For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 05, 2020

Yep. The boy has learned sumpt’n.

As Mel Brooks would say, Mike’s learned some authentic frontier gibberish. Gabby Johnston could not have said it better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke5Mr5eCF2U

Lord, you learned all this in a short frame of time? Rest assured, you will return to your old self as a city dweller in no time, Mike.

Dan doesn’t seem to mind sassing his nephew along with his farmhands, huh?

Stockholm Syndrome

Dan lives where you eat.

The transformation is complete!

Inevitable learning.

I’m a Chicago suburban kid transferred to MN in 1990. All my friends grew up on farms. Now I know what a four bottom plow is.

If you want to get educated/entertained about farming, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMii0EFiy5M Big Minnesota family corn/bean farm.

Lynn’s Comments:

After working on the farm, I came to realize how knowledgeable farmers have to be. Not only do they have to know about planting and harvesting and markets, but they have to be able to look after sick animals, fix all kinds of machinery and all on a few hours of sleep.

It’ll last about 2 seconds once he gets back to the ’burbs.

Mike can walk the walk, and talk the talk.

Mustard is a major problem in Mike’s city. Or so I was told.

Learnin’ the lingo helps us fit in. No BS.

I love that Michael cares enough to even comment… He’s ingrained in the culture. Warms my heart.

We had our grandchildren with us for about three months in the early stages of the Virus. Our 13 year old changed a lot. He was withdrawn and sullen – typical 13 year old – when he got here but was happy to go along when I took our German Shepard for walks. He was amazed at how conversation flowed when we were walking together with her, so I suggested we hike in the local forest land. He loved it, and tested his limits when my navigation error increased a hike from the planned three miles to eight miles. He is justifiably proud of that. Back home now, he has convinced his mother to hike with him. It is amazing how much doing things with adults helps adolescents.

When I was a kid my parents would pack me off to my uncle’s place in eastern Kentucky for a month every summer. I’d come home in August sounding like I had never worn shoes.

Helps to know where the food comes from.

I guess this puts the lie to the suggestion that Uncle Danny is not a “real” farmer.

When you actually do a job you will learn stuff whether you want to or not.

When does he meet the next door farmer’s daughter

Wheat’s a-buckin’!

The guy on last panel with hat reminds me of old Home Depo mascot.

An’ a good one too

I’m impressed with his learning. There’s a lesson here for us all: the difference between learning by doing, and learning by reading about it.

Best way to control the “hoppers” is a bunch of free-range chickens. They eat the things like candy.

I’m beginning to understand why the Guess Who recorded Running Back To Saskatoon…..

About time

Oy gevalt, what an insufferable twerp! Mike’s been there two weeks and suddenly he’s all “Wheat thar’s perty good, mahnd ya…Sprays don’t do much to th’ hoppers…” “YEAH KID, we all KNOW this! Who do you think taught you this stuff?” (Uncle Dan hits him upside the head with a feedbag)

This is one I remember from when it first ran.