Apples and why do things make us laugh

I really want to write about apples, but I have something else on my mind.  Tonight, I was sitting with my son while he was conducting a science experiment on density.  He is a very funny kid and we seem to laugh at things that other people don't think are funny.  He was experimenting with displacement and was measuring this with various items we collected.  He filled the graduated cylinder (it was very narrow, mind you) and then dropped the cork in.  The cork was proportionately larger than the cylinder so when he dropped it in, it just fit and made a funny pop sound as it clogged up the space.  Now, I have no idea why that tickled our fancies, but we both started laughing at the same time and couldn't stop.  My stomach hurt so badly, but I (we) just couldn't stop.  It reminded me of the time that my sister and I took the same class at a community college in So. Cal and the professor wiped some chalk on his nose.  Then  unwittingly he wiped some on his check and then the forehead.  By that time, my sister and I had had it and couldn't contain ourselves.  We were laughing hysterically and not quietly I might add, and the guy stopped the class and asked us why we were laughing. This was college! We were not able to answer as our fit continued and we ended up escorting each other out doubled over.  WHY?? I just can't figure out why we laugh at certain things and in my case inappropriately.

  I guess we laugh when things are incongruous, out of context and also when we are nervous.  We laugh when other people are laughing....Yes it is true...laughing is contagious.  Humans don't learn to laugh.  It is instinctual and begins early in life.  It helps us along our journey as social beings and it is good for our health!  Laughing relaxes us and releases stress hormones, decreases blood pressure, enhances the immune system and helps us make friends. There are laugh for health groups and even yoga laugh groups that claim that the contagiousness of laughing causes participants to move into a trance like state.  It also, in my case, can get you into trouble when you laugh out of turn.  I still don't know why we thought a particular cork in a particular graduated cylinder was so incredibly funny, but I am glad that I got my dose of good medicine in for the day.  I can feel my body smiling as we speak.

To get to the apples....I have an apple tree in my back yard, which is no small feat as my yard is the size of a postage stamp.  We actually have four fruit trees and I really am happy about that. We did not plant the apple tree, so did not have a say in the variety which is rather tart.  My sons like to eat the apples, but most people would pucker up too much to finish.  The fruits are really great for cooking with however, and I am going to pass on an apple recipe to you below.   Lots of apple varieties are in season now and it is a perfect time for getting your apple a day.  My grandmother used to make her own apple sauce (and pluck her own chickens and make her own horse radish) and she would put red hot candies (heart shaped ones) in at the end to make the sauce pink and hot.  I loved it! I also loved the apple kuchen, the apple brown betty, the cobbler and pies.   This recipe is an original Louisa May Alcott  Apple Slump.  It is incredible and a seasonal favorite.

About 6 apples, cored, peeled (if you want) and sliced

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4-1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 t salt

Topping

1 1/2 cup flour (unbleached or whole wheat is fine)

2 t double acting baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg beaten

1/2-1 c milk

1 stick unsalted butter melted and cooled

Mix apples, brown sugar and spices.  Place in buttered dish and bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping

Sift dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients

Add to dry until just combined (do not overmix)

Spread over apples and bake at 350 degrees for around 25 minutes

*I like to add ginger to the spice list and sometimes walnuts and raisins to the mix.

Serve with ice cream, sorbet or whipped cream.  Inhale the aroma and enjoy!