Category: Cartoons and the stories behind them…

How I got the idea for a cartoon. The story behind the story.

BLAME IT ON THE DOG…

The dog did it… He ate my homework.  He spilled the milk.   He tracked in the mud.  He tipped over the ……. fill in the blank.

Dogs take the blame for everything.  It’s one of those “go with the percentages” kind of deals.  Chances are, the dog DID do it.  Not because they meant to, of course.  They were around and chances are….

Anyone who lives in a neighborhood with raccoons knows it probably wasn’t the dog.  He just got the blame for mischief done by a raccoon.  Raccoons are sneaky and have the skill of a locksmith… Or, a surgeon, depending on the job skill required.

This is a drawing I did for a Children’s book I’m illustrating for a friend of mine.  After I did the drawing, my cartoon mind kicked in and I had to add the caption.  Doesn’t he, or actually SHE (the raccoon in the story is called “Dottie”) look like she’s snitching on someone?  Has to be the dog.  Blame the dog and you’re off the hook without a question.  Even if the dog has an alibi… like, “I was inside the house all night, sleeping on your bed for Pete’s sake!”  Doesn’t matter… his reputation proceeded him.  GUILTY as charged!

That’s why we call him “MAN’S BEST FRIEND”… He takes the blame and still loves you!  Now, if we could teach him how to take out the garbage instead of getting into it, we’d have a perfect world.

ANY DAY THAT STARTS WITH GOLF IS A GOOD DAY

Golf can become an obsession…  Ask any golfer.  They also will agree (usually) that no matter how poorly they played on any given day, it still beats working!

I drew this cartoon for  a long-time associate that always wore a bow-tie to work.  I never saw him without it.  He worked in a different department and my normal contact with him was in meetings and an occasional chance encounter in the hallways.  When I became an agent for State Farm, he was the supervisor of the Auto Underwriting department that reviewed, accepted or rejected my applications for clients to purchase auto insurance.

Over the many years I dealt with him, he was always in good humor and I don’t know if I ever saw the same bow-tie twice.  I learned he was an avid golfer and preferred to walk the municipal courses he played.  When I heard he was retiring, I drew this cartoon and had it put on stationery for him.  I could imagine him strolling to the first tee with the Sun rising, whistling as he anticipated another good day at the course.  Whenever I see this cartoon, I am reminded of the feelings  a golfer has approaching the first tee.  Filled with anticipation, excitement and hope for a good round.  But the best part?…  Not going to work!

SHOULD SENIOR SUNSCREEN COME IN FLAVORS?

This cartoon idea came from a conversation between Senior Citizens at the Big Boy restaurant.  It all started when someone said, “As I get older, everything takes longer… even naps!” 

That prompted  one of the wives to tell a story about her husband’s favorite place to nap… the porch swing.  She said he always falls asleep with his mouth open and head leaning backwards at an uncomfortable angle.  Last week, on a particularly warm sunny day, he fell asleep in bright sunlight.  The thought occurred to her that he might get his tongue sunburned.

I couldn’t let it go… I had to draw it!  The next day, when I showed it to them, the conversation then shifted to the possibility of bugs landing in the open mouth.  You know… You really ought to join us for breakfast at Big Boy.  We talk about some really important stuff!

THERE’S A BEAR IN THE BACK YARD!

We had a BIG Black bear in our yard the other day!

I need to tell my side of the story before the other version hits the streets…  We were in our new three season room enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon when, to my surprise, I looked out the window and there, not more than ten feet from the window was a huge Black Bear.

We live in the woods in a subdivision in Northern Michigan and have heard the recent stories of bears in the area.  One was captured in downtown Traverse City and another was hit and killed just outside of town a few days later.  So, it’s not like we didn’t think it could happen… But, in OUR YARD?  There it was.  Bigger than life and walking through our backyard toward the front.

That’s when my trouble began… I yelled, “LOOK AT THE BEAR!” and ran to get my camera.  Big mistake.  I didn’t realize the Grandkids were sleeping in the car in the driveway… with the windows open and surrounded by snacks!  The women freaked out.  Grandma called 911 and Mom ran to the front window to see if the bear was approaching the car.  When I realized what was happening, I started out the front door to get myself between the Bear and the kids… to divert him.  Honest!   That was my plan.

The women’s initial response was, “Don’t go out there!  The Bear is out there!”  Then, realizing it might boil-down to either me or the kids being eaten, they relented and let me go out.  The Bear was no where in sight.  My yell had evidently spooked him and we found out later, he ran through the neighbor’s yard across the street and into the woods behind their house.

The 911 operator said there was nothing they would do unless the Bear was threatening or being a nuisance… and, next time, don’t call them.  Call the Department of Natural Resources or Animal Control.  I wonder what we’re supposed to do if the Bear is armed?

The cartoon is a result of the unjust criticism I got for my initial response to grab a camera instead of trying to save the kids.  For days now I’ve been taking flak for my response.  The mother of the children is afraid to walk in the area because “We don’t know where the Bear is…”.  I suggested if she really wanted to know where the bear was all she had to do is smear some bacon grease on the kids, send them outside and wait.  She’d soon know if there was a bear in the area… That response didn’t go over any better than my first one.  What’s wrong with these women, anyway?

SAVE THE WHALES

I am fascinated by Bumper Stickers.  Every known (and unknown) cause is represented by a bumper sticker… somewhere.

What I find most interesting about the myriad of bumper stickers is the play on words often used to get the point across.  Now, I know “Save the Whales” is not a play on words and is a very legitimate cause.  One I believe in.  However, having been raised in a very conservative, Fundamental Christian household, whenever I hear the word “Save” it reminds me of sermons past.

The cartoon is an obvious blend of the two concepts.

On the other hand, maybe Rev. Brown is actually an angel and he’s speaking to Jonah…before he “saw the light”.  You know… one of those modern translations.

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