Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for December 18, 2023

Does anyone ever get a pony for Christmas

Ever the hero, our trusted professorial Joel meets the needs he is asked to provide with a good attitude, a stalwart demeanor, and a mission to serve others.

All of this in SPITE of having to forgo the nourishment of his pipe (hopefully, temporarily). This is the mark of a truly kind, upright gentleman.

Go on “Santa”, promise ‘em everything. You won’t be around for the fallout Christmas morning when little Sally Selfish gets a “stoopid” rocking horse instead of the live horse you can promise her.

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It’s a full update for the 18th, Skeex and Spud … Horse’s Neck and Crazy Quilt … Abretha, Hy, and E. Z. Minthandy??

Also, Joel and Rufus give us an update on Rufus’ application to the Wet Dogs.

Rather a pony than a hippopotamus!

The Sally meeting Elf Rufus and Santa Joel is not Sally Brown of the Peanuts comic strip nor Sally Acorn from Sonic the Hedgehog Sat AM and the Sonic the Hedgehog comic books.

Today in the Facebook group:

Gasoline Alley “years ago today” for December 18:

100 (1923) – Walt tells Phyllis that his sweetheart is coming to the Alley for Christmas

80 (1943) – Sunshine types his account of the plane crash; also, war news from this date

75 (1948) – Driving out to the country

60 (1963) – Clovia, Chipper and Nina would love to visit the farm for Christmas

45 (1978) – Walt tells the mailman about his plan

Here is a comment I filed yesterday about the Sunday strip. I’m repeating it here because I filed it late and I suspect few (except DD) saw it:

I’ve been waiting for someone more knowledgeable than I am to comment on the “orchestral score,” supposedly of Ravel’s Bolero. OK, the key of C is correct. But this is a two staff version as you would see if scored for piano. The ubiquitous Bolero rhythm is missing. And nothing about the notes shown suggest the tune or harmonization of “Bolero.”

well, this is nice if it runs through next week…but where’s Jonesy and the bear?…and will the mice be singing carols for catfood Sunday?

From today’s Comics Curmudgeon:

Gasoline Alley for all its faults still understands the chaos that’s necessary to make magic seem real. Rufus will say “Ho ho ho” if he wants to! No rules constrain these elves, and that’s why small children believe they can deliver livestock to neighborhoods that are very much not zoned for it.

See today’s Wizard of ID.

Sally?! A kid with a normal name (instead of Booger, Well, I’ll Be, etc.) in this strip?? Will wonders never cease….

Only one pony? You sure?