Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for June 19, 2020

But, are you building character?

Because Hobbes is a reliable indicator of time.

In case you weren’t sure Dad.

if you’re not having fun, then who are you, little boy? {wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Not even trying one of his crazy imaginations?

Neither is Dad apparently.

Important to get that on record.

My parents had a thing: “As long as you’re bored anyway, we need you to (do something so boring that time doesn’t just stop, it reverses). OR, you can go outside and play.”

Any excuse will do to watch the TV.

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

So come in and tidy up your room…

Time always flies when you are having FUN, Calvin!

Ooh, you can see how much your Dad cares about that, eh Calvin? :D

And I’m saying nothing and I’M SAYING IT.

Me thinks he doth protest too much. :D

Child playing outside unsupervised! Call Social Services!

Calvin hasn’t bothered him for an hour. Of course that’s fun for Dad.

Apparently, time flies when your NOT having fun.

Mustn’t forget to lay the guilt trip on Dad.

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day

You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way

Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town

Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Time by Pink Floyd

Think back, dad.

Well dad is reading in quiet.

A mild punishment, considering Calvin got fresh with his father at the dinner table two strips ago.

Way to set a good example, Dad.

Calvin’s dad: Is in strip

You guys: “________ builds character!”

I had a similar reaction when my parents forced me to read three non-fiction books for every five fiction books (I read a lot of books.) I still visibly chafed at the restriction, even after I started learning some pretty cool stuff. Did you know some dinosaurs had two brains? :)

wow. what a cow.

Good one Calvin. Parents have a warped idea about what is fun for a kid. They forget about what they thought was fun WAY back then.

So often this strip reminds me of summer days with my then-BF Shelly. We lived in a small town that was still being built post-WWII while at the same time being at the SW edge of Chicago. Near her street was the remains of a farm, although we didn’t know that’s what it was at the time. To us it was Touzle’s field with a beautiful 4-square farmhouse set on a lawn with a great climbing tree and the remains of the last plowed field at one one of the property. It was the site of many a summer afternoon exploration and adventure, either just us or with kids from her block. We made up mysteries, weed wars, plotted how to get our parents to buy us horses, where to get a quarter or so to go the Market Basket for a cold soda…any number of things. One thing never crossed our minds…boredom. I can still feel those days in my old bones.

Go Hobbes! Get a head start!

Sure you aren’t.