Today’s old A&J is from four years ago. I apologize for being away several days. I have had a busy work schedule this week, and family matters required time as well. It’s a holiday weekend! Are you ready for Washington’s Birthday? Are you ready to purchase new linens and towels? How in the heck do you suppose the tradition of “white sales” to celebrate the birth of the Father of Our Country got started? I grew up in an area devoted to the manufacture of high-quality sheets and towels. I should know the answer, but I don’t.
A Breath of Fresh Step
By Jimmy Johnson
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62 responses to “A Breath of Fresh Step”
Free enterprise and the desire for money enable people to co-opt just about anything.
As far as I know, the only holiday left untouched is Martin Luther King Day.
I imagine someone has plans to use it to make a buck through an MLK Day Sale when the time is right.
No apology necessary, I say. Cartoonists are human too. How in the world does one decide how many cloud puff lines to draw? Or how they ought to curve? Or where to place them?
I must off, to purchased many more miniskirts. (I am taking my new position seriously.)
I recognise the activity. There is a huge, and varied market for catbox products, including luxury items.
😉
Ghost, the way the weather is going here I would think provocative sweaters and leggings would be more the thing.
You’re right Jimmy. Most people can’t understand how government makes money work now, much less a non-governmental agency creating an entirely electronic money. When a country’s money was backed by or made of a precious metal it had an intrinsic value, regardless of the nation’s behavior. Now that it depends entirely on government promises, we all know how much those are worth.
And you hit the nail on the head with the litterbox strip today too. You are two for two as far as I’m concerned today!
And all the themes in one cartoon:
1. Cat ownership.
2. Aging.
3. Spouse stating the obvious, with at least somewhat questionable sympathy (what a theme!).
4. A man’s dogged (no pun) determination.
Plus drawing-only benefits: Arlo has to be drawn stooping, but not too closely. I get the strong sense of awkwardness just looking at him, knees only partly bent.
And the increasing speed has to be done without the benefits of film animation.
And the bag has to be drawn increasingly more full.
A big challenge is to draw Arlo increasingly hoiding his breath. But how can that be done when his back is to the reader?
Yet that’s what Jimmy turned to an advantage. Only in panel three do we see Arlo’s puffed cheek–which is only somewhat noticeable. Really, it is only in panel four that Janis draws our attention to that, which invites the best compliment of all to a cartoonist: The reader wants to go back and look at all the panels again. By only gradually revealing the breath-holding—well, it’s just a real good cartoon strip!! It’s packed!
Well, my grandfather did use to call it George Birthington’s Washday, though I think he was joking. And yes, if retailers can figure out how to make a buck or two they’ll stick a sale on any holiday.
JAckie, you’d best keep an eye on Ghost Sweetie. He’s having WAYYY too much fun with your new shop. 😉
If you liked The Greatest Showman you’ll probably love this mashup by some college performing groups:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxIILbNMTHY
http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam/
For all you birders, what kind of avian did the eagles dissemble? The feathers seem to be of solid color on the gray side of black. Dull color, not shiny.
Adult coot, Fulica Americana. White beak and blue-black plumage are distinctive. Bald eagles are quite capable of catching coots live, but it also could be a scavenged bird that died of other causes.
Peace [or RIP].
Speaking of coots – we saw at least 50 today while cruising the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and twice as many gallinules (including a pair in a rather vicious fight), plus many other birds and the obligatory gators.
By the way, it’s time to get out (or look out the window) and count what you see – http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
Just went to my second funeral in 3 weeks. Seasons of life, but it seems like deaths seem to clump together. Both deceased were older as in 89 and 91, so they were both celebrations. The big plus was getting hugs for m my 2 year old (and 2 weeks) Grandson, who can count to 20 and recognize his numbers!
I noticed something else. The front of the bag does not droop down, I suppose, so that we are made to see it as a bag. We can see its opening. If it drooped like normal, we couldn’t see its front, and it would simply look like some piece of cloth, I would guess, not a bag. But there is no way I can picture such things.
Well, back when it WAS “Washington’s Birthday ” my Dad always referred to it as “George Birthington’s Wash Day.” I always thought it was a goofy joke (I loved it) but it may explain the White Sales !
Currently watching “Black Mass” on History.
Love gangster movies.
Don’t like how they keep bleeping out all the cuss words. As if we’ve never them before.
Kind of surprised that History is showing something other than Pawn Stars.
Something like pixelated boobs. They’re not really br**sts unless you can see n*pples. That thing w/ a pastie on it? Beats me.
Jean dear: “Shhh…”
Actually, I’m hoping to leverage my position as “Miniskirt Buyer” into additional positions as “Director of Shorts/Halter Top Procurement” and “Chief Bikini Acquisition Officer”.
Ghost is one of main reasons I decided to do a women’s boutique. He seemed to miss his harem. In a town where men are scarce in retail it seemed like a good fit for a man who truly loved women and enjoys them as he does.
Mark, we open March 15 so we are buying for spring and summer not now.
Today we set up our first mannequin for the fun of it. Tomorrow we will dress a second. We have windows covered so it is for us, not public. Mannequin is super realistic and we keep forgetting she is there and scaring ourselves.
The two in window are cat burglars dressed in black and masks, gloves, hats, etc. Stealing all the “diamonds, pearls and money.” They are lit with roped lights and spot lights. We cannot wait to hear if anyone calls police as one is kneeling on top of black table and the one standing is helping her steal the ropes of pearls and diamonds from window displsy.
Forgot to say we dressed the first girl in black sequin jeans, a sheet tank top covered in sequins and beads, black beaded shoes, black jewelry and a black sequined ball cap and an elegant black sheer jacket“
The second burglar gets all black clothes. All the clothes displayed by them are blacks, silvers, whites and lots of glitz.
Ghost said he hoped there were no anti pornography groups in town who might protest our windows.
Next month out second window features farmers daughter’s doing laundry and hanging very colorful bras on the clothes line wearing some brief shorts and halters. The third window are mermaids in tails and bikini tops.
Jackie, you have post pics of it your windows…I enjoyed doing the window at the bridal shop…that’s about the only think I miss
Good night Village
https://i.imgur.com/hFLRHMz.jpg
Seems Janis doesn’t care for the smell of what Arlo’s cooking, doesn’t it?
Here in New England Washingtons Bday is car sales
Mark, speaking of leggings/tights/yoga pants/whatever they are, I’ve been surprised by the percentage of Oklahoma ladies who have adopted that look. And I’ve been even more surprised (and pleasantly so) at the percentage of those who look pretty darn good in them. Now, if sundresses* would become equally widespread in the summertime…
*Which we will be stocking at the boutique, of course. “Doing Our Part to Keep Eufaula Females Skimpily Clad.”