Elly: Browse The Strips

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Vancouverites always have an umbrella somewhere handy - ready to use at a moment's notice. My folks had a stand in the front hall full of them. We used them as swords, canes, and crutches. We filled them with water and we let the wind blow them inside out. I was always surprised by how much abuse they could take and still do the job. Much like mothers, umbrellas are always there when you need them!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When I had my first baby I was living in a close-knit neighbourhood where neighbours really took care of each other. I've been lucky that way! I came home with Aaron to a freezer full of home made meals prepared by the ladies around me. I didn't know how much I'd appreciate having these dishes to fall back on when I was too tired to think, too frazzled to shop and too sore to work in the kitchen!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When my second child came along, I was living a different life, enjoying the company of new friends and helpful neighbours. They all got together and filled my freezer with great meals which could be easily thawed and served. Even when you're exhausted from pushing a kid out of your nether parts, sleep deprived, and sore enough to want serious drugs, you're still expected to create in the kitchen.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Lynn's Comments: It's true. I have no idea how to handle a newborn now. I have friends who automatically rip into the mother role; they know how to pick up, turn over, bathe, feed, and bundle a tiny baby, while I just sit by helplessly and watch. Strange... I had no problem handling my own children. I had no trouble changing them either. I guess when they're yours, it's different. At least it was for me!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Even though you prepare your first child for months before a new baby comes by including them as much as possible and telling them that their status as "the oldest" makes them more important than ever, you still can't avoid the pain of jealousy. The absolute dependency of baby unavoidably pushes the older child aside. This is when partnership in parenting matters so much. The more hands and hugs and "I love you"s, the better!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Lynn's Comments: We tried to prepare Aaron for the arrival of his new sibling by telling him his position in the family would be elevated to "Big Brother" status. This didn't go down nearly as well as the promise that when the new kid arrived, there'd be gifts for him, too!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I thought I had my hands full with one child- but two were a challenge! Like many other moms, I was the main caregiver, teacher and disciplinarian. I was so lucky to have been able to work from my home!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Lynn's Comments: One Halloween, we did make Aaron an airplane costume. It was an ambitious project, as it had to fit over his snowsuit and be easy to walk around in.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Lynn's Comments: What you see here is the exact costume with the dilemma of having to shorten the wings so our hero could get out through the door. This was one time when I was able to give a real glimpse into our private lives and the family didn't mind a bit.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Lynn's Comments: The town of Lynn Lake was small enough that kids could be out on their own and you knew they wouldn't be much more than a block away. Even so, one of us always accompanied the trick or treaters - as much for the social interaction as for their safety. Aaron resented having Kate along - he didn't like to be slowed down. So this didn't happen. This was another "what if" moment. What if Lizzie's appearance resulted in more loot?

Monday, October 31, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When I was a little kid, I was deathly afraid of witches. At the time, there seemed to be no end to the movies and bedtime stories that featured the scariest of these. When I saw "Snow White" was terrified. "Hansel and Gretel" had me pulling the covers over my head for weeks. I was even chilled by Witch Hazel in "Little Lulu". It was a long time before I overcame this fear of witches - and as I recall, it was about the same time, I began to stand up to my mother!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Lynn's Comments: As I write this, it's the first of October and already Christmas stuff is on the shelves. *Sigh* I remember hearing about how the show "South Park" got started. Apparently, the artists did a Christmas spoof using cut-out images of Jesus fighting Santa Claus in an effort to gain Yuletide supremacy. What a funny idea...and right on target. As soon as Hallowe'en is o'er, we'll be immersed in the commerce of Christmas. ...and like everyone else, I'll be right in there, buying my stash. I often wonder what Jesus himself would have thought of all this!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Lynn's Comments: As much as I wanted my children to learn about cooking, cleaning, organizing and how to talk on the phone, It was easier if they simply played at my feet and just let me do these things myself. Some of our most treasured moments, however, were when they did help, and these mundane household accomplishments were as rewarding as a good grade in school. It takes time and patience to let children do ordinary things- but when we do, we're giving them lessons for life!