Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for April 16, 2013

Oh. the party’s already started.

I’m here, with bells on.

Erwin and Fredericka are on their way to parade.

Could it be? Is it….? Is it a bird? Is it ……Superman? Or….YES!!! It’s FlyKittyFly!!!

I don’t think she’s here yet. She will be shocked.

“Given the dog a bone…”Since i don’t wish to be banned from this sight, i won’t give you a link to the song.

Right click and View Image for full size

Ya know I think that fella on the lawn is gettn’ ready for the pet parade over to Pepper Pete’s.

Those don’t look like tomatoes there, BEV!!! Did Munky order “take-out” again? Didn’t he know about all the food there’s going to be?

And, what happened to my KEY LIME PIE? Well, we’ll tend to that later……

Where’s Susan?

@ SusanBest fishes on the commemoration of another trip around the sun.

You all have outdone yourselves, most impressive!HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN Sunshine!

Hey you, Yeah you with the tail. Get off my lawn

(Kindly disregard my last post. Obviously, I was hallucinating since whatever I thought I saw is not what I’m seeing, or not seeing, now. As a matter of fact, you may want to disregard this post as well.)

Happy Day MissSunshine.

Wow….just…. wow….

I have to catch my breath…

Thank you!

I smell collusion…

This is amazing!

A lot of work…I’m impressed… and embarrassed…..

And grateful….and stuff…

X… nose?OH…. I get it.

Yes.

But how?

OMG… Stel and X….. you have outdone yourselves…and Bev and Happy…..I’m amazed…and Six, and Brian, so kind of you…. and Marg… and even DownUnderGirl dropped by….

I can’t believe it…..

Had a lot of stuff to do and deal with today….came home tired….and now I feel… wow…elated.Thank you all!

Thank you, Six…. good to see you!

I have to link to a lot of this stuff and look at it bigger…and save it in my scrapbook…..

Wow…. X…. you’ve had the presses running overtime!

Oh Bev!What an idea….

I’m sure I can squeeze in one more business….

tomatoes…wow….

Let’s see…. I can do the salon in the early afternoon…while I’m baking….then run over to tend to the tomatoes….

then work at the Tiki….

Sleep is highly overrated…..

Wow…

A bouncy house and everything!

I just read the first paper with the interview with Bev…

and the sweet message from #3….so she found out too….

I’m still in shock, you know…honestly…I thought a couple of you who knew…. namely Stel and Bev….might say happy birthday tomorrow…(well, today depending on where you are….but t’s still Monday night for me.)

I did NOT expect all this!!

Thanks for all the music, Bev!

Sneaky is right!

We did this year’s ago, just for this day:

The bouncy house looks a lot like the Ballard County DMV and main Post office

WOW!!!

More!

And who knew…. Stel and Bev and Six went to different schools together!!

In different years…and in some cases…. different sides of the Atlantic….

And yet, Susan…we were always soooo close!

Hey I’m not 70!

@StelBelThanks for the consult on the Tomato Bug. Your check’s in the mail.

Hi Tony…. thanks!

Amazing, X….I’m still trying to catch up….thank you!

And Stel….wow…I KNOW you did …well…. soooo much!

And why are you still UP????2 am in Mass….

You need to sleep or you’ll be late to lunch!

It IS magic, Bev!

ALL of it…thank you!

Oh Red… hi!Thank you.

Wow….I keep saying that…but what else can I say?I’m overwhelmed.

I found these on my loading dock! The truck driver was new, I think!

Aw… thank you…but…gosh…it’s just…

Wow…. Susan Sunshine tongue-tied…bet you never saw THAT before….

LOL

Wow!

I have my own tomato BRAND?

Gosh…. a dream come true…

Don’t worry Stel….Elvis and I will pick them up…

And special balloons, too!You must have been working for a week!

Hey, bev!….Did I hear that you were hungry? Have a tomato!! lol

Oh, OK! I guess that’s my cue!Ready, everybody?

enna one…enna two…enna BIRTHDAY!

