No Foolin': Johnny's Cafe, Fox Lake American Legion, 3 Aces, Old Friends, NCAA Tournament, Stucky's, McHenry American Legion

FRIDAY,   APRIL 1, 2022

We met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake and had a great egg plant parmesan with angel hair spaghetti.  e then went to the American Legion in Fox Lake for 50-50.  Kelly and Kevin won for the second week in a row.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of one of my favorite comic strips, Pickles."  I can sure relate to Earl.  I guess it has to do with an age thing.

Met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 in the afternoon and we enjoyed one of our favorite bands, 3 Aces.  Because of the you-know-what, we hadn't seen them in over two years.  They play great oldies music.  Where else you going to get a band on an April Saturday afternoon with $2 drafts?

We also hadn't seen Barb and Glen since November as they live in Chicago, but have a place on the Chain o' Lakes.

An old buddy, Rick, came in and we had a nice talk about the old days.  I hadn't seen him since before the you-know-what hit as well.

Afterwards, we went to Stucky's and had the $1 draft special and watched the NCAA Elite 8 games.  Both, sadly, were blowouts.  Boring.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

We went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Stucky's on the way home.

--RoadDog

Two of My Favorite Things

The May 19, 2020, Hi and Lois cartoon strip hit home especially for me.

FIRST FRAME:

Lois is inside a store and speaks to someone else:  "It's great to see  a new brick-and-mortar business back in town..."

SECOND FRAME:

She finishes by say, "filled with paper and ink."

The owner of the store looks at her and says:  "Bookstores are back."

********************************

I sure am going to miss brick-and-mortar stores.  I love to walk around and look.  You never know what you're going to find.  Plus, I really like bookstores.  I am a book freak, even if I don't usually read all of them, I love them.

I still miss my McHenry Borders and then the nearest Barnes and Noble to me in Crystal Lake, Illinois closed down. Even though they are Big Box stores, they had that little book store feel, plus, of course, music in the form of records and CDs.  My other favorite thing.

--RoadDog


LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "We all owe an apology to 2019 for what we said about it."

Them "Idge Phones"-- Speed Bump

From the April 8, 2017, Speed Bump comic strip.

A safari tour bus has stopped by two zebras and four tourists are off it and standing near the zebras, and have their cell phones out, but are not taking pictures as you'd expect.  they are all staring blankly at the screens.

One zebra says to the other:  "For some reason, whenever they're around me, they get out their phones."

The other zebra has the regular stripes that you would expect a zebra to have, but the one speaking has different stripes.

Must be something with those stripes that make "Idge" phone owners stare at their screens.

I didn't quite understand this one.

--RoadDog

Them "Idge" Phones: Has It Come To This?

From the March 21, 2017, Speed Bump comic strip.

In a long-enduring scene, where a father is teaching his daughter how to ride a bicycle for the first time and running along beside her yelling instructions, we see that happening today.  The daughter has a helmet on, of course, in this day of safety nets.    She is succeeding in her attempt.

The father, running behind her yells:  "You got it!  One hand on the handle!  Look up from time to time!  Good job!"

The daughter is staring down at her "idge" phone.  Even more surprising, the father isn't staring at his own "idge" phone or filming his daughter, which I could forgive him for.  In case you're wondering, "idge" phone is short for "idiot" phone.

I was at the theater he other day and saw that just about every single person, or groups of people entering had their eyes glued down at their "idge" phones.

Has Civilization Come to This?  So Sad.  So Sad.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.

Living In Today's World: Nobody Important On THAT Phone

From the January 6, 2017 Family Circus comic strip.

The father has called his son saying he has a phone call.  The little son is walking into the room where his dad is holding the receiver of a landline telephone out to him.  Son:  ""It can't be anybody important if it's on that phone."

Laughed So Hard I Cried.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: Relics From a By-Gone Age

From the January 7, 2017, Dustin comic strip.

1.  Dustin's younger sister is in a calendar store and says to the clerk:  "I'd like to return this calendar I got for Christmas, please."  Clerk replies:  "Of course."

2.  Sister:  "I'll never use it.  Paper calendars are like pencils or stationery.  They're relics from a bygone age."
Clerk:  "We can give you store credit."

