Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for December 30, 2021

Good thing Meg went home, wait, maybe Janis used the same word Meg used watching the basketball game.

Let it go Arlo, nothing good will come from anything you say. Just ask her if she would like some wine with her bath.

I guess she doesn’t work from home.

She could shake things up and not come home in the dark. Stay out all night and don’t come home until the cock crows.

From Arlo’s look, she must not swear all that often.

Why not do both?

And she just let go with a Beaut!

The last time I saw anyone walking around with a candle was a Lucia celebration in Scandinavia.

(I wonder if I’ll be able to repeat the experience in 2022.)

I retired 2+ years ago and for maybe the 2nd or 3rd time since, I drove in the dark last night, geez night time driving sucks now.

Janis, Janis, Janis. Quit complaining. The daylight hours are lengthening now.

“I don’t want a solution. I want to complain.”

The sun has shined about twice in the last 10 days. Dreary dreary, but better than blizzards.

One of my paintings (of candles guttering) is called “I’d Rather Curse the Darkness”.

feelings, nothing more than feelings………..trying to forget my feelings of (wanting to curse the darkness!)—— you’re welcome for the earworm I just wanted to share my pain – CURSES! lol hysterically

One of my favorites:

https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2012/09/06

Oddly enough, this reminds me to put the hummingbird feeders back out. I bring them in at night to keep the nectar from freezing.

Exactly why I call Standard Time “DWT” – Daylight Wasting Time, or if I’m in a REALLY “cursing” mood, “D@mn Winter Time.” If I had my way daylight saving time would be year ’round, and in winter it would be TWO hours.

https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1965/09/09

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing caused by reduced light in winter and can be treated with supplemental light of a particular wave frequency.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

At the end of what has been a horrendous year for many, maybe JJ wants to look a bit deeper- the darkness surrounding this moment. certainly light the candle of hope but it is hard to not want to scream in angry frustration at the darkness and the wilful ignorance, petulance, fear and hatred that have encouraged and deepened the darkness

The days will be longer in 6 months Janis.

At least she’s considering the alternatives. I just curse.

I drive every night to and from dinner. Those LED lights are blinding. Should be outlawed.

Maybe the cursing started after trying to exchange Christmas gifts.

“Well, hello sailor!” ☺

I thought she retired years ago?

I love that these people, Arlo and Janis, feel the conflict of being down, wanting to be positive, and having a tough time of it. Yes, I’m generally here for the humor, but reality is … helpful? I hope.

i feel the same way…i hate it getting darker earlier especially when the time changes. i am from Oh and when i visited a friend in Virginia Beach VA it amazed me how it was darker earlier there . then i realized it is farther East than where i live.

I’m guessing by his expression that Arlo knows THAT mood.

Coming home from where?

When i was teaching, I’d go to school in the dark and come home in the dark for months. (…and my pupils were in the dark most of the time… ba-dump-bump)

Then don’t come home so late.

She better pay attention. She might go in the wrong house…

As they are retired there is little reason to be out shopping in the dark. Just got back from that 30 minutes ago. sunshine leaving and sunshine arriving back an hour later.

What is Arlo shocked at in the last panel?

Then she should go out shopping earlier in the day.

especially when the candle blows out…..

I hate coming home to a dark cold house but Arlo was there , the lights on and if he was on the ball, a little pick me up ready for her. Janice does not know when she is well off

call me confused but are they retired or not. I guess she could be coming home from anywhere but it appears that she is coming from work.

A POX ON YOUR HOUSE!!

Hmmm, not feeling it.

Then she needs to go out earlier.

I love early darkness in the winter. It’s SUPPOSED to be dark, dang it!

I love JJ’s “atmosphere” drawings, like the sunset sky in panel 1. Very evocative.

There are times when profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.—Mark Twain (more or less)

Years ago, Linus quoted this to Lucy. Lucy responded with “Stupid darkness!”

(Apologies if this has already been covered – there are over 100 comments, and I’m late for dinner!)

I used to work from 0600 to 1700 and hated the winter months when I never saw the outside of my house for 4-5 months.

The sun is already setting 10 minutes later here….