Breaking Cat News by Georgia Dunn for August 02, 2023

OT: In Case You Missed It

I love his name and I want all the opossum names to be on the same model. I’m impressed with his upside-down book-reading skills, too!

I’m oLoving this bit. Two former enemies, having a moment of kindness is it? oPrometheus and Queen Mag shaking hands no less.

I am totally lost in this arc.

I’m guessing the opossums are well-versed in the classics? Works by oHomer and oPlato?

Opology accepted. This looks to be an opromising start to better relations between the old opponents.

Could someone please link back to the great Possum and Raccoon War when Baba was young. Some here are confused.

OT: Personal Update

Look at oPrometheus’ poor raggedy ears. Looks like he has had a hard life.

Oops, sorry. I do now think the literary animal I wrote about ( above) was a Badger. Maybe Mag can enlist a couple of those too.

I wonder if we’ll see Clover. This saga will need an objective scribe for the record.

O, so now they’re playing with fire(thief)?

See. if oPrometheus can put aside the grudges of past generations, then there is no reason that other species (I’m looking a you, Humans) can’t do the same.

Off Topic:

Hey some news! Those 2 dogs that killed our Tom Dooley on the 14th of July came back today! It only figures that we were moving the vehicles around so that Hubby could work on the van up next to the house, in the driveway, that the gate was open. There was a lady following them in her suv because they’d attacked her cat. We drove around the block, found them and called Animal Control.

He arrived in record time, too! These dogs have lab bodies and pit bull heads. He and a neighbor guy hefted them into the truck and for the second time in a week, they were taken back to the Animal Shelter. We did get “a talking to” because we didn’t call Animal Control that day. Ya, we should’ve called and I wish we had. We blame the day’s trauma on that.

I have a court date on 23 August. I can’t wait!

o I see.

oplease, ome omy……omygosh……things are looking up (upside down?)

I get the feeling that Mags is one who always has to learn the same lesson over and over when it comes to getting along with the other forest dwellers. A lot of turmoil and tension, followed by asking for mercy and help, agreeing to a truce – until the next time!

Diana Ross: Upside Down

Upside down I’m reading

I have heard of your predicament

Come on around no problems

Don’t worry, all is forgiven!

…….

Upside down, best for reading,

That’s how we opossums hang around

Have no fear, we understand

The moles are crazy, we have found!

…….

Queen Mags: Respectfully I say to thee

We are grateful for your help

We are at a loss as to what next to do

The moles are so out of control

They are obsessed with the wilds

We appreciate the help from you!

…….

Upside down, best for reading,

That’s how we opossums hang around

Have no fear, we understand

The moles are crazy, we have found!

O boy. An OT:

Oh Brother! The O Possum names! LOL

Lore and more lore, I love it, almost as much as I love the old enemies being kind to each other!

Meanwhile, Back on the Nile

Obadiah Opossum: My group The Dogcodiles would love to do a concert, but we are a bit rusty. And we need a bit of instrument repair.

Beatrixia: No problem. We have the renowned luthiers Mandy and Lynn at the nearby Pretty Good Pyramid.

Obadiah: Great. I’ll have to visit them.

Thomios: Uncle Floof and I are planning a banquet in the near future. How about getting together to discuss music?

Obadiah: Sounds great. And maybe Elvis-Anum can choreograph a routine.

Ora Z: Lupinium and I can do a thwump routine.

Floofnet: First thing’s first. We need to take a trip to the You Call This a Pyramid to see the scrolls and pantry.

Ora Z: Great! Let’s pack a lunch and get going!

Bea: Not so fast. We need to organize a group and schedule with Her Majesty. Besides, it’s almost lunchtime. Like to join us, Obie?

Obadiah: Love to. But will it be any trouble?

Thomios: No trouble at all. If you like, you can help clean up for a packet of leftovers.

Obadiah: Thanks, I like a snack now and then.

Bea: Alright then: To the dining room!

There should be a solid black one named oPuck.

What does Mag feel as oProm hangs above her?

How does she feel to find he cares?

What can she do after moles attacked her

And she wakes to find her home’s not there?

How does she feel to have his mercy?

How does it feel when she is heard?

Will there come a day when it’s all over?

His sorry seems to be the nicest word

It’s sad (So sad), so sad

It’s a sad, sad situation

And it’s gettin’ more and more absurd

It’s sad (So sad), so sad

Mag’s glad they talked it over

Oh, it seems to me

That sorry seems to be the kindest word

- Elton John / ‎Bernie Taupin – Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

O My Cat! We must have a chart of all the animals’ family trees! Going back to Oprometheus, the Golden Mouse, Queen Magnet’s father, and Baba (Baby) Mouse. Obviously this is an opportunity to opine on the offspring.

I like you prometheus. Also racoon lore!

Where I used to live I had taken over care of a feral cat population after the lady doing it had passed away. It was not at all unusual to see cats, raccoons, and possums all eating from the trays on my deck together.

Wow! I was just remembering BCN began with three house cats and their hijinks. Look how this world has expanded!!!

Georgia posted this explanation about Jules two days ago. I think it’s worth reposting for any who missed it. "I can explain now that Jules had a bigger role in this story—until my unexpected hand surgery in April threw a big wrench in the gears. I originally intended the story with the moles to roll out a little more slowly through May and June, in between unrelated broadcasts, (though now I’m glad the pace was picked up a bit!) In July, Jules was going to come into things and bring a few allies into place for Old Mag.

