A Visit with the Funny Pages

All it takes is going out of town to find out what comics print where, and the differences in your geo-political location. Major metropolitan areas (such as Washington, DC) seem to have no problem issuing a two-section comic insert, while those of us living in lesser-populated areas only get one. Unfortunately, what we do get isn’t necessarily so hotsy-totsy.

I guess I should be pleased to be able to read old "Peanuts" strips now that Charles Shultz is gone. I used to read those little "Peanuts" paperbacks when I was a kid. I still love watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

In general, I should be thrilled that "Doonesbury" is even printed in my comic pages, considering I live in a heavy-Republican Southern state.

But what is this comic strip “Rhymes With Orange?” The title alone amuses me to no end, since there is not any single word in the English language that rhymes with the word “orange.” (or is there)? Plus, its writer/creator is a woman. How great is that? “Sherman’s Lagoon” is adorable, and I thought “Monty” and “Out of the Gene Pool” are not bad. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these while I am temporarily staying in the area. I am also delighted to be able to read “Opus,” which is an off-shoot of “Bloom County,” my all-time favorite comic. It just so happens that I own several stuffed Opus dolls. They are currently in storage, waiting for the time my house is finally remodeled inside, and the dust has settled enough to allow me to have kafca on display.

So, as all good things must come to an end, I will be returning shortly to that comic desert in which I reside. I must say, though, I really do miss Bill the Cat.