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

Est. 1985

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Letter of the Law

By Jimmy Johnson


Buy the new book, "Beaucoup Arlo & Janis!"Today's "Arlo & Janis!"
Remember the memorable 1997 sequence at the beach, when Gene’s friend Mary Lou is expecting a baby? Of course you remember it; it’s memorable! Well, the above is the lesser-known final cartoon in that storyline; the family is back home, and Mary Lou is forgotten. Or so it seemed at the time. I guess you would equate this one to the little skit they would tack on the end of television sit-coms, little jokes that stood apart from the basic plot. You know, the last minute or so that was always dropped when a show went into syndication, to make room for another commercial.

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236 responses to “Letter of the Law”

  1. Denise in Michigan Avatar
    Denise in Michigan

    Jimmy, I didn’t know that’s why those little unrelated bits existed. Thank you for the info. I had a moment like Gene and Arlo about a week ago. Backing into the garage, I heard a “keeee-RUNCH! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!” and couldn’t imagine what I had run over. It was a flowerpot…that I had put there earlier…(oops).

  2. Steve from Royal Oak, Mi Avatar

    My son gave me a nice garman watch a few years ago and I was using it for my walks at work. Somehow it fell out of my computer bag and as I backed out I felt and heard a “crunch”. I got out and saw my $200 watch smashed to smithereens. I can relate.

    As far as the tag joke at the end of sitcoms, some of the most memorable moments have happened then, especially in shows like MASH. Who can ever forget the end of the 2nd Newhart show when he woke up in bed saying that he had a bad dream and Suzanne Pleshette, his wife from the 1st series say “Oh Bob go back to sleep” (or something like that)

  3. Steve from Royal Oak, Mi Avatar

    Old Bear. Yentz does not ring a bell, but that does not mean too much as he/she might know me.

    The swelling went down considerably and I will be taking some steroids for a few days as well as an antihistamine. As far as an EPI pen, I had a bunch of folks on Facebook say that I needed it. The Doctor treating me at Urgent Care did not mention it and the Medical Assistant at CVS that initially met with me called last night to make sure that I went to the Doctor. I told her that I would see my Doctor on the 17th and that I would bring it up to him. She didn’t think that I would need one, but certainly she said that she would defer to the Doctor. I stirred up a nest and it bit me through a thick glove. I’m not sure if they will still be around, but I am actually more concerned about my reaction to Shellfish.

  4. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Speaking of summer dress for those of the female persuasion…and I was just yesterday…Jean dear, I see your flannel sundress and raise you a crocheted one.

    http://www.mybikinibrazil.com/web_images/crochet-dress.jpg

    Actually, I haven’t seen very many sundresses this season. I hope they are not becoming unfashionable.

  5. Jackie monies Avatar
    Jackie monies

    My, my Ghost where DO you shop?

  6. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    On the InterWebNet. You can find anything there.

  7. Jackie monies Avatar
    Jackie monies

    Totally true, Ghost, where I do most of my shopping too, but LL Bean,
    Lands End, REI, Academy, Cabelas and Bass Pro mostly with some women’s clothes thrown in for good measure. Just discovered Sun and Sand or was that Sun and Ski ?

    Hey Gary, you inspired me! Got those shorts and tee on, the moisture wicking ones for running or in my case walking, along with these aper walking shoes and socks my runner doctor recommends.
    Wonder if they gey really good pricing from these stores that specializes in healthy, functional apparel and gear?

    Love Jackie

  8. Jackie monies Avatar
    Jackie monies

    Have no idea what that word was I typed or what Spellchecker thought I should have said.

  9. Village Loon Avatar
    Village Loon

    Still on planet earth. It is dress and skirt season, and I do my shopping at the outlet malls.

  10. Galliglo from Ohio Avatar
    Galliglo from Ohio

    I received a very surprising telephone call about an hour ago.

    Some of you may recall that in November, I quit my part-time job in the finance department of a local mental health clinic. That is when my SO’s health really started to deteriorate and I moved away to be with him. I came back to Gallipolis when he passed away at the end of January. Since that time, I have been working thru the grief process… and getting very lazy!

