Agnes by Tony Cochran for December 20, 2020

That is just sad….

Sometimes one “needs” to buy new stuff… but one can’t.

It’s not a matter of reluctance, but cash.

Girl’s coats are more expensive than you’d think, and their area may not have much discount or closeout shopping.

 

Many places have school, city or county programs that give donated items to needy children…. often they seem to focus on jackets, shoes or backpacks.

However, Grandma is proud… I’m not sure whether she’d seek that sort of help.

Most towns do have thrift shops, though, where she and Agnes are known to shop.

 

So I’m surprised she hasn’t taken Agnes thrift shopping, to replace her stinky old coat.

Maybe Agnes just needs to remind her….

Actually, though… a growing girl can only wear the same garment for so many years.

A 10-year-old would be unlikely to fit into her 2nd grade clothing.

What seems to Agnes, through the lens of childhood, like most of her life is quite probably only a couple of years, in reality.

 

BTW… sorry, other Susan… but calling her “Granny Picklepuss” seems a little harsh.

Grandma is drawn with pointy lips… but she’s given up so much, and works so hard, to support the granddaughter she has willingly taken in.

She acts stern sometimes… but she knows that a certain sternness is required, to offset Agnes’ flights of fancy and extravagant dreams.

Aside from that, there’s always a twinkle in her eye.

She’s very funny. I love her deadpan humor.

 

That Christmas tale from years ago sometimes re-surfaces in the comments…. so I’ve kept a note…

It started Dec 13th 2011, and runs through the 26th.

Definitely worth a rereading…

You can use the calendar above or this link:

https://www.gocomics.com/agnes/2011/12/13?ct=v&cti=1084954

Fewer teeth. Sorry. Wife and daughter are grammar Nazis and it rubs off from time to time.

I spent 10 years working frozen foods, and then 5 years in dairy

Working in a coat or jacket is rough on them and I went through quite a few

Even at a thrift store, cold weather clothing isn’t always easy to find or all that cheap

I have found some good coats, I hope Agnes gets one too

I wish her county had better protective services.

Her threadbare is threadbare… ☺

not a pretty picture

Fewer teeth. Less for measures, fewer for counts. Nobody seems to know this anymore.

Well THAT’S a vivid image!

My first thought was that hill, with those cracks, was going to have an avalanche. Then I saw they were arms. And that smile. And a snowman with hair! My second to last thought was that Agnes makes the dolls on her shelf. My last thought, they are coming to take me away.

I recently ordered a winter coat, one of those puffy ones, with a hood, and also new boots. Neither fit me very well, and I decided to donate them to a charity.

I called place after place. No agency or shelter would come and pick them up, and I do not drive. Most said they do not accept clothing under any circumstances. There is a Salvation Army store that was willing to take them if I walked 2.5 miles there to deliver them, then 2.5 miles home. I started walking. On the way, I passed a charity location where several men were lined up outside for the food that was to be handed out later. I asked a guy from the charity if they could take the coat and boots for someone in need. He said no, they no longer accept clothes, but as I turned to walk away, he said, yes, certainly someone would come by who needed a warm coat and boots.