For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 06, 2025

Is this where Gordon gets access to all the riches from the Patterson bank vault?

I don’t remember that.

Still has skin colored pants, or forgot to wear any?

He stuck his dirty finger in that pot?? UGH!

Elizabeth has been reading too many “Curtis” strips, LOL.

Some young people have no trouble asking for money…

Trouble is, when you’re young it’s so darned hard to ask for money that you actually worked to earn.

Hmmm, $10 CDN is $7 US at the moment. So might want to instead ask for $20 CDN instead.

Panel three shot that theory to hell.

… unless they live in your house.

What stage of young is being discussed?

Liz has no problem asking for money.

Kinda dates the strip…asking for $10 won’t get you into the cinema. Will get you a giant slurpy and a bag of crisps.

Except from mom and dad.

I never did ask for money from my parents. I knew the response would be the following, without fail:

“What do you need $10.00 for?”

I’d explain why I wanted the money…

“You don’t need that.”

End of discussion.

The worse part was is that I wasn’t even allowed to spend my own money.

THE PANTS ARE TAN COLORED!!! SHEESH! lol

She must be an old soul.

Not when it’s family it’s not John.

“Boy, you need to learn that if you want something in this world you have to work for it. Now quiet, they are about to announce the winning lottery numbers.” -Homer Simpson

I’m more concerned about that unholy-looking “casserole” in Panel 2—-the color doesn’t match any food I’m aware of.

When you’re young it’s difficult to ask most people for money, but parents are an exception to that, assuming you’ve got a comfortable relationship with them and are used to relying on them as steady providers and supporters. Good parents are exceptions to all sorts of rules about what’s difficult for youngsters to do.

Of course, I’m guessing Gordon wasn’t able to ask his parents for money, at least not without mustering a lot of courage first—and being prepared to duck.

Gordon has too much pride

Skin pants? Only unless his Butt has strange creases.

My kids say, “Dad, can I earn $20.00” Then they do the work and I pay them $40.00. Hey! I don’t know what I did right to have children willing to work for money, but I’m willing to pay extra for it.

Yep, Gordo’s got a tough road ahead, but he’s up to it and he’s not alone. Keep livin the dream kid, I’m rootin for ya !

John comes home wearing no pants. How many double-entendres can we see in the dialogue to support this idea? Let’s count:

Sorry, I’m late, hon. I stopped off at Gordon’s Garage an’ wound up staying for awhile.(1)

They’re having some problems with the billing(2), but they’ll be fine. MFF as he shoves his finger into his mouth with drops of saliva spitting out to show what “billing” means.(3)

Trouble is, when you’re young, it’s so darned hard to come(4) right out and ask for money.

Uh, dad? — is there any chance I could bum(5) 10 bucks(6)?

Lynn Johnston loves getting this kind of stuff past her censors. This is classic Lynn. She has a whole podcast talking about how much she loved including Nipissing University from her town of North Bay, Ontario, in her comic strip.

John is niggardly when it comes to his own kids.

Usually it is Lawrence that is into bums.

Welcome to reality, parent version. Otherwise his observation is often correct.

That’s why they have mechanic liens, to help protect them. Especially if it’s a few thousand.

Ew, is that one of Ellie’s bean casseroles?