When I was the parents’ age, we used sweaters inside in the winter, and were fine with that. Nowadays, we run a portable heater in the bathroom before showering. In the summer.
Here in Texas we have the opposite problem; thermostats set way too low in the summer. Have been having June meetings where people went to get their jackets because the conference room was about 69F.
When the Mama Bear roars the baby bear doesn’t know whether to move close for comfort or run away in fear. Running away is usually the best option. Friendly fire hurts just a much as enemy fire.
I have a heat pump – $253 for electricity last month. My SS is $1600 and Medicare went up 14.5% to cover an Alzheimer drug that doesn’t do anything except transfer money from the Feds to a drug company back to the Congress critters.
Reminds me of my youth. Dad said do NOT touch the thermostat (under penalty of death). One of my siblings turned it up to 90 to get the house warm but forgot to turn it back to 60 or 55. Dad had a fit. Finally, Mom said I think I might have turned it up and forgot to set it back. Still don’t know to this day 60 yrs ago.
Today’s reprint reminds me of a later strip in which Calvin asked Dad why they didn’t turn up the thermostat. Dad gave an answer about preserving the polar ice cap which Calvin could understand and agree with. Dad then added “Besides, being cold builds character,” and Calvin shouted “I knew it!”
I lived with some guys, one of whom refused to turn on the heat well into Nov (we were in MA). When the temp dropped to the 50’s (approx 10-12 C) in our living room, I decided it was time to turn on the heat.
Dad always “If your cold put some clothes on!” or mom would assign chores that she made sure we did…like haying the cows, digging the garden to get it ready to plant, or cleaning the house. Any chore that made you sweat she came up with. We did learn to just dress in layers during the Texas winters.
The mom is not being cheap. Calvin wants the heat turned up to 75 so it is probably already over 70. If you are not warm enough at 70 degrees put on more clothes, don’t waste energy.
I consider room temperature to be 65 degrees. Ironically, I happen to have just put on a sweater before I sat down. (Okay, okay, I admit I cranked up the heat to 67, too, but only because of the cold snap.)
When I was in the US in the 90s we had to have both sweaters and tshirts in summer and winter. Sweaters indoors at the malls in summer and tshirts in winter, vicaversa for outdoors. It always struck me as insane.
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
Calvin’s parents must have been Jimmy Carter supporters.
(I consider this a historical comment, not a political one.)
Sugar Bombs 95 over 2 years ago
When I was a kid, I noticed his arms looked fatter than usual in the last panel, and assumed the cold had somehow caused his arms to swell as well.
codycab over 2 years ago
“Heat costs money! There’s two ways to get on me bad side boys: I don’t like kids playing in me yard, and nobody but me touches me thermostat!
Baarorso over 2 years ago
Why not snuggle up with Hobbes? He’s as fountian of warmth.
C over 2 years ago
Women usually have the thermostat cranked way too high
in.amongst over 2 years ago
THAT got mom boiling hot!
batmanwithprep over 2 years ago
I always have the heat blasting high enough for me to comfortably lounge around the house in jeans and a t-shirt. I can’t help it.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
When I was the parents’ age, we used sweaters inside in the winter, and were fine with that. Nowadays, we run a portable heater in the bathroom before showering. In the summer.
Charles Barr Premium Member over 2 years ago
This is the same Calvin that likes to play in the snow?
Bullet Bronson Premium Member over 2 years ago
Calvin, do you know the Fox kids? They have the same problem with their Mom.
The Reader Premium Member over 2 years ago
A nice, icy cold sweater.
incognito over 2 years ago
Just remember the hat and scarf…..
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
Do they have a fireplace? They could build a nice, cheery fire to keep warm—and burn their bills!!
pastauch over 2 years ago
Here in Texas we have the opposite problem; thermostats set way too low in the summer. Have been having June meetings where people went to get their jackets because the conference room was about 69F.
pixiekitten Premium Member over 2 years ago
This strip hit home real hard when I read it as a kid. :)
MayCauseBurns over 2 years ago
Go outside for a while, then come back in. It will feel plenty warm.
well-i-never over 2 years ago
Could his pants get any shorter?
dflak over 2 years ago
I might be part polar bear. I do OK in the cold. I would run around the house in shorts and a T-shirt even in winter.
I remember saying as a kid, “OK, mom, I put on a sweater. Do you feel warmer now?”
Wizard of Ahz-no relation over 2 years ago
ironic this cartoon appears on one of the coldest days the nation has seen in years
More Coffee Please! Premium Member over 2 years ago
That was my father – if one sweater wasn’t enough he’d say put on another one.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
When the Mama Bear roars the baby bear doesn’t know whether to move close for comfort or run away in fear. Running away is usually the best option. Friendly fire hurts just a much as enemy fire.
david_42 over 2 years ago
I have a heat pump – $253 for electricity last month. My SS is $1600 and Medicare went up 14.5% to cover an Alzheimer drug that doesn’t do anything except transfer money from the Feds to a drug company back to the Congress critters.
sundogusa over 2 years ago
Reminds me of my youth. Dad said do NOT touch the thermostat (under penalty of death). One of my siblings turned it up to 90 to get the house warm but forgot to turn it back to 60 or 55. Dad had a fit. Finally, Mom said I think I might have turned it up and forgot to set it back. Still don’t know to this day 60 yrs ago.
