Minnesota Prairie Roots

IF LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE, then I need a mega dose right now to ease the stress I feel these days.

Last Friday evening I got a large dose of laughter while attending the Little Fish Improv Comedy Show at the Paradise Center for the Arts. It felt good to laugh, to mostly forget about reality. That would return soon enough, in fact the next afternoon as I stood protesting on a street corner near the Paradise in downtown Faribault.

But Friday evening I laughed. I relaxed. I smiled, consciously aware of my face lifting into a smile throughout the performance. Afterwards I thanked the performers for the much-needed laughter and diversion during an extremely difficult week in Minnesota.

Now days later, when I really need a second dose of laughter, I remember photos I took in small town Dennison several months ago. They are of a Pillsbury Doughboy sign leaning against a shed along the main highway that runs through this southern Minnesota community.

The Pillsbury Doughboy, spokesman for Poppin’ Fresh refrigerated dough products since 1965, is a memorable and much-beloved marketing figure. Poke his tummy and he giggles. Everything about this character in the white chef’s hat, scarf tied around his neck, makes me feel good. Smile. Laugh.

Not only that, but just the thought of popping open a tube of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls elicits joyous anticipation. I can imagine the scent of cinnamon wafting from a hot oven as the rolls bake. I can taste the sugary sweetness of a still-warm roll drizzled in icing. Yum.

This is what I need now to counterbalance the angst that is part of life today in this country. I need, not to forget, not to give up, but to counterbalance the craziness with that which is good. A warm cinnamon roll. A night out at a comedy show and cocktails afterwards with dear friends. And most of all, laughter.

TELL ME: What are you doing to counterbalance any stress you may be experiencing due to what’s unfolding in your community, your state and America? What makes you smile, laugh, giggle?

I also direct you to a Cinnamon Roll Casserole recipe posted by my friend Sue, a food blogger. Click here to see that recipe.