Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for December 20, 2023

Next comes ‘despair’ then ‘agony’.

That’s the spirit, Gary! Burst through that obstacle to your pursuit of happiness. It’s your constitutional right, dagnab it!

One question, Gary, if I may. Is this a daily ritual, or is today a special ceremony? Hope it works!

The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.

His Nemesis is back there on the porch….both of them.

GLOOM => BOOM! He’ll hit the barrier, the flimsy sticks will yield, the barrier will flop over and Gary will trip on it.

He forgot about doom.

Girding is very important. Every home should have a girding zone.

Gloom for Gary means Doom for his nemesis.

Gary puts the ‘Glo’ in Gloom.

Good morning Balladeers!

Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric mov’d: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon ye who enter here…. – Inferno, Canto 3 by Dante Alighieri

There once was a fella named Gary, who, when sprinting, tended to tarry.

He always gets GERD when doing his gird,

so, how many symbols today, Gary? “Nary…”

Gary finds himself trapped, gloom ahead and behind him.

We’re rooting for you, Gary!

Just remember, when you take a charge at Gloom, make sure your cardboard stays don’t get ruffled.

Gary’s trying to give up the funk…he’s in.

The morning sign: GLOOM.

The evening sign: DOOM.

If he comes home for lunch? NOON.

Gary is a glooms day Sayer.