I said I would address comments about the boat Arlo and Janis are supposed to have, the boat bequeathed them by Gus, and I will—sort of. First, I want to clarify something. While some of the comments over at the A&J GoComics site tend to be crankier than most here, it isn’t because I moderate in advance the comments made on this site, as was suggested in Monday’s comments. I don’t. A lot of readers post nice things on GoComics, the syndicate Web site, but I regularly get lambasted there for one thing or another. That’s what comments are for, I suppose. And someone asked if the “Schooner Cartooner” survived Hurricane Katrina. Yes, it did. The owners evacuated it from Biloxi in time. Now, about the boat. You know, it’s a much deeper subject than simply the boat. One reason I stepped away from the subject of Arlo’s obsession was that reader comments and “likes” led me to believe a vast majority of readers don’t particularly respond to the subject matter. I cannot stress enough what a terrible method that is for directing the creative process. But there it is. It is so much a part of what we do these days, especially as readership gravitates from print media to digital media. I’m trying to learn to live with it. Of course, the proper thing to do as a cartoonist would be ignore all external influence, but Hey! We have so much fun here, don’t we? So, will the boat show up again anytime soon? I think it will.
162 responses to “Above us, only sky…”
Also, besides slipping more, dull knives require you to use more force, so if you do slip, it will cut you deeper.
America’s Test Kitchen reported: “….Microplane Specialty Series Cut Resistant Glove ($24.95), which proved both comfortable and durable.” Lots of words at
http://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/1148-cut-resistant-glove?incode=MASAZ00L0
Curmudgeonly ex-professor – My husband bought me a Kevlar glove to protect the hand that holds the wood when I carve. I also use it to protect my hand when I use the mandoline to slice apples & potatoes. (one glove fits either hand) It doesn’t protect too well from “poking” injuries, but it is great against slicing injuries. I think my glove came from a specialty woodworking store, but I’ve seen similar gloves in kitchen shops. It makes a thoughtful gift.
And I must say, some of my worst cuts have come from slicing old onions. The membranes around the layers start to slide around, and even the sharpest blades seem to slip off. I noticed Arlo was cutting an onion…
I’ve actually been very pleased with the set of three ceramic knives I purchased several years ago (when I had money), despite the recent incident which probably insures that the next time I’m fingerprinted for my concealed carry permit, the new set of prints may not exactly match the previous set. My knives are made by a Japanese company that also makes cell phones, leading my sister to warn me not to confuse them, lest I cut off my ear.
I have cut myself so often cutting onions that I now use a fork to hold the blamed things steady when I am slicing thin. I did cut myself slicing mushrooms once. That was when I found out out the super glue
Vincent van Ghost Rider 😉
Yes, Loon and I are safely back home. Only tragedy was my tablet died an unnatural but quick death. Fortunately, Loon’s smartphone lived to tell the tale. Now if we can get rested up life will go on.
Thanks, y’all, for the kitchen glove information.
Welcome back, Sandcastler and Loon
The Boat is like Loodie. Some of us like/have cats and can relate. Some of us have/want boats and can relate. I don’t have much interest in boats, but, on the other hand, I don’t loathe them, don’t desire to destroy each one on the planet, and don’t vow to stop reading the strip every time a boat enters the story line. That’s one difference. Keep doing what YOU do, JJ!
Sorry to hear about the untimely death of your tablet, sand. Hope it wasn’t shot by the FSB.
Lily, when you’re not busy cutting yourself trying to slice mushrooms, here’s a way to possibly look more “curvy” without gaining weight. 😉
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/2009/01/30#.U3TLCPldWa8
Jackie, another use for the cannon based on Tom Sawyer, they believed that it would cause drowned bodies to float to the surface.
On your art story. I would say that some art touches the brain and some touches the heart. Yours and Arlo’s is of the second sort and will have a longer-lasting and more well-remembered effect on the viewer.
And that is the kind that does not depend on tax-forced public subsidy to exist.
