daily: Browse The Strips

Monday, August 29, 2011

Lynn's Comments: A friend of mine in Lynn Lake was expecting at the same time as Annie was and her input was priceless. I could capture the way she walked and shuffled in slippers as her feet swelled. I watched her shape expand in all directions. She was more than happy to play a role in my research and, even though I remembered going through it myself, having another mom to talk to, made all the difference.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Once again, I sort of threw a shot at Rod. I often made remarks suggesting that he was less than supportive, when in reality he encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I ran a small business, had my own income and made my own decisions, but I wanted Elly to be more like the person I might have been. I loaded her with some of the baggage that I might have carried and made her a bit pathetic, sometimes. Maybe it was an effort to separate her from me - or maybe there was something I was trying to hide. I don't know, but that's the way it was!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Lynn's Comments: It was interesting to go to the Hudson's Bay store with my friend, Jane. Everyone knew everyone else in town and we felt it was necessary to comment on the weather, folks' health and their families. People she hardly knew would come up to her and feel her swollen tummy and I laughed when she remarked "Why do they do that to pregnant women? Nobody goes up to a guy, grabs his nether parts and says 'Hey, Jake! How's the ol' hernia??'" You've gotta have a sense of humor. You just do.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I loved my children, but talking to toddlers all day fried my mind. I so desperately needed the company of grown ups, I'd go shopping just so I could exchange a few sentences that didn't contain "Poo-poo" or "Don't wanna!!" If Elly had a chance to work- even for free a couple of times a week, I figured she'd take it, even if it meant paying someone else to take Elizabeth. A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Homework was a subject that riled us all. If Aaron had something to do for school, there'd be a stalemate right away. He might get out all the equipment. He might even start. But within a few minutes, he'd be miserable. I don't know how many times we sat and did his work with him- lesson by lesson, page by page. When some kids graduate to the next level of their education, their parents should get a promotion, too!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I remember the misery of having to do social studies while everyone else watched "Gun Smoke" so, I was pretty understanding, when my own kids found the extra work to be a chore. Aaron had the habit of telling me just the amount of truth I needed to know- especially when it came to how much homework he really had. This is another actual quote from my son. He did all of his work that night... and I got a "daily" out of it!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Lynn's Comments: We started to get real homework around grade three. At first it was simple things- like read a story or complete an art assignment. This was easy. I actually liked homework. Perhaps it's because we had no TV and, yes, it rained a lot in North Vancouver...or perhaps I truly enjoyed doing something extra. I confess- I was one of the kids who really enjoyed school and all the challenges that went with it!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I never learned this until my kids were grown: never tell them something is "fun" if they don't want to do it. Say it will be "satisfying" perhaps. Say it will be a "relief" when it's over- these things make sense. The things that made me get down to work (when I was not in the mood) were threats, bribes and coercion. Then, when I had no choice but to do whatever it was I had to do...I sometimes actually enjoyed it.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When I couldn't support myself and Aaron as a freelance artist, I accepted a job at "Standard Engravers" a packaging company in Hamilton, Ontario. Aaron attended the Dundas daycare, courtesy of the Canadian welfare system, for which I'll be eternally grateful! Before his first full day there, we went for an introduction. He was so excited about the toys and the company that he left me immediately and blended in. There was no separation anxiety and I think I was just a little hurt by that!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Lynn's Comments: My friends told me about their toddlers' reluctance to be left at the daycare center, but Aaron was a social kid who couldn't wait to get into the stuff and the food and the excitement of new surroundings. Later, when Katie went to a sitter while I worked, she was also happy to have my friend Marian's attention and never made a fuss! These strips show what sometimes happens to others.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I did not feel guilty for leaving Aaron at the Dundas daycare centre. Not until he was sick! Nothing makes you feel negligent and helpless like a call from the daycare to say your child is sick and calling for you. I was lucky to have an understanding boss. Looking at my reflection in the rear view mirror, I remember thinking- "To heck with all the powers they come up with in the comic books- a REAL superhero would be someone who could be in two places at once!"