Well everything is gorgeous!

I never imagined…. newspapers and cards and…. so many things…. even tomato crates….

That, BTW, is a beeeooootiful picture!I’d love to make it into notecards!

OMG!!!!

How many cakes IS that???I’m beside myself.

I dunno whether I have enough breath left to blow out candles!

I haven’t even had a drink and I swear I saw that cake (those cakes?) GROW…..

Susan??? BatPug is trying to get your attention……tuggin’ at your sleeve…….ummm….. SUSAN!

It’s all amazing.I’ve never seen anything like this on the comics!

(HERE’S A CLOSE-UP:)

Would you mind wearing a crown? BatPug picked it out special……?

Wow…princess??? ….Does Ballard Street have princesseses?

Does now.

LOL… I’m so tired that at first I thought it said Ballard St. REclamation….like they were taking it back….or urban renewal.

A crown!!

For meeeee?

It’s beautiful!

And an artichoke on a stick!

Oooh….. champagne?

Wowww!!!!Cheers, everybody!

And thank you all so much!I feel like if I go to bed, it’ll all be a dream when I wake up tomorrow.

The food is incredible!

And Bev…you must have spent that whole foreign fortune on ME…..How lucky for both of us that you meet so many rich people online….

Wow… it looks like you expect thousands of people…

I’ve never seen so much food….

Oooh tomatoes….why Bev….however did you know?

Oh, you might need a new pair of sneakers, since you’ll be running all ove the place tending to business:

You have outdone yourself!

Actually… everyone has!

Harold and Warren have been politely waiting for hours. Can they start digging in now?

Wowie! Wow! Wow!!! Happiest of HAPPY BIRTHDAYs Susan! .It’s great to see you’re so — rightfully so — appreciated.

OMGosh…

tomato shoes?The doggies are so cute…. and I can’t believe you guys are still UP….

G’night Bev…thanks again!

Bailey!

How nice to see you!

Have some food….and some champagne!

I think there’s enough for all of GoComics!

Wow… I was just going back over some of this stuff….

You must have really planned it,and leaked it to the press…I mean, to get everything into the today’s Bugle….

I’m …. I’m… flabbergasted.

I’ve just heard from a couple of associates that their browsers don’t let them view images. So please pardon when I repost them full size.

If this really bothers anyone please let me know so I can remove them.

Wow… thanks, X!

Thank you Dogsniff!Nice to see you!

@x_Tech

thank you. thank you. thank you. Please don’t take away the larger versions of the paper. I appreciate being able to see them with no problem now!!

I just had a little catni…no,no…catNAP and crashed into the laptop, so I guess that’s my signal that what I really need to do is crash into bed! But, I’ll be back in a few hours to party on! This was fun and a little crazy!

Make her go to bed…She shouldn’t be driving down Ballard Street!

But thank you Stel!

X .. if you’re still lurking…champagne?

I was just working stories for tomorrows Bugle.Would you care to comment on the events so far?Oh, sorry, it’s party time.

You can say I was amazed…and awed… and flattered….and overwhelmed….and very very grateful.

A big thank you to everybody who worked so hard!

And another big thank you for for the astounding presents!

(It’s not every day someone gives a girl a diamond crown or a tomato farm and factory, you know.)

And you’ve done an incredible job at the Bugle.Really turned it around.

Why, since you took over, it’s the most read paper in Ballard County!

As for leaving out my brain bleach sales, which you mentioned earlier….It’s OK…our product is already so popular we can hardly keep up with demand…. as you well know, being our supplier. I didn’t see any ads for X.T.I, btw…Is that because it’s a wholesale business?

Cheers….and thank you.

Oh no…. I saw that as news, X….

I know…. pretty sneaky….

Well…I think I have to go to sleep…. since I just did…..

Hard to believe that it’ll still be my birthday when I wake up….and all day…cos I already had a big party!

The Monkey didn’t show up ….maybe he’s still hiding cos he’s probably covered with key lime pie.

