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Bound and Gagged

Andy has been summoned for local jury duty, by postcard:

Apparently if person doesn’t have access to the internet they can phone and get help, but unlike the process for me when I was summoned for federal jury duty,

I scanned the QR code using my iPad and the two of us answered the questionnaire there. Andy will talk to our doctor and let her decide if he should opt out.

Anyway, another little adventure with modern technology.

February 3, 2026

For higher resolution, click on the picture.

Pearls Before Swine

Do you think pig has the right idea about success, that it’s the ability to enjoy your day? It works for me. It reminds me of

 
and

 
I can’t always do that, of course, but I often can — and even when I can’t enjoy a chore I can practice staying centered, patient, and effective. If I can’t even manage that, at least I’ll learn something from trying.

February 2, 2026

Moderately Confused

I feel the opposite of the woman in the cartoon — I have trouble believing it’s already the end of January. And that (meteorological) winter is two-thirds over, and that tomorrow is Groundhog Day already.

What about you? Does time seem to be zipping by, or does it seem that winter will never end?

February 1, 2026

The balloon is drooping more, but it is 5 weeks old:

The bean plant is over 3 months old and is still gradually fading away.

The bean pods were filling out, then started withering:

The blossoms on the plants on the right didn’t do anything except drop off, but it looks as if a new one is forming.

I wasn’t expecting much, but it’s been fun to see what they do.

January 31, 2026

These comics were drawn in October, 2015 — a long time ago.

Stone Soup

Stone Soup

I had to go back to old posts to remember what that time was like — a lot has happened since then. Phil reminds me of the phrase “do the work of worrying” — he’s asked if he worries about the future and he says he thinks about it and prepares for it, but he doesn’t waste time or energy fruitlessly worrying. He focuses on things that he can influence or control.

I posted the comic when it first came out because I thought it was a great illustration of how to handle worry. Nowadays when I try to keep track about what is happening, it’s not just about the future, it’s about the destruction and cruelty that is going on right now. So it’s not just about preparation, it’s also trying to figure out if there’s anything, even if small, I can do to make a difference now. That’s a big change in just 10 years.

January 30, 202

but it’s getting closer!

Bliss

Enjoying what we have, while we still have it. Doing the best we can with what we have left. And I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone. 😀

January 29, 2026

Peanuts

Would you like to be an innocent kid again and not be concerned about the state of the world? (I wouldn’t.)

January 28, 2026

Shoe

That reminds me of two cartoons I drew years ago:

I haven’t thought of them in long time.

January 27, 2026

Bliss

The pup is so happy. It’s a good balance to my keeping up with what’s going on in the world.

January 26, 2026

For higher resolution click on the comics.

Calvin and Hobbes en Español

Calvin and Hobbes

Garfield en Español

Garfield

Spending a little bit of time on Spanish each day, and having fun in the process, is working just fine. I’m gradually recognizing a few more words, which is an added treat. The real reward is it reinforces the idea that patience, persistence, and enjoying the process can be the super powers of a happy life.

At least that works for me. What works for you?

January 25, 2025