For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 18, 2017

Yes, skin sticks, clothes slide.

although he didn’t wear shorts, even Calvin dismounted when about to go down a hot slide (I forgot what he said – as if breaking the fourth wall to give advise – in the final panel though)

There was a famous person who used to stick their finger in the air and say, “Thought for the day” like Lizzie does in the second panel, but I don’t remember who it was. Does anyone else remember?

Not sure but Red Green and or Red Skelton both come to mind?

Do they still make metallic slides? I thought those went the way of the dodo…

Sit on a sheet of waxed paper (parchment paper, now?) when you slide. More fun.

Considering how long ago the original strip was published – between 1979 and 2008, metal slides were still used in many playgrounds. It was indestructible, a most sought after quality in anything to do with children’s play things. Toy manufacturers are still looking.

but even the plastic slides get hot, not “egg fry” hot but hot enough to make it uncomfortable.

I used to do that in the summer. It was a “dare” thing with the neighbourhood kids.

Kids still do this every year until they learn from their mistakes when they’re older.

“Princess Red Bottom”!

We did the wax paper thing, too. There was a very long, public pipe railing that went along the cement stairs, down our street hill to the lower level. We’d wax that sucker and slide down it sideways to the bottom. Great neighborhood fun in those days. It is still there, but tweaked a bit now, so skateboarders don’t ride the top railing down on their boards. The Canesteo River also ran across the street from us. It had steep, long grass banks (in the summer and snow banks in the winter :) that were busy with us riding cardboard “sleds” on that grass in the summer. Happy days for us.

Ah, metal slides. The staple of every southern Arizona playground. Explain THAT one to me.

The solution is to lean back and stick your legs in the air. Still hot through the shorts but no skin connection. And make sure you put your legs down before getting to the end or else you’ll land on your back.

I learned this at a very young age!

Lynn’s notes:

This was based on my playground memories, but you don’t see too many metal slides any more. They were hot in the summer, but with a bit of polishing and a pair of long pants, they were faster than poop through a goose! Nope. Modern plastic slides just don’t cut it.

I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. They had this big metal slide at the playground – I loved playing on it as a child. Fast forward to 2013 – that SAME metal slide is still there!! And I had a blast sliding down it when I went home for my high school reunion. LOL. I have photos! That slide is at least 60 years old.

better shorts on than shorts off…

It looks like Lizard Breath, that’s what Michael calls her has a Tsore-Ass. Either that or some Hot Cross Buns! Thank you. I’ll be here all week!

That’s a mistake you make only once … but most of us have made it; and it continues to be made.