The theme, laughter, has been chosen this week in response to the tragic and barbaric acts in France. Ailsa, in her excellent post, Laughter as a Political Act, sums it up this way,
If you can hold a harbinger of terror up to ridicule, if you can mock those who seek to oppress, if you can laugh at the ugliest of human behaviours, conventions, beliefs and traits, you diminish their power to terrorize, control and censor.
The little stone carvings below can be found in Bali, especially around remote villages near Ubud, and are used to scare away demons. While not images of hilarity, they are quite funny. I include them here in response to Ailsa’s chosen theme, the embracing of laughter.
Je Suis Charlie
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Very good….puts me in mind of Gargoyles on the exterior of churches
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Yes, quite similar to gargoyles.
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They’re absolutely mesmerizing, Francesca – I especially like that one with the messed up mouth on the right hand side in the top photo, he’s hilarious. 🙂
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Fabulous image Francesca, your little stone figures certainly brought smile to my lips, A laughter revolution is just what we need to break the irrational level of fear and racial/religious tension that is building
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Yes, it is awful to live in fear or to promote it. I mentioned to Mr T that penises ( see last image) are always so funny, and he replied, ” NO, they’re fun!”
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Those little guys (No3) look a bit taken aback like what the…..
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What a lot you’ve said in a short post, Francesca. Ailsa’s words are so true. Je suis Charlie.
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Ailsa is a wise soul indeed. Hope you got a smile from the pics Ardys.
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They certainly brought a smile to my face. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if laughter could bring an end to all this senseless violence. Great post!
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Thanks Mama and yes, laughter is the best medicine.
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I love the artsy and happy carvings – 🙂 the green adds a naturalness too 🙂
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What a terrible situation there is with Paris. I was falling asleep the other night when I heard the news and wished that I was just having a nightmare.
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Our world definitely needs to embrace more laughter. Your words and Ailsa’s are so apt. Je suis Charlie.
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This certainly made me smile. 🙂
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Great faces! Could not believe what was happening in France (and what some Americans think of Britain – or at least Birmingham). And, yes, I agree with Sandra, a laughter revolution is just what we need!
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I wonder if they do scare away those demons? Super faces and we all need to smile don’t we? 🙂
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