3.  Sister:  "What am I going to do with credit at the calendar store?"  Clerk:  "We also sell paper and pencils."

Gotcha.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The Starbucks owns the mortgage to your house.

Those "Idge" Phones: The Problem With Texting

From the February 4, 2017, Dustin.

1.  Mom and Dad are in the kitchen.  Dad is sitting down at the table with his bare feet in a small tub of hot water.  Says to wife:  "Oh, that hot water feels good.  My feet are killing me."

2.  Cut to daughter, also sitting at the table with her thumbs in a small bowl of hot water and looks at her parents and says:  "Try texting for six hours straight."

The Flying Thumbs Strike Again.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: The Eminent Danger

From the January 30, 2017, Rubes comic strip.

A dog and a cat are trapped in a room and looking out to the hall where their owner is operating a vacuum cleaner.  The cat's back is arched and the dog is growling.

Cat:  "I despise that thing."
Dog:  "Me too."
Cat:  "We must destroy it."
Dog:  "We must."
Cat:  "Together."
Dog:  "The enemy of my enemy..."

Our dog Brandy was also petrified of the vacuum cleaner.  I am not afraid of it, but don't like the sound.  So when Liz vacuumed, the two of us made sure to stay in a different room the whole time.

It's a History Thing, You Wouldn't Understand

From the December 29, 2016, Shoe comic strip.

Skyler is seen taking a test.

1.  At desk, looking at the test paper which reads:  "Who said, 'Let them eat cake?'"

2.  Skyler is thinking.

3.  Now writing his answer:  "Betty Crocker."

--RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  I am offended by television commercials for medications.  They make people look like complete idiots for wanting to take an anti-depressant that may cause suicidal thoughts.  How about we ban them just like cigarette commercials.

Ethically Challenged

From the October 21, 2016, Shoe comic strip.

1st. Panel:  Senator Belfry is standing at a podium giving a speech:  "I am not a crook! ...

2nd Panel:  "I am ethically challenged."

Let's All Get PC Now.  --RoadDog

It's a History Thing You Might Not Understand

From the November 22, 2016, Rubes comic strip.

A father and son are outside their car and are staring at a marker which reads:  "This historical marker marks the site of the first historical marker."

The father says to his son:  "Kind of makes you feel proud, eh, son!"

Proud to Love History.  Good ol' History on a Stick.  --RoadDog

ONE THING I LEARNED IN LIFE ...  Breath In, ... Breath Out.

Two Pilgrims

From the November 25, 2016, Bizarro comic strip.

Two Pilgrims are standing out by a field and one looks at the other, whose hat is in a pile on his head and says:  "What made thee want to take the belt off thine hat?"

A Little Bit of Puritan Humor, I Guess.  --RoadDog

An Epic Tale

From the November 28, 2016, Rubes comic strip.

You see an announcer's hand holding a microphone and talking to Ulysses who is striking a heroic pose on the front of his ship and holding a sword.....

Announcer:  "You've just returned from a decade long odyssey...  In one word, Ulysses, how would you best sum up your ten years of travel?:

Ulysses:  "Epic."

Saw That One Coming.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: About Those "Idge" Phones

From the Nov. 16, 2016, Speed Bump comic strip.

A man and a woman are looking at a man jiggling five "Idge" phones and the woman says to the man:  "The amazing thing is, he's still texting on all of them."

From the September 24, 2016, Dogs of C-Kennel comic strip.

The pitbull and Kenny the husky are looking over a brick fence as several adult humans walk by engrossed with their "Idge" phones.  The pitbull says to Kenny:  "Call me nostalgic, but I would actually love to be whacked by a newspaper."

"Idge" Me baby, Eight to the Bar.  --RoadDog

Living in Today's World: "Idge" Phones

From the September 11, 2016, Family Circus comic strip.

1.  One of their kids is holding a leash and says, "Mommy!  I think Barfy (their dog) could use a little exercise.  How 'bout I volunteer to take him for a walk around the park."

2.  He is walking out the door with Barfy on the leash.  the kid has his "Idge" phone out and says:  "Okay!  Let's go find 'em."  You see him thinking about the Pokeyman Go things.

