For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 26, 2025

John’s smile at the end tells the reader the idea of being essentially bare is appealing to him. As for the joke, it is reversing “bare essentials” to “essentially bare”. It’s funny because the words are reversed. Reversed words are tight. That’s comedy gold, baby.

However, other choices considered for the punchline were:

John: Now, if I did the packing, we’d just have a minimalist packing list.

Elly: If you did the packing, we’d be listing minimally.

John: Now, if I did the packing, we’d bring only what we need, not what we might need.

Elly: If you did the packing, we’d be mighty needy.

John: Now, if I did the packing, we’d using packing organizers.

Elly: If you did the packing, we’d be organizing the packers.

John: Now, if I did the packing, we’d choose the right size bag.

Elly: If you did the packing, we’d…hey! Is that a weight joke? Are you calling me a bag again?

Aren’t you glad they went with reversed words?

I know what you’re thinking, John. It shows on your face.

My dear departed mother would do the same to my dad. Pack enough for a month, for only a week long trip.

Mexico has a desert climate, so it can get pretty cold there at night—hence the need for sweaters.

In the last panel, John looks as though he LIKES the idea of being “essentially bare”!

On every trip we make, we try to take as little as possible. The fact that we often go on motorcycles, does help as you can’t take much with you on them, although ymmv.

Remember the Swiss Family Robinson? Every time something essential was required, the mother could produce it from her wonderful bag.

Half as much stuff, twice as much money.

John and Elly should do a vacation on Phil Collins Island. Now, it is bloody hot there, so No Jacket Required…

Jon is thinking about seeing Elle ‘essentially bare’ and he likes it — in the last frame ! ! ! !

Heh heh heh..

“when in Rome”

That reminds me of a time my late parents went on a cruise. My father strolled alone on the ship and accidentally walked into an area where people were completely naked, or so he told my mother and everyone else.

“Well you’re not packing so STFU”.

DO NOT let him start taking things out of the suitcase.

My husband tends to “travel with seven elephants”. It’s not clothes—it’s all the freaking “tech support” that starts to add up. The really aggravating thing is how often I’ll discover some obscure need while we’re on a trip and he’ll go digging into one of his bags and produce it! At least converting to e-readers let us dump the suitcase that was nothing but books!

She’s packing a week’s worth of MREs.

If you’ve been reading the news you might know what I’m hinting at.

If it doesn’t fit in my carry-on or my laptop bag it ain’t going.

With the look on John’s face in the last cell, John seems to be perfectly OK with Elly’s statement :0)

Makes sense to me

Since it’s a get-away for just the two of them, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t forget to hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the motel room door handle.

I remember the first trip my husband & I took together; I packed lighter than HE did! And he was the more experienced traveler!

Elly comment at the end stirred a reaction in John. Anticipation!

And John thinks that might be a good idea!

Lynn liked using wordplay in her comics. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This one is kind of cute.

What is wrong with being bare? We were born that way. lol

Who cares about clothes when you’ll soon be on the beach drinking mojitoes

exactly what he had in mind!

Looks like the “bare” idea has crossed John’s mind.

My boss (male) travels all the time – generally by car. I (female) do not travel much. I just went on a week long trip with him — He told me I really didn’t need to bring the whole dresser!! LOL

Retiring soon, planning to travel more!!

Sweaters – in Mexico? Elly, you haven’t been south in a long time. Don’t take them, pleeze!

Okay,now let’s discuss the fresh water supply…or lack of it

Packing light is for the youthful who stay in hostels- improvising is part of the adventure. I’m now an old fogey who doesn’t WANT to go exploring in unfamiliar territory in desperate search for Pepto-Bismol or a piece of attire I didn’t think I’d need.

My husband packs his bag and I pack mine so problem solved. I remind him that our son’s guest room is in the basement and it’s chilly 12 months a year. I also ask him to please pack more than one shirt and pair of trousers as being with little children is fun but messy!

Is John thinking about a body part that is the same shape as April and two watermelons?

Depends on where you’re going Mexico City is at 8000 ft in tropics mid 80’s in the day, can be in the 40’s at night. Personally an amazing place, everything grows in the tropics, in a large valley between volcanos. Me, I’d head for Cancun or Playa del Carmen, all you need is beachwear and a towel ! ;-)

Eewww!!