Lilyblack, this is for you: http://www.amazon.com/Tomatoe-or-Onion-Slicing-Guide/dp/B005P077OM
Because forks slip too, and we want you to keep all your fingers!
Lilyblack, disregard the last item. I didn’t read the comments. This one is stainless steel, not plastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stainless-Steel-Onion-Holder/dp/B00061N06E/ref=pd_sbs_k_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KGFDE5VJK0YX8PR67M4
Ghost, you have seen my pics on FB. Even a shrunk sweater wouldn’t help me
Mark, we have a dingus that looks kind of like that, but it is always stuck away in some drawer when I need it, so I just prong the silly things.
If we are going to talk blood and gore here, florists AND chefs cut themselves a lot because they are working fast and under pressure. Florists knives and scissors are like chefs’ sharp and dangerous, the scissors are the same ones chefs use to cut through bones. (Not the ribbon scissors which you get hung for if you ruin their edges)
One enormous wedding (we’d do up to four on a day) my daughter got her finger and a head designer her palm with scissors. Caring mama said, “hold your hand over the trash can under the table and don’t dare bleed on the bride’s bouquet.”
Driver took everyone to emergency room for stitches and the weddings got delivered on time and set up. Matrimony and angry brides wait for no one!
Love, Jackie Monies
Thanks all.
GR6, Loon and I have different versions of the tradgic demise. Both versions are semi-true stories, just that our alcohol levels differed at the time. On my defense those half litter beers go easy.
Yesterday, or was that two days ago depending on time zone, the counter attendent in Russia who issued us boarding passes forgot to put me on the flight manifest. Immigration Services and I had fun sorting that out upon arrival on Houston, here I am trying to enter country. Double stamped out of Russia, boarding passes stamped through, just no Lufthansa record indicating I flew.
I have a gadget make by a company called Tormek that has jigs to sharpen just about anything. I can keep my cooking knives razor sharp with it, along with scissors and about anything else that cuts. I bought it to sharpen my woodturning tools. I like things sharp and will set aside a tool as dull that others would think is sharp. I learned to sharpen a knife the old school way with stones and can still demonstrate correct technique for Scouts, but I prefer this as it is fast and repeatable. It’s a great toy, but before you go looking be prepared to spend. It costs over 600 bucks for the machine and jigs are about 50 dollars and up. I don’t want to think about how much I have tied up in jigs alone, but as the say the difference between men and boys…..
I hope my son in law doesn’t ever read this blog! His basement is full of woodworking tools and if he doesn’t have this, he would love it! Mike says he builds boats and houses with a dull Boy Scout knife.
He is kidding of course. But his tool collection hardly rivals my son in laws toys.
Sharp is essential. Dennis, do you build furniture? Custom carpenter? Houses?
Love, Jackie Monies
And yet, sand, there you were. 🙂 At least they didn’t send you back.
I forgot to mention my son in law builds and designs artificial limbs and other prosthetic devices. The woodworking tools are a hobby, not a business. But they do live in a super historic home with more wood than I’d ever seen, so it is applicable. He can replicate any missing moldings, parts, etc. Talented young man and compassionate.
Love, Jackie Monies
Lily, that is because in actuality you need no “help”. Your bust-line (if I may be so forward) very much reminds me of that of one of my all-female staff…a bust-line that her husband describes as “perfect”. (He’s an ex-Green Beanie guy, so certainly no one is going to argue the point with him.) My point is that (as is the case of most things), it’s your point of view, and that of those who are about you, that counts. No one else’s matters. But I’m sure you’ve already figured that out.
Jackie, here’s a funny for you: It’s the heading a nursery put on their online ad.
We are so excited it’s Spring “WE WET OUR PLANTS”
With a picture of a sprinkler watering once you got to the page.
GR6, would not have been a first. The Army sent me back in ’69. ????
Ghost, I am not ashamed of my figure. I am not trying to attract anybody nd I plan on staying single till I die. I work hard for my legs and waist and am not the least ashamed of showing them off, but that is just because I like to feel attractive and good about myself.