For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 15, 2024

John would not be stopping if he was driving down the highway then a beautiful blonde in a red Ferrari drove alongside him.

This reminds me of one of my favorite movies: ROMAN HOLIDAY. In it, Audrey Hepburn played a princess on a state visit to various European countries, whose days are so crammed with activities that she nearly goes mad!

If they have never been to Vancouver before, it doesn’t take much energy to sightsee everywhere around there.

Maybe now John might have a little more sympathy for Liz…

They’re visiting my neck of the woods (Vancouver).

Routine is a comfort zone. Vacations (aka holidays) can get us out of our comfort zones. And that’s not comfortable.

The last vacation I took was September of 2004. My husband & I drove down to visit his mother. Our older daughter was not quite 2 and I was pregnant with our younger girl. We ended up driving right into hurricane Ivan. We stayed with my husband’s sister (because his mother didn’t want us staying with her) and she let her younger daughter (just a year older than our girl) ransack our stuff. They complained when we said we wanted to go somewhere local for dinner; they wanted to go to a chain place that we have here at home. It wasn’t a great vacation.

My last vacation was six years ago. I spent 35 days in Ashkelon, Israel. I was living steps away from the Mediterranean Sea. A cup of coffee in the morning, a folding chair and my feet in the water. That was relaxation.

I have to be honest, it’s your fault for visiting both sets of grandparents. You didn’t have to be that or you didn’t have to do it at the same time.

The last panel…some mothers never stop being a mommy.

They should stop at a hotel in between to have a day or two to just lie by the pool.

In my experience, a good vacation has time for activities AND relaxation, but I think that also depends on if you have family in the area or not.

Way back in the early ’50’s we stayed at a small motel that was fascinating, in the Pennsylvania foothills. Whenever I see “It happened one night” I always remember it – it was just the same. Except for the blanket.

How old is Ellie? Her parents look like they’re about 100.

My family learned a big lesson a few years ago: There is a BIG difference between a “Trip” and a “Vacation.”

On a “Trip,” you visit, you plan, you do. It’s when you visit family, go to Disney, see NYC, etc. You are making memories and bombarding loved ones. There is a purpose to it, and it’s enjoyable, but it’s hectic and usually expensive.

On a “Vacation,” you rest, specifically getting away from doing things. IF you plan anything, it’s low-key, like an easy walk around the town where you’re staying or a stroll to smell out where you want to eat dinner. Most of your time is spent relaxing: either by a pool/beach, the scenic balcony in your room, out in nature, and ideally spending lots of quality time with your loved one(s). My favorite is getting a lakeside cabin in the mountains and alternating between board games, napping, and gentle walks in the woods.

In any case, it looks like John wants a “Vacation,” but he’s on a “Trip”

Being retired, everyday is a vacation

We went to the Jersey shore every year. For my Dad, it was five days of golf. For my Mom, it was five days at the beach. And they and the family we went with played bridge every night.

My last vacation was a week in the Berkshires, an hour and a half’s drive from home. No planes or trains anymore, thank you.

John sounds like me, I am so ready to go home after a few days away.

John and Ellie are tired. Do something with Liz and April and let them relax for a day or so.

I have to fly out to a wedding, not overly thrilled about it. Not too far but airports are such a pain.

The strain of traveling seems to have caught up with him all at once. Or maybe he just has more time for his family than he has for his in-laws.

Either way, this is the second day in a row where he needs alcohol to feel normal. Should we start worrying?

If you are visiting family, it’s not really a vacation, and I say that with the best of feelings! All that baggage gets heavy after a while (Ain’t talkin about suitcases either) ! ;-)

We like taking our motorhome to visit. That way everyone gets some time apart when needed.

Don’t remind them.

“Vacation” means so many different things to so many different people! (And I’m with him…)

THIS is why I refuse to go on vacation and visit people.

My great aunt is habitual in planning a long list of things to do. If I wanted to go and DO stuff, I’d go on my own, or not visit people. I want to visit you aunty, not travel the city, after I travelled to see you!

Is it for better or for worse?

Been on a few of those, I don’t want to be entertained or do the entertaining. Just a hammock in the sun and a margarita by my side and I’ll be just fine.

The longer the vacation,the more you need a vacation FROM the vacation

Ever think about telling people you’re going on a vacation, then actually staying at home?