Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson for October 27, 2024

It’s probably no coincidence that both the Greek and Norse pantheons are ruled by their respective gods of thunder.

User18942

Of all the strips to rerun, this one is quite appropriate for my case and scenario! I was curious to find out the lore of Voltina the Electricity Dragon, so I bought myself Volume 6 of PaHU, The Magic Storm two nights ago off Amazon. It arrived within 24 hours, for it was at my doorstep yesterday afternoon, October 26th.

It’s a short read, and I really enjoyed it. Dakota is portrayed at her absolute worst, being rude to pretty much everyone she interacts with, at one point or another. Marigold, on the other hand, displays a side of concern and worry that played out very well. Voltina’s introduction to the series is tastefully done, and I highly recommend you pick up a copy for yourself, if you’re into this comic.

I won’t dive deep into it here, but there’s an aspect I don’t like that’s canon to the series. It’s a sensitive topic that most people, both in the world and on this website, would agree with, while others wouldn’t. However, it doesn’t detract from the book that much. The only other complaint I have is that the ending feels a bit rushed, but even then, it’s a minor nit-pick.

Over all, I give the book a solid 9/10 for being an enjoyable read that fleshes out the characters. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see Voltina make more appearances in the future. Mayhap we’ll get a two-in-one book featuring the separate adventures of Max and Voltina and Dakota and Lord Splendid Humility. It could happen, right?

When I was in grade school, a thunderstorm raged during lunchtime recess. The teachers wouldn’t let us go inside. We were required to stay in the outdoor covered area. We were dry and protected from the wind, but there was a storm going on. I saw through the green plastic corrugated roof a bright streak that was instantly followed by a loud ker-krak. The teachers then let us go inside. After school I saw why. Across the street from the school there had been a tree. In its place was a scattering of tree pieces. Ten years later when I left for college, there was still a significant depression in the yard where that tree had been.

It’s the electrocution part I tend to worry about.

When camping years ago lightning struck as my son was riding his bicycle, he said he felt the electricity go up his leg, but he was shook up but ok.!

Marigold carries around her own lightning rod!

Storms are exciting! Unfortunately most of the cats I’ve known would disagree.

Careful, Marigold! Your horn could attract…

I saw lightning strikes close up twice. The first time, I was standing on a loading dock, watching the spectacle, when a lightning rod on the building across the yard was struck. I heard a distinct “PING” before the rumble of the thunder a fraction of a second later. The second time, I looked out a window when the tree across the street was struck. The thunder was instant and much more violent. It rattled the window frame. The tree had some scorch marks, but not much other damage. But… under the tree was a telephone distribution box. Our phone lines went out that moment. Oddly enough, the internet connection, running over the exact same wires, was unaffected.

Twin pony tails,of course…

I like a good thunderstorm. I’m sure I’d get along famously with unicorns.

Filly Marigold with the Twin Tails! So cute!

In May of 2020, lightning hit a tree in front of my condo. The flash and thunder were so close to simultaneous that I couldn’t tell the difference, following which I heard the sound of something crashing to the ground. I was at the back of the condo at the time, so I was maybe about 50 or 60 feet from the tree. When I went to look, I’d guess at least a third, perhaps half, of the tree was littering the ground; big splinters were thrown up onto my patio. The tree was split open to the heartwood, and the workers who came to investigate cut down what was left standing, evidently deciding it was beyond saving.

By the way … “Galileo!”

FUN FACT: As of the time this comment is being typed, this strip recently turned five years old. It was originally published on October 13th, 2019. Incidentally, the original publishing date was four days off from the two-year anniversary of the release of Phoebe and Her Unicorn in The Magic Storm, the sixth book in the series, which was published on October 17th, 2017.

Why haven’t we seen more of filly Marigold? Look at the bows!

I was in first grade, watching a semi-religious TV show called “This is the Life.” In the show, a teenage boy was hit by lightning and killed (off-screen). I had not known at this time that lightning could be lethal. I immediately went to my Mom to ask her about this, but she was busy making Sunday dinner. And that began a phobia of lightning that went on for three years. I read the facts, how unlikely it is to get hit by lightning, that wearing rubber soles protected me (something my Mom later told me) everything meant to calm me. But I couldn’t even look at the L volume of our World Book Encyclopedia. Nowadays, kids can look stuff up on the Internet. Still, no matter how busy you are, if something has scared your child, take the time to talk with them about it!

lightning doesn’t make a noise …….. thunder does nitwit!

Perhaps she overcame it by realizing how fleeting lightning is.

“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” Mark Twain When you hear the powerful boom immediately after the bright flash, be thankful you were not in the path of the lightning stroke.

Episode 329

Aww, baby Marigold!

How old was she, given her age? (“I’ve seen mountains rise and valley fall.”)

Know why lightning never strikes the same place twice?

Because the same place isn’t there any more…