To bed early on a winter’s everning, and they both wake up in the middle of the night, having slept all they can. And Arlo likes it that way, the freak.
Comment on Daylight Savings Time. The clocks change so that everyone can stay up late and enjoy the hot, super long days of summer and wake up bleary eyed. That results in short winter nights when Arlo and Janis take advantage of going to bed early and maybe fool around. After that, because of the early winter nights, there is still time to watch TV and enjoy popcorn and wake up bleary eyed but without the sweat.
Winter vs Summer. Arlo is saying that it’s more fun to go to bed early and having more energy, than staying outside late and going to sleep right away.
It’s sex. It’s Arlo & Janis – if you don’t get the joke, it’s sex. Actually, if you DO get the joke, it’s usually sex, too.
If you need it spelled out: the last few days have made reference to the long winter nights. It got dark early, so they went to bed early. After knockin’ boots, they realized they still weren’t sleepy, so they got up for movies and popcorn. Arlo figures it’s much better to go to bed, while you’ve still got energy for shenanigans.
There’s a clue in the first frame. Janis usually sleeps in a nightgown. In this frame, along with the beatific smile on her face, her shoulders are bare.
Husband and I recently did some research about something we heard about, related to our reenacting – 1700s – called second sleep. I had read an article in the “Smithsonian” about it and recently came across more info. So we researched it and did a program for our reenacting unit about it.
Before the invention of and widespread use of the electric light, people’s days were set by natural light. People did not sit up at night with large amounts of candles of lanterns as they were expensive. (My other self, Anne, tells people “My husband and I each have one candle, to light what we are doing. When the candle goes out it is time for bed.”) As a result, particularly in the Winter people would go to bed earlier than we do now and get up with the sun (rooster) in the morning. As a result their sleep period was longer than our standard 8 hours.
People would go to sleep. Partway through the night they would naturally wake up. It was common to get dressed up and do things about the house – neighbors would even visit. Also (sans neighbors) they might “make love”.
The name for this is “second sleep”. It sounds terribly odd to us, but was the standard in earlier centuries.
mddshubby2005 almost 5 years ago
Chill, and Netflix.
whahoppened almost 5 years ago
Popcorn! That’s what I want. ’Scuze me…
Da'Dad almost 5 years ago
Late evening popcorn keeps me up, but frames one and two imply something else was afoot.
jr1234 almost 5 years ago
What woke them both up and what is Arlo talking about?
Grace Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I’m lost on this one.
The Joke Explainer Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Finding the humor in Arlo and Janis are like my daily puzzle. This one has me stumped.
Tyge almost 5 years ago
This is my take: Winter nights are long. Better to stay up late, enjoy a movie and snack. Plenty of time for sleeping.
bobpeters61 almost 5 years ago
To bed early on a winter’s everning, and they both wake up in the middle of the night, having slept all they can. And Arlo likes it that way, the freak.
Michael G. almost 5 years ago
From the contented looks on their mugs in Panel #1 I think we can make an inference.
Schrodinger's Dog almost 5 years ago
enjoying extra energy in the shorter solstice days?
Grutzi almost 5 years ago
Comment on Daylight Savings Time. The clocks change so that everyone can stay up late and enjoy the hot, super long days of summer and wake up bleary eyed. That results in short winter nights when Arlo and Janis take advantage of going to bed early and maybe fool around. After that, because of the early winter nights, there is still time to watch TV and enjoy popcorn and wake up bleary eyed but without the sweat.
dv1093 almost 5 years ago
OK, what????
PuppyPapa almost 5 years ago
Yeah, I’m not getting the connection to the dialog at all.
cuzinron47 almost 5 years ago
This one certainly leaves a lot to the imagination.
The_Laminator almost 5 years ago
Winter vs Summer. Arlo is saying that it’s more fun to go to bed early and having more energy, than staying outside late and going to sleep right away.
SNVBD almost 5 years ago
I don’t get it?
dpatrickryan Premium Member almost 5 years ago
It’s sex. It’s Arlo & Janis – if you don’t get the joke, it’s sex. Actually, if you DO get the joke, it’s usually sex, too.
If you need it spelled out: the last few days have made reference to the long winter nights. It got dark early, so they went to bed early. After knockin’ boots, they realized they still weren’t sleepy, so they got up for movies and popcorn. Arlo figures it’s much better to go to bed, while you’ve still got energy for shenanigans.
NaturLvr almost 5 years ago
I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t “get the joke” with this comic fairly often.
eladee AKA Wally almost 5 years ago
These two are great. Enjoying themselves no matter whether summer or winter!
crowleybeck almost 5 years ago
“sitting out late in the heat and coming in dog tired”? what is this one all about? Totally over my head.
rugeirn almost 5 years ago
There’s a clue in the first frame. Janis usually sleeps in a nightgown. In this frame, along with the beatific smile on her face, her shoulders are bare.
mafastore almost 5 years ago
Husband and I recently did some research about something we heard about, related to our reenacting – 1700s – called second sleep. I had read an article in the “Smithsonian” about it and recently came across more info. So we researched it and did a program for our reenacting unit about it.
Before the invention of and widespread use of the electric light, people’s days were set by natural light. People did not sit up at night with large amounts of candles of lanterns as they were expensive. (My other self, Anne, tells people “My husband and I each have one candle, to light what we are doing. When the candle goes out it is time for bed.”) As a result, particularly in the Winter people would go to bed earlier than we do now and get up with the sun (rooster) in the morning. As a result their sleep period was longer than our standard 8 hours.
People would go to sleep. Partway through the night they would naturally wake up. It was common to get dressed up and do things about the house – neighbors would even visit. Also (sans neighbors) they might “make love”.
The name for this is “second sleep”. It sounds terribly odd to us, but was the standard in earlier centuries.