From My Sticks Calendar For August 2011

August Apologies

Hi to my readers; sorry I've been so long absent. The last cartoon of cats in hell was a clue that the constant heat was wearing me out. But my real excuse is the "Sticks" calendar. For some reason it seemed to take forever this year and I really just needed to make it be done!
So for your patience I have found an artifact from the Pre-Cambrian era [the 90s] that may amuse you.Before I was a professional cartoonist I was playing around with ideas. The drawings back then were all done with Rapidograph technical pens. This gave the work a very clean look but not much freedom of movement or line. See what you think; I have a few more that are just kind of odd. But I still like them.

July Heat

Feeling hot and wilted? Is the AC running or the fan humming? It's that time of year when strong men collapse from the sun and strong women use an extra hit of antiperspirant. The dog scratches and pants and the cat...? Ah, the cat is a whole nother creature.

Kitty is happy at last!

Z is for...

Hey, check out my Six Chix blog to  read the whole story of the alphabet book. Here is what Z is for.

Now go find out what "W" and "Y" are for !

At The Supermarket: Loaves and Fishes

It's That Time of Year

Crows love shiny things and Pack Rats are hoarders but only our species loves a good yard sale. For some reason our neighbor's cracked vase and cheap, costume jewelry appear irresistible when spread out on a card table. Hey, a bargain is a bargain!

Of Mice And Me

A Question For My Thoughtful Readers

If the punch-line of a cartoon is based on a song from World War One will anyone still get the joke? Really, I'd like to know.

Wordless Wednesday

Rain Rain Go Away

I rarely complain about too much rain but this Spring has been a disaster. The farmers have been unable to plant their fields and the rest of us have jungles for lawns. But perhaps a change is coming. The jet stream is back up where it should be and let's hope the tornado season will calm down too. With these thoughts in mind, I bring you hope!

To see my Memorial Day drawing come visit me at the Six Chix blog.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Mother's Day!

For Every Woman Who Has Ever Worked As A Waitress

It seems to me that in my era a large percentage of young women were employed as waitresses, often briefly but almost always memorably. Probably most of us servers had the odd rude person now and again but for the most part people are what you would expect, a little tight with the tip but nice enough. And then there's the impossible @#$%!

If you have a waitress story, good or bad, I'd love to hear it. As a not very adept server in my salad days, I admire a good waitress. And like many of us who pray we never have that job again, I tip well.

The Quiet Charm of The Porcupine

I've had only a few brief encounters with our native porcupines but on every occasion I found them to be pleasant and unhurried creatures. My few attempts to capture their plodding grace in cartoons has been less than brilliant. This panel stands alone as my one, less than shining, success.

Happy Pagan Fertility Holiday

Peter Rabbit

After the near fatal mistake in Mister McGregor's garden a whole new world opened up to Peter.

Wordless Wednesday

A Certain Yearning...

Remember that feeling? For me it's Jane Austen; oh, if only I could read it all again. For the first time!

About Horses

As I mentioned in the previous post I grew up with lots of animals around. But the horse was the one for me. When he came to live with us Robin was 22 years old and I was 4. My parents didn't even consider allowing me to ride at that age and all I wanted was to be near him. So I spent four years just hanging out with this amazing creature and learning some deep lessons of love and patience. I'm telling you all this because I have a rare horse cartoon coming up. And I do mean rare. Something about being mentored by a horse has left me reverent but not very playful when it comes to equines. It's a personal blind spot, I think, but once in a while I get one off.

Cartoon For A Rainy Day

I grew up in a household with many cats and a barn full of chickens, pet rabbits, two cows and a horse. I was lucky to always have someone to love and I remember feeling deeply sorry for kids who were pet-less. So for all the Moms and Dads out there who are holding out, reconsider. It doesn't have to be a dog; even a lowly hermit crab can be a friend.

Happy April Fools Day

Wordless Wednesday

What's This??!

Follow my link to the Six Chix blog and read the story of Elvira Ohlemacher.

Good Kitty

If your cat is in charge of life at your house you may be able to sympathize with these guys. But really, would we want Tiger to be a docile creature who eats whatever is put before him and wouldn't think of sleeping on the dining room table?

If that sounds good to you maybe what you want is a dog?

More Birds

Yesterday I saw my first pair of Bluebirds in 2011. They looked pretty vulnerable amid all the snow but, trust me, they're tough. Like all birds they have nesting standards but few are as picky as these two.

First Robin

Nature can be cruel but I assure you nothing bad happened to the perky Robin. The cats went back in the house to sleep and eat and sleep some more. The Robin flew off in search of love. Or something very similar.
I just looked at my Sticks calendar and I see that today March 22nd is the birthday of two poetic fellows: Billy Collins and William Shatner.
A toast to both!

Corned Beef?

Wouldn't roasted snake be a more appropriate nosh on Saint Patrick's Day?
Just a thought.

Don't Drink The Green Beer

Have a drink on me for Saint Patty's Day. But make it a classy drink for the sake of the good Saint.
And have a smile on me as well.

Winter Lingers

We are at the beginning of the end of this long, hard winter and it's not a pretty sight. The chunky, slushy snow recedes to reveal the un-beautiful amid the un-speakable. The sky is a leaden gray and the daily chores become rote obstructions that are only worthy of crossing off a list. It's fine to give the carpet a quick once over or the counter a spritz and a promise but be aware that there are others who notice. And it does matter!

Hi-Yo, SILVER!

It's a winter wonderland outside my window this morning and it's still beautiful to me. Which is pretty amazing considering the number of COLD, winter days we've struggled through this season. If only there were someone who could save us from this onslaught of white...

How many of you actually remember the stalwart ranger played by the equally stalwart Clayton Moore? Here's a trivia tip if you're looking to impress Grampa;  the ranger's name was John Reed. But, honestly,  no one is really sure what Kemo Sabe meant.
Follow my Sticks  link the the Six Chix blog and see what Stephanie, Isabella, Rina, Anne and Benita are up to

Today's Sticks Cartoon

Happy Valentine's Day. I used to be a bit prickly about the commercialism of the holiday but I've mellowed. Whatever makes you happy! And I hope this cartoon falls into that category.

I'm posting a controversial cartoon on the Six Chix website. A very smart editor told me it was a fine cartoon but it would offend way too many people. I'd love to hear your opinion!

Ground Hog Day SALE

This seems like the perfect day to drastically reduce the price of my Sticks 13 month, wall calendar. After all, it is February and the pages have been turned on the first two months. So with no further delay, here's a peek at the cover.

 Here are a couple of fan favorites as voted on by my faithful calendar buyers.

 

Yes, this is a typical grid. All my squares are bulging with information, some of it silly, some of it useful and, I hope, most of it interesting.

So if you can't remember what day it is or if you're just crazy about cartoons and famous birthdays a Sticks calendar may be just what you need. The price is a mere $5.00 plus $1.50 in shipping costs. E-mail me at: magbusi at yahoo dot com.

 

 

February Arrives

December was pretty awful and January was much worse. And now it's February and we're awaiting another monster storm to sweep through with snow, ice and wind. So let's think about something warmer like Valentine's Day. This cartoon was born as a Sticks calendar image for the month of February. Now it has been reborn as a colored Valentine card. It's not gender specific and I like that; I also like that the inside is blank so you can write your own passionate prose.
If you can't live without this card I can send you one or two or twenty. My note cards are $1.50 plus postage. E-mail me at my address: magbusi at yahoo dot com.
In the meantime, don't forget your scarf and gloves!