Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for December 31, 2013

Those Latakia blends aren’t for indoors, unless you live alone.

Is he a one-bagger or a two-bagger?

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOU GOCOMICS READERS!!!

We’ve all felt like Natalie at one time or another!

It’s not just the smell of the tobacco….

It’s the discussion….the little rituals…. and the descriptions thereof….

The ceremonial tamping,

(“Oh, Natalie…. I think I’ve got ’er now”)

… the exuberant matchstroke,

“Always buy Diamond matches, Natalie….never buy Ohio Blue Tip.” (for the 487, 143rd time )…

the careful lighting of the tobacco, with a small, sly, smile of satisfaction…

The slow first puff….with a dreamy nod in her direction…..

Natalie has had enough!

Smoking allowed if you keep it all in this paper bag.Out of sight out of mind.

Good morning Dry

Natalie, I’ll take him. However, if the pencils in his pockets indicate that he is an engineer, never mind.

No longer aware of his surroundings, Avery ceased his struggling and all was peaceful, quiet, copacetic…

Pizza and beer tonight..Tamales and sausage and sauerkraut tomorrow.(“Multi-ethnic presentation” is simply the P.C. way to say “I’m eating stuff that I really like while watching a ton of football”.)

Natalie takes a page out of Edwin’s and Martha’s book…

No paper bags needed here. I used to LOVE my BF’s pipe and helped him mix his special blend of tobacco. But I’m happy that he has since given it up, because I still care about him, even though I’ve moved on.

I have dated a few fellows this month and very happily have the whole matter pretty well sorted out. I will be spending tonight with the current choice on Skype because he’s 60 miles away and we are taking it slow because I find that works best.

Natalie’s actions may have seemed a bit abrupt, but, all things considered, weren’t really too unkind… Quite a few of the good folks on Ballard St., so I’ve heard, consider “Brown-Bagging” a fun and economical way to relax and “get away from it all…”

…and, it’s an inexpensive way to play “dress-up” for others…

Sorry to have been gone so long, but life keeps “happening”, and I found it hard to get back here the last couple of months. Hope Everyone stays safe tonight!

Good night Dry

Not sure why the second picture I posted disappeared… Now, What happened with DRY!!???

Poor DRY! I hope they’ll let her start posting again SOON… I know I read several comments that various people made in the past on other ’toons that I thought crossed some lines, but never saw them get banned for it. Must have irked a moderator already having a bad day to get in banned!!!!!!

Yes, we’ve had several earthquakes, but no major damage…a crack in ceiling of the Master bedroom & some rattled bric-a-brac (and nerves), I was also dealing with a health problem that got worse a couple of months ago and could barely get about the house… (my Mom’s in her 70s and was able to run circles around me) I got so weak that I couldn’t lift a gallon of milk, I never thought I’d have to ask her to pour milk on my cereal again after Kindergarten!! I am slowly getting back some strength.I’d love some black-eyed peas & ham, so I’d love to stop by tomorrow! We’re also havin “Hoppin’ John” and cornbread, but I love being able to try different recipes!

I don’t know where the picture went, but I’ll try again…

Tried posting the picture again & It appears to have worked this time. Well, at least I can see it …

Happy New Year to Everyone on Ballard Street! I just stuck my head out the door to see the fireworks people have set off, and was Waylaid by a well-wisher holding mistletoe while being given a glass of Asti Spumanti… it is quite tasty!… The Asti Spumanti, I mean.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

https://cleoandcompany.Net/december-31-2023/

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!