Mostly the other characters are compensation enough, but man oh man that Opal is such an irritable old pill. She’s only likable when she goofs up but even then she has something mean to say or someone else to blame it on. Maybe a coconut could fall on her head and make her nice?
It seems to me, at least in families I know, older women don’t feel intimidated by the menfolk, anymore. I remember as a kid hearing my great-aunts and grandmothers tear down their husbands when talking among themselves, sharing their men’s failings and cackling about it. It was kind of embarrassing, but I understood and still remember. Maybe menopause makes women feel more free and draining testosterone makes men more vulnerable.
Love and mutual respect with a bit of tolerance works best in a marriage. Unfortunately that makes for more difficulty when trying to produce a humorous comic strip.
Earl’s wry humor is less denigrating than Opal’s, as far as that goes. She seems to have little or no affection for him.
Observation….the comments above appear to be from men. Observation # 2….the comments above seem to be from people who don’t understand wry humor…..the sort that includes, " I married him for better or worse but not for lunch". She’s teasing, folks. You’re all projecting.
When you have been married for a long time, like 40 or 50 or more years, and both retired, sometimes you need some space from each other. It doesn’t mean you don’t love each other, but you need some breathing space.
Lots of men when they retire, have no life outside of work, and expect their wives to keep entertaining them. The wives don’t think so, because they would like to retire too, from all the cooking, cleaning etc.
Opal’s character doesn’t seem mean to me, she just has a satirical slant. I thought her sister complains about Earl the most. Since we need to know real people by what their voices and eyes display as well, we can only imagine what the cartoonist is revealing about their characters. Some cartoonists do show more feelings in their little people than others. Japanese say that you can see if someone is happy