John: Browse The Strips

Friday December 30, 2016

Lynn's Comments: One of the best New Year's Eves we ever spent was the first year we stayed home with the kids. We had a junk food dinner, watched the celebrations on TV, and went to bed just after midnight. The next time we tried this, the charm had worn off a bit, and after that, we let serendipity take her course. The first time was the best time and something to remember.

Sunday January 1, 2017

Lynn's Comments: Yes, this is from my childhood, then from my children's childhoods...and I'm still writing letters on everyone's behalf! Mind you, they email more than I do. I still send hard copy. Maybe that's what's hard about it.

Monday January 2, 2017

Lynn's Comments: I used to ask the kids to help take the tree down. I thought it was a nice way to spend time together. Their help lasted for a few minutes, of course, and after awhile, I did it all myself. Christmas is a wonderful time of year, thanks to all the moms who make it happen!

Tuesday January 3, 2017

Lynn's Comments: When the content of the comic strip began to bore me a bit, I tried to introduce some angst into my writing. This story was based on a real situation, but I changed the details so that the people involved never knew it was their story.

Thursday January 12, 2017

Lynn's Comments: This punch line was fun to draw up. You have to get the right expression. Elly has to be looking dumped on, but not angry. Not yet. The anger comes afterwards...when the slight has sunk in.

Saturday January 14, 2017

Lynn's Comments: Our small, black Spaniel, Willy, never barked when a stranger came to the door. He would probably have welcomed an assailant on a dark street, but when the snowplow came up our long country drive, he became Superdog. He was a flea against an elephant; threatening the plow as it advanced and sure he had won when it backed away. He’d bark himself silly every time our driveway was cleared and it always made me laugh!

Thursday January 19, 2017

Lynn's Comments: It was a good thing that I worked from home because our second vehicle, for awhile, was totally useless. It was too cramped for kids, too small for groceries; I could never see the point in owning a sports car. But…I'm not a guy. Maybe you look good if you're "wearing" one.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Lynn's Comments: Every first snowfall, I used to hit the ditch. Maybe it’s because I was used to driving fast on rough, flat surfaces and didn't have my winter reflexes. Whatever the reason, I would call our friend Gerry Voyer and ask him to pull me out. A couple of times, this happened on our country road and I'd walk to Gerry’s garage where he’d get out his truck and take me to the scene of the "accident." One winter’s day, I was taking a long stroll down MacPherson Drive when Gerry passed me in his truck. He stopped, rolled down his window and sighed. "OK," he said. "Where is it?" He thought I had hit the ditch again and was coming for help. It was then that I realized just how often I had run off the road!

Sunday February 5, 2017

Lynn's Comments: This is the story of my life. As a non-sleeper, I am often reading or doing my mail in the middle of the night. Oddly enough, when I have an early morning deadline, I manage to sleep so soundly that I am comatose when the alarm goes off. Strange stuff!

Sunday February 19, 2017

Lynn's Comments: I didn't learn to skate until I was over 35! What gave me the courage to try was a really good pair of skates and the lure of a rink made by the neighbours on Trout Lake outside of North Bay, Ontario. It was one of those perfect days. The ice was thick and the snow was fresh. Just a few passes of the snow blower and a small private rink was cleared. The kids both had skates that still fit, and my mom-in-law had borrowed skates for the rest of us. She’d made hot chocolate in a big thermos and the Harrisons, whose house we were visiting, had built a fire in the pit down by the dock.

For the first time since I was a kid, I strapped on skates (dull rentals) and shoved off from the snow bank. To my surprise, I discovered the bite of a sharp blade and was actually scraping my way forward. That’s it. I never went again, past those surprising few turns around the ice, but it was enough to let me know how it’s done and why some people become champion skaters. You just have to experience this exhilaration when you're young!

Sunday February 26, 2017

Lynn's Comments: While making a big cuddly fuss over the dog one day, I noticed a wistful glance from my husband. Whether he was cringing at the "dog-ma" of mother and dog or a bit jealous, I didn't know. The scene made for a good Sunday page!

Sunday March 5, 2017

Lynn's Comments: Man, I was happy with this punch line. Now and then a great one comes along, and when it does, you kinda look around to thank the spirit that handed it to you. I rather think the line came from a famous player–someone who played hard but played fair. I wonder who it was.

Monday March 6, 2017

Lynn's Comments: When my kids were small and I had babysitters, I enjoyed the conversation and the company of teenaged girls. They were smart, reliable, and always up for a visit. Living in an isolated community meant sparse shops, one hairdresser, and little to do on a Saturday night. It was fun for me to do their hair, experiment with nail polish, and talk about the boys they liked. It was a privilege to have their confidence, and on more than one occasion, I was asked for advice. That, I considered the best compliment of all.

Saturday March 11, 2017

Lynn's Comments: The problem with this strip is that it wasn't clear who did the "YEAAGHH!" Some readers thought it was Michael and didn't understand. I had hoped that the old adage, "Ignore something and it will go away." would be obvious and carry the joke, but not so. We're running it again anyway!