The Duchy of Jerald

“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” - Mark Twain
He was one of my fathers, along with John Steinbeck, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein and
Auguste Rodin who taught me atheism, science, creativity and rationality while I was a self
raised street orphan cringing in the sanctuary of safety; the library. Later, when I was in trouble
it was Albert Ellis with his philosophy and psychotherapy who reached out from his writings.
Recently an anxious and hostile 12 step guy at the gym was telling me evidence based
psychology didn't work, based on the evidence of my 30 year cure and recovery from anxiety
and depression with its corresponding distractions of drugs, alcohol and religion. I just had to
laugh out loud. He ceased to intrude on me with his testaments.
Also, a very conservative couple who failed to have a rational discussion with me about
policies, just spewing hate towards liberals, were working out on stationary bikes, grimly
pedaling away in unison. It occurred that's how they made love, and these were their orgasm
faces. I laughed and laughed....