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Dundas is a small suburb of Hamilton, Ontario where I lived for about 4 years. I would go to the Dundas Valley Journal and see if they needed any cartoons and, eventually, they bought a weekly panel from me for $10.00 apiece. Elly and her quest for a column in her local paper was based on this.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Lynn's Comments: The Dundas Valley Journal was in a building on Main Street in Dundas Ontario. It consisted of a few cubicles, a couple of offices and a receptionist at the entrance. The receptionist had so many duties, you had to find her before you could ask to be allowed in!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Lynn's Comments: This was a small town newspaper in every way; a great place to begin if you wanted to know- and to work in each facet of the business! The DVJ was a popular weekly rag, but despite strong local support, the publisher had a hard time staying in the black and white!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Having Elly do a regular column posed the question: "about what should she write?" Since she was an avid reader (with little time to read) a column about books and local library news would be right up her alley. This was also something I could easily research. I looked forward to talking to our library staff and finding out what THEIR jobs were like.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Aaron was very much at home at the Dundas daycare center. As I said, I was grateful to what was then called "welfare" for helping me to keep my several jobs and be a mom at the same time. He was happy with the routine and when I came to get him, he often had to do "one more fing" before he was ready to go.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When The Dundas Valley Journal accepted my first cartoons, I was thrilled. To see my work in print in a local paper was wonderful. For a while, I did this for free and it was one of the best learning experiences. I was working at a packaging company in town, freelancing for McMaster University as well as doing cartoons for the DVJ. As far as an education in graphic arts goes, this was a course well worth taking.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I don't know where this idea came from. Sometimes things just happened without a real memory or situation behind it. As Elly Patterson, I just supposed this would be a natural neighborly gesture and allowed my imagination to go from there.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Lynn's Comments: My friend, Audrey, was as nonchalant as could be when it came to delivering her baby. It was her husband who panicked! When she said she thought it might be time to leave for the hospital, Mack ran out to the car with her overnight bag and almost forgot her. Then he backed into a post on the way out of the driveway. Audrey ended up driving to the hospital and checking herself in. We laughed when she said she'd told the orderly to put Mack in the wheelchair for the ride to the room!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Here is where my imagination took me for a ride. Running out of gas on the way to the hospital appealed to me. Typically, I had no idea what the outcome of my contrived situations would be, so this was like living through the real incident: "What happens now?"

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Lynn's Comments: My first ex husband always wanted a Porsche. Although we never bought one (a house came first) we went often to look at them. It occurred to me at the time that this was not the kind of vehicle in which one could fit groceries, nor would I fit if I were 9 months pregnant. I was being practical... and Porsche and practical aren't usually found in the same sentence!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Lynn's Comments: We didn't get a Porsche, but we did buy a second hand Volkswagen. This is an image reminiscent of a time when we crammed three chums in the back seat and went for a drive. Needless to say, it was a short one.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When I was about to have Katie, it was important to spend as much time as I could with Aaron to reassure him that even though a new baby was coming, he was still the first, and was very special. I told him he would be a big brother, that he'd be the older one and be able to teach his new brother and sister all kinds of things. What he remembered most, however was that his friends said he might get presents!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Lynn's Comments: I was introduced to the Lamaze method of childbirth when I worked at McMaster Medical Center. Dr. Murray Enkin was head of Obstetrics. He initiated practices which at the time were considered far too innovative! Murray believed childbirth was not an illness, that fathers should be allowed in the birthing room, and that midwives were a practical and welcome addition to his team. What was he thinking?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Star Wars (one of my all time favourite films) was a phenomenon when this strip was done. Every store carried something relating to this wonderful fantasy and Aaron was caught up in it, too. What he wanted was a pet and he said if we got one, he'd call it Luke Skywalker. To me, it sounded like a good name for a housefly!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Lynn's Comments: When Katie was born, Aaron did ask why she was so small. Having just pushed her out of my nether regions and with walking and sitting still a quivering thought, I told him it was extremely good engineering and that was that. I don't think I gave a full explanation until he was much older!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Lynn's Comments: No matter what, your baby is the most beautiful thing on the planet. I remember looking at mine as soon as they were out of the chute and thinking "miracle!" Red, blotchy and crying, they are the culmination of 9 months of concern, protection, discomfort, worry and joy. They are also a grunt to produce. I often thought that if it was an easy process, we might not love them and want them as much as we do!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Lynn's Comments: Aaron did ask why we didn't have another baby and my explanation was that we had sold the crib. In a way it's true. If you have even the slightest positive thought about having another, you store the stuff. With this in mind, however, I have friends who kept everything "just in case" and are now offering cribs and jolly jumpers to their married, adult children!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Lynn's Comments: It amazes me still to think that after the hard work and "discomfort" of giving birth, we go back and do it again! My friends and I supported each other afterwards. We discussed episiotomies, backaches, lack of sleep, lactation, depression and so forth. One topic was brought up again and again: would there be more children in the world if the men produced the babies and the women puffed cigars?!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Lynn's Comments: In the 80's there was still an "attitude" about women working. "The little lady" was a secretary or receptionist and the more responsible positions went to the "tough broads." Even though attitudes had relaxed and most men accepted and encouraged women in the workforce it was not uncommon to find serious discrimination. We're still fighting this. Despite a change in the "fibre of society", we're not out of the woods yet!