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Kate and Aaron both slept with one stuffed toy. It was me who filled my bed with stuffed animals and slept around them when I was a kid. My favourite was a koala bear that my grandmother brought back from Tasmania for me. It was real kangaroo hide and I loved him until his fur was almost gone. My brother stole him away from me once, insisted on sleeping with him, and then wet his bed. Mom couldn't wash my koala because he was leather, so her advice was to let him sit on the windowsill and air out: "In time he will be less 'whiffy'" she said. But he stank for years, so "Whiffy" was what I called him. I still have old "Whiff" in my china cabinet. He's sweeter smelling, now, and still well loved.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I couldn't quite remember the short story Aaron planned to submit, but it did go something like this. After some discussion about creativity, responsibility and pride, I left my stubborn charge to face the wrath of his teacher. He returned home with an "F" on his paper...and was told it meant "Funny". "Next time," Sheena Baker told me, "I'll tell them how many words they have to write!" Aaron did well in Sheena's class. She was direct and honest and had a wonderful sense of humour.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Every house on Eldon Road in Lynn Lake was close to the road, and folks could easily see into the windows. We had sheers over ours both for privacy and for the luxury of watching while not being seen.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lynn's Comments: As this strip was going to press, my brother Alan had started to go out with a lovely lady named Joan. I had been so close to guessing details about his relationships in the strip that when he saw this, he asked me not to have Phil and Georgia get married until after he married Joan!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Joan (aka "Georgia") came into my brother's life when my kids were in elementary school. Because we were living in such a remote area, they didn't see a lot of Uncle Al, and didn't have the opportunity to observe his relationships. I did! Knowing he would read all the strips which alluded to him, I openly needled him, hoping he would spill the beans and let me in on his plans for the future. He didn't...until he was prepared to see it in the paper!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I think I was right on target, here. Joan was (and is) a beautiful girl. My husband commented often on how lucky Alan was to have met her and what a "find" she was. When I said I thought he had met his intellectual equal and that looks weren't everything... the reply was (as I recall) "Yeah, but a good purchase needs great packaging!"

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Lynn's Comments: This is another glimpse from my childhood. My dad was the kind of guy who loved to build go-karts and tree houses and water slides on the lawn. Even though it wasn't cool to do stuff with your parents, a day with Dad always ended with a trophy of some kind: something built or found or eaten. When we weren't building stuff, we were hitting the dump or scrounging in the workshop and after that, we'd go to the Dairy Queen. The BIG cone cost a quarter and was almost too big to eat. It was when we had grown up a bit that we stopped hanging out with Dad. We'd give him excuses for why we weren't into making stuff or going out and it hurt him to see us change. I do remember him taking the neighbour's kid out for an ice cream cone and wondering, "Why isn't he taking me?" - knowing full well that I'd cut him out of my circle of friends. I just wanted him to be a dad. What I didn't know was that he was being a dad and - he was exceptional!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Lynn's Comments: The biggest obstacle to going anywhere in Lynn Lake was going outside. So much of the year was dangerously cold and just going across the street meant struggling into heavy snowsuits, hats, mittens and clunky boots, which made walking a misery for even the most capable toddler. Kate's objection to day care was more about putting on the clothing than leaving me. After putting it all on, she had a 2 minute walk, and then had to take it all off again!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Katie had no problem going to day care and Aaron adjusted to it immediately, too. This scenario was based on tales I heard from friends who lived in the city. Some children felt abandoned, some moms felt guilty, and it was a difficult time all-round. I thought it was great material for the strip.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Lynn's Comments: The truth is- I felt no guilt in taking Katie and Aaron to day care. They both thrived on the company of other children and enjoyed the change of scene. I too, needed a break - which, in turn, made me a happier mom. Happy moms make happy kids. For us, it was all good.