Ah well… with all the food here… I can’t begrudge the Monkey a pie… or ten…He knows that anyway.

Now Stel, on the other hand….

It’s time for me to get some sleep. I keep forgetting which keyboard is which. I broke MS Office on my WIn 8 desktop and had to switch the laptop to finish the Bugle. But I’m commenting via my desktop. Start typing a comment and nothing happens. Check the keyboard yipe wrong one.

Good Night IreneOh and you to Susan.

G’night X….and thanks again….I know I probably keep saying that…but I’m so blown away…

Have some more champagne if you like….and I’ll see you tomorrow.

That’s one way I know when I’m too tired…I only have one computer…but if I try to answer the TV remote…

WOW!! I’ve known from the first time I read comments from SUSAN how special she is. Always brings a smile. All of cleverness of today’s comments show how much she is appreciated. HAPPY HAPPY DAY, SUSAN

You truly bring SUNSHINE to our lives every day.

Well I’ll have to come back after work to see a good many of these pix that are being blocked on my office computer, but I will make my birthday wish now.

Dead last as usual but at least NOT DEAD YET!!!!Happy birthday Susan. Many more. Vet salutes you.

oh crap…. layte agin….!!!Ah nose ah shoodnt eat a whole p…. uh,… “peetsuh” afore bedtym…

AHL be bak…!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN !!!Sorry, I’m so late. I hope you have a wonderful day ! We love ya.

I’ll extend birthday greetings, too. Although Ballard Street isn’t on my daily reading list, a reference to it on another strip sent me here today and I must say you are the most popular commenter on go comics. I’ve mainly enjoyed your puns etc on Dinette Set but rarely comment. You certainly have a wide circle of friends. Congratulations.

@Susan, I just got up a bit ago and missed all the excitement. I hope your real life is even half as exciting today!! I would have tried to do something but nothing could compare to what’s been done here today!

Just WOW!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Susan

Woo hoo!…..to everything!

Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this. Don’t ever take it down. Happy happy birthday Princess Sunshine.

Am I too late?

Happy Birthday Princess Susan!!

WOW and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Susan !!!!

After all, a girl has a 21st brithday so rarely…………

Apparently the red lights weren’t flashing bright enough. Martin has gone back to his old ways. It seems the animal costumes were more than a passing preference. Shirley’s relief was short lived as Martin’s world view distorts everything she says. Her suggestion that he find something to do in the yard and getting “out” would be good for him left the doors of perceptions wide open and Martin lost no time busting through. Shirley knows it was Edwin who left the monogrammed dog dish in the garage. Shirley knows the squeak ball on the lawn was Edwin’s idea. Shirley knows it was Edwin who, last week, sent the mascot literature by priority mail. Shirley knows that the orange jacket with the matching hat and yellow pants was the next logical step up from the green polka dotted lounge pants and purple shirt Edwin wore for three straight days. Shirley knows, it takes one to know one.

crap… ah orderd a truk of “yaks” fer teh grill, not a truk of herfurds…!!! gotta sendem bak….. kwik…

I told Stel I would be late for the birthday bash, but it’s still Tuesday, and it’s still SUSAN’S birthday so:

I wish I could post pictures, but I won’t try to do that now. I hope you have a fantabulously fantasical day. I’ll be at the parade later. I’m not saying what my costume will be.See if you can spot me!

Wow…. it’s still here!

I thought I dreamed it…..

Wow… thanks Dry…. it seems to be having a little trouble getting itself in motion…Like me today!

I brought the birthday bus to take us all to where ever Susan wanted to go for her birthday dinner, but I don’t think it will be big enough to hold everyone! And we’ll need a designated driver as well! :-D

hay SuuuuuSuuuun…!!!!!!dont think ah fergots yahh!!!(ah nose ah cant mayk kool pikshurs lyke teh udders…)BUTT…. ah mayd a biggo birday card fer ya….

bin waytin awl day fer teh paint ta dry…as gunna puts glidder on it, butta nose yew wood hafta hep me warsh it owt… an its yer speshul day… an yew sposed ta relaks…!!!!

sooooo……

pee ess…Gotta truklode uv yakribs at teh tiki smokin away…cmon git sum… biggo pardy tunite..!!!

