Frazz by Jef Mallett for October 07, 2024

When you’re born, so the story goes, you are issued a tennis ball. You and your support folks juggle it to keep it in the air. Every several years, you’re issued another ball that you must also keep in the air. As you get past middle age, the balls start showing up more and more often. Eventually, you drop one and that’s the end of you.

The changing colors of the leaves may make you think about how your hair will turn color – to gray. And the falling leaves may help you to think about how your hair may (will) eventually fall out.

I live on the edge of a national forest reserve, and my house is surrounded by 60 foot tall oak trees mixed in among 80 foot pines.In the spring the pines shed their pollen a yellow green sticky substance that clings to everything.In the fall the oaks drop their leaves and acorns in glorious profusion upon my roof and lawn.between the two events I rarely see and only vaguely remember the color of the stain on my deck and porch.

About time I went back to 20010402 and start with Comic #1. I love my annual retrospective.

The kid’s in Frazz’s universe live in Michigan, no? They should be thankful all they have to worry about are the the trees dropping leaves when the next storm blows through as opposed to having to name the storms that come through when living near the gulf coast.

By the time she reaches Dr, Spaetzle’s age, she will know his lyrics by heart.

The eastern Sierra is California is having one of the longest, most spectacular season of brilliant aspens, partially due to high pressure blocking wind and storms. The color started over 3 weeks ago at the highest elevations, and is working its way down giving us a few more weeks at least to enjoy. The dry valley below will put on a show with the cottonwoods and poplars when the aspens are done. Brilliant golden leaves everywhere, plus we have “rabbit bush”, a yellow flowering plant that blooms at the same time at nearly all elevations.

Circle of Life. Nature has much to teach us if we will but slow down and listen.

Wow, I’d forgotten that long, long ago the concept of death was mysterious, exciting, and new. Powie!

This is a very “upper midwest” look at autumn. I’m just dealing with the (brutal) end of summer- always the hottest six weeks of the year here- and looking forward to the cooler months of fall ahead. Alas, fall isn’t particularly colorful here, but the weather is glorious (if no wildfires!)

This is a very “upper midwest” look at autumn. I’m just dealing with the (brutal) end of summer- always the hottest six weeks of the year here- and looking forward to the cooler months of fall ahead. Alas, fall isn’t particularly colorful here, but the cool, sunny, weather is glorious (if no wildfires!)

Around here we’re getting temps that hit the 70s during the day and dip down to the high 50s at night, just about perfect by my lights; neither sweaters nor air conditioning needed. Too bad it will only last for about two weeks.

I like Dr. Spaetzle’s interpretation better, too.

I had shoulder length hair in my teens and went with a shorter hairstyle until I was in my 60s and had thinning hair so I had my barber do a crew cut and I love it, she also said I will keep my hair and will not go bald because if I did I’d shave my head.

This makes me wonder who’s truly the older. Keeping “Young at Heart” (Frank’s version; my theme song) helps me stay young — at least mentally.

Kid shouldn’t be worried about adverse events in the fall so much, summer is way worse. High temperature is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in America, way more than tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning strikes, floods, and mudslides combined. Best tip for surviving the hottest days of summer if you’re an elderly or disabled person is to have somebody who can check in on you regularly and get you help if you need it. Sadly, hundreds of people who don’t have that kind of attention die of the heat every year.

yeah, i’m in Florida

Allow a few decades for maturity to settle in.