Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for March 02, 2024

Leading with your chin there JJ.

I would buy tickets for that.

Another exciting and hilarious episode of “As The Stomach Turns”.

“Ultimately, I think I prefer the gag-a-day format, done well. The ‘done well’ part is crucial.”

Yeah, Babe.

A Hispanic character might be just what this strip needs

I’m very familiar with the term ‘’Come-to-Jesus Meeting’’ having spent so many years living in North Carolina. Traveling Preachers would come and go throughout the little towns and cities, setting up their tents and sound systems and inviting anyone to stop by. I miss that culture, although I have seen it a few times here in northernmost Maine.

This is getting very tiresome. Just mind your own business and leave Pop alone and you mom and dad. Pushing them for your agenda is very wrong.

What is his QUALITY OF LIFE. Why would you want a person to be miserable during the last of their life? What do you have against them?

This is starting to remind me of when I had to take my Mothers car keys. She had broken both her hips and the doctor said she absolutely could never drive again. That was a come to Jesus month!

Is there really such a thing? if so, it would be totally ridiculous.

Just remember, no one is going to win this. Minimize your losses, and somebody make up the couch for a new occupant.

Careful about giving ultimatums, the one you give it too might just decide to take you up on it.

Head for the couch, bub. It’s your new bed.

One time you may not want to be in the front row

How about someone to visit and cook for him each day? He does have the wherewithal for that.

Maybe that’s his plan…….

I wonder how far the condo is from Mary Lu and Gene’s home? Surely she could check on him a couple times a week. Arlo and Janis stayed at the condo when they visited the kids, so it must be a short drive. And she could video chat a couple other times a week.

RE: “You obviously have not seen a parent declining and in denial about it.” Some of us have seen this and still value our parents’ rights to make their own choices.

I have absolutely seen various levels of parental decline. My mother-in-law should ideally have been getting assistance in the home or assisted living five years ago. By the time she was forced into long-term care, she had let herself go to the point of weight loss and a major stroke.

Here’s the thing. She was adamantly opposed to letting anyone in her house (including her kids), and resolutely wanted to die in her own home. While she would have been healthier with care provision, I do not believe she would have been happier. She was an extremely independent person. Since she was mentally competent, she had the legal right to make her own decisions. But we also came to realize that it is her life, not ours, and if she doesn’t value prolonging it or keeping herself healthy, that’s OK. And yes, that does mean that this last stage of her life is harder than it had to be (for all of us). But it was hers to choose.

On the flip side of this, I have a child with disabilities who is quickly approaching adulthood. Helping her to attain every ounce of adult independence she can (mistakes and all) is a very important value for me. So maybe I value the importance of independence and free will a little more because of that.

Jean, witty just like the old man

What’s the point of living longer if you can’t enjoy yourself?

Oh that will go well I am sure!

Read my posting from yesterday.

A very thought-provoking story and discussion. Thank you all.

I wish my daughter would want to help me in my dotage, God knows I’m not doing a bang up job on my own.

Since Jesus said to his followers You received free so give free, we shouldn’t have to buy tickets to meetings about him, though we might feel a contribution is OK in our own ability

Will Gus move? Will Arlo & Janis move? This is getting dragged out way too long and is boring.

Those blankets tied slam tight around Gene is body language for “stay away”.

here then is my dilemma, my eight decade old eyes look out upon the ocean and my brain opens the file of teen-age me, lifeguard, open water swimmer, surfer, who on the off day would ride his bicycle 200 miles just for fun [and to get the best Italian Hotdog in the state at the midway point]; and my brain wants to write the check my body cannot cash by saying ‘just look at those six foot waves making tight barrels out there, let’s give it one more try’.