Drabble by Kevin Fagan for August 27, 2023

Foolproof is an elusive goal

“This boy’s more mixed up than a feather in a whirlwind.”

“That, I say, that boy’s just like a tattoo, gets under your skin.”

“Smart boy, got a mind like a steel trap—full of mice.”

“That kid’s about as sharp as a pound of wet liver.”

“Boy, I say, boy, pay close attention to me, ’cause you’re a burrito short of a combination plate.”

“Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.”

“I say, that boy is playing with a full deck alright. He’s just really slow at shuffling.”

Ralph’s right about clip-ons for Norman. They’re the only way to go.

We all know that Norm’s elevator doesn’t go all the way up.

Interesting, but the conventional ways work fine for me.

I’ll stick to the normal way of tying a tie.

I tried that, and it didn’t work. I wonder if it’s really a way to tie a tie, or just comic silliness?

The Head is too big?

My husband has happily not worn a tie for over 7yrs, before that he’d been wearing them his entire life 30+ years (raised a JW he had ties put on him from before he could dress himself) just for the fun of it he’d tie the knot in various elaborate ways that were interesting to look at like the Eldredge, trinity or scale knots

In that last panel, Norm looks like a candidate for an exorcism…

Norm can throw his voice! It’s his reflection that speaks, not the real Norm.

Ever get the idea Norman’s just yanking everyone’s chain?

I don’t own a tie. I got rid of the detestable things about a year after I retired.

just another day from laughing too hard at others misery. :}

He needs to discover Bolo Ties.

Norm needs a bowtie. Is the Orville Redenbocker look in ?

The eazy way involves tying it one-handed? I’m extremely suspicious.

Can’t get the length right, that way…

Clip ons may be too complicated for him.

Google “necktie tee shirt” — but Norm would probably put it on backwards.

Is the guy on the back left in church doing a double take??

I read this 3 times and still can’t figure out what Ralph is doing. Does anyone know if that would actually work?

And, who says that you can’t learn from comics.

The Comic “Herb and Jamal” has the same subject today!

Norm would find a way to screw up a clip-on.

Or not using one. They choke off your breathing, making it difficult to think. Wait, not thinking is just perfect for where they are in the last panel.

Is this a real thing that Ralph is doing? I certainly never have seen or heard of this, and it seems overly complicated. I wear a tie about once a year, typically to funerals, and I often liked to put one on just to surprise people and be a bit of a non-conformist. I’ve always just done a very simple four-in-hand and that works fast and easy, and looks fine to me. I never bothered to learn how to tie a Windsor or half-Windsor, let alone a bow tie!

I’m a little shocked that Ralph’s method works but I’m more shocked that I have never heard of this before now. Long ago I endeavored to learn every necktie method including five different bowties to cover every occasion I might encounter. I guess the old adage is true about old dogs learning new tricks.

I freakin’ hate ties. Pain in the neck. So to speak.

Ho-lee Mo-lee… just when I thought he couldn’t get any denser! I am nothing special, but I was tying Windsor knots when I was about 10!

It’s easier to just tie it the normal way… not that I ever weat a tie anymore.

I tried it. It does work and I showed my eldest… but I think the traditional way to tie is a little better… but for people who have trouble learning to tie the tie, this is one answer.