"Do you mean Bill might have been kidding about his constant fundraising for the widow of the unknown soldier?" 

     "Could be," Ms. Putaansuu's replied cryptically, as she looked over her shoulder to see who might be listening. 

    It also seems Putaansuu may have been kidding when he told friends the reason for a small hole in his glasses lens was to treat glaucoma.  "They use marijuana to relieve the pain," Putaansuu would say.  Then pointing to the hole in his glasses, he would add, "This is where you put the joint." 

    It is also suspected that Putaansuu's often voiced concern over continental drift may have been an example of humor.  It turns out that tectonic plates drift at speeds of about 1/28,000 of a meter each year.  For them to move across an ocean would take, according to government studies, A VERY LONG TIME . . .  The West Coast isn't going to end up in China anytime soon. 

    Putaansuu's close friends are beginning to wonder if other things he told them were Jokes.  There is still no consensus, but for now readers are advised to: 

    1.    Remove the Duck Tape from their television screens, because no matter how strong those pictures of hurricanes appear on your television, they are, after all, just pictures;

    2.    Stop sending checks for $47.50 each month to Pedro Uusnaatup, the "orphaned refugee" reportedly living in Putaansuu's basement (at least until we get verification from Sally Struthers that Pedro really is a refugee).  For that matter we also need verification that Putaansuu really had a basement.  Meanwhile, Roland Richards has volunteered to receive those checks, "So all that money will be kept safe for little Pedro." 

    3.    Sell any stock you may have acquired in American Airlines; 

    4.    Quit using electrolysis to remove salt from your soda crackers; 

    5.    Etc. Etc. Etc.