Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for August 27, 2024

Here we go again!

Gus to the rescue. Funny how he knows just when something needs doing.

And the plot sorta thickens.

[ drumroll ]

I’m beginning to think that Jimmy has a bet with someone on how long this plot arc can stretch…

Ominous music playing in the background of the fourth frame…

So being closer to the children is no longer important? Or did they forget that bit? They don’t seem to have friends or a community where they are.

Priorities change when you are home everyday?

When you need to travel to see loved ones the time you have together is more special.

Free vacation home on the coast?

Seeing as this is a comic and having the characters move wouldn’t impact their activities much (as they are often seen in their house), why not just have them move? That way we’d see the kids more and they’d have the beach as a setting.

What’s that, Gus?

You sold everything, so now you and the kids are worth millions?

And they want to be further inland away from the rising seas?

I have always dreamed of moving back to my hometown but it’s beginning to feel more and more like a dream and never a reality. True, my hometown was never “Mayberry” but I have lived in a lot of different towns and states but really never was comfortable there.

Yeah, when my mother had to leave the house where she’d lived since the 1940s (she was 96) and go to assisted living… she lived a few more months. She just lost interest. Although she’d been saying for a while that people shouldn’t be allowed to get that old.

Great. So glad it seems they are not moving. Way to go Jimmy J.

Cue dramatic music.

Here comes another curve-ball…

If I’d been given a chance to move and live on a body of water with a boat in a warmer climate, you’d have to put me in chains to keep me from moving!

I agree. Their social circle does not seem very big. Friends are like plants. You have to cultivate them.

Why are A&J even staying there? They don’t (visibly) work and they don’t have (visible) local ties. Janis’ friend Robin disappeared years ago and the next closest tie is the neighbor that Janis sess on her walks.

He found you the perfect house.

Just when Arlo thought it might be safe…

kids are the mcguffin…

Gus calls and saves the day!

RuhRo

Gus felt a disturbance in the force!!

Did anybody else notice that in the 4th panel there’s a call from Gus? The plot might thicken tomorrow!

Like two tablespoons of cornstarch, the pot thickens.

Plot Twist…..

Without the kids, we are kind of limited on story arcs. We can’t just go from one romatic interlude to the next? Well it does seem to work on Chickweed Lane. Carry on.

Saved by the bell (or ringtone)

Give the kids their own strip and do crossovers!

I get the feeling that Arlo’s ring tone should have been Fate Knocks At The Door, aka the opening of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony: da-da-da-DUUUUUUN!

After all this tease about moving, no relatives or friends around, no job obligations…a home near the sea? life is short, get up and go!

They should change the name of this strip to “To Move or Not Move. That Is The Question”.

Beethoven is good. The theme from Jaws comes to mind as a warning trac. What could go wrong???

Called it. Knew they wouldn’t leave.

JJ’s retirement has been a theme in comments for years. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Plot complication off the port bow.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!!

Go Gus, try to make them change idea!

Gus is a factor only if you’re not sure about what you want. If you are, Gus don’t matter.

You’re about to be a grandfather again? That’s grea…

I love this strip. It’s in my top 5. But man I’m looking for some closure on this moving.

The “kids” like the extra help is all.

Husband has talked about moving when got older since at least our 30s – I don’t want to move. I like it here despite all the annoyances.