My father-in-law is like Earl in some ways. He’s wise in an earthy way, not having had much formal education. After a really unrestrained Huck Finn childhood, he took many opportunities to learn useful skills such that he has greatly helped many people at work and in our families. (He went all over the world in the Navy.) He builds things and can repair almost everything. After retirement he took up carving as a hobby and has hundreds of creative small figures that he often sells at crafts shows.
My son is lucky to know such an interesting person, as I myself am bland and boring, very bookish and a homebody. My own grandparents seemed so old and foreign I was never really comfortable around them, even shrank away from them, and I’m sorry for it now. They all came from “the Old Country,” and had hard lives, and unfortunately I distanced myself from hearing their life stories. If I could only back and change that!
I’m trying to find a social group in my retirement. So far, the ones I’ve tried have constant complainers: burned in their love life, political issues, health problems… I guess my complaint is complaining about complainers.
ꜝ over 1 year ago
60 to 0 in three seconds flat
Templo S.U.D. over 1 year ago
Wise words in the second panel.
Jeff0811 over 1 year ago
I imagine he’s a hoot on his birthday.
Olov Sundin over 1 year ago
That’s a good one. I have always wonder what New Year means.
PraiseofFolly over 1 year ago
My father-in-law is like Earl in some ways. He’s wise in an earthy way, not having had much formal education. After a really unrestrained Huck Finn childhood, he took many opportunities to learn useful skills such that he has greatly helped many people at work and in our families. (He went all over the world in the Navy.) He builds things and can repair almost everything. After retirement he took up carving as a hobby and has hundreds of creative small figures that he often sells at crafts shows.
My son is lucky to know such an interesting person, as I myself am bland and boring, very bookish and a homebody. My own grandparents seemed so old and foreign I was never really comfortable around them, even shrank away from them, and I’m sorry for it now. They all came from “the Old Country,” and had hard lives, and unfortunately I distanced myself from hearing their life stories. If I could only back and change that!
crabbyred over 1 year ago
Can’t picture Earl and confetti in the same picture.
hariseldon59 over 1 year ago
But as a comic strip character, he never really ages.
jagedlo over 1 year ago
So Earl was able to find a chiropractor on New Year’s Eve? https://www.gocomics.com/pickles/2022/12/31?ct=v&cti=2208697
pathfinder over 1 year ago
Where do they live? Warm weather and leaves on tree in background on New Years Day?
brick10 over 1 year ago
Not really confetti; just your tattered hopes and dreams from the last year.
goboboyd over 1 year ago
But its the festive glittery stuff. (Probably not biodegradable.)
JudithStocker Premium Member over 1 year ago
Never think about the past, Earl. It ages some people.
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Earl, it’s not about the length of the life you live, it’s about how you live the length of your life.
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Times flies…..‼️☹️
geneking7320 over 1 year ago
I turned 68 in 2022. This reminds me of when one of my close friends [of the same age] said we have more years behind us than in front of us.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 1 year ago
Yup.. be able to add a whole new chapter when his biography is written.
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 1 year ago
Can’t tell if this is supposed to be poignant or ridiculous.
tiomax over 1 year ago
“One year less of my future and one year more of my past” is true for everyone, regardless of their age.
mckeonfuneralhomebx over 1 year ago
It terrific to see a New Year come in… look at the alternative!
Komix Lover over 1 year ago
I’m trying to find a social group in my retirement. So far, the ones I’ve tried have constant complainers: burned in their love life, political issues, health problems… I guess my complaint is complaining about complainers.
PoodleGroomer over 1 year ago
Confetti and glitter are so hard to get out of good shearling slippers.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs over 1 year ago
It means I have made it 18 years further than I had been told to expect.
zeexenon over 1 year ago
Well, kid, you could be turning 80 this year like I might.
donwestonmysteries over 1 year ago
At least you had a party.
ANIMAL over 1 year ago
Wow – sounds like he had a really WILD NIGHT.!!
Buckeye67 over 1 year ago
That confetti has probably been in his slippers for many years.
pbr50138 over 1 year ago
I know what you mean Earl. One day closer to the end…