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Life is Hard Soften It with Laughter

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How has your day been? Tough? Great? Mediocre?
Stop and read awhile.
Life is hard- Soften It with Laughter is designed to look at life and find a giggle.

Don’t stop at a giggle…. laugh out loud at some of my misadventures and mishaps, ranging from bleached out possums to losing dead bodies. Of course, there was the time I was pulled over because of a spider. I’m sure the police officer is still shaking his head at his misfortune of dealing with me in a full-blown spider dance/fit. That spider was the size of a dinner platter and he was looking at me like I could be his next meal for years.
There is a little something for everyone. For the parent that is dealing with the horrormones of an adolescence, I have the perfect prescription for you. It includes a pillow, tissue, and a lot of chocolate. Do you find that the domestic gene passed you at birth and you are not a domestic goddess? I say, "welcome to the club." I don't mind cooking as long as someone else does it. My idea of making a meal is making reservations and instead of cookbooks I have a collection of take-out menus. So, come laugh with me. Life is hard and should be softened with laughter.

260 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2019

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About the author

Marlene Ratledge Buchanan

6 books5 followers

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Lynn Hesse.
Author 11 books42 followers
May 11, 2019
This memoir will inspire you with southern common sense advice and insight by telling the joys and sorrows of a "not so" ordinary life. The author and educator does it Marlene's way when she literally bush hogs her way through cancer and other surgeries while drinking...large amounts of coffee, eating tons of chocolate, and loving deeply. She thwarts her fears, keeps laughing, and survives without regret--a wonderful example of how to live each day.
Profile Image for Craig.
73 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2021
Have you ever just wanted to pick up a book and enjoy the read - maybe even get a chuckle or two? I found myself laughing out loud as I read this book. Marlene has a great sense of humor and uses it as she tells the stories of her life. There are times when you will get wrapped up in a story that is serious, but I guarantee Marlene finds a way to make you smile even through serious situations. As I read the book, I would chuckle just thinking of similar things that my family may have done, or that I did as I was growing up and getting older. I was sitting reading on my patio and a neighbor came over; I read a story to her and her daughter and they both left laughing and smiling. This would be a splendid book to give as a gift to brighten someone’s day. Please do yourself favor—get this book and enjoy the read.
8 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2019
This book will literally make you laugh out loud. This true Southern lady discusses her family, her family history, her close friends, her hobbies, her health problems, her strengths as well as her weaknesses--her life in an honest but also humorous style of writing. The more you read the more you can identify with her joys and struggles in life. Her positive attitude in dealing with her life is uplifting and teaches us how laughter can help us get through most things we face in our lives. So as Marlene says, "Life is hard; soften it with laughter".
Profile Image for Judy Welden.
Author 1 book2 followers
October 31, 2022
I'd purchased this book when I was going through some stressful times. It was a God-send! Marlene is the only writer I know who can laugh at herself and be funny when she has serious issues like cancer, sick felines and many other experiences that would crush or defeat most people. I found I had a lot in common with this very creative lady in many ways but I could never be so upbeat, pleasant and or funny when my world was falling apart!
I highly recommend this humorous book to anyone, of all ages! Judy Welden, author of "An Unstoppable Survivor"
Profile Image for Susan Hancock.
Author 7 books30 followers
October 5, 2020
I loved this book. Not my usual type of read, but these essays are so delicious, and the warmth and humour of the author’s voice really made it for me. Something about the mixture of happy and sad, laugh-out-loud funny and heart-grabbing poignancy is irresistible. Perhaps the title says it all: Life is Hard: Soften it With Laughter!
Profile Image for Indie Author Book Reviews.
128 reviews42 followers
January 30, 2020
Marlene Ratledge Buchanan brings the humor of her newspaper column to this collection of stories. She has the ability to look at difficult times with both humor and grace. Grab some tea, this book, and find a comfy chair. This book will make a great escape from the daily troubles of life.
21 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2020
Lots of laughter. Easy to read essays finding the funny in the foibles of life. Appropriate for most all ages
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews