Houston, we have a problem. I think I’ve lost my funny!

This can’t be happening. I’m a humor writer for goodness sakes, but lately I feel like I’ve lost my funny. I try to write a column and it ends up just looking like a bunch of random words on the page. No zingers. No zangers. Just a bunch of blah, blah, blah. Well, that’s just plain unacceptable. But what’s a humor writer to do? It’s the equivalent of a baseball pitcher breaking an arm, a pianist spraining a finger, a perfume tester having a cold. Anyway, how does a humor writer come back when they feel like they’ve gone, well… “flat.”

Let’s take a look back into history. We’ll start with my hero Erma Bombeck. It’s reported that she enrolled in Ohio University in 1946 and failed most of her literary assignments and was rejected for the university newspaper. Lucky for her and for us, she transferred to the University of Dayton and one day slipped a humorous essay she had written for the college literary magazine, The Exponent, under the office door of Brother Tom Price, a UD English professor and faculty adviser for the magazine. As the story goes, he said three magic words to her when he read it that would change her life forever. Those three magic words… “You can write.” And we know what happened after that. She was brilliant! That’s what I need. Someone to tell me, “Kathy, you can write.” Anyone? Anyone? Buhler? Buhler?

Maybe I need to hang out with funnier people, write while wearing a clown suit, hang out at the mall and people watch. Truth is, I’m really not sure what I should be doing. I know I just need to get my “mojo” back.

In the beginning…when I first set out on this humor writing venture I was inspired by the thrill of this new opportunity and the fact that I had to crank something out every two weeks. Oh yeah, and it didn’t hurt that I knew people I knew would be reading my column, so I didn’t want to disappoint. I think a combination of all those things kept me at the front of the humor train. Then, after four years of that, trying to launch a book, and “life” I sort of lost my drive, momentum, and my “funny” went along with it.

But, it’s 2012 now. Time to reinvent myself. Just think about how many times Madonna has reinvented herself. OK, maybe that’s a bad example. But anyway, here’s my master plan.

I’m in the process of refreshing my two websites, networking with others in the blogosphere and basically, just getting down to the business of being funny.

So, here’s the bottom line. My funny may have taken a detour for a while, but it’s on its way back. Armed with one-liners, quips, barbs, anecdotes, alliterations, I’m developing an arsenal of guffaw producers to keep you in stitches for many years to come. It’s a new beginning. Or in other words….“I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.”

I love Mother’s Day! It’s a day when my family spoils me rotten, I don’t do any housework, and I just do what I want to do when I want to do it. I feel so, so…FREE! And this year was no exception.

The day started with my husband and children serving me a lovely breakfast in bed and showering me with flowers, kisses, and beautiful cards. Not a bad way to start the day. Then I came downstairs and was greeted by the face lick of my puppy and the melodic purrs of our two cats. I was definitely “feelin’ the love.”

In years past, I have joined my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws for their annual Mother’s Day pilgrimage for a weekend on Cape Cod. We have a great time shopping, eating out, and doing “woman things,” but this year, since I stayed home, I needed to come up with a different plan. It was a gorgeous day, so I decided I would go for a long bike ride.

My latest passion has been to take our new Canon SLR camera along on my rides. I really enjoy just pulling over and taking pictures of things that catch my eye as I “explore” the countryside. For me, it makes riding much more enjoyable and is more of a “spiritual adventure” rather than a workout. I feel like I’m taking the time to “stop and smell the roses,” something we busy mothers often forget to do.

Anyway, above is a shot a fellow biker took of me and my new friend in the beautiful town of Carlisle, MA. I think the smile on my face says it all.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Anyway, after my shower, I knew we weren’t going anywhere so I just put on some flannel lounge pants and a t-shirt. Oh yeah, and some underwear and a bra. When I came downstairs my husband looked at me and said, “I thought you were going to get dressed?”

“I am dressed,” I snarkily replied.

“No you’re not. Those are pajamas and you just got out of your pajamas.”

“No, this is “loungewear” and I’m wearing a bra. If I’m wearing a bra, I’m dressed.”

“Oh, is that how you define it?”

“Yup.”

“I thought getting dressed meant putting on pants and a shirt.”

“I am wearing pants and a shirt. They just happen to be extremely comfortable pants and a shirt. And you did hear me say I’m wearing a bra, right?

“Yeah.”

“Alright then. I believe this discussion is over.”

“Whatever.”

Men.

They’re tag line is…”Have a Happy Period.” Are you kidding me? Tell me one person who rejoices when their time of the month comes. Well, except perhaps the women who were trying to dodge the pregnancy bullet. Other than that, I don’t know anyone who says, “Yippee. I got my period. I can’t wait for the cramps and the bloating to kick in. It’s going to be a banner day!”

This copy line was obviously written by a man. Or whoever it was, did they honestly think that this marketing strategy would sway someone to buy their product? I don’t know about you, but I don’t go down the aisle thinking, “Hmmm. I wonder which pad will lift my spirits and make me smile when my “friend” comes.” It’s more like…”OK which pad is the cheapest and where’s the Motrin?”

Next thing you know you’ll be seeing someone selling caskets with “Enjoy the journey” on the outside.

Crazy!