Calvinist1966 over 2 years ago
Today’s reprint reminds me of a later strip in which Calvin asked Dad why they didn’t turn up the thermostat. Dad gave an answer about preserving the polar ice cap which Calvin could understand and agree with. Dad then added “Besides, being cold builds character,” and Calvin shouted “I knew it!”
rya1 sh3a over 2 years ago
6/10
outgolfing over 2 years ago
Let me try this
uniquename over 2 years ago
I lived with some guys, one of whom refused to turn on the heat well into Nov (we were in MA). When the temp dropped to the 50’s (approx 10-12 C) in our living room, I decided it was time to turn on the heat.
kab2rb over 2 years ago
Today’s strip reminds me of Foxfire on how cold it is in the house.
mckeonfuneralhomebx over 2 years ago
his father is a lawyer. Turn it up to at least 69
gantech over 2 years ago
Mom: Now why didn’t I think of that…
WCraft Premium Member over 2 years ago
Next scene: Calvin in his room warming his hands over a campfire fueled by chairs and old comic books
wiley207 over 2 years ago
That’s what Calvin gets for always wearing short-sleeved T-shirts in the winter…
formathe over 2 years ago
We keep the house at 19C (66F) and currently it’s -30C (-22F) outside so the furnace is working well.
KEA over 2 years ago
If they can’t afford heat, how can they afford a child (to use a nice term for you-know-who)?
bjminnis over 2 years ago
Dad always “If your cold put some clothes on!” or mom would assign chores that she made sure we did…like haying the cows, digging the garden to get it ready to plant, or cleaning the house. Any chore that made you sweat she came up with. We did learn to just dress in layers during the Texas winters.
BiggerNate91 over 2 years ago
Andy Fox and Calvin’s mom would get along great.
Nyan the Cat:) over 2 years ago
she’s cheaper than mr.K
Bucky the comic reviewer over 2 years ago
dog are cool
Bucky the comic reviewer over 2 years ago
also in a lio comic lio found a stuffed tiger, a skeleton of a small child, and a broken sled
homerec130 over 2 years ago
We getting a cross over with Fox Trot?
Bucky the comic reviewer over 2 years ago
or big nate where big nate tries to teach him
mindjob over 2 years ago
My Russian wife cranks the thermostat down to -20
proclusstudent over 2 years ago
@Wizard of Ahz-no relation In NYC to day was predicted to have a high of 19. Today the prediction has improved to a high of 21. Hurray!
As my landlord is mingy with the heat I’m in the LibraryWhere I only have to wear one jacket.
Troglodyte over 2 years ago
That’s cold of Mom, but icy why she did it.
dimndno over 2 years ago
I knew when I made Mom get up from the couch I was in trouble!
txmystic over 2 years ago
Heat does indeed cost money but I definitely budget that extra money for cold snaps cuz being cold sucks rocks.
locake over 2 years ago
The mom is not being cheap. Calvin wants the heat turned up to 75 so it is probably already over 70. If you are not warm enough at 70 degrees put on more clothes, don’t waste energy.
Stephen Gilberg over 2 years ago
As a kid, I couldn’t tell whether Calvin’s last bit of dialog was perfectly honest or an excuse to give in to Mom’s demand.
rebelstrike0 over 2 years ago
There is heavy frigidity in that house. It affected the mom’s brain so much she cannot remember her own name!
globalenterprize1990 over 2 years ago
Calvin has a future as a spin doctor. He made wearing a sweater into his idea.
Lightpainter over 2 years ago
Hobbes might strongly disagree with turning up the heat.
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
What’s wrong with wearing a sweater (or jumper as called in Commonwealth English) indoors? They make you itchy?
PaintTheDust over 2 years ago
I consider room temperature to be 65 degrees. Ironically, I happen to have just put on a sweater before I sat down. (Okay, okay, I admit I cranked up the heat to 67, too, but only because of the cold snap.)
kamoolah over 2 years ago
Now we know Calvin’s parents are Jews.
jvo over 2 years ago
When I was in the US in the 90s we had to have both sweaters and tshirts in summer and winter. Sweaters indoors at the malls in summer and tshirts in winter, vicaversa for outdoors. It always struck me as insane.
Talax over 2 years ago
Cheapskate parents
Kirby over 2 years ago
Uhm did he just turn his head all the way around?
adamgermanovich over 1 year ago
My thermostat goes to 90 too and right now it’s not even at 75! It’s at 70, the middle.