Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for August 04, 2023

Maybe worrying made him smoke and drink so much? 8^ |

We’re at that age that no matter what it is, if you want it it’s probably bad for you.

Truth from the mouth of babes — hot babes.

@Da’Dad- A lot of people especially men, start deteriorating around 40 or so because once they get married, they let themselves go. They stop doing all the things that made them attractive to women like going to the gym, and eating properly. Also, often times the stress of marriage can add to the stress. Especially if you’re in an unhealthy marriage. And I’ve witnessed where a wife or girlfriend will try and shame their man when he goes to the gym by saying that he’s going to the gym to flirt with all those women in spandexes instead of herself, mustering up the courage to come with him! And I’m not trying to be chauvinistic either, but studies have shown that in many spousal disputes, 70% of the time it’s the wife or the woman or who initiates the disagreement which oftentimes turns into a full argument!

But I also say that marriages and relationships last longer when the pair have things in common. Like boating, fishing, photography, both liking sports, etc. That reduces the invitation to arguments and disagreements.

That can help.

Gus would probably say that the smoking and drinking made him a man, but not old.

Smoking and drinking killed my high school best friend. He was 62. I’m surprised that he lasted that long.

An “old soul,” maybe; a “merry old soul,” definitely not.

A girlfriend called me “an old soul” when I was barely twenty, but she meant it as a sincere compliment about my wise and thoughtful demeanor. I believed her too.

Young people definitely benefit in terms of longevity from not smoking and not drinking. Middle-aged people less so, if for no other reason than that they have less longevity left to gain. Old people who’ve been smoking and drinking all their lives, well, the damage is done. The available gains may well not be worth the loss of their pleasures. I must admit, though, I’ve never understood smoking. I mean, yuck!

Could be that because Arlo and Janis are there so infrequently, Gus’s aging process seems sharper to them. Even in earlier strips, Gus always looked older than them, so ….

And carousing, don’t forget carousing… ☺

Ah, there’s the rub!

I always thought getting old would take longer (sigh).

If sex is bad for youu…I am quitting the human race. lol

Smoking ANYTHING is bad for you, the lungs were not designed for function well when coated with gunk. They plug along as far as possible and eventually give up. It is a bad way to die.

Is it better or worse to be ready for Death when it comes for us?

I am at the age where I can eat and drink what I want.

I thought Arlo was talking with Janis the 1st panel – their son looks totally like her.

In our family my brother and I followed our Dad’s example. In our twenties, We sought out stress in our jobs. It meant frequent moving, changing jobs, accepting challenges we were unqualified for (got qualified fast!), and bigger paychecks as we went. My brother and I didn’t smoke or drink, had great home and family life, long marriages. Our main vice was eating unhealthy (on the go, what was available) and chasing Stress as if it was a goal. By our mid fifties we began to pay the price. We were fine with high stress levels, our bodies not so much. Aged very quick from then on, heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes, memory issues, some cancer. My 72 is now like other folks 83. Well you can’t win them all. Think about this with your kids, consider how they handle challenges and stress the way you would any character tendencies that has a cost.

To add one thing. Moving frequently is more stressful than you would think. Distance from support from your extended family, you are on your own with your wife and kids getting their share of the stress.

So many people fail to see the impact of smoking and drinking. Health and money.

I hear that from my wife all the time.

Touche!

Might have contributed but the stress was probably the biggest thing….

I know a lot more old drunks than I do old doctors….

Three of my in-laws smoked for many years. They all made it to age 89 or older.

I’ve never heard of telling an old person that they’re an “old soul.” You only use that expression on young folks, otherwise there’s no point in it. Of COURSE Gus is an “old soul”!!

“You’d never guess ‘Pop’ is just 38 years old!”

How much did Mary Lou contribute to Gus’ smoking-&-drinking? Ok, the drinking. I mean, she did get knocked up at, what…16?