Thanks again to all the Ballard Streeters…including everybody I thanked last night…to whom I am eternally grateful…Stel, Bev, x_Tech….you guys are wizards….

and now thanks to Imudd, Linguist, Veteran, Dazz, Linda Dean, Stormy, Dry, and Shika (I’ll be looking for you!)

Number Three…. that’s so sweet…. thank you!

So good to see Molly McGee, Grog, Jimmy H, mythreesons, MissScarlet, and Miss Junebug here on Ballard Street…. WELCOME!And of course, thank you!

And JP Steve, too, and thanks for the card!

Number 6, and Happy…. thanks so much for your extra efforts….And Monkey….I’ll deal with you later….I think I have a pile of limes that need squeezing!But I don’t think I need to bake anything just yet!

Oh…. Monkey!You posted that while I was typing…

Thank you…

and… sigh…all is forgiven…You KNEW it would be, didn’t you.

ohh… an Batpug sents a paw payntin he maide….

Aw, Monkey… please tell BatPug I said thank you…and that I have started stocking special glitter cleaner for fur….as you well know.:)

an teh liddle munkys at teh tiki mayd a cayk awl by demsevs…!!!

(butta had ta cleen up teh mess)

Sweet lovely YOUNG Susan, Gweedo knows you cant hear him whooping and hollering, but he did attend your birthday party and sent MAJOR birthday greetings! He even ate his way through one of the veggie tables, and I swear I saw him slipping a couple of shrimp in his pocket. We all know he doesnt eat meat, so maybe he has a kitten at home. Anyway I found this, and wanted to send it to you with Gweedo’s best wishes for a very Happy Birthday to and for you!

Happy Birthday Susan, you really are our sunshine!

SusanI’ve got a couple of bottles of 2002 Dom Pérignon Rosé and a couple of 2003 Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne and a very special bottle of 1998 Dom Pérignon Oenothèque just for you chilling on ice at the Tiki.See you there !

the lobster contingent is all geared up for the parade!

Shhhh…..What’s that,Sheriff?….What’d ya say? Parade’s startin’???

Oh…look!! Isn’t that the one-squirrel-band from the Memorial Day parade last year….he was so good!

One Man Band (Three Dog Night)

Love your costume, Bev!! Wherever did you find it???

I just dragged this old thing out again……..but, you know…….it’s so glittery!

Hey…Mel….I thought you were showing that property today…the one over on Ballard Rd. Extension? What’re ya doin’ here, you little knight in shining armor???

I wonder if there’s any sauerkraut to go with those sausages.

Hey, Bev….aren’t those Storm’s turkeys? Looks like they got their own parade permit!

I wonder when we’ll see Susan in the parade????

an bye singin teh “Paraid Pump an Cirkumstanses March” teh wurld famus BS Barber Shop an Tax Servis (+1, me..!)Ah pronunces teh start of teh SuSun Birfday Praid…!!!!

Wowwww…..

What a day!OMG…

Just got a couple of phone calls…had people at my door..and I was already on the phone…I can’t keep up!I feel so lucky!

an wuts THIS…!!!!????

Teh praid is goin rite by teh newist BS Bizness, jus opend tuday..!!! Bilt by a sekrit doner hoo ah choose ta remain anymouse… heh)… oh…for our Maid of Onner… Ms SuSun…!!

So she has a ways to sail her awrsum pyes… an therll be plenty ta go round… (even fer Stel!!!)

Dame Edna, right before the parade, ready to lead the OODLES of NEON POODLES Group…

ohhh…!!!!ooohhh!!!!its da BS Patriot Society an Cross dress Stitch Club…!!!

