Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for December 13, 2015

Actually, I agree with Rules 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 (I don’t have a problem with babies or small children).

Except for the penultimate panel, those are words to live by.

We are always the exception (or wish we were). It’s the rare family that, as members become more and more besotted with alcohol, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie and more alcohol doesn’t have a meltdown or two and, occasionally, a complete conflagration. It seems the gates of Hades swing open and the Hellmouth yawns. So…Rat’s Rules would make a lot of sense if everyone observed them. And they generally do—-before the alcohol. It’s a cautionary tale. It would probably help if three spirits visited each person the night before; perhaps we’d enjoy the holiday more. Well, God bless us, every one.

Good grief, Rat is Donald Trump in disguise!

Right you are! I communicate. You listen. And I stay happy.

Which is why all of Rat’s relatives will ignore his rules, they know full well Rat is lower than a dung beetle.

Family is often just strangers with the same last name.

This Sunday strip is really, really good. It almost makes up for all the dumb, far-fetched pun strips.

That poor turkey! MOST families just slay & eat them! :-P

Ah yes, words to live by. Especially the “You are all loons.” part. For all my Canadian relatives, I would like to say this. The Election was over 2 mths ago. Harper lost, Trudeau won. Your glass of booze is either half full or half empty, depending on how you voted. Let it go already. Plus, no amount of complaining is going to make the upcoming deficit, the Syrian refugees, COP21, legalized pot, the MMIW commission or 36$ a barrel oil go away. For once, please x 3 just eat, drink, be merry & thankful there was still some room on that credit card. Season’s greetings to one & all & don’t be cheap about taking a cab when the party is over.

Stephan you forgot to put the panel in where one of the other characters hits Rat with the bat !

Rat is dating?!?

This is why I don’t “do” holidays anymore. Prefer to spend them quietly, on my own.

By and large, I’m at the age where I can plausibly skip such frightful gatherings of clan members. But, in truth, a somewhat less bellicose version of Rat’s Rules is not all that far from what I’d say….

I like loons – solitary birds for the most part (with their partner). Disappear when you approach them. Good family members.

Rat sees them all as Canadian dollar coins?

hmmm.. this is one of those rare occasions when Rat and I are on board the same train..

This is the absolute best holiday strip I have ever seen.

these things are always easier to swallow with alcohol. drive safely

The problem is everyone in the family has the same set of rules, particularly the last one.

Panel 5 is the best.

I can identify with the 6th rule.

After all, I don’t tell anybody how to live their lives. I’m all for individuality.

xxx

i can see many printers running and many front doors having a copy of this posted!

Lizzie at Reply All, take note!

Does the turkey have stuffing?

I totally agree with Rat’s rules for the holidays. Way to go Rat!

Why save these rules for the holidays? Sounds like they should apply every day of the year.

I agree wholeheartedly, with the exception of that last.