    Back to the call… The mental health agency called and asked if I would consider coming back – as chief finance officer! OMG! Now I am in a quandary… I really do not want to work full time. In fact, I am way past the commonly accepted retirement age. Do I have the energy? Would my nerves hold out? On the other hand, the money would be welcome!

    I am going in to talk with the current chief finance officer on Thursday. She was my previous supervisor. Oh my… life do get complicated!

    So… all you professional folk and retirees out there… what do you think?

  11. Galliglo from Ohio Avatar
    Galliglo from Ohio

    BTW… Jimmy – hope you had a great vacation away from the Village! But we DID miss you.

  12. Mark in TTown Avatar
    Mark in TTown

    Galliglo, if you don’t want to get too into it, consider if you might want to work it as an interim till they hire a full-time. And after a while, you could decide you really did want it! The CEO of my employer was the CFO there, and took interim CEO slot, not intending to keep it. But, he changed his mind and has been very good there. Having the financial background has made him very effective as the CEO since he has more than average knowledge of the financial challenges hospitals face today.

  13. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    Galliglo, I had no choice about retiring as I was truly disabled. I’ve never missed it and due to a disability insurance policy I retired and began making twice what I had been. Unless you really enjoyed your job you will not enjoy going back. If money is an issue find a part time job. In this age of no benefits there are more of those jobs than full time jobs.

  14. Jackie monies Avatar
    Jackie monies

    Sorry to disagree but I too could draw disability benefits and not work, certainly now more than ever due to age. But I hope to work until I die. Right no we I am having a ton of fun working at a hobby, a rare gift I concede.

    But every job I have done has been worth more than all the colleges and universities I studied at in terms of real knowledge and have given me the chance to grow, learn.
    , meet exciting people and do things that most people never get a chance to do.

    So here I am in my 70s and never going to retire. What Would I do? Sit home?

    If it truly repulse you don’t do it. If its just for money, don’t do it. But find something you are passionate about and have a life.

    A career isn’t a life necessarily and shouldn’t define us.

    Love Jackie

  15. Denise in Michigan Avatar
    Denise in Michigan

    Hi, Loon! Missed you!

  16. Steve from Royal Oak, Mi Avatar

    I liked Mark’s comment. List your concerns about coming back, maybe even say that after 6 months or a year the company would need to actively recruit someone to take your place. A good leader delegates, so if you think that you have a good team to work WITH, then go for it. Who knows one of them might want you take over for you and be motivated to really help you.

    I think the wisest thing for the company would be to bring in someone new, maybe younger, and you could mentor them. That actually might be much more rewarding for you and serve the company better.

    My two cents.

  17. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    For those who are interested, having Parkinsons is not a choice and it isn’t fun. For instance, I had to go back and correct three mistakes in that first sentence. If telling us that you are sailing your “yacht” around the world with a studly skinny dipping partner is your idea of fun then go for it. I haven’t lost that many brain cells yet.

  18. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    BTW, I miss a few but I try to correct my typos.

  19. Rick in Shermantown, Ohio Avatar
    Rick in Shermantown, Ohio

    Speaking of Mary Lou, I’ve been wondering if we will see the other Days this summer.

    And speaking of missing persons, what happened to Robin?

  20. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    Ok everybody. Take a breath and c’mon back.

  21. Old Bear Avatar
    Old Bear

    Steve in RO

    Mitch passed many years ago – Arlene last year – she moved to outer banks in 2000 OTA.
    They were at in-laws as we watched first moon landing.

  22. TruckerRon Avatar

    Old Faithful Geyser is predicted to erupt at 8:48pm ± 10 minutes Mountain Time on July 7, 2015. Nice crowd there with their umbrellas.

  23. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    Crowd still waiting.

  24. Jerry in Fl Avatar
    Jerry in Fl

    It’s huffing. It’s puffing. It’s about to go.

  25. Mark in TTown Avatar
    Mark in TTown

    Jackie, I did see your post yesterday, and wanted to thank you for the kind words. Glad you got where you were going, dark mountain roads and all. Sounds like you are having a great time.