For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 29, 2024

As a savvy, observant, thinking parent, how come John didn’t see that coming the minute April showed up?

White shirt. Open glass. Cranberry cocktail. Putting the glass on the arm of the chair. It’s pretty obvious where this is going from the first panel. Poor John never seems to be able to have any fun with his kids without something happening to him.

However, the best part of this comic strip is that Elizabeth has gotten to the point where she realizes if John spends time with his kids something bad is going to happen, so she just stands back and hides around the door waiting for it.

Serves him right for lying to a child (even though I don’t like April).

What a clumbsy toddler…

April’s clothes are more coordinated than usual. I hope the cranberry juice didn’t splash on them.

Har Dee Har Har

Interesting how the cocktail in the glass magically fills up. In the second panel there is maybe an inch space empty at the top, as usual. but the cocktail level fills up gradually until just before when April knocks it over, the glass is nearly filled up to the brim! Even though there is no sign that John took a drink and refilled it.

John needs a little vodka in that cocktail…or a lot…

You kind of deserved that one, big guy…

Caught up in Autumn’s revelry.

Ooooooh, cranberry cocktail on a white shirt—-Elle ‘gonna’ have fun gettin’ that out ! ! ! ! No comment on John’s color ! ! ! !

John’s little joke of pulling April leg is all wet.

Pen-is headed Farley killer!

Pen-is headed Farley killer!

And we will watch Lawrence change color.

Sounds like John was having a laugh at his kid’s expense like the father in Calvin & Hobbes, however in this case it backfired. However, at least this father knows his own name, he can identify himself as John Patterson. What do Calvin’s parents tell the IRS, the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Census?

Ocean Spray has a blend of Cranberry and Lime. Nice.

Unintended consequences follow natural laws too.

That’s what you get for exciting a 4-year old, John!

Jon, Jon, Jon. Did you never learn, mother nature looks out for little children and idiots. Never mess with a little child, mother nature will get you back.

“Juice Cocktail” is rarely ever 100% juice. Might as well pour a glass of Cool Aid for the amount of sugar you’re drinking.

Why mix perfectly good juice with sugar water? Because it’s cheaper and they get to squeeze out more profit than fruit

I would have never let go of my drink.

Haha !…. The joys of being a ‘Dad’.

I saw that coming. As soon as the glass kept being shown in more than one frame.

Oops , teasing little kids can have consequences can’t it!

Am I the only one that sees this as John trying to get April interested in the joys of the simple things like admiring the changing of the seasons and all that can come with those changes? It happens, in this case, to also include a bath in cranberry juice. Things happen in life.