Lynn's Comments: This happened! When my well-meaning kids decided to make mac and cheese for dinner, they put on the macaroni without thinking to stir it. The result was a block of pasta that came out on the spoon like this. A good laugh means nothing is wasted. And, we had a dog.
Lynn's Comments: Between my two marriages, I dated a psychiatrist. He told me that the worst time to have a serious discussion was after midnight—that after 12:00am, we go into a sort of "twilight zone" where common sense and rationale ceases to exist. "Never," he told me, "get into an argument after midnight!" Mark and I argued many times…sometimes after midnight, and he was right. We’d go round and round in the twilight zone and nobody "won." I'll carry that lesson for a lifetime!
Lynn's Comments: I found that some story lines needed a break; something that would return the focus to the family—giving us a fast "glimpse" into something else. These asides were often very sweet. They made me happy and gave both the readers and myself a rest from more serious ideas.
Lynn's Comments: The TV tray was invented, of course, as soon as the television became a household necessity. Like an indoor commode, every home HAD to have one. My mother, who ruled the roost, hated the thought of us sitting in front of the TV to eat, so we missed all kinds of good shows. They all seemed to come on at 6:00. One afternoon, my dad was late coming home from work. He was always home by 5:30 but this time he was not only late, but had arrived in a delivery van straight from Sears. My brother and I watched through the window as he unloaded a thin rectangular box, waved his thanks to the driver and headed into the house. Inside the box was a set of aluminum TV trays; a wonderful sight to behold. My mother conceded her fight and (depending on the show) allowed us all to eat dinner in front of the television. This was one of the very few times my father defied her. I thank Gunsmoke and Walt Disney for that one significant victory.
Lynn's Comments: I think the first woodworking project Katie and her dad did together was a birdhouse. She loved the workshop and wanted to know how everything was used.
Lynn's Comments: When Kate had an idea, she went ahead with plans and determination. Whether it was from paper, wood, plastic or wire, if she could find the materials, she could make just about anything.
Lynn's Comments: The Fasts and the Bergans were friends in Lynn Lake; two of our favourite families. I loved to put the names of people we knew in the strip. It was a funny surprise. After the strip was published, their friends and family would contact them! It was a wonderful, continuing surprise.
Lynn's Comments: We had one bathroom in our house on 5th Street. If Dad came home in a bad mood, we all ran for the comfort of the “throne” before he could lock himself in there and relax. I once went to visit Harry Morgan (of “Mash” fame.) While showing me around their LA house, his wife said, “Lynn, Harry and I have been married a long time and I gotta tell you, the secret to a happy marriage is having separate bathrooms!” I have to agree.
Lynn's Comments: Looking back on these busy days, I find it hard to imagine having all that energy. My motto now is: “I'm going to do that and that, and this and this…but first, a nap.”