Red and Rover by Brian Basset for September 11, 2022

Rover has his siesta meanwhile.

The speed will never fit together.

I always wore P.F. Flyers because, according to Madison Avenue, they helped you run faster and jump higher!

A race is not quite as fun if not all the participants are racing.

From Wikipedia on “PF Flyers”:

In 1933, inventor Hyman L. Witman and canvas footwear pioneer B.F. Goodrich patented the “Posture Foundation” arch support insole, and began adding the new technology to its shoes. B.F. Goodrich shoes with Posture Foundation became known simply as “PF” in 1937.

The question of when in the 1960s and ’70s this comic strip is set has been raised recently with two commentators stating “circa 1970”. I have looked Brian Basset up on Google and have seen he was born in November 1957 as I was born in December 1966. Since Red is usually supposed to be ten years old, the main setting will therefore be 1968 as Brian was ten for most of that time but some strips do go into the early 1970s.

One year ago, there was a Red and Rover strip commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Twin Towers terrorist atrocity. There was no direct reference, of course, as this strip takes place about thirty years earlier but the reference was still clear. Red hugged Rover and said, “On a day like this, I need a hug.”

As I pointed out last year, Red thinks of the year 2001 as a futuristic date when space travel will be a reality. He has no idea of what the year 2001 will really bring.

Red continues, “I wouldn’t have won, anyway,” lol !

A likely story, Red!

I don’t know why Red always accepts these racing challenges from Rover.

He must know by now that he’ll always lose.

I remember once walking my daughter to school on the first day. I saw a mother yell at her son to stay on the path so as not to get his sneakers dirty.

Lol! Give it a day…..

FWIW – when I lived in Washington State, they had a special plate to benefit animal welfare done by Bassett. I tried to get one, but they were always sold out. I can’tinclude the image here, but here’s a link to a sample plate: https://www.kitsap-humane.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Pets-Plate.png

Well, obviously Red must live east of the Mississippi. Here west of the Mississippi during those day everyone wore Ked sneakers. The hightop model of course. We all wanted to grow up to be the next Willis Reed, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, JoJo White, Bob Love, Lou Hudson, Bob Lanier or “Pistol” Pete Maravich. All Basketball stars of the time that wore Ked Pros.

The reference to P.F. Flyers is dated, too.

Back in the mid 50’s Converse All stars and PF Flyers were the shoes to have. Our family could not afford them so I got Keds.

I was born in 1951 and I remember Red Ball Jets as a young kid. “Run Faster, Jump Higher.” and PF Flyers as well. I was really miffed when high tops were not available for girls.

Most of the cars they show especially in the Sunday script are large fin 1950s models. In the 60s it was common for middle class families to trade their old clunker in after 3 years. I remember in 1967 we traded in our 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 and the salesman picked up a Blue Book and said your car is SO OLD it is not even in the Book. Also by the late 60s even 10 year olds had enough fashion sense to not want to go to school in baggy blue jeans that were rolled up-they had to be tight. I was in 6th grade in 1963 and there was a definite hierarchy of jeans-cool kids wore Levis with the red flag, Wranglers were acceptable, Lee/Sears = losers, likely on welfare.

PF Flyers – the Air Jordans of their day!

When my young niece would challenge me to a race, I would start out, then immediately stop and say, “I quit. You win by default.” She didn’t like that.

PF Flyers, so you run your fastest, jump your highest.