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

Est. 1985

Extra, Extra!

Thanksgiving, 2015

By Jimmy Johnson


Buy the new book, "Beaucoup Arlo & Janis!"Today's "Arlo & Janis!"
Speaking of commercialism, I want to take a break from all that today to wish you, “Happy Thanksgiving!” If you’ve followed the comic strip or the blog for very long, you know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A feast with loved ones and a humble grateful heart. This simplicity and warmth make it, for me, what a holiday should be. I hope one of my awful limericks, from 2012, will serve to remind us that while the holiday comes under increasing attack from commercialism, we can fight back simply by doing as we’ve always done. I plan to do my part!

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46 responses to “Thanksgiving, 2015”

  1. Bob in Orland Park Avatar
    Bob in Orland Park

    No cooking today, Thanksgiving at the daughter’s house. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

  2. DaveP Avatar
    DaveP

    same here … feasting and resting are the order of the day. Happy Turkey Day everyone!

  3. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Thank you, Jimmy, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all who call the Village their home away from home.

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as well, although it’s becoming more and more a bitter-sweet one. I’ll be picking up Mom in couple of hours to join me for our Thanksgiving meal. It will be just the two of us this year. I always set an extra place at the table to commemorate my father, my sister, and all the other family and friends I wish could be with us but cannot. Sadly, that place represents more lost loved ones every year. “Time thou art a heartless…”, well, you know how the rest of that goes.

  4. NealinBawstun Avatar

    “Awful” is in the mind of the beholder!

  5.  Avatar

    Folks I am going back to sleep and then celebrate Thanksgiving in a unique and strange way, being thankful for all I have and have had, including the present and the past. A friend inspired me with a quote that without loss and darkness we could not appreciate the stars.

    I started with a huge pile of receipts and papers in a Chinese Koa bowl in my bedroom. I will go work on Pandora’s box in my office and do the same. Face it, toss it, file it or pay it, answer it.

    My Thanksgiving gift was my cardiovascular calling in person to apologize in person for his office staff losing my CT scan because my right carotid had gone from 40 percent blocked to over 90 percent fast. He said I had indeed had a major TIA and I have no option other than another carotid bypass immediately. Tried to schedule it but staff was already off giving thanks. I will know Monday but he said if they hadn’t lost the report I’d have had it done already.

    Not good news but he said I showed exceptional sense in staying home for a change. I’ll tell you he did agree to throw in a neck turkey wattle skin tightening as part of the deal.

  6. domaucan1 Avatar
    domaucan1

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU JIMMY AND TO THE ENTIRE VILLAGE. IT’S GREAT TO HAVE GENUINE FRIENDS. AS FOR BLACK FRIDAY, MY WAY OF STRIKING BACK IS TO MAKE IT AN ORANGE AND BLUE FRIDAY, I.E., AN AUBURN TRAVEL FRIDAY. THE LA/MS WAR EAGLE EXPRESS IS HEADING TO AUBURN, THE LOVELIEST VILLAGE OF THE PLAINS, TO ATTEND THE IRON BOWL. IT WILL BE MY FIRST SINCE 1966! WE ALSO HAVE TICKETS TO THE FRIDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL GAME, RESERVATIONS AT VENDATORIES RESTAURANT AND A REUNION AT THE AUBURN ALUMNI CENTER. I’M SORRY WE MISSED JIMMY’S LECTURE ON OUR LAST TRIP BUT THE SCHEDULING GOT MESSED UP.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AND A BIG “WAR EAGLE!” TO JIMMY. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! WE LOVE YOU MAN. PAX DOMINI SIT SEMPER VOBISCUM.

  7. John in Richmond Texas Avatar
    John in Richmond Texas

    Hope everyone’s where they want to be today. I’m spending my first widowed Thanksgiving week in Tuscon with six people from Bayou City Outdoors ( a Houston outdoor activity adventure travel group ). Sometimes we’ll break into smaller groups and branch off. I was behind two ladies and we got off trail and before we knew it we were in a pickle, way up a cliff face when we realized OK – this is definitely not the trail, it wasn’t a short bad part that was going to get better. After bounding and clambering to that point, it wasn’t until we turned around we realized OMG what have we done? We were way up high with loose tumbling rock underfoot and had to butt scoot and be careful not to grab loose things to get back down, and cactus everywhere. There were some truly dangerous narrow ledge parts, but, oh, we can laugh about it now, maybe slightly a little. Had gelato and pizza, felt better. One of the women is into Star Trek so we had that to talk about.

  8. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Anonie, I suppose that is Lesson Learned™: “Never get seriously ill or require a procedure three days prior to or after a major holiday.”

    I learned Tuesday I need a follow-up laser procedure on one of my eyes for a post-cataract-surgery related problem. So I went by the ambulatory surgery center yesterday to pre-register, only to find the door already locked at 1:30 PM. The same door with the sign informing me they would be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Fair enough, but at least they should maintain their non-holiday schedule, perhaps?

