I MADE MY BROTHER laugh yesterday, and in the process came up with a universal organizing principle for human behavior. Not a bad day’s work, I think.

Bruce had called from Alaska–a three-hour time difference so we never know when to call. I was busy so called back an hour or two later. He seemed to be eating. But we chatted for a few moments, then I said, “It sounds like you’re having supper.”
“Yup,” he said, “I made goulash.”
“Wow,” that’s interesting,” said I. “Kathy made goulash tonight, too!”
“Well, whose is better?” he asked, in his typical teasing way.
“Kathy’s,” I answered, without a moment’s hesitation.
“And you would know that, how?”
“I just know,” I replied. “I don’t need to try anyone else’s goulash.”
A snort on the other end of the line.
“In fact,” I said, “those are fine words to live by. A life motto, you might say.”
“What… ‘I don’t need to try anyone else’s goulash?'”
“Yes,” I answered. “Exactly.”

And Bruce started laughing. And laughing. It was good to hear. We often make each other laugh. But oftentimes, I thought later, we humans respond, when confronted with a great truth, a timeless principle or an unexpected epiphany, by laughing. At least, that’s what I think. And I think that discovering or expressing such a truth is, indeed, a good day’s work.

At least, that’s what I think.

Kathy thinks I should have T-shirts made, and coffee cups, with the motto. (Perhaps I could even include a picture of her, serving goulash!) But I’m not sure. I don’t want to beak Facebook again.