Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for April 03, 2024

Sing-along time: “He took the midnight train going anywhere . . .”

I did that while visiting San Francisco and Washington DC. Got on a trolley car in SF without knowing where it was going. Went from downtown to Fisherman’s Ward.

In DC, got on a bus in front of the Supreme Court without knowing where it was going. It dropped me off in front of at the hotel I was staying.

Once again, I am JUST like PIG, as I agree with him 100%!!!! Dan aka…

That is easier to do with a good bladder.

Maybe he’ll board Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters bus…

Sometimes the lights are shining on me. Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me, what a long, strange trip its been.

Does the duck have a name?

The journey is different depending on which swamp you sink into first…

An appearance by Guard Duck!

Strongly disagree. It’s about the destination, for I would never make the journey if it was a trip to some place I’d never want to go to.

From a bus window you can see some things as it rolls by! And get off now and explore!

Life is journey towards deathstination eh

If you don’t care where you’re going any road will get you there

Is Pig waiting for the Magic Bus

It’s great to see Guard Duck again. I can’t remember the last time he appeared.

If it’s a journey shouldn’t that be the midnight train to anywhere?

Whoever thinks it’s the journey, not the destination — try driving I-95 from Philly to Hilton Head by yourself! I personally can’t wait for my self-driving car.

You can tell Guard Duck isn’t from South America because he isn’t carryingTommy gun

Oh you’ll learn. As long as you’re not eaten first.

Just a city pig

Stuck inside a cartoon gig

He took the midnight bus going anywhere…

Hi, Lil Guard Duck!! So good to see you!!

I would take a bus to anywhere… except a few U.S. states.

Guard duck is very calm these days

Reminds me of Jack Reacher. (Lee Child series)

Waiting for A Streetcar Named Desire…

It’s guard duck!

What is the difference between a duck?

The Magical Mystery Tour Is coming to take you away. My very first LP

Welcome back, Little Guard Duck.

If you go just anywhere, though, you’re sure to end up nowhere.

Laughing on the bus

Playing games with the faces

I said the man in the gabardine suit is a spy

She said be careful, the bowtie is really a camera

True.

I’ve been wondering where he’s been.

I’m like that. I’m retired so I get on my motorcycle and go. I don’t know where I’ll end up or how long it will take. I just want to stay off the interstates and find roads I haven’t been on before.

And, no matter where you go, there you… aw, nevermind

And the old man says, “That’s okay, I’ll standI might look like a little old man to youBut I’ve been riding this bus for years and years and yearsI don’t even know where it’s going to”And the driver says, “You don’t know where this bus is going to?”Old man says, “No, I don’t, do you?”Driver says, “you don’t know where this bus is going to?”Old man says, “I just want it to get me throughHey, I’m staying on the ride, it’s gonna take me somewhereStaying on the ride, it’s gonna take me somewhereSomewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere”Patty Griffin—Stay on the Ride

Don’t stop believing Little Duck!

Pig could be playing the role of Jack Reacher.

He’s on a road to nowhere, come on inside. Takin’ that ride to nowhere, we’ll take that ride.

I disagree profusely. Just got back from Thailand, which was amazing and gorgeous and the people were all smiling and friendly. But the journey omg misconnects gate changes full flights so stuck in seat for like 10 hrs at a time ugh! Would like to have the destination without the journey thank you!

I prefer to Journey from South Detroit (which is actually Windsor, Ontario) on some form of rail transportation that departs in the middle of the night. . .

Great to see Guard Duck. He must be out of cigarettes.

Looks like Guard Duck has given up smoking. Good for him!

It’s Guard Duck…then again it isn’t…not in personality or behavior. (Notice no cigarette). It’s been a long time, but I seem to recall some kind of transformation. It’s a shame because it ruins the humor of the character. When I think Guard Duck, I think bazooka!

It’s all about the journey….except on The Long Island Rail Road. Then it’s all about not getting there

For the most part, I agree, just be mindful of what bus you(g) get on.

I would like to believe that “Guard Duck’s” cessation of smoking is because Stephen has stopped, as well…

Things change – used to be, practically everybody I knew smoked cigarettes – now it’s considered distinctly “lower class”… The Michelin Tire man no longer smokes cigars and even Dennis Mitchell’s dad has stopped smoking his pipe – I would assume the tobacco companies are "diversifying but I know for a fact they’re merely moving into different markets – so America is continuing to kill people with things OTHER than bullets.

Where I grew up in the South, everybody either “smoked” or “dipped” or “chewed” though people were finally over “sniffing” the darn stuff by the time I came on the scene – I STILL remember having to be careful not to kick over any of my grandmothers “spitcans” in the house – ugh.

Guard Duck gets things done.

Taking a bus and not knowing here you’re going is like Guard Duck walking around with his bazooka.

“If you don’t know where you’re goin’, any road’ll take you there.”—-George Harrison (posthumousely released lyrics)

Well, as for me, I prefer quantum entanglement for such universal answers.

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.

Don’t stop believing!

Guard Duck

I think we’re all Bozos on this bus.

If you are lucky, life is a magical mystery tour.

Yay! Guard Duck.

Eh, there’s something to that.

Trust me, Pig. You don’t want to end up in Russia, Gaza, Ukraine, Congo, Haiti, China, Afghanistan, North Korea, and many other countries that are in full swing hybrid authoritarian regime level

Where has Guard Duck been hiding?

Why do I hear the ending piano music from The Incredible Hulk TV show?

There was a travel agency (remember them?) in Berkeley when I was a student there, which had a sign out front saying “Please go away!”

Why do you go on a journey of not to reach a destination?

It’s so nice to see the little guard duck again! ❤️

Jack Reacher!

Doesn’t guard duck usually smoke?

I miss Snuffles!!

Good to see Lil’ Guard Duck again, but I miss Snuffles too!