« A Note from Lynn | Main | Wednesday March 18, 2009 »

I think the latest strips show real insight into the human capacity to "tune out" ignore, forget, or otherwise miss out on information that one really needs. As a dentist, John has had to tune out whistling noises made by the equipment to the point he is aware when he DOESN'T hear them. He tunes out his patients because he doesn't like to process information that way -he wants to look into their mouths. Even though he made responsive answers when Elly said good by, I think he was tuning her out too. Although it isn't shown in the strip, I think Elly made a point of putting up frozen meals John and the kids would like (whether they were models of nutrition or not) when she was planning to be away. I'll bet she had already given John detailed information about the food & where Lizzie's supplies were, and most likely wrote it all down. The "tuning out skills" John developed for his work meant Elly's words went in one ear and out the other and unless he can find her!
written instructions, he will remain clueless and go ahead with his plans to eat out. He will continue to fumble through cabinets unless Michael can clue him in or he finds the instructions. Or possibly his mind will start to recall stuff and he'll at least remember to open the freezer.
In the February first colored strip, Elly complains John "never listens" to her. This can't be because he didn't remember what she said in her sleep - that could happen to anyone. I think it is a complaint of long standing,in spite of the fact the strip often shows them having conversations. It's when she gets into the "informative lecture" mode his patients use that he tunes her out. She has been shown doing something similar when sewing or writing and young Michael has taken advantage of it.(When he grew up, his daughter learned to take advantage of him the same way)
In SUDDENLY SILVER (PAGE 166) there is a description of Lynn totally tuning out the information that her studio is flooding, but fortunately her brother-in-law took care of it.
It's embarrassing when I do it but I love figuring it out in the strip and getting a la

Amy D, Vienna VA

Interesting strip there for Monday.

Looks like:

1) Elly didn't fix any dinners for the family, as she said she did. Either that, or the fridge/freezer is broken. A can of beans, with something white - bread? for dinner. And that's all that Mike has on his plate.

2) Elly took all the cash, the credits cards and the checkbook with her, so that John couldn't take the kids out for hamburgers or to get pizza.

3) John is not eating with the children - he's probably borrowing his lunch money from Ted, so that what food there is in the house is for the kids.

Kuddos to John, for not insisting that Michael eat everything on his plate, thereby not contributing to childhood obesity. Sadly, John will probably end up eating Mike's left-overs.

Barb, Oregon

Dear John:

What happened to all those dinners that Elly prepared in advance for you and the kids to eat while she was away? Did you forget that they needed to be reheated in the oven before you served them or something? That's the only explanation that comes to mind for your desperate search for spaghetti, promises to eat out and sering your family beans. I know it's tough for you to be expected to do what you call women's work but come on; even you can read and follow instructions taped to tinfoil.

Paul J, Saint John NB

Wow. A recipe book, a la Ellie. I figure none of it has to be any good, just barely edible as long as the (1)ingredients are dirt-cheap, and (2)it serves 12 at minimum (read, no leftovers for the Pattersons).

Linda, Tucson

I never got the original letter idea, and said as much in an earlier post. I think todays twist on the letter is a better idea and it appeals to those of use with less talent but more recipes. Like I've said before its a good strip, even in this incarnation its still once of the best in the papers. As you may suspect the receipes you receive might make good material for a FBOW cookbook with some of the money going to a worth cause. I do wish you and your staff well, and thank you all for the your collective niceness.

Greg, St. Louis

The cure all (or Saturday Soup)
1 cup of Pastina
1 quart of chicken broth
3 cloves of galic
1 onion
3 carrots diced small
dash of season salt and pepper.
2 table spoons of olive oil
loaf of baked bread
orange juice or gator aide
slice of cheese cake.
Mix all up to pepper in pot. cook slow all morning. Then shut off heat leave on stove for all afternoon "grazing". Put in bowl with cake and drink..Then take long nap.
When family is not ill this is called Saturday Soup

Lisa, Tarpon Springs

Recipes, you said? Well, to begin with, kids love foods with strange names. Here's an old classic from the 1960's:

BEEF PORCUPINES

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. uncooked white rice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. celery salt
2 tbsp. chopped green pepper
1 tbsp. grated onion
1 sm. clove garlic, minced (optional)
4 c. tomato juice
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. sugar

Mix together the ground beef and rice. Stir in salt, black pepper, celery salt, green pepper, grated onion and garlic. Form into 18 small meat balls. Pour the tomato juice into a large skillet. Add Worcestershire sauce and sugar. Mix well. Add meat balls. Cover and simmer over a low heat one hour or until rice is tender. Occasionally turn the meat balls over if they are not completely covered with tomato juice.

(Kids can help by turning the meat-rice mixture into "Big Marbles". And the results are rather spectacular!)

Anna M, Winnipeg