I jumped back into work not only because I missed the comic so much, but also in a race against July! I did my best to balance everyday broadcasts returning before a bigger story could begin—along with getting my hand to a point where it could work on more “paint heavy” Wildlands stories. This is where the timeline landed. With half the time to work with, I needed to make Jules’ contribution really count… and so here are two of our greatest BCN heroes, Homestyle and Thimblefist. The rest will have to make their own way… and will!!

Thank you, Jules. See you next year!"

When you’re down and troubled

And you need a helping hand

And nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right

Come and asks for us

And soon we will be there

To stand with you on the darkest night

You just call out our name

And you know, wherever we are

We’ll come runnin’

To see help you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And we’ll be there

You’ve got a friend

If the moles attack you

And life grows dark and full of clouds

And that old north wind begins to blow

Keep your heads together

And call our name out loud

Soon you’ll hear us knockin’ at your door

You just call out my name

And you know, wherever we are

We’ll come runnin’, runnin’, yeah, yeah

To help you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And we’ll be there, yes, we will

Now, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend

When moles can be so cold?

They’ll attack you, yes, and hurt you

And take your garbage if you let them

Oh, but don’t you let them

You just call out our name

And you know, wherever we are

We’ll come runnin’, runnin’, yeah, yeah

To help you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And we’ll be there, yes, we will

You’ve got a friend

You’ve got a friend

Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend

Ain’t it good to know, ain’t it good to know

Ain’t it good to know

You’ve got a friend

Oh, yeah, now, you’ve got a friend

Yeah baby, you’ve got a friend

Oh, yeah, you’ve got a friend

Maybe oPrometheus can be a negotiator between the raccoons and the moles. I don’t think the opossums are particularly aggressive, unless they are attached.

Love oPrometheus upside down!

I am surprised oPrometheus’ speech bubble is not upside down, too. I am sure the reason is “Editors.”

Some readers have expressed a bit of frustration with the current arc. I can see how this arc might be confusing because not everyone knows all the history of the characters.

However, maybe consider that by expanding the characters in the BCN universe, Georgia is building connections for more stories in the future and thus ensuring a long life to this delightful strip.

Long live BCN!!!!

Dogcodiles. So cute

Note: that opossum are North America’s only Marsupial, unlike the numerous marsupial you can find down under. This is why they hang upside down. Down under they would be upright.

Good thing oProme happened to be hanging around in their path.

Great name! It’s such a pleasure to meet you, oPrometheus.

Perhaps this wondrous summer saga will have a ’ surprise ending ’ !! … Much like an ’ oHenry ’ short story !! … ;)

The moles are going to have a hard time getting allies. Thank Cat the opossums are on the side of good.

“I’m the great-grandson of your father’s enemy …”

Are we sure we’re not just watching an immersive version of the possum and/or raccoon equivalent of Our IX Lives?

Do they have an upside down TV so they can watch oPrah?

The words about their grandfathers being enemies reminds me of a quick little scene in the Iliad. Two warriors, one Trojan, one Greek, are about to have a fight to the death. I think their names are Diomedes and Glaucus. One starts bragging about his ancestry causing the other to gasp and say that his grandfather had been a guest of his grandfather. Since their grandfathers had been friends, they cannot fight each other. Instead, they exchange gifts and part to find unrelated enemies to fight. I’ve always found this fascinating.

O’prometheus, O’pollo? Are they Irish?

Diplomacy is based on interest. The possums fear that they may be next.

I’m surprised oPrometheus’s glasses stay on upside down! I didn’t think even pince nez would be a match for gravity in such a position.

Queen Mag: “We opromise not to cause trouble while we’re here.”

Perhaps this is the beginning of a new friendlier friendship!

“If we must fight, let’s get it over with and be friends.” — Ulysses S. Grant

I like him! oPrometheus seems to be a kindly and compassionate soul.

Hello, oPrometheus! I think you are the cutest thing. And a total sweetheart.

I had to copy the picture and flip it upside to ooh and aah over oP’s cuteness.

I think opossums are adorable, and they are such useful animals, as they get rid of some critters we’d rather not have close to our homes.

I just purchased the Breaking Cat News book set.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Breaking+cat+news&i=comics-manga&crid=2YW6YZ914BTD&sprefix=breaking+cat+news%2Ccomics-manga%2C107&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

I was just notified that the BCN event jn September at Kenmore Library has been canceled. I hope everything is OK with Georgia and her family!

And now I’m conflicted… just how do they pronounce Opollo?

This afternoon, I finally saw some of the raccoon family my dog has been barking at this summer. They were young’uns, one smaller than the other two. No parents in sight. Very Very Cute!!! I told Zuzu (dog) to stay away from them. I doubt she’ll obey.

I was talking to my neighbor this evening. He said his sidewalk is collapsing because a groundhog has tunneled under it. Will the groundhogs near the Big Pink House join forces with the moles.

This reminds me of being on the PLATO computer system back in the 1970s. It had a lot of things that foreshadowed today’s internet, including people all over the world participating in discussion groups or forums (called notesfiles) on scholarly and cultural subjects as well as utter insanity. Every March 17th the inevitable would occur, in a series of one-word posts:

O’dang

O’heck

O’sh%+

O’@#*1

And so on.

I’m sure this wasn’t covered in The Friendly Orange Glow by Brian Dear, but if you’re interested, that’s the book to read about PLATO and the earliest cyber-culture.