It's All Downhill From Here: Browse The Strips

Friday, September 4, 2015

Lynn's Comments: As soon as I could talk and interact with other kids, I knew there was a hierarchy, a pecking order into which I had to fit. In the classroom and out in the playground, I knew where I was welcome and where I wasn't. So many different elements came into play: temperament, ability, looks, interests, even cleanliness were things we considered before friendship could begin.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Lynn's Comments: When the Dundas Valley Journal ran my cartoons, I was thrilled. It didn't take long, however, for me to wish for a larger space and a bit more money. They paid me $10.00 a gag, and when I asked for $15, they stopped buying.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Lynn's Comments: As one of the few female syndicated cartoonists, I was often asked how I was treated by the men in the profession. Like every other woman, I'd been targeted (by a few people) with the usual crap and I learned to live with it. My revenge was to do a better job than my detractors.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I was often asked to champion women's rights in the strip; to reinforce feminism. I never felt comfortable with the word "feminist "; it's a word that to me suggests a negative attitude towards men. Rather, I preferred the word "equalist, " and I thought Elly and her friends were smart and independent and funny enough to show they were indeed equal to the men.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Lynn's Comments: In grade one, it's cool to be at the front of the line. This coveted spot was fought over. Kids nudged and jostled each other until one held the spot--undisputed. I wanted to be first in line so badly I couldn't stand it. One day, I made it to about sixth, and just as we all stopped shoving, the first kid in line brought up his lunch. The next kid turned green and went to the back of the line and so did the next. This went on until I was first in line. I couldn't believe my luck! I didn't care about the barf, in fact, I leaned over and shouted to everyone, "Guess what! It was macaroni and cheese!" At this, two other kids threw up. "Weaklings," I said to myself as the doors opened. The line began to flow around the offensive patch and into the building with me in the lead. From then on, I claimed first place whenever I wanted it. I'd earned the right.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Lynn's Comments: When this strip was first released, it was OK to give your kid a good whack on the seat, but not now. We updated it by removing the stars in the last panel, suggesting that Michael had been given a time out.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Lynn's Comments: When we first arrived in North Bay, Ontario, the local theatre had just been restored to its original beauty. I was asked if I'd join the board of directors, which I did with enthusiasm. For several years, I worked on fundraising, advertising and sponsorship, and I learned a great deal about managing a small community theatre. It's a heck of a lot of work. I have great respect for the folks who keep these wonderful resources open and operational, and I wanted to draw some attention to them in the strip.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Lynn's Comments: There was a very funny variety show on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) called "Madly Off In All Directions." The host was Lorne Elliott. When he asked me to do a 10-minute comedy spot on the show. I agreed and then discovered how hard it is to do stand-up comedy! This adventure resulted in a friendship between myself and Lorne, and --(here's the reason for this story)--he told me about a band he once played in. The name of the band was "Free Beer." He said they would put a sandwich board on the street in front of the bar they were playing in. The sign would say, "Tonight, from 9:00 until midnight, Free Beer!" People would pile into the bar waiting for 9:00, and when they discovered that "Free Beer" was the name of the band, they'd be really ticked off--but would already be sitting at a table with a beer in hand and looking forward to a show. The band now had a good sized but angry audience. "This," he said, "forced us to be a really good band!"

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Lynn's Comments: This was a very personal bit of commentary. By the time I had a few books out, I was traveling far too often and working long hours when I was home. Having a studio in the house meant that I was working whenever I could find the time, and often, the time was when my kids needed me to be just a mom and not a working mother.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I did feel guilty. I did feel that I was not giving my kids the attention they needed. On the other hand, when my kids were old enough to do stuff on their own, they were often out when I did have the time to spend with them. Ahhh--the pendulum of guilt vs. reasoning still swings back and forth.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Lynn's Comments: My dad did say I had puny tails, and it was no joke. Ponytails were a big deal in those days. Long hair was admired. I wanted long hair so badly, I cried every time my mother cut it.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Lynn's Comments: When she was four years old, my daughter, Katie, wanted to have her ears pierced. I told her it was a painful procedure and perhaps she should wait until she was a bit older. She insisted. Her friends had pierced ears and she wanted to be part of the crowd. I finally gave in and took her to Robert's Jewellers, the local jewellery store.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Lynn's Comments: Kate happily chose the studs, which would be inserted. She understood that she wouldn't be able to wear anything else until she had healed. Mr. Roberts cleaned her ears and put a small blue dot on the lobe of each ear, where he would make the piercing. Her brother watched eagerly.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Lynn's Comments: POP!!!! The piercing gun made the first puncture in Kate's right ear lobe. She winced, blinked, looked straight at me, and howled! Her brother was delighted. When she'd regained her composure, Kate refused to have the left ear pierced. She'd had no idea it would hurt so much, and wasn't about to go through the procedure again. We had a problem. She could have the first stud removed so the ear could heal over, she could live with one pierced ear, or she could put up with another "pop" like the first one. Kate's tantrum continued. Mr. Roberts suggested we go home, think it over and come back later. The three of us left the building. Katie walked ahead with Aaron who pranced with glee at his sister's dilemma. Half way down the street, Kate suddenly turned and pulled me back in the direction of the store. "Let's do it." she said. The second stud was placed without a fuss, and off we went to get ice cream and groceries. "What made you change your mind?" I asked her. "He did." she said flicking her thumb in her brother's direction. "He was enjoying this too darned much!"

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Lynn's Comments: When I worked with advertising agencies, one of the things I liked to do was to come up with slogans and catchy commentary. I never took the products as seriously as I took the marketing of them. I doubt that I could do a good job of this today--I'm far too cynical!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I still believe this theory to be true. My mom-in-law's secret for serving the best hostess meals ever was: offer lots to drink and no nibbles. Then, when your guests are ready to eat the coasters, whatever you serve will be the best they ever tasted.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Lynn's Comments: Our dog, Willy had a permanent roost under Katie's chair. As soon as she was seated, he'd race into position and wait. It didn't take long for her to become an accomplice in the game of "don't feed the dog." This charade went on relentlessly, and the only player who lost was me.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Lynn's Comments: In my northern Ontario living room, I had several spectacular plants. One was "Rupert," a large 40 year old jade plant, the only plant I've ever named. Rupert was named because he stayed with me, no matter what. Every other house plant had died from maladies related to neglect; the plants that made up the lovely jungle in my window were simply survivors in spite of me. "Rupe" hung in there, no matter what. He was in for the long haul--and we hauled him from Lynn Lake, Manitoba to North Bay, Ontario.

I have just sold my northern home and have moved to BC where friends and family reside, and winter is like a northern spring. The lovely folks who bought my Ontario home, graciously accepted the gift of my three big plants, one of which was Rupert! Just before the moving van was about to leave the driveway, and Katie, Lane and the kids were set for their long drive across Canada, Katie ran into my empty house and took a piece of Rupert. "He has to come with us to Vancouver!" she said. After all this time, you can't abandon a friend!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Lynn's Comments: This happened. It's one of those situations where you don't want to get angry--after all, when a kid does something she's asked to do, you want to show encouragement. You hope that by thanking her graciously for her efforts now, you are creating a willing and helpful teenager down the road. --Heh.