cheerfulmonk.com

I still don’t know what will happen with Betty’s project — this was the strip for yesterday.

Betty
Click on image for higher resolution.

Signs of the times. But her son is right — we need to understand how to write good prompts in search engines and AI apps to get the information we need.

And schools need to adapt — they need to teach kids how to use AI intelligently. I use AI a lot to question some of the articles and videos that compete for my attention. A good AI program is based on reputable sources and tries to tell me which part of an article or video is based on fact, which is plausible conjecture, and which (if it happens) is fantasy. And it reminds me not to believe its conclusions — it makes mistakes. Check things for myself.

AI can deepen thinking rather than replace it, so I think AI shouldn’t be banned at school. It needs to be integrated into learning.

March 6, 2026

Betty
Click on image for higher resolution.

I figured Betty was expecting her husband, Bub, to do the work. I never thought it would be her father-in-law. (I asked Perplexity for the husband’s name.)

The story continues.

Anyway, Happy Easter, Everyone!

Pixabay

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

April 5, 2026

Betty
Click on image for higher resolution.

The project is getting more complex and expensive — but he seems relaxed about it. How do you think she will answer his question? Why am I starting to feel nervous about it?

March 4, 2025

Betty
Click on the image for higher resolution.

What are the chances it will happen?

April 3, 2026

he was hoping for.

Shoe
(Click on image for higher resolution.)

April 2, 2026

Betty
(Click on picture for higher resolution.)

Betty
(Click on picture for higher resolution.)

He’s so calm, good-natured, and caring. I find that soothing in these chaotic times.

April 1, 2026

The Other Coast

We are having nice weather here — no snow forecasted, and the low temperatures are supposed to be mostly above freezing. What is it like for you?

March 31, 2026

Misty-the-Dog and Friends

Amen to that!

March 30, 2026

Misty-the-Dog and Friends

March 29, 2026

Pearls Before Swine
(Click on image for higher resolution.)

I disagree with the guru’s implication that you need to be a “success” in life in order to be happy. The comic reminds me of Stephen Covey’s,

Nothing is worse than climbing the ladder of success, only at the top to find it is leaning against the wrong building.

Being “successful” in the conventional use of the word doesn’t mean the person will be happy at the end.

Bronnie Ware was a palliative nurse and wrote a book entitled, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. She said those regrets were:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

So I agree with Pig about not focusing on worldly success, but that doesn’t mean not trying things and seeing what works and what doesn’t. If it doesn’t work it’s not a failure, it’s just more knowledge.

If Plan A doesn’t work there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.

Anyway, that’s what makes me happy. What about you?

March 28, 2026