Susan…my father-in-law still doesn't let me forget how I "Shift" the flour in the "broken" bowl…I didn't see the steal hook on the bowl, which caused the clanging.
Thank you, Penny. Wine, no, but my fingers have been known to get dirty with pastels.
Thank you, Dale. Hey, if ever you want to indulge on a dull day, let me know and come visit.
Ro, I just watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation…laugh out loud funny…
Hi Chris, thank you for hosting this lovely and very funny soul. Love your blog, btw.
Gail Dahling, you simply crack me up and make me smile. I cannot believe I've been sending out emails with "y'all" in them.
Goodness…the impact you have on people! Love ya girlfriend.
Thank you, Karen. Whenever you care to share an indulgence, just let me know 🙂
Oh my! What a full house! Checking in on my lunch hour with a balonga (thats pronounced baloney, by the way) sandwich and a glass of milk! Thank you all for stopping in! Glad to know some of you are as zany as I am! Sometimes I'm just too dang braindead to be literary! Know what I mean, Vern?
Gail, I loved your description of how you unwind with your family. With my family we watch the sitcoms on TV. We Tivo them and watch them together. Some of them aren't so funny like shows like Dexter or Homeland, but we watch them together. Although it's interesting that each daughter has a favorite and won't watch the other. We also enjoy watching funny sitcoms too. But my favorite way to unwind is to watch the Food Network. There's nothing like watching someone like Paula Deen throw a whole stick of butter into a recipe that spells comfort.:) I like watching almost everything on it and especially loved Chopped.
Yes, Gail…well, should only speak for myself. Yup, zany
Thank you, Lionmother. Ahh, the food network. Yes, love Chopped and Iron Chef.
Great blog. Keep going, ladies!
Thank you, Heather. Glad you dropped by
I'm late, I'm late…just like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, but better that then absent all together. Gail, you are constantly adding little nuggets of the whole marvel that is Gail Roughton Branan. That is part of what makes you so intriguing…there's no uniformity to your guesting appearances. LOVE IT!…AND LOVE YOU!
Chris, This is a fantastic posting. But then that's not a big surprise. Everything you do shows the rest of us how it should be done…wtih grace, humor, and generosity.
Well done, Ladies. Love You Both!
You think you're late?! I haven't had internet at home for two days! I have at least ten blog spots over in my saved folder I'm about to catch up on where you guys have been! Chris, this was so much fun, and thanks to everyone who stopped in! We're all this multi-faceted, I think, this diverse within ourselves. Thank God. Because my heroines are always me somewhere or other and I'd HATE to get boring!
Laughter really is the best medicine, Gail, rejuvenating and so at odds with all those pesky little things that make us frown. Our family has similar movie/TV traditions, and we quote lines at each other too. I love how you made a whole blog out of this!
Thank you, Lin. You're never late and you always make me blush.
Gail…you boring? NEVER 😉
Thank you, Pat for coming by. You reminded me of how hubby's friends (mine now, too) know how to quote lines from a certain science fiction show LOL