Pickles by Brian Crane for February 09, 2023

Plus it’s better sitting the car than being bored out of your skull following Opal around in the store. Right Earl ?

“…and count how many people come up and ask me if I’m just leaving.”

I’ll do that while my wife is in line at Costco. Good tunes on the radio.

How long’s the while, Earl? Until Opal returns with her purchases?

Kinda reminds you of George Costanza…

That happened to me, I found a parking spot close to the hospital clinic I took my wife to!

First and last time probably!!

With Earl’s luck, he’s probably parked in a handicapped zone.

I like cars, and I think that might be a Studebaker.

Earl and Opal would have been infants when that Studebaker was produced.

I tried that before and my ex said no.

My favorite store has curbside delivery. Just order the stuff online, pull up, and they put it in my trunk.

They also deliver to my home. I do that if the weather gets bad.

Rare getting a parking space so close, you lucked out Earl!

I’d rather park farther away and get the exercise. There’s a much less chance of another vehicle crowding you in. I always look for a parking spot that I can pull through to avoid backing up. Otherwise I always back in to a parking spot rather than backing out. That way there’s much less going on behind me such as cars going by or people walking or especially children running.

Vintage cartoon requires a vintage car.

good gawd!

ANOTHER trip to the Yarn Barn?

Savoring a job well done, Earl?

Earl is truly a landmark of mediocrity

I still love that car.

And see how many cars will stack up thinking that Earl is about to leave.

And, as it’s a tow away zone, it’ll be a VERY sort time. But the trip to the impound yard will be pleasantly scenic.

Wanna have some REAL fun..??? - Put the car in reverse, keep your foot on the brake……. and just SIT there for 1/2 an hour or so.

What a nice spacious parking lot. The ones around here are sized for an MG Midget.

Does Columbo know that his car has been stolen?

I remember those cars….in about 1965, I ordered a Pontiac Tempest. I had to wait 3 months for it because the workers went on strike. I paid $2,600.00 for a brand new, right off the line.

But EARL. How can you possibly not want to go into the Yarn Barn? They probably have a display on the history of knitting needles. Oh the excitement.

Sorry the dripping sarcasm font isn’t working today.

Wow! First time I’ve heard Opal compliment Earl.

Regrettably, this is the mindset of most Americans…. park as close to the door as possible to avoid getting even a modicum of exercise. Coupled with over-eating, it’s no surprise that obesity and all the bad side effects are approaching epidemic proportions.

I don’t spend a lot of time looking for a spot. As long as I can catch an Uber from my parking spot to the door, that’s close enough for me.

Earl, you remind me of my late husband.

Their Studebaker is a 1950 Starlight coupe. The “bullet” on a 1951 model is different.

I really, really get this Earl. Sit and enjoy!

Got that right Earl

Gets out of shopping.

That’s a 1950/51 Studebaker “Bullet Nose” Commander, making it about 73 years old. If Earl’s had it since new when he was, what, 18? then he’s now 91.

Sometimes we senior-seniors do a doody in our Studie.

That’s what all the other guys for the “Bring your Husband Night” hiding in the parking lot are saying.

I sure hope Roscoe gets to go for rides once in a while.

I normally stay in the car and catch a nap when my wife is in Hobby Lobby or JoAnn, but last week I was in JoAnn with her and a woman in line asked how she got me to come in with her. I told her they have a restroom.

been there, done that, but not in a cool Studebaker

My super power is always having parking places open up for me even when the lot is full of cars all looking for an open spot. But that power is tempered considerably when hitting every red light

What troubles me about this comic is that if Earl and Opal are of a typical grandparent age for a 10-year-old grandson, they’d be about my age. And I can NOT look that old!

Was there handicapped parking back then?

My dream car as a teenager was a 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk

I can understand how Earl feels. I remember parking in a cherry spot in front of The Building on the night shifts where I first worked in on my first duty station back in the early to mid ‘70s. Enjoyed coming out in the morning and leisurely warming up my car while several cars were vying for my spot. Back then, I didn’t know schadenfreude was a thing! ;-p

Two good things about today’s Pickles: Seeing a classic Studebaker, and Opal actually paying Earl a compliment.

So wonderful to see Earl drives a classic car. So lucky that Brian draws this in his strip.