A pithy comic strip about life, love, lust and puthy cats.

Est. 1985

Extra, Extra!

Fool me once…

By Jimmy Johnson


Buy the new book, "Beaucoup Arlo & Janis!"Today's "Arlo & Janis!"
Back to the old cartoons. Current events are always a ready source of material for cartoonists. The idea for this 1998 A&J came directly from the news. There was an article making the rounds at that time saying precisely that: research indicated that one of the many effects of pregnancy upon women was an increase in intelligence. As Janis and most of the headlines phrased it, Arlo’s response was the obvious one. Sometimes, they write themselves, but not very often.
Thanks for all who ventured to the Facebook site “Arlo and Janis Fans” and joined the group. You shattered the ceiling of 500 members, which is what we set out to do. The master of ceremonies there, our friend Jim Young, was very pleased.

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183 responses to “Fool me once…”

  1. emeritus minnesota biologist Avatar
    emeritus minnesota biologist

    Debbe:

    “Emb and cxp, way over my head, there’s such intelligent life in this Village…and then there’s me.”

    Don’t sell yourself short. Intelligence is not the same as knowledge. We’re both smart, probably as smart as most Villagers. We both also know some biochemistry, geology, and such. But I’d long forgotten what the mineral olivene consists of, and he surely knows more math than I do. Most of the knowledge we use here can be, and often is, learned by folks of average intelligence. For instance, I’m guessing many Villagers already know that 9-banded armadillos, the only kind occurring in the 48 states, typically bear genetically identical quadruplets. Now they all do. Peace, emb

  2. emeritus minnesota biologist Avatar
    emeritus minnesota biologist

    # 1, a first. I was sure someone else would arrive while I was typing that. Peace, emb.

  3. emeritus minnesota biologist Avatar
    emeritus minnesota biologist

    Every body sleeping in because it’s Chanukah?

  4. Galliglo from Ohio Avatar
    Galliglo from Ohio

    Not sleeping in… just busy!

  5. Bob in Orland Park Avatar
    Bob in Orland Park

    No wonder my wife is so much smarter than me after five kids. The kids always said she developed eyes in the back of her head too.

  6. Mark in TTown Avatar
    Mark in TTown

    Debbe, see the bottom of yesterday’s comments for my answer.

  7. emeritus minnesota biologist Avatar
    emeritus minnesota biologist

    Lotsa folks standing around in a snow showere; OF may blow soon.

    http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/webcam/oldFaithfulStreaming.html

  8. Jim in TN Avatar
    Jim in TN

    They say this is supposed to be the busiest shopping day of the season this year! Maybe that’s were everyone is?

    We are up to 560 members last count at the A&J facebook fan page (Yes, I am that Jim). We are having a blast over there. One of our members pulled up the A&J series from this page of a visit to Cuba that was very interesting in light of current events. You never know what you will find.

    We welcome anyone who would like to join us (except spammers) so if you are on Facebook drop by and if you like us let us know and we’ll bring you in. (Thanks for your help JJ and we’ll keep doing our thing.

    And as they say, Thanks for all the fish! 😉

  9. Canuckguy Avatar
    Canuckguy

    ” effects of pregnancy upon women was an increase in intelligence”
    But from what I understand, the effects of childbirth and for about a year after, women get stupider.
    At least that’s what happened to, my daughter.

  10. billinbossier Avatar
    billinbossier

    First, got to see on a Saturday, JJ. Secondly, if you think I am going to dispute that obvious fact, you are crazy. I am just going to let the research speak for itself.

  11. Ursen Avatar
    Ursen

    So that’s why Mom was a genius after six kids!

  12. Mary in Ohio Avatar
    Mary in Ohio

    Canuckguy – I dunno if “stupider” is the correct word. ” Stupefied” may be more like it.

  13. Jackie Monies Avatar
    Jackie Monies

    Jackie here in hospital in Tulsa with Mike. Pneumonia and lung complications from cancer and illness is critical. Girls and I are trying to plan my mom’s funeral and stay with him. Surgery to drain again on Monday. Wish I had good news.

    Love, Jackie

  14. Mindy from Indy Avatar
    Mindy from Indy

    Jackie – Crossing all ten fingers and toes for Mike. {Hugs}

  15. Jackie Monies Avatar
    Jackie Monies

    Thanks all. I cannot tell you how much I have loved this man, not a romantic 0r fairy tale but truly loved through good and bad times, with and without money, hard work and often physical exhaustion for both of us. That is what love is.

    Losing both at the same time seems incomprehensible. The support you all give me is without price, a treasure.

    Love, JACKIE

  16. Galliglo from Ohio Avatar
    Galliglo from Ohio

    Jackie…. love you, girl!

  17. emeritus minnesota biologist Avatar
    emeritus minnesota biologist

    Jackie,

    What you wrote in your last post above, including your take on your and Mike’s bond, closely matches what wife and I went through four years ago, 16-28 Dec. ’10, except we had not lost anyone else recently. Wife had acute leukemia, but technically died of pneumonia. I am right there with you.

    Sounds like we were equally blessed. Peace, emb

  18. Charlotte in NH Avatar
    Charlotte in NH

    It breaks my heart, what Jackie is going through right now. Please, please make Mike well again.

  19. Gary in PNS Avatar
    Gary in PNS

    Jackie: Best thoughts for Mike and you.

  20. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Jackie, this passage of Scripture was read at my sister’s service. I hope it gives you some measure of comfort, as it did me.

    “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27

    Love, Ghost

  21. Husker Belle Avatar
    Husker Belle

    Delurking because I had to say: hugs and and prayers for you, Jackie.

  22. domaucan1 Avatar
    domaucan1

    Jackie,
    Just remember that with God all things are possible. Keep your faith and hope in Him. God bless you and Mike and your family.

  23. Jackie Monies Avatar
    Jackie Monies

    Thanks and love Jackie

  24. Debbe Avatar
    Debbe

    Jackie, I cannot even fathom what you are going through right now. Please know that here, we are all friends, real virtual friends who care very much about you and your family. You have shared so much of your life through your postings….it’s as if I’ve known you all my life.

    You and yours will stay in my thoughts and prayers….take care of yourself, lady.

    …………………………………..Amen.

  25. Debbe Avatar
    Debbe

    Good morning Villagers…..

    Tis 23 degrees out there, and a real feel of 68 in here! And it’s supposed to get up to 50 degrees tomorrow…..according to one whether.com 🙂

    Mark, I logged on to their website and found out the info. I don’t know if it would be worth it, as I fall asleep early in the recliner after getting my belly full. I have an odd sleeping cycle. Besides, my husband and I differ on movies, and the remote is never too far from his reach.

    Emb…thanks, the world would be boring if we all knew the same things….armadillos, they are nature’s little tank 🙂

    GR 😉 I speak hen 🙂 sometimes I stand on the back deck and holler “chowww”, and for some weird reason they all hush, and then start cooing. I’ve three cages of cannibals in the front. I like to tease them with an egg…..I’ll crack it and hold it about three inches from the cages and they stretch out their necks and literally attack that egg until the white and yolk fall out of the shell. Sometimes they miss the egg and peck my fingers….ouch….ahh, simple minds and simple times humor me.

    later……………….