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

Est. 1985

Extra, Extra!

Wong, Again!

By Jimmy Johnson

1993-11-10-tummy-wub.jpg
Update: This initially was posted a decade ago, in December of 2008. As mentioned below in the original post, Ludwig the cat was new to the strip in 1993, when the comic strip appeared in newspapers. (This gets a little confusing, doesn’t it?) Since the introduction of “the cat,” I’ve struggled with drawing a cartoon cat, and I am even now in the midst of noticeable changes to make Ludwig’s face more expressive and to give him ears, because I grew weary of people asking, “Why doesn’t Ludwig have ears?” I mention that now, because I can’t escape noticing the cat in this strip is a pretty darn good cartoon cat. Beginner’s luck, I guess. And, sadly, Stella the calico cat sleeps among the azaleas now, no longer in need of a tummy rub.

The above cartoon was one of the first cat cartoons to run in A&J. It appeared about a week after the introduction of “the cat,” who did not have a name at the time. It was an immediate hit with cat lovers and toleraters. The tummy is a sensitive area for most cats. You have to be on very good terms with a cat before you’re allowed to even touch it. Some never allow it. I’m proud to say my cat Stella lets me wub her widdle tummy. Which isn’t so widdle any more, if you want to know the truth.
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45 responses to “Wong, Again!”

  1. Steve Evans Avatar

    Thanks EMB. I was going to mention that too.

    Speaking of selfies, here is a post on FB from a friend of my wife’s

    https://m.facebook.com/sharmaclaren/posts/10156751815924002

  2. Ghost Avatar
    Ghost

    Here’s a seasonally-appropriate topic we haven’t discussed lately…Chili! This is a good but fairly simple recipe from my collection.

    A Recipe from Ghost’s Kitchen

    Chunky Red Chili

    Ingredients
    3 tablespoons olive oil
    1 pound ground beef
    1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
    1 large onion, coarsely chopped
    1 medium green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, coarsely chopped
    One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
    One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
    One 15 1/2 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    One 15 1/2 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
    3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon chili powder
    2 teaspoons dried basil
    2 teaspoons ground cumin
    2 teaspoons kosher salt
    2 bay leaves
    Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)

    Preparation
    1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up the beef, until nicely browned, about 8 minutes. Remove the ground beef with a slotted spoon and set aside in a large bowl. Pour another tablespoon of oil into the pot; when hot, add the stew meat and cook until nicely browned on all side, about 8 minutes. Remove the stew meat with a slotted spoon and add it to the ground beef. Pour off the fat and any accumulated juices from the pot.

    2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and pepper, and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Return the meats to the pot and add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, chili powder, basil, cumin, salt, and bay leaves. Stir well to mix. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, covered, until the stew meat is tender, about 2 hours. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Divide the chili among 8 bowls and serve warm, with chips on the side, if you like.

  3. Rick in Shermantown, Ohio Avatar
    Rick in Shermantown, Ohio

    Old Bear:

    I agree, and I posted “Never forget” earlier yesterday.

    On Nov. 21, the oldest U.S. military survivor of the sneak attack passed. Mr. Chavez was 106.

    Time cannot be stopped, and we have to accept that we are losing that generation, but it still saddens me deeply.

  4. Old Bear Avatar
    Old Bear

    Rick
    I saw your post after I did mine.

    This is a date that should never be forgotten – Like July 4th, November 11, June 6, May 8, & Aug 14

    These are dates that define us – Unfortunately younger generations do not know who or why
    we fought let alone when.

  5. emb Avatar
    emb

    That’s ok, a deceased POTUS didn’t know the Hebrew Bible from Shakespeare.

    OTH, maybe you’re looking for an on-sale T for your significant other. I’m tempted, but already own more than I’ll wear out. Dogs, cats, bears, elephants, giraffes, and, on p. 7, a Billy goat. [Speelczech rejects “billy”.] Peace,

    https://clothingmonster.com/en/109-animal-t-shirts-clothing-the-mountain?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu4qGvtaQ3wIVFoNpCh00fgoCEAEYASAAEgKh9vD_BwE#/page-7

  6. Ghost Avatar
    Ghost

    New York Post headline: “Nonstick frying pans can make your penis smaller, study shows”

    May perhaps be something to that, as I’ve noticed that’s what they do to strips of bacon.

  7. Sideburns Avatar

    Another date to remember, Old Bear, is November 5. I’ll leave the reason as an exercise for the readers.

  8. emb Avatar
    emb

    Side & OB: Guy Fawkes Day in UK. For alternatives [many trivial], see:

    https://www.onthisday.com/events/november/5

    Peace,

  9. emb Avatar
    emb

    Now there’s just one guenon.

  10. Ruth Anne in Winter Park Avatar
    Ruth Anne in Winter Park

    Good one, Mark!

  11. Galliglo in Ohio Avatar
    Galliglo in Ohio

    Yes – a good one! Evidently everyone else is as tired as I am from doing Christmas “stuff”. Every year, I hope I will have more time to REALLY think about Christmas and what it means, but…

  12. emb Avatar
    emb

    “… tired as I am from doing Christmas ‘stuff’.” Daughter sent me this as a gift; maybe her sibs also. Older son and wife did something similar decades back [/ hunger or poverty, maybe], even before he got ordained. Now retired and living only 20 min. from me, which is the real gift.

    Oxfam Gifts: OxfamGifts@OxfamAmerica.org

    Peace,

  13. TruckerRon Avatar

    After doing “straight” Christmas music all weekend (orchestra, choir, attending a Messiah sing-in) it’s time for a bit of fun:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIwLeASnkw

    Elmo & Patsy!

  14. emb Avatar
    emb

    Blacksmith plover.

  15. Tom (formerly) from the front range Avatar
    Tom (formerly) from the front range

    OMG, I clicked on PREVIOUS and it went to the previous posting then I pressed NEXT and it went to the next (in time) posting.

    Stop right there. Don’t touch a thing. This is a miracle!