• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Sure Fire Things That Always Make Me Laugh

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

Let me set the scene. Seventh grade. Twelve years old. Just rode home from school—a five-mile ride… up an overpass. Both ways. Okay, not that last part. Just one way, but the rest…

So, overheated but not perspiring (because that part of my body didn’t work very well… still doesn’t), I dragged myself up the first half dozen steps, my backpack bouncing on each step behind me. Right flank rudder. Turn again.

The moment my foot touched the next step on the two-tiered flight of stairs to my room, I heard Mom call out. “Chautona…”

Did I sag in frustration? Probably. But only because Mom couldn’t see it. Look, I was tired and grumpy, but I wasn’t stupid. So, hanging over the railing, I peered down to find Mom seated in her corner of the couch. A cigarette sent wispy tendrils of smoke beside her. She took a puff before picking up her crocheting. It was a doily, I think—probably the one with a hook that, a month or so later, wound up embedded in my foot as I tried to oil the phonograph.

3 Sure Fire Things That Always Make Me Laugh

I digress. Wrong story.

I did what any respectful, has-the-fear-of-God-Mom-Dad-the-Medes-and-the-Persians-in-her daughter would do. I said, “Yeah?”

She didn’t even look up from her crocheting. Chain two—double crochet. Double-treble. That should have been a warning right there. I tried again. “Mom?”

“Did you know that prostitutes are undercover agents?”

I blinked. I’ll admit it right here and right now. I didn’t really know what a prostitute was. She was a woman of loose morals—a criminal in our state, actually. I couldn’t figure out what Mom meant. Then I saw it. The faintest twitch in the corner of her deadpan, not-even-looking-up-at-me expression. So, I laughed.

I was twelve, remember.

A decade or so later, I remembered that day. Finally got the joke. Couldn’t stop laughing.

And that’s how Mom’s humor works. It’s always a play on words, and it is always subtle. Much like my son’s humor. I guess that’s where he got it. And when my dad gets involved… Watch out!

Don’t believe me?

I’ll set the scene again. SW Missouri. An abandoned graveyard. To the left, a grove of trees, and nestled in it is a crumbling, battered, old, one-room schoolhouse.

They're ALL History in there...

After peering in the broken, half-boarded windows and such, they headed back to the car—right past the graveyard.

Mom sighs. It’s one of those, “Life is just amazing, isn’t it?” sighs. Dad sends her a questioning glance. In this, Mom and I are a lot alike. Her inner Anne Shirley emerges.

Look, it doesn’t happen often. She’s not really much of a romantic—even less than me. But she shakes her head and says, “I bet there’s a lot of history in there…”

Without blinking, without hesitation, cool as a cucumber in December, Dad quips, “Carole, they’re all history in there.”

*drops mic*

As you can see, I come by it honestly. So… here we are:

3 sure fire things that always make me laugh.

Plays on words—particularly my mom’s. Ya gotta love them. Which is pretty good, because my husband is a pun-making machine!

*note: links in this post may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. They will not, however, contain puny jokes or any further references to the “world’s oldest profession.” I’ve endured about enough of those in my life.  Yes.  All one of them.  Ahem.

Of course, not all things that make me laugh amuse others—like my husband. He doesn’t usually like the next item up for chuckles. But a comedy of errors—even if I’m the only one who finds it funny—love those.

Picture it.

The Havig kitchen. A chaotic place at mealtimes. I chop zucchini, some kid dashes through on her way to “the annex.” (Our sometimes-term for the detached garage-turned-bedroom.) She bumps the corner of the cutting board.

Zucchini confetti rains down on an already dirty floor.

Okay, I’ll admit it. Inwardly, I snarl. Outwardly, I grab a colander and start picking them up. The kid apologizes. But, to keep my spirit sweet, or at least no snarly, I wave her on.

A bestekid ambles through the room with a cupful of apple juice. She stumbles. I get an organic, all-natural hair rinse, and our zucchini enjoys a nice desert sand and apple juice marinade. But before I can even respond… that first daughter who caused the shower of zucchini? She dashes in, whacking my head with the door.

I crack up. Sorry, but that’s just funny right there. It’s an advertisement for Murphy’s Law or something.

Ever see this commercial?

Well, now you have, and it’s worth every hysterical moment of watching. If you ever wondered what it is like to have nine kids. There you have it! (Actually, it wasn’t anything like that, but it’s what people assume it was like).

But, since Mom doesn’t live nearby (so I have to content myself with memories of the glory days of life at home), and because a steady supply of one disaster after another would send my husband into irreparable mental illness, I have to content myself with the third thing that gives me my favorite kind of workout—inner jogging.

What’s that?

My grandsons’ belly laughs. Both of them have laughter that’ll take you from ready to rip out your hair to a six-pack in thirty-five point six seconds. Inner jogging may never make it as a workout craze, but that’s only because there’s no money in it.  But ain’t they cute?

Unless you created workout rooms where comedians made you laugh…

Oh, wait. Those are called comedy houses. They already exist. Drat.

What do you think?  Can I create “Inner Jogging” rooms and become the next millionaire?  Think Shark Tank’ll back me?  Maybe Kickstarter?

No?  Hmph.

Share70
Pin
Tweet
Email
71Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
71Shares

Related

Filed Under: General Information, Personal

Previous Post: « Why I Think We Need a New Princess in the Line Up—One Who Is Always Late
Next Post: What I Thought of For Love and Honor »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Emma says

    May 5, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    Love that video of your grandchildren! So cute. The other one is funny, too. We just happen to have a photo book project underway right now (good way to show people our life and our beautiful country when we go to America next month), but I happen to have a daughter who loves formatting! She inserts the photos, and I caption them. At least theoretically. I’m only about 50 pages behind right now. Thank you for sharing the laughs!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2017 at 3:32 pm

      There are several of those chatbooks videos and so far, they’ve all cracked me up.

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    May 5, 2017 at 7:20 am

    This made me laugh! The 2 videos are funny, too! And I’m all for “Inner Jogging rooms.” LOL!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2017 at 8:02 am

      Hee hee. Me, too!

      Reply
  3. Rory Lynn says

    May 5, 2017 at 6:32 am

    Would love to have a chance to read one of your books. Do all of them have some humorous moments. Thanks so much for a chance.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2017 at 6:51 am

      Most, yes! I do love humor.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Would Make a Tropical Vacation More Exciting? Find Out!
  • Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart
  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Just another hour... Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai fr Just another hour...
Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai from Marcella's Enchanted Cottage and blueberry cinnamon roll courtesy of #6daughter
, @andralane0129 
#AmReading 
#AnnetoberReadAThon 
@teri_blake_author 
#womensfiction
Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we go Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we got some,  but so many missed out. 
Thanks @robsogbbq
Instagram post 18282011413151971 Instagram post 18282011413151971
If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagsteve If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagstevens , stop everything and order this book. Then schedule dinner delivery the day it arrives and dive in. Chilling,  inspiring,  and proof that Amanda is a stellar Storyteller.
#AmReading 
#ChristFic
Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month until release day for Road Trip Rescue! 🚘 🐶 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 24 to help me celebrate sending this story into the world. 

Also, prepare for more posts than normal. I’m excited to launch this book. 🥳
I think the moon is embracing autumn, too. I think the moon is embracing autumn,  too.
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!