    Take it easy, and if you have any strange feelings, see strange lights, or smell any strange odors, call 911. First responders, bless them, will be working today, as they are every day.

  9. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Debbe 😉 Why, yes; yes, you did, didn’t you? Don’t know how I missed that, but I’m glad you got to enjoy “The Adventures of the Other Arlo” again.

    And along those lines, if anyone needs a suggestion for my Christmas present…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev-i9-VKlY

  10. Trapper Jean Avatar
    Trapper Jean

    I am thankful today and every day for my friends here in The Village. May you all be safe and warm, and where you want to be with the people you want to be with.

  11. hc Avatar
    hc

    Best wishes to all for Thanksgiving – and the holiday season – snow ! sun ! good food! – and for those who like it – shopping.

  12. Mark in TTown Avatar
    Mark in TTown

    Happy Thanksgiving to all and “May God bless us, every one”, as Tiny Tim said.

    Anonymous, sorry to hear the situation’s worse than you thought, but your doctor’s on top of it now. What Ghost said, too.

    And just something I find interesting, the new Pixar movie, “The Good Dinosaur” main character is named Arlo. Perhaps a fan in the studio there?

  13. John II Avatar
    John II

    Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

  14. sandcastler™ Avatar
    sandcastler™

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    I was up early to bake cinnamon rolls, a holiday tradition for us. The votes favored dinner out this year, a steakhouse.

  15. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    “Doc” Severinsen is 88 years old and still says, “No turkey for Thanksgiving; lasagna.”

  16. Ursen Avatar
    Ursen

    Happy Thanksgiving y’all, may it be a time of counting your blessings big and small, and no matter what else is going on in your life your are blessed to live in the U.S.A. I will be going to a couple of friends house with my dear wife. We treated them to Ponderosa last year so I guess they feel like it is their turn. We are taking apple crumb pie, and a salad. I will have to settle for mashed ‘taters with gravy, and dressing, still recovering from tooth extraction. Yes it was a blessing, I had the appointment for two days after it broke anyway so I go it out quick. And I was able to talk the VA dentist into it despite a history of seizures. So yes blessed. Again count your blessing that God has given you.

  17. Steve From Royal Oak, MI Avatar

    Had a fever of 100.7 all day yesterday. Spent nearly the entire day in bed. Got up and made my Green Bean Casserole last night and Scottish Eggs this morning. Fever broke, but starting to cough and feel like sleeping more. Told family that is was a game-time decision, but I decided to sit out today’s Thanksgiving festivities with my wife’s family.

    I really don’t mind. I am well enough to watch football and am a very picky eater. Like turkey and mashed potatoes. Most of the other stuff is not appealing. One year family substituted rutabaga so I was stuck eating turkey and roles. Oh and a bowl of whipped cream for dessert! The grocery store is open, so I might run up and get a roasted chicken and make my cranberry-orange relish.

  18.  Avatar

    Love you all. I wish I had Sands talent, that was funny. I slept until noon, the ten pounds Adventure Dog is still curled up with his tail over his nose. I am in what some wear to Walmart, fleece pj bottoms and the replacement parts for furnace are ordered, so I may get heat. We found an electric one in meantime.

    Ordered some replacement pj’s on net, figured hospital and caretakers would approve of additional clothing. I shop daily, so I celebrate Black Friday year round. Best dressed woman for five counties, if not state. The local economy gets a boost too.

    You all have a blessed day with love and remember to keep thanks in your hearts 24/7 and 365 not just the one day. I love you all.

  19. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Steve, Sorry you’re ailing. Green Bean Casserole was on my menu, also, using the original 1955 recipe Campbell’s came up with to sell more of their Cream of Mushroom Soup. Of course, it’s so simple (which was the idea) that there’s not much other way to prepare it.

    Anonie, there’s still much to be said for the classic tee shirt and panties sleep outfit, by my lights. 😉

  20.  Avatar

    I don’t wear that much.

  21. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    As in “I don’t wear that often” or “I don’t wear that many garments”?

  22. Ghost Rider 6 Avatar
    Ghost Rider 6

    Oh, lordy. My godson wants an advance on his Christmas money to use to make a Black Friday purchase tomorrow. No problem, financially, but logistically…he is not local to me, and the money needs to go on his Wally World debit card. And I believe Black Friday starts there in less than two hours. I wonder if I should wear tactical gear…and take my tactical shotgun. Pray for me.

  23.  Avatar

    Here’s a farewell message then Ghost to take with you to war. I sleep in same thing Marilyn did and wear knickers very, very seldom.

    May be common, I don’t have your battle experience. We’re we talking about Walmart?

  24. Steve From Royal Oak, MI Avatar

    No canned mushroom soup in mine. Real mushrooms and half/half with flour. I doubt if any makes it home for me. Looking online and seeing what restaurants are open on Thanksgiving. Really want to get a pizza. Last night was their big night, so I don’t think anyone is open.

    I bought a big TV a week before hip replacement surgery. Wally World did a great job getting us in and out. Fortunately I was not in great pain, but my kids were with me protecting me and getting me to sit down all the time.