For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 14, 2020

pretty ridiculous indeed

“hmmmm. she can’t hear me ? Lizard breath, lizard breath, lizard breath !

Clearly the Pattersons buy diapers in bulk. So far this new story reminds me of an old episode of the Brady Bunch where they tried an unusual method of separation to keep two of the boys from fighting.

Pretty clever idea actually!

What !!?

If she can’t hear Mike, does that mean she’s talking to herself? Not a problem as long as you don’t lose the arguments.

Mike, that should tell you what a creep you are.

That’s pretty clever!

Since we live in very close quarters, we established a rule where, if someone is wearing ear buds or headphones, it’s like a closed door & they want to be alone. It’s the only way to establish any semblance of privacy. Not quite the same as a “mad wall”, but good for times when someone is angry & just wants to be left alone.

I’m wearing one of those to the grocery store!

I’ve used a virtual one for years when it comes to political ads.

Hey, I should get one of those for work. A cubicle ‘box of solitude’. When I’m in the box, no walk bys allowed.

Me thinks he doth distain the snub.

Lynn’s Comments:

Whenever I did stories about anger and putting up walls, I always got mail from people who used it to talk to their own kids about situations they were going through.

Liz might have something here. The box will collect and focus the TVs sound making it useful for the hard of hearing. It may also be warmer during the Winter months.

How does it feel not to be liked, Mike?

I need something like that to block the ads on either side of todays comics…

Time to break out the sharpie >.<

On the other hand, Mike doesn’t have to share that huge bowl of popcorn. Win some, lose some.

Sometimes Mike is not just teasing her, he is actually mean to her, and does not realize it.

Hm, I wonder if that could work in keeping kids from fighting in the car?

The low tech alternative to the “cone of silence”

Brilliant. I wish I’d have thought of that with my brother.

If you don’t like it, Michael, blame yourself.

I think she struck a nerve.

Michael would want Elizabeth to hear “lizard breath.”

She should just ignore the jerk of a brother. He would rather have any attention, even if it is negative.

And I can’t smell your buttered popcorn, either, nor the grated parmesan cheese you sprinkled on it.

Notice how long her legs are getting. She must almost be as tall as Michael.

Soundproof cardboard.

An older brother would toot in it as he walks by.

Excellent for families with children during this time.

SPEAKER: Can you hear me in the back?

AUDIENCE IN THE BACK: NO!

SPEAKER: Then how do you know what I said?