--RoadDog

Living In Today's World: "Don't Pull It Out!!"

From the September 6, 2016, Dustin comic strip.

Dustin's dad is standing in the checkout line at the grocery store.  The man at the front of the line has put his credit card (a new one with the chip) in the machine.

1.  Dad, thinking to himself:  "Ugh.  These chip readers are the worst.  The man at the front of the line is having problems and the cashier says to him: "Wait, don't pull it out."

2.  The Dad is still thinking:  "Makes me nostalgic for people holding up the line to balance their checkbooks.  The cashier is now yelling at the man with the card: "DON'T PULL IT OUT.!!"


I myself don't have a problem with pulling it out, but do have a real big problem remembering to insert the chip instead of swiping it.  I am so proud of myself when I remember to insert the chip instead of swipe, but that is sure a rare happening.

"Insert Chip."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  At an Applebee's restaurant:  NOTICE: AFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!  A new 6% tax will be charged for the cost of collecting taxes!"

On Gettin' Old: Broom Hilda Gets It, Too

From the September 11, 2016, Broom Hilda comic strip.

1.  Broom Hilda is looking at a calendar for September 2016, tacked up on a tree.  She squints at it and says:  "Mine enemy!"
2.  Looking sad:  "The older I get the quicker time seems to pass."

3.  A picture of her as a baby:  "When I was little, a month lasted forever."
4.  "Now it's as if the pages of the darn calendar turn continually."

5.  "With each flipping of those pages my life comes closer to  the final chapter."
6.  All of a sudden, the pages of the calendar start jumping off:  "YIPE!!  NO!"

7.  Gaylord, the vulture looks around the side of the tree holding an air blower and says:  "These new electric leaf blowers sure are quiet."  Broom Hilda is running off and yelling:  "I'm too young to die!!"

Time sure flies when you're having fun.

I Know the Feeling Well, Broom Hilda.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: Dilbert-- The Problem With "Idge" Phones

For some reason, comic strip writers seem to have a good handle on the problems with "Idge" Phones.

July 16, 2016, Dilbert comic strip.

Dilbert is at his office with a female co-worker who is staring at her "Idge" Phone.

Panel 1:  Dilbert to coworker:  "The weather will be good this weekend."  Woman:  "Stop right there."

Panel 2:  Woman:  "Your proposed topic of conversation is far below the level of entertainment I can get from my phone.."  She is still looking at her phone.

Panel 3:  Dilbert to the office dog, who is also on his "Idge" phone.  "I don't know how conversations work."  Dog:  "You're interrupting my phone time."

What a World.  --RoadDog

OH HELL!1  ... LET'S OFFEND EVERYBODY!:  What did the Chinese couple name their tan, curly-haired baby?  Answer:  Sum Ting Wong.

A Case of the "Idge" Phones in Rhymes With Orange

From the July 16, 2016, Rhymes With Orange comic strip.

The New Era.

An older couple are walking down the street, holding hands and see two young girls facing each other and holding up their "Idge" (smart) phones.  They are staring at each others' "Idge" phones.

The man remarks to his wife, "Is this what socializing looks like now?"

Does to Me.  --RoadDog

Blondie and the "Idge" Phones

From the July 26, 2016, Blondie comic strip.

Blondie, Dagwood and their son and daughter are sitting in the living room.  The son and daughter, of course are holding their cell phones in their hands.  You rarely see a teenager or sub-teenager these days when they aren't holding a cell phone.

Frame 1:  Son says. "So, if your buddy was at the mall, how did you communicate without a cell phone?"
Blondie,  "We had to use our home phones."
Dagwood,  "And in the mall you had to use the payphone.
Daughter, "A Payphone?"

Frame 2:  Son and daughter are leaving the house and text each other.
Brother texts to his sister, "I have renewed respect for Mom and Dad!"
Sister texts back, "Really?!"
Blondie and Dagwood are looking out their window at their children.
Blondie, "I didn't mean to shock them, but it's time they knew."
Dagwood, "Hey, these kids today need to know how tough we had it."

Seems That the Comic Strip Writers Have Figured Out the Problem With "Idge" Phones.  --RoadDog