( I’ll be back……now, I’ve got to run home and grab my wallet! A whole shop with Key Lime Pies…..this is just too much to even hope for….enough for me and Munky and Bev and…….everybody! Oh, Happy Day….!!!)

ooooh my…..(izzat dem firemens ms Bev…???)-————————

OMG!

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!

This is incredible!How can I look “regal” with tears in my eyes?

Oh… Monkey….what an interesting float….cough…I maybe old today….but I guess I’m not dead yet!

pcolli —

Oh gosh…

I posted a few minutes ago to thank you for your birthday wishes…

and to tell you your earlier post wasn’t there on my first time through…….more GoComics magic…And now MY post disappeared!

but thank you, again!

meet ya’ll at teh tiki!!!(oh, an happy birday SuSun!!!)

I’m on my way!Gosh Stel… this crown keeps slipping…are you sure I was meant to wear one?

I wish I could preserve this day in amber or something….

I’m glad your day is going along great, Susan. Enjoy yourself and party on.

There she is!!! PRINCESS SUSAN!! CLEAR THE WAY….AND SHE’S GOT ELVIS, TOO!

At last I looked, we were at 283 comments! Sure to hit 300….!

By the way, taxis are available all night, so no worries getting home safely everyone!

StelBel, he looks too much like Latka, the mechanic. I think I’ll go with Elaine.

Wow…it just keeps coming!

And the parade route…it starts way out at XTI???My goodness!

I’m trying to practice my royal wave….but I keep laughing…or crying…or something!Thank you everybody…again.

I hope the Sheriff doesn’t mind that I’m poking my head out the sunroof and letting Elvis drive himself.

He doesn’t seem to care…. and we’re moving slowly enough.

Awesome. Thanks bev

Well I hate to do this with the party going full tilt, but after not sleeping well last night, I’m bushed tonight.

Enjoy the rest of your evening everyone – especially Susan.

Will there be dancing at the Tiki tonight?Pinch (click) on my nose for a little dancing music.

Incredible Day ! Incredible Parade ! Incredible Birthday Party.I’m here with Fireman and Fenton ( who graciously gave up his night off so he could assist at the bar ) with the big Grinder going and the Dom P. iced and ready to be popped.Party on Garth !

Bev…. the state that Stel is in… I doubt she’ll notice.

She’s gone to bed…. Elvis drove her home (shhh)

C’mere…. I’ll help you sponge it out.

My special satin cleaner should work fine.I need to keep things like that around for my…. um…fancier clients… like the ladies we discussed the other day.

@StelBelSaw you at the parade. Perhaps now you can tells us..Why did the chicken cross the road?

Grog, Bailey…glad you stuck around!

Six… hope my birthday was a good excuse for a couple of extra pints.

Hey…. I agree….. about 200 Imperial pints in a barrel…if you have one for every year I’ve been alive and …a few extrathat should cover it…

Happy…. gosh… thanks…

And just say hi sometimes when you’re lurking….we’re happy (no pun intended, of course) to have you here!

Hey X …. you’re awake! LOL

Linguist…. wonderful champagne!

Thank you!

Well I see we have some alternate transportation with bev’s hummer! I guess between the hummer and the Happy Birthday Bus we now have enough room for everyone! THANKS BEV! I was worrying about that! I was afraid we would have to strap some people to the roof of the bus!

Can’t wait X…!!!Hey no pikshurs of ent munky bidness now..Wink**

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN!

Whatever year it is, it’s a blessing. Truly!

Avast Ballardeers!I believe we’ve set a new record for GoComics Comments today ! Susan, you should be proud !Just so everyone can party a little hardier, several of my intrepid crew from my galleon The Irish Rover have volunteered to be designated drivers and get one and all safely home, no matter what the hour.For those of you who might forget where you live, my home on Ballard Street has plenty of rooms where you can stay.So enjoy !Let’s toast the Birthday Girl ?

An Irish toast for our SusanSunshine !Ba mhaith liom tú sláinte agus sonas, anocht agus don chuid eile de do shaol. Sláinte Susan !

