Pickles by Brian Crane for December 20, 2018

how about none, Opal?

Why does Sylvia look a lot older in this strip? Lack of sleep?

“Why, whatever do you mean?” The least innocent question uttered by the guilty.

yeah, something’s different about the strip

No, Mom. You do it.

In other words yes. Isn’t it enough that you are practically raising Nelson?

I hope that in panel 2, she used a syrupy-sweet condescending voice. ;)

Well at least Earl can’t be blamed for this one :-)

Transparent, thy name is Opal.

She’s working a second job to pay for printer ink.

As long as I can pawn them off to you, sure, Mom!

Was going to say something about “being too old to have another child”, but then I remember that I’ve seen stories about women in their 50’s and 60’s giving birth…

I am fortunate that my SISTER likes kids and had 3 and her oldest also liked kids and had 6. That takes the pressure off the rest of us! I have no desire to be a grandmother (except to a cat) and my only daughter has no desire to have kids (except for said cat). So thankful to my sister and oldest niece!

Opal, we are absolutely not allowed to say one word on the topic of our kids having kids! You should know better than that. Leave it to Nelson to take charge of the guilting for a sibling.

How many kids did Opal have?

I thought that was what Opal was up to.

She doesn’t look older than Opal…

I currently have 6 grandkids. given global climate change however, that is more than enough

Grandparents don’t have to necessarily suffer through the terrible 2’s and the hormonal teen years…..parents do!

Sounds like my house. The few times I actually need to print something, we’re out of ________ (pick a color including black) ink…

“Why sure, Mom. I’ll have another child or two as soon as you and Dad take another mortgage or two on your house.”

She needs to have her wireless printer to only work for her.

One of my pet peeves is when other people ask/dictate/hint/advise on how many children a family should or shouldn’t have. I have one child and do not plan to have any more. Any time I get “advised” to have more I say, “Sure, if you agree to carry the child and pay for the child’s future expenses, I’ll be happy to add another one to my family!” The response is usually, “Good point.” or “Touche!”. Sometimes a polite way of telling someone to mind their own business actually works out well!

Color toner ain’t cheap ya know…

And here I thought she was just mooching the printer.