The Last Straw: Browse The Strips

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I don't think schools go for the "give everyone in the class a valentine" any more--and I think it's for the best. Some kids in my elementary classes never got or gave valentines because their folks couldn't afford the bags of pre-cut cards. We couldn't either, but my folks always bought them because they wanted to spare us the humiliation of having nothing to give.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Lynn's Comments: My mom made the best cookies in the world. Her decorated sugar cookies could have won prizes for flavour and design. I haven't mastered her wonderful skill--because I just don't have the patience. Or, maybe it's just hard to see a work of art chewed up and swallowed!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Our folks could never sneak up on us because there were so many squeaky floorboards in the hall. We, on the other hand, knew where each one was.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I received many letters expressing thanks for showing a Jewish doctor in this strip. I also received a few letters of complaint! I drew the yarmulke--because I have Jewish relatives, my ex-husband and I were married in a civil service by a Rabbi (a great friend of the family), and I have always enjoyed Jewish humour. It was interesting to see how a small symbol of one man's faith could elicit such a strong response.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Lynn's Comments: When you work with the public all day you save your rants for the folks at home. I worked at home and ranted elsewhere. Perhaps this was a good thing!

Friday, February 21, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Here's a story for you: The province of Manitoba had just decreed that people trained as dental nurses would be licensed to do check-ups, cleanings, small fillings, and extractions on children. Rod's dental practice had expanded to include three First Nations villages, and he needed someone to offset the load. I was on my way to Winnipeg with Aaron (who had a doctor's appointment) when an interesting application came in. Debbie had very good references and was willing to move up to Lynn Lake. Rod asked me to interview her in Winnipeg, so Debbie and I arranged to meet in the hospital cafeteria while Aaron had his appointment. I sat at a table with a coffee and waited for Debbie to arrive.

Right on time, a stunningly beautiful girl with a long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a voluptuous figure came into the room, wearing a black low-cut cocktail dress. She put out her hand and introduced herself. I got her a coffee, and the interview began. Debbie was wonderful. I immediately liked her and knew she would work well with our team. I asked her if she could move up north as soon as possible. "You mean I've got the job?" she asked in amazement. "Absolutely," I said, "you are exactly the kind of person we're looking for." I watched Debbie as she adjusted herself in her seat. She was blushing. "There's just one thing I want to know," I continued, "why on earth did you wear a cocktail dress to this interview?" "Well," she smiled, "when I told my friends I was being interviewed by the dentist's wife, they told me I'd never be hired. So I decided to blow off the interview by dressing up!" I laughed. We both did. Debbie was not only beautiful, she had a wicked sense of humour. She worked for us for four years and was one of the best staff members we ever had.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Lynn's Comments: One of the things interviewers will often ask a cartoonist is, "Of all the punch lines you've written, which is your favourite?" and the cartoonist will typically say, "Well. I haven't written it yet." Or something like that. This is my favourite punch line!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I was complaining to a friend once about the number of times a week I had to drive my son to hockey. She reminded me that where I lived the arena was just a few minutes away, and where she lived, the drive was over an hour. She also had two sons and a daughter busily involved in competitive hockey. Her three practiced at all hours--morning and evening, and regularly travelled to neighbouring communities to play. I caved and gave her points for the best grumble. In comparison, my efforts regarding Canada's national sport were negligible.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Another Daily strip that resonated. Mothers spend so much time and energy battling feelings of guilt and often about things that are entirely reasonable.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Several librarians wrote to me to protest this storyline. Seems there are too many deserving people working in libraries with the right credentials to give an opportunity like this to a volunteer.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Still, I wanted to do a storyline in which Elly got to travel by herself on a purposeful mission. I thought it might be reasonable to assume that her value to the library would lead to her going on this trip. Not so!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Lynn's Comments: At the time these strips were done, I was travelling a great deal. I went on book tours, I did speaking engagements, and I attended various fairs and comic art related events. Sometimes, we went as a family, but more often, I went alone. The library convention was to allow me to use some of my experiences in the strip.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Lynn's Comments: One time when I was packing to leave for a speaking engagement, Aaron looked at me and said, "Are you turning into Lynn Johnston AGAIN?!"

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Lynn's Comments: For a while I was under the impression that clothing for speaking engagements and other business attire was considered a business expense, and therefore, tax deductible. It wasn't. I should have asked my accountant for advice before having so much fun at my favorite clothing shops!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Lynn's Comments: If nothing else, travelling gave me an opportunity to get out of the house--a house in which I often felt like a prisoner.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Because they are, in essence, public speakers, I find ministers and priests to be engaging conversationalists--and unless I broach the subject, they rarely talk about religion.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I once met a young Asian doctor on a long flight once. We hit it off well and found ourselves discussing all kinds of personal subjects. One was our parents and how we got along with them. With the promise that we would not exchange last names or contact info, we candidly opened up to each other about everything from inheritance issues to lingering resentments. It was intense. The time went by fast, and by the end of the flight, we had advised, commiserated with, and consoled each other. It was one of the most intimate and compelling discussions I have ever had--and I will never know or meet that amazing young man again!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I do love checking into a clean, attractive hotel room--knowing that I don't have to wash the porcelain receptacles or change the sheets. When I was a busy mom, this was a luxury I craved!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Lynn's Comments: This story line was based on the trip I made annually to Winnipeg to attend "Contact." This event was a venue for performers willing to travel to the north to showcase their talent and to meet the community representatives who would hire them. I was the rep for Lynn Lake. It was my pleasure to hire performers and arrange the various stops on their tours in our area. I have remained friends with a number of wonderful people who were billeted with us when they came to town.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Lynn's Comments: Every time I attend a function alone, I am lucky enough to find someone with whom I can share the experience. I have remained friends with several wonderful ladies who, in the space of a few days, became soul mates.