For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 22, 2024

Elizabeth staying at home with Michael!? Elly is right about that it would not work. The last time she left them alone together for just a few hours, they trashed a window on the house. Imagine leaving them alone for weeks? There would be no house left.

In despite of herself, she’ll have fun nonetheless

I like the subtle detail here.. Ellie’s being self righteous in panel 3 givinig her the old “we’ve been over this it’s not like you have a best friend who lives next door you could stay with i’m not explaning away due to lack of panel space” routine.. but she’s not wrong Liz and Mike can’t go two minutes without fighting. I mean they once got sent to camp soley because they couldn’t stop fighting and Mike stupidly broke a window after she locked him out rather than apologizing for starting it. While both are older and slightly more mature, it makes sense not to leave them alone to due battle with one another.

Again though.. WHY Dawn isn’t an option dosent seem to have been explained. It’s fair if her parents don’t feel like taking care of another kid for the week and like I joked about, I get panel space is tight (Less tight than Lynn thinks in her commentaries, but still pretty tight especailly with the real world time scale), but as far as I can tell they never explained it. I even checked the book this arc is in. Just either explain that or have el tell her no. It takes one sentence you could add to another somewhere.

She’s going without her brother. You’d think she’d like that.

Maybe Elizabeth will find romance on this trip—which will exasperate her mother even more, since she’ll lose her unpaid baby-sitter!

“Off-watch personnel will attend the Flight Deck USO show in dress uniform, and display their enjoying it!!” orders on USS JFK during Reagan’s visit for the re-dedication of the statue of liberty. “You will have Fun, or else!”

That’s true. The two siblings, Michael and Elizabeth can’t be left to stay at home together.

However not mentioned is if they can leave Michael and April to stay home alone together.

Michael lately has a caring soft spot for April, since she almost died a few months ago.

Do Canadians typically pack clothes when they go to visit Tim Hortons?

I remember loving the trips my family used to take during the summer. My dad had 2 weeks & we’d drive down the coast. Usually we’d spend a day or 2 in Connecticut with friends, a few days in New York City, and a few days in DC. The absolute best one was when I was 17. My dad had 3 weeks. We did our usual, picked my sister up in DC, visited a brother in Georgia, spent a day or 2 in New Orleans, stopped at a wedding in Houston, visited a brother in El Paso, then back north, visiting family in (and here is where my memory fails: Indiana? Ohio? Illinois?) Dad would have the radio on, changing stations whenever we got out of range (although he preferred country music he would find pop stations). I had my Big Book of puzzles and reading books, or my sister, brother & I would joke, laugh & sing in the back seat. (“Crocodile Rock” always brings it back, my sister & I driving Dad crazy with the vocalizations. She was 30 & I was 17, but one would think we were both 10. LOL)

I don’t see the problem of her staying home with Michael. She is old enough.

Jeez! Why doesn’t Elizabeth wants to go on a vacation with her family?

I did it; I am in the race.

Woo woo woo, oh Africa!

Family won’t be around forever.

Appreciate time together while you can.

where are we going ?

Oh, what a wonder age…I never had that with my kids, thankfully.

And why not. Mike is in college and sleeps all day after his night shift and Liz is in High Schiool and old enough to take care of herself. Elly needs to start trusting Liz to make right choices

Gee, I know a kid with a stuffed tiger that feels the same way you do. Lighten up, Lizard Breath! It builds character. ;-p

Where are they going?

That was me when I was 16 and “had to go” on a 6 week tent camping vacation – from small town midwest to east coast and up to Montreal for the Worlds Fair – Expo 67. Dad wanted to visit family and military buddies. I wanted to stay home since I had a job and was dating. On the trip, I met The Doors performing at a pool party, Tennessee Earnie Ford, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton and Roger Miller at a charity event. In Maine, I swam in the ocean for the first time and enjoyed a New England Clam Bake. I discovered big cities and drove in rush-hour traffic for the first time (white knuckles the whole time). Met a bunch of super people and overall, had a great time with awesome memories. That trip taught me to look forward to the unknown and I still look forward to seeing new places and meeting people.

Michael is going to be spending his time yelling:

“Farley, oh Farley!”

“Farley, where are you??”

“Yoo hoo!”

Lighten up, Elizabeth.

Always be sure to trash everybody else’s time when having to do what you don’t want to.

This is a road trip to visit the relatives. Can’t blame Elizabeth if she’s not interested.

Elly is a dropout. All Elizabeth needs to do is this:

Elly: You are coming with us.

Elizabeth: Oh no I won’t!

Elly: Oh yes you are.

Elizabeth: Oh no I won’t!

Elly: Oh yes you are.

Elizabeth: Oh no I won’t!

Elly: Oh yes you are.

Elizabeth: Oh yes I will!

Elly: Oh no you won’t!

Elizabeth: Well, OK then. Guess I will be staying here with Michael.

The last family trip I went on I was a very self righteous 16. Up until my mid-twenties I thought about how awful my parents were on that trip. Then upon mature reflection I realized their great self control in not leaving me on the side of the road to fend for myself.

At 16 it is your sworn duty to make sure everyone has a rotten time… and then pout about everyone ignoring you and not understanding you.

I will bet she has more fun than anyone and maybe ruin every one else’s.

Liz, don’t be that way.

Michael will be going out with his buds and Rhetta… and Liz will be at home with…umm, whoever…

I find it strange that there was no mention of an upcoming trip. At this point we don’t know if they’re going away for a week, several weeks, or a month.

Of course she has to go – who would take care of the little brat if she didn’t?

And then she has so much fun she doesn’t want to go home, right?

I hope that we’re not going to be subjected to weeks of her insolence.

Let her invite her friend, Dawn. That’ll make all the difference!

This could be a funny strip:

Elizabeth is glowering; Michael is raising his finger with his “smug, superior expression”

Michael: It is important to go with Mom and Dad on this trip. Remember, it is for family, and there is nothing more important than family…

Elly presses button on answering machine

Answering Machine: Hello Michael, this is Dallas at Megafood. We are having some budget cutbacks and since you were only scheduled for a few hours anyway, you are laid off until next week.

Michael:…As I was saying, family togetherness, Elizabeth.

Elly: My thoughts exactly, Michael. Since you are not working until the week after next you are able to come with us.

Michael’s face changes to a shocked expression

Michael: I can…WHAT?!?!

Final panel. Patterson car is driving on highway. Michael has same sullen expression as Elizabeth

What’s her problem?