Grandma Marian: Browse The Strips

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Lynn's Comments: Sometimes the strip was confining. I had four panels, maybe 15 seconds a day to tell what became a pretty complicated story. I would have loved to explore Connie's blossoming relationship with Greg. I wanted to show more, write more, but I didn't have the time or the space. This meant that readers had to fill in some blanks for themselves! Maybe, with comic strips going to the internet, creators won't be confined by the "one window a day" method of storytelling that we had in the newspapers.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Lynn's Comments: This is a true story. The freezer didn't break down, but it did have to be moved and therefore defrosted. I pulled out an archive of forgotten leftovers, summer fruit and fishing acquisitions, dry pie crusts, soup stock, and more. Some of this was still recognizable, so a mess of reconstituted fodder graced our plates for a week or two. People actually ate what I served--and the freezer was then refilled with the leftovers from the leftovers. We recycle.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Lynn's Comments: One thing I have tried to do as a doting Gram is to be in sync with the parents: to adhere to the same discipline, to provide the same healthy treats, and to not say anything critical of the parents in front of the children. I think I've scored an "A" on everything--but the treats.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I think I gave Larry and Marilyn the original strips for this story. It was something I liked to do when I embarrassed a friend in public!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I've just been talking to a friend about guilt. Seems it hangs on long after the deed has been atoned for and forgotten by everyone else. I will remember a stupid thing I said at a party or something I did during an interview, and I'll clench my teeth--willing the memory to fade. It never goes away. Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe it keeps me from doing other stupid things--I wish.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Lynn's Comments: I once saw my mother-in-law flapping her apron at the top of the basement stairs. I asked her what in the world she was doing, and she explained that the menfolk were in the middle of a project down there and she wanted them to come up for dinner. She was wafting the smell of roast beef, mash, and gravy down into the basement. It worked!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Lynn's Comments: Aaron once actually climbed into a suitcase and asked my mom to take him to Vancouver with her. It was funny, and became a kind of game. Old suitcases, destined for the "nuisance grounds," were perfect to play with. He and his friends would slug each other around in a suitcase until the handles broke. This was before the advent of wheels--an excellent addition to unwieldy bags. Another example of obvious inventions--Why didn't I think of that?!

Monday, August 1, 2016

Lynn's Comments: [Continued from last month:] Sandy sat in the pew and watched the wedding ceremony--worried and angry. Where could Kevin be?

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Lynn's Comments: He described the dumpster as being behind a restaurant and grocery store. Wet and decaying vegetables lay in a mucky stew on the bottom. He had to climb in, wearing his best clothes, and dig around in the stinking mess to find his car keys. If it had been a watch, he might have just let it go! Car keys were essential!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Lynn's Comments: My daughter hated it when I tried to do her hair. I did bribe her to sit still. Learning how to make French braids cost me candy and coins!

Friday, August 19, 2016

Lynn's Comments: My daughter is the one now who does all the creative cooking. I often arrive at her door just at dinnertime--not meaning to invite myself, but happy to see her set an extra place at the table.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Lynn's Comments: Nope. Phil and Georgia are still happily married. Even though the saga has ended, the characters are still alive in my imagination!

Tuesday March 30, 2021

Lynn's Comments: My parents lived on the other side of the country from my brother and me. When their health began to deteriorate, we both tried to see them as often as possible but it was hard to make time for a 5-hour flight. We felt helpless and guilty for not being there for them, but we did have some wonderful caregivers for whom we will be forever grateful.