For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 24, 2021

I guess John and Elly live in a place that has no maple trees, dispelling my notion that Canada was covered in maple trees.

Farley’s on duty

Time for a nap. Playing in all those leaves is really hard work.

Looks like Mother Nature bedded her down and tucked her in with a warm “blanket” this time.

They never keep an eye on her.

What would that family do without Farley??

I guess they didn’t notice April “Fall” asleep. Wah ha ha ha ha yes, I’ll see myself out

Terrifying moment for any parent.

She tired herself out playing. It must be most parents’ hope.

This is how certain things happen in the future

Our neighbor has a sweetgum on her side of the property line. She is kind enough to share the leaves and seeds. We have no pine trees, but the squirrels that nest in our camphor tree bring pine cones into the yard from 3 houses away. We, in turn, share our magnolia leaves with the neighborhood in the spring when new leaves push the old ones off the tree. Nature at its finest.

Looking for the baby, follow the dog. Looking for the dog, follow the baby. Looking for both, follow the crumb trail.

Good Old Farley… I miss him….

Translation of Panel 6:

Elly: “John, have you seen April?”

John: “Who?”

I’m not lost. You are.

I had more fun looking for Maple tree shaped leaves, than I did reading the comic.

Last panel the art beautiful with child sleeping under the leaves

She’s in good hands……

AWWWWWWWW

Bless her little heart! She was trying not to get into trouble…

Better check her carefully for ticks

Farley’s attention to April will save her life one day, only to cost him his life

That’s so sweet(!) I love it.

I remember reading that the strips without conversation were Lynn’s favorite ones, but the most difficult to draw, because of how the story had to be told without words.

This comment is totally off topic. But, something happened this morning at the grocery I want to share. As usual the lines were long because Winco just doesn’t seem to have enough cashiers. My son and I got to chatting with the couple ahead of us. When we were putting our groceries onto the conveyor I saw the man say something to my son. They wanted to pay for our groceries! I’m 78 and have never had that happen. I thought I would share this with you folks — I guess as a sign of comfort and hope just might be alive in this world..

Love innocent April fast asleep under the autumn leaves in the last panel. She did enjoy the traditional ritual of playing with the leaves.

Watch your kids! Two girls, 6 and 11, killed by car while playin in leaves the street. https://www.smartsign.com/blog/leaf-piles-unassuming-safety-threat/

I have a photo of my son at age 4 spread eagled in a pile of maple leaves. The look of ecstasy on his face is priceless.

As a parent who experienced something similar, I still remember the overpowering fear and the immense relief when the little one was found.

I remember when Jan wrote the piece about April wandering off and Farley finding her before he passed. I cried when I read it……the relationship that Farley had with her was poignant <3

You notice that April is sucking her thumb. How long before her Dad puts an “appliance” glued into her mouth?

Canada has 3 moons?

So sweet!

I have a big drop-leaf dining room table that is kept folded up. The drop-leaves go all the way to the floor. When my son was about two, he crawled under the table and went to sleep. I was just about to call the police when he woke up and crawled out!

I’m reminded of of the `92 World Series between the Braves of the NL and the Blue Jays of the AL. It was game 2, and during the opening ceremonies the Marine Corp. honor guard paraded the Canadian Maple Leaf flag onto the field in Atlanta while the Canadian Anthem was broadcast over the stadium PA. The Canadian Maple Leaf was upside down … I was working for a newspaper at that time, so, it was during game 3, in Toronto, that the Marine Corp. honor guard was given a second opportunity to get it right, all under the watchful eye of a R.C.M.P. officer in his full uniform, Mountie Hat included, on the front page of the NY daily that I worked for at that time … Great times in MLB history … :)