Bloom County by Berkeley Breathed for November 15, 2023

I hope he got the extended warranty.

If only I still had my 40 year old body!

I’m proud of my age—I’ve earned every year. But parts grow old on my 79 y/o body. Some will get replaced (hip for sure, maybe knees), some will just falter and quit altogether. But up in my mind, where I really live, I’m still 35!

I photocopied this one and edited it with tippex and a pen back when it first came out for a friends 30th birthday, he was constantly a glass half empty or even ‘what glass?’ kind of guy. Then 10 years later I edited it in Paint – remember that? It’s still there – for his 40th. His pessimism got worse, and after the Brexit vote he was convinced we would be scavenging in the ruins of the UK for rats to eat and living on EU food aid. So he fled to New Zealand, which has now lurched to the Right, though socially it has always been a decade or 2 behind the civilised nations.

I’m mid fiftees, but have been roofing for thirty years. I always tell people that roofing years is like dog years on your body. I definitely feel older than my age. Can hardly move anymore. You know … it’s ruff!

Berke Breathed was in his 20s to early 30s when he drew Bloom County back in the 80s, so he might have had a different idea of what’s considered “old” then.

Soon after my husband turned 50 he ended up in the hospital and almost died. Fast forward a couple of years when it was announced that it was the 50th anniversary of one of our daughters’ favorite children’s books. Our girl looked at the book & said, “Now that it’s 50, is it going to fall apart?”

I have a whole new appreciation for this one now that I’m over 50.

I ran marathons in my late 30s and a half marathon at age 49. My brother ran several marathons in his 50s. Even in my mid 60s I really don’t feel ‘old’ yet.

In that second frame Dad actually looks like a real human being. Did Berk draw this around a significant birthday of his own?

The day you stop “jostling your bed” is the day you start to truly die.

Keep jostling. Jostle alone if you must, but I hope most of you have eager jostling partners!

50…

Actually, all of your organs are replaced during your lifetime. Some as short as a few days, others up to 70 years. It’s just that the copying process isn’t 100% efficient.

Perhaps tellingly, it appears that most of the brain doesn’t regenerate.

Today is the youngest we’ll ever be. So make the most of it, be happy, and enjoy it.

The warranty ran out six years ago. But at 71, everything still works. Admittedly it may take some extra effort and care to avoid popping a joint or yanking a muscle too fast.

Hang on, Tom Binkley! Your son Michael (a.k.a. Young Binkley) will not be the death of you, I think….