Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for July 22, 2014

Is it just me, or do the men on Ballard Street always seem to be clean-shaven? No moustaches or beards.

Bev… Yep.As hobbies go, Ted’s choice is for the birds.

And Brian…I’m thinking it’s the demographic…Jerry is portraying a certain segment of the population, mostly quite senior, but not aged…living in older, settled neighborhoods…He’s contrasting their eccentric, off-beat inner lives with their outwardly very traditional, conformist, even old-fashioned appearance…and that look seldom includes facial hair.

Well, that, or he can’t draw beards.

Hi Dog!I gotta go home soon, but can I buy you a beer at the Tiki?

Note to Monkey:

Dear Monkey...I hope you saw my apology the other day ... and that you know I was only teasing you...it was cos you told everybody I would save old yak ribs to serve.

You KNOW I think you are a handsome monkey, not to mention very suave and debonair.... and a good friend....and NOT gorilla-ish at all. I was just joking about the chandelier... I mean, SID sleeps up there, and he IS gorilla-ish.

Just to make it up to you, I will re-post the link to your band, so everybody can hear you play.

Please forgive me....sniffle...

See?Look everybody…. here’s audio of Sheriff MonkeyBlues’ band performing!

And now I have to say goodnight.Goodnight.

Ted is really saying he has a crumby life.

Not if Sparky has anything to say about it, Ted!

As shown by our wonderful illustrators…..Yes Ted….they have been noticed…..and dealt with.

Trail thoughts trouble Ted…

What’s up with that shirt?

It will if it’s garlic bread………..

The guy that does this strip clearly lives in another dimension. His sense of humor is so unique. It is the highlight of my morning!

I always love Ballard Street, because they are always funny. But this one is great — and almost serious. I wonder the same thing occasionally.

We’ve noticed.We always notice.

@beviekYes, yes I did…

Here is the rest of it.

pcolli said, about 3 hours ago@BRI-NO-MITE!!What would the 1950s thought about my beard?-——————————————————————————————-That you were a hillbilly…

Tanks ReD..>!!!Dat wuz mah base playa singin… he duz perty gud…. had ta relly try hard ta make mah gitter sound awl twangy an hung over, ya nose… mah laydest vershon is wit a glass Coricidin Bottle slyde… MUTCH bedder (ifn ah sez so)…BTW, tehm udder tew ah rote mahseff…Ahl Wait and Porter Blues… (an that aint porter beer neether…) cheres!!!

gotta go SuSun..!!!(ahl gits mah footsrub layder okey?)o..O

They were crumby trail, DOGSNIFF, UNFORTUNATELY.

Spot marks his trail a little differently? Well, I should hope so, DOH. I would hate to see Ted mark his trail like Spot does….Peace….

Oh, I see. I had to scroll down to see the bunny…Was he trying to sit on the statute? Pigeons, I understand, but bunnies?

Hey BEV! I caught your Rolo dance finally! I love the way you twirl at the end.I can imagine eating Rolos all one’s life would make it hard to stay nimble on one’s feet. Especially wrapped on that costume. Well done!

I may be dozing on the rug by the fire tonight if you drop by. Wake me up if you aren’t too late.If you are, you won’t see me. Kitty Kitty Bang Bang will come by to take me to the castle tonight.

My chariot awaits.Good night…

I’m not a big fan of beards, but could get used to it while camping at least

and my guy’s mustache is nice.