The sunny side of rural life.

The question sometimes presented to me is why do I waste my time writing short rural humor pieces instead of doing serious writing? This question was somewhat shocking because I thought my writing was serious. But not wanting to let people down, I decided to continue to write about rural experiences. If they are humorous its only because rural life can sometimes be that way, it all depends on how you look at things.

Reading humorous stories is a good reliever of rural depression. (No, I'm not talking about the gravel pit!) Rural depression is a mental illness that can sneak up on people after years, or sometimes only months of tedious labor and isolation sometimes present in rural areas. Getting up early and working late can take a toll on folks, especially when chores have to be done even when you have the flu. So we need to look at the funny side of our simpler lifestyle to keep on going. If you stop and think about all the opportunities living in the country has for being funny, you will soon be chuckling.

Just last week at the feed mill there were three fellows in the corner of the office looking at a magazine that was lying on a table. They were arguing whether or not the model they were gawking at was a perfect "10." One of the men called me over to get my opinion on the matter. As I started to explain that I would not be interested in looking at such a magazine, he held it up revealing a beautiful young jersey cow featured in Hoard's Dairyman! This kind of stuff doesn't happen in the city.

Rural humor seems most appreciated at the local bank. When I apply for a loan the bank manager usually has a good laugh while reviewing the application. "Good one," he says. "I thought you were serious about this loan for a minute." (I thought he was a little bold to step out of the office to show the application to the tellers and get them laughing too.) Then after explaining that I really do want the loan, he starts to show symptoms of rural depression, murmuring something about if only I'd do serious writing a loan from his bank wouldn't be needed.

Having young children can also increase your chances of daily laughter. One afternoon while we were driving past a golf course, my three-year-old daughter asked, "What are all those people doing out on that pasture?" If they only knew that their manicured greens were referred to as a pasture! You won't find innocent humor like this on television.

Well I had better close and head down to the barn to start chores. At times I wonder if I'll go down to the barn only to find that I'm already down there milking cows. I guess I need some rural humor to help lighten the load! Good bye and keep smiling.

WALTER BELSHA

GRANTON, WISCONSIN