I wish you health and happiness, tonight and for the rest of your life. Cheers, Susan !

Every time I turn around…. more appears…

You’re right Ling… I guess I should be proud….So far I can’t muster as much pride as…I dunno… awe?

I’m humbled and grateful… and very happy.

All that food! Shame I can’t eat any of most of it. Of what I saw recently the most tastey and memorable is the sausage and craut sandwich, even tho’ I’m not a big fan of German food. I can smell and taste it (even the roll that may have some potato flour). I have a taste for something w/vinager (good thing I have beans soaking to make more bean salad tomorrow – red wine vinager). G’night all! And Happy Birthday again, Susan. Hope you took it easy on that feast (looked very tempting). My weight is back to 118 today from 116 yesterday but that’s OK.

The Boogy was pretty good – got me up to dance, and my pulse rate was as high as 115, but went right down to normal 70s by the time I could sit down to type.

If Jerry did read all this, he must realize he has enthusiastic fans (even if we co-opt the strip a bit) and must see the creativity of some of you’all here!.

If anyone needs a ride, I have a couple of the Tomato Bugs available. Let me know how you like if you remember.

Prince Mua sits enthroned waiting for the parade.

I’ll have a flute of bubbly and some of those delicious looking tomato thingys. So much food! How’s the sauerkraut, Grog?.

susan, since you are a Princess, I came with my pet cat, Prince Mua, seen here enthroned in the parlour.He would like some sushi please.

Well…. I don’t know whether Jerry had a good time….hope so!….But I sure did!

I know I keep disappearing…. but I’m not missing anything here….

I’ve had some phone calls, and a few things to do….but I’m drinking that great champagne…listening to the music….eating the goodies…

and feeling like the luckiest person ever, just to know all of YOU.

Did you leave susan? I couldn’t get here sooner. Traffic is backed up to the last strip before Ballard Street. I got stuck there, and now I have to go to bed.i hope you have enjoyed your day. I am happy you are a Princess now! A very busy one too. How do you keep track of your jobs?

X…. do they bite?

Elvis is a little skittish about them.

A toast to susan! (clink!)Long may she live and reign at Ballard Street!

Good Night Ballardeers!

And welcome, Prince Mua…. of course you may have some sushi.

You look quite regal…. once I enlarged Shika’s avatar to see you.

(or…um…. do you call her Mama?)

Thank you Shika…. hope my last post wasn’t too late!

The Boogy-Woogy Bugle Man from Company C!

Shika boogies on out and of to bed.

I have to take a short break…. but I’ll be back very soon…..

Party on, all!

Prince Mua is too regal to do that X. He will sit up front and wave regally (well, his tail will wave). He may sharpen his claws on a couch, but I’ll try to keep him in his chair once we are there.

susan, you aren’t too late. I’m going off now though. I’m so glad you met Prince Mua. He is purring now that he has met you. He doesn’t purr for just ANYONE, you know. That’s pretty special.

Good Night. Long live Princess Susan! Party on Ballardeers!

Thanks for inviting me to the party and parade. It is a BLAST ! ! ! ! ! !

Dang,wasn’t that a party ? I’ve hardly seen any of my regular strips. Gonna be busy tomorrow!!Happy Birthday Princess Susan, and goodnight.

I’m baaack….(wading through confetti and spent sparklers and spilled ice…)anybody here for the turn?

Perfect song, JP Steve…..Thanks for being here….

You too Miss Junebug….please stop by any time…

Just gotta bring it up to 350 posts! Happy birthday, goodnight all…

Gosh JP Steve….How many IS it?

OH! I just refreshed and it says 356…. so this is 357…

Wow……. yeah…. wasn’t it a party…..

So very very much!

Missing front page of Ballard BugleClick to enlarge

Missing invitation Click image to enlarge

As you might have guessed by the number of comments 10 years ago, there’s a birthday to be celebrated:

https://cleoandcompany.net/april-16-2023/

Aw, go ahead, Edwin. Encourage him.

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!