For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 20, 2022

ain’t home renovations fascinating?

Dad has no problem taking the room.

Thanks, Dad! I could see it was going to be hard to convince her without you!

I bet it was the “No stairs” that sold the offer of the master bedroom. And the private bath didn’t hurt the offer either.

Patterfoobs…

Mom is typical of the depression era in the first panel: “No, no. Denial. We’re not entitled to ever have anything”. Meanwhile, in the last panel Dad has decided to live life to whatever the fullest may be in his world.

Where’s the remote? Dad doesn’t want to miss the kickoff

Hotel Patterson. That has a nice ring to it.

Sometimes, it’s okay to look a gift horse in the mouth. He really may have great teeth.

And now that Mum has done the obligatory “no you shouldn’t, etc. etc.” she’ll thoroughly enjoy her stay in your new room!

Ah yes, honesty. So refreshing to see instead of all that you shouldn’t have palaver.

Why do parents have to be like that when they are offered anything from their children. There is always that same reply “Oh we just couldn’t (except that or put you out, whatever)” Instead, why don’t they accept with grace and have it done with.

HUH? What is definition of Patterfoobs??

When someone goes out of the way to make you comfortable, say thank you and later tell them how wonderful it was of them to arrange such a nice surprise. Trying to turn it down really is kind of rude in this situation.

The difference between mother and father.

Atta boy Pops!!!

If grandma is upstairs how can they have no stairs (panel 3). Grandma should be down stairs, they are old, hard to clime stairs.

When my father came home from the Vietnam war, my grandparents threw him a “welcome home” party which was attended by many, including some young ladies, one of whom caught his eye and would become my mother. After much joy and toasting one glass after another, everyone went home and my father’s younger brother said they have his room just like he left it. My father declined, saying he would sleep in the basement, causing my uncle to say “The basement? That is screwed up!” I later learned that to a man coming home from war, seeking out the most fortified location made perfect sense.

We see here where Elly learned her martyrdom (martyrness?).

I can’t remember, but has John’s parents ever been featured?

Let the parents be downstairs so they don’t have to go up and down steps.

Uh….no stairs? They literally have to GO UPSTAIRS to get to the bedroom.

Invited Marian? Better keep her out of the kitchen, or the Pattersons won’t have any rooms at all. Burned down!

I believe the “family” bathroom is upstairs. Having the private path eliminates the need to go up the stairs to use the bathroom. They will still have to go up and down stairs to get to the main part of the house, but it still saves several trips (perhaps literally) having them stay upstairs, especially at night.