Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for February 20, 2012

Gene long ago lost the instructions that came with his life. he’s been flying blind ever since then.

Gene’s looking ‘Over the hedge’ maybe he’ll find Hammy and RJ.

Is it a weed or a prized plant? Do I trim just above the last bud or clear to the ground? Oh, never mind, thinks Gene. I don’t remember where the hedge trimmer is and my hands are too cold anyway.

I can hear his little motor straining endlessly against the hedge… like one of those tiny toy cars that can’t quite make it up onto the throw rug….

For pity’s sake, sombody turn him around before his gears are stripped or his battery dies.

That happens to me almost daily.

And, maybe he’s waiting to see if it meets the approval of the Knights Who Say Ni!

Now that his first Barley crop is ready for harvest and the rice in the old Koi pond (sadly depleted after Marg’s sushi debacle) has reached maturity, Gene knows that he must contact Number 6 for the secret of brewing a good British ale. But he fears the response of “that would be telling.”

Once the instructions are given, the tape will self destruct in 3 seconds…

My goodness. Why are you in such a bad mood?

Aw…those magic moments in life when all the endless possibilities fade into, what’s next???? The grim discovery, that the answers, only come after the questions have been asked. Gene has given up on the transcendental approach to life. He sat and listened and now he’s dazed and confused. Even Shirley has noticed he has lost his edge. He is sure there is the next step, there has always been the next step…..Oh well, its Monday, still early in the day. Gene knows he must do something, after all the sooner he makes a mistake, the longer time he has to correct it…….

Today’s puzzle is big. – I mean, like, King-sized big.

https://cleoandcompany.net/february-19-2022/

Good morning Balladeers, (((((Plods))))) and Miss Susan.

Guess he’s not Gene Gene the Dancin Machine.

Puny hoomans… take this! @cleoandcompany.net

Good morning Saturday Puzzlers!

Arabian-Horse-and-Lash-Day

National Tug-of-War Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26wEWSUUsUc

Y’all give a tug on a rope. (((((Tugs for HuGz!)))))

I have to ask: Does Gene feel that way in a literal, or a metaphysical, sense? Both?

Well – that doesn’t sound safe…

https://cleoandcompany.net/february-20-2022/

Good Sunday morning Balladeers, (((((Plods))))) and Miss Susan.

They are simple but sparklie given Claude’s propensity for oopsies! @cleoandcompany.net

Good Sunday morning Cleophanatics!

National Hug YouR Pet Day

Y’all (((((hug))))) your pet. Turd gets a couple extras today.