Frazz by Jef Mallett for June 25, 2023

Envy is a reasonably likely cause. But I’ve seen how cattle and goats reach through the fence to get that grass on the other side, and I’m not at ALL convinced they’re envious. I think the grass really IS lusher (if not greener) on that side.

There is a a working cattle ranch next door to a public park near me. Here in Southern California, the (non-irrigated) ranch gets pretty dry and brown in the summer, whereas the park is nicely watered grass. There is a barbed wire fence between them, but every so often one of the cows figures out that barbed wire only hurts for an instant, and the grass is definitely greener on the other side.

Mrs Putnam is enjoying Schadenfreude on the other side of the fence.

Suspect that it’s envy.

Over the septic tank. Biochemicals.

So in order to get access to greener grass, one has to build fence?

Well, “good fences make good neighbors.”

Does that mean that if I build a fence, I’ll also get a new neighbor?

She puts up with the little bugger for nine months; and then he follows her home for the summer.

Could be why 90+% of teachers work outside of their home town.

So he hangs around with Mrs. Olsen at her house during summer?

That poor woman…

Sometimes the grass is greener. Greener doesn’t always mean better or that it’s right for you.

Mrs. Olsen is too polite. She needs to be very specific with Caulfield. And even then, he might not not bother to notice.

The adage assumes that your neighbor on the other side of the fence has a reciprocal perception of relative greenness (hence “always”).

It has something to do with envy, but it’s more about blindness; we’re quick to complain about our own particular circumstances, but those “others” whom we envy have their own problems of which we’re unaware (“You may admire my shoes, but you cannot say where they pinch me”). And they think the same about their own circumstances, in relation to you.

The inverse (and equally true) adage is “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.” If you had the chance to trade your Big Bag of Problems (which you’re familiar with) for someone else’s bag (just as big, but the specifics are unknown to you), would you take the chance? Would we “rather bear those ills we have, than fly to others that we know not of?”

A thing that really annoys me are neighbors who constantly waste water on their lawns. One neighbor has their sprinklers on a timer, and they run even if there is a downpour. Given the rapid decrease in clean drinking water around the country, and the planet, I wish people would give it a rest with trying to make their lawn look like the 18th green at Augusta. End of rant, off of soapbox.

Luv the subtle way she tries to get rid of Caulfield..

Caulfield either doesn’t get it, here, or is purposely being obtuse. I suspect the latter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMxXZ6a7XH4

Mrs. Olson needs to hang a sign around her neck – “ Off duty until Labor Day.”

Rant away! Unless one lives where grass grows well without additional water or chemicals, grass lawns should be outlawed. Grow native.

Envy. An inability to feel contentment; rationalizing that you should have what that other guy has because you deserve it more. A critical flaw in HumanOS. When are the devs going to issue a patch?

Kid, go talk to Frazz. I know he’s too superior to care about lawns, but just go.

The envious person is the one who isn’t willing to put the work into anything for the desired outcome. I work out and eat right then get dirty looks from women who can’t get to their desired weigh goals. Not my fault!

Caulfield sure is thick considering how bright he is.