Earwigging Out!

Well, Summer is just about over, and thank Goodness for that. This wasn't our most enjoyable season ever. You may have noticed a drop in the frequency and quality in the posting here lately? Well, this Summer gets all the blame. Not much happened 'round these parts that was really worth blogging about (although some  wags out there might argue that very little I write about is worth posting, and I might agree, that is a topic for another time). 

Even our previously mentioned trip to the exotic vacation destination of Ithaca, NY was rather dull. The only "highlights" of that soggy trip were a visit to the smelliest Arby's™ restaurant ever, and a brief visit to America's Filthiest Rest Stop. The stop is in Worcester, NY if you're wondering. Words cannot do justice to the horrors I experienced there. The urinals were cleaner than the sinks. Take my advice, if you're driving on I-90 and really have to "make a deposit" either suck it in and keep driving, or pull over, grab a shovel, and make your own facilities. What I'm trying to say is it was really dirty. 

With Summer finally fading, I remembered I never wrote a column about one of the things about the season that I especially dislike, something that really "bugs" me. I'm talking, of course, about BUGS.

I hate all kinds of bugs, moths, mosquitoes, ants- If it crawls, creeps or buzzes, keep it away  from me. There is one creepy-crawlie though, that I really can't stand. The Earwig.

I think I don't like them because they look so harmful. That lil' pincher on their bum looks like it could give you a painful pinch. Another point against them is the story that they climb into your ears while you sleep and burrow into your brain. Not a comforting thought when you see one or more of these little critters skittering around your house.

After a bit of research, however, it turns out my prejudice against Earwigs was totally misplaced. According to this, Earwigs are completely harmless to humans. Even their pinchers can't pinch you. As for the story of them digging into your cranium, that is false too, of course. Granted, I did first hear of that behavior from an episode of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" TV show on an episode entitled "Caterpillar" when I was a lad. Anyone who has seen that episode remembers what a complete creep-out it was. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor, and never see it. Much like you wouldn't want to use the rest stop in Worcester, NY, you don't want to see that show, and you'd be grateful for the heads up. 

Another thing to remember is that you really shouldn't count on programs like "Night Gallery" for accurate scientific information. When you think of all the negative feeling towards Earwigs that episode generated, you almost feel bad for the little creeps. Almost.

They still are not welcome in my home.

Timing Out!

Goodness! Sixteen days without a post! I have neglected this blog before, but never this badly.

I wish I had a really good excuse, like, I've been busy, but I haven't. I've just been really lazy. The drawing you see here is a pretty good depiction of how I've preferred to spend my time lately.

That doesn't mean however, that I don't have a lot to share with you here. No, this Summer has been filled with all kinds of experiences and adventures, some related to the World of Cartooning, and some not. Things I know all of you out there would find, if not interesting, then at least diverting. I promise to share most, if not all of them with you, Loyal Reader.

Not for a few days, though.

You see, Perfect Wife and I are embarking on a trip to that fabulous vacation destination, Ithica, NY, this weekend, and I must prepare. When I return, I promise a full report on the whole adventure, including the reason we are going to Ithica, NY, of all places (it ain't by choice!). If any of you are from the area, please feel free to alert me to any "must-see" attractions in the Ithica area.

I won't hold my breath.

Mum

Sad times here. On July 22, we lost my Mum. Well, we didn't lose her, we know where she is, but we won't be seeing her for awhile. That's a bad joke, but it's the kind of joke my Mother liked. If you enjoy any of the "humor" on this blog, you can thank her. I got at least part of my sense of humor from her, although Dad was no slouch in the yuks department himself.

It's lucky my Mother had a sense of humor. She really needed it to put up with us kids' shenanigans. Not to mention the lemons life threw at her, demanding she make lemonade. She was the best Mum ever. Although I may be biased.

It was she who encouraged my sisters and I to do whatever we wanted with our lives. If it hadn't been for my Mother, I shudder to think what horrible career I would be stuck in now.

I could go on and on about what a swell person Mum was, but I won't. It's still a bit painful to talk about right now. I just wish all of you out there could have met her. I'm sure you woulda liked her. 

My Mother always hated it when you said "Goodbye" to her. "Don't say goodbye," she'd say, "It sounds so final. Like we'll never see each other again. Say, 'so long', instead."

So long, Mum.