Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for August 05, 2008

Is there a fire in that tent?

What… I’m a little late so nobody shows up???

No…. you can’t pull that on me… I saw what happened here yesterday.

Everybody just did the puzzle as though I were completely unnecessary.

OK, yeah… I heard that….

I know I am… but you (sniffle) didn’t have to say so.

Anyway, today’s Cleo …

http://www.comicssherpa.com/site/feature?uc_comic=cscwy

and the above Ballard St strip are sorta related, don’t you think?

Where I live, we can’t get anti-tank missiles without a LOT of paperwork….

certainly not at a place like Al’s.

And you can’t open a “safe and sane” fireworks booth….

never mind one that sells such generous high power explosives.

Cleo would love Al’s.

BTW… this next part will make NO sense to anyone who doesn’t do cryptic crosswords…

but I know SteBel does, on occasion… and today’s strips brought back a memory.

I have some British friends of many years standing….

and waaay back in the 70’s, someone’s visiting parents brought an English newspaper, and they all gathered to do the crossword.

We didn’t have cryptics in the US, so I was not expected to participate or understand. (sad pat on pathetic little head.)

They all got stuck on one clue…. and suddenly…

I got it…

I understood cryptics, in a flash, and became a lifelong addict…. just like that.

The clue was “Missile kit an ant could build.”

I said the answer aloud… but of course they weren’t listening to me….

said it louder…. and got dirty looks…. and then they gave me the puzzle to finish, all by myself.

My very first one.

(“The first one’s free, kid.” )

Sorry about the blathering….

And why does Cleo need anti-tank missiles?

Oh, he’s going to have a blast!

Well, of course they spoil Cleo. But isn’t she worth it?

Generous Jim, Al’s anti tank missiles, what is the world coming to!!! & Claude, you have been spoiling her for a long time so why start worrying now!!!

In perusing today’s ‘toon, I am reminded of the old shoe stores in buildings like "Al’s". Something like “look for Kinney on the highway”. Looks just like Al’s (kinda sorta)

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=yB39fYAv&id=2ED66295866394CA51A5FF94E035D7764EBBF9C5&thid=OIP.yB39fYAvhSKtig1YwhQt8AHaEK&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fmedia-cache-ec0.pinimg.com%2foriginals%2fc8%2f1d%2ffd%2fc81dfd7d802f8522ad8a0d58c2142df0.jpg&exph=576&expw=1024&q=kinney+shoes&simid=608042946408351041&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0

Then along came “malls” and Kinney’s are all gone. That better not happen to Al. Wherever will Cleo get her ammo?

I’m so ashamed – I forgot about Cleo and Company yesterday. I’ve had some things going on and my mind is all muddled …….. I know, I know, no excuse. Anyway, I’m sure you all want to know that I got all nine – Whoo Hoo!!