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lynn's Comments: One of the most useful bits of psychology I learned in my mom and toddler classes was to use "I messages". When you tell a kid how their inappropriate behaviour affects you, the exchange becomes a discussion and not an accusation. When you reword "Your whining drives me crazy! Why are you whining so much?!" and say: "I don't understand why you're upset. It makes me unhappy to hear you whining. What can I do to help?" You're more likely to get a better response. This is all very nice when you have your wits about you and can think of the right thing to say. Unfortunately "Oh for heaven's sake, cut the crap and get ready for school, already!" can easily spill out. The thing to remember is: a hug will always save the day!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Up north, friends and family were our day care providers. Kate went to her grandma's or to my friend Marian across the street, and was content with her regular stay in new surroundings. For the most part, the local moms took turns. Kids' parties and afternoon craft days in private homes didn't require the attendance of every parent. We all knew how precious a few hours on our own were- even though we had nowhere to go! Just the freedom to grocery shop without the weight of a backpack or the awkwardness of a stroller was such a pleasure, we all made sure to share it! Some moms took advantage, leaving their kids too long and too often. Those of us who took in the children rarely complained, though. The free time wasn't just for the mothers. We genuinely cared about the kids' time off as well!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Katie had the ability to melt your heart with a simple look or a longing gesture. She could cry on demand. She could plead with such puppy-like innocence that it was almost impossible NOT to give in! Kids like this use theatre to such advantage that their siblings stop protesting and eventually use the thespian's gifts to their own advantage. Katie and Aaron were in cahoots on many occasions. Kate softened the enemy and her accomplice struck the blow. So many times they worked in tandem to get their way. It was hard to be angry. With a common objective, at least they were getting along!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Having lived in northern communities for most of my adult life, I have been exposed to the fur trade from the trappers' point of view. It isn't unusual to see samples of pelts made into rugs and some are pretty vicious looking. In fact, we owned one ourselves in Lynn Lake. It was a "cross fox" pelt which lay in front of our fireplace. When this Sunday page appeared, I had quite a number of complaints from animal rights activists. They were understandably concerned. It's just that this is the way it was for us and still is. Katie did ask how and why the rug had come to be. I had purchased the pelt to support a family living in the bush - and I felt no guilt in doing so. This is not the best cartoon I ever did - it's probably one of the more forgettable ones... but when you have a relentless deadline, you go with whatever you can think up and run with it. Then... you wait for the flack to come later!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Lynn's Comments: There's nothing like knowing all the rules to make you feel superior. I remember being told to let my brother win if I was teaching him a card game, but it was hard to do. So, I didn't! Later, when Alan became proficient with chess, I asked him to teach me - but I never learned. Playing with my brother drove me crazy. Alan made sure that he always won!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Our town was so small that a kid could be found in minutes. A short walk or a phone call would produce the offender and it was always a short walk home. Even so, I worried when one of my children was out of sight for too long. One day, I went looking for Katie. She had been in the back yard with a couple of neighbour kids, but had disappeared. I went out and found her playing in the house across the lane. Three children under the age of five had been left in the care of an eight year old while her parents had gone down to the pub. The eight year old was holding a rifle which had been removed from its mount on the wall and her little brother was singing; "I know where the bullets are! I know where the bullets are!" I brought Katie home. I told her she had done nothing wrong. I said her friends were welcome to come to our house at any time, but she was never to go there again. It wasn't the kids I didn't trust- it was some of the parents!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Here is where my folks differed a great deal; my dad was always up for a hug, Mom was not. She needed her space and didn't appreciate being interrupted when she was in the middle of something - even for a bit of cuddling. She was always very busy. Life wasn't easy for the moms of the 50's. We had no car. We had a wringer washer, a leaky icebox, and a gas stove that required an engineering degree to operate. She made bread regularly and most of our clothing. She canned fruit, grew a veg and flower garden, and did all the paper work for the family and the business. She shopped and cooked and cleaned and took care of two active kids, so when she did get a few minutes to herself, she wanted to be left alone - Please! She had endless patience. She could do or fix or make just about anything. She was an artist and a writer and she should have gone to university - except that her father didn't believe in educating women! To him, it was a waste of money and time. Mom was an amazing person. We respected and admired her. She worked so hard. She gave and did so much... but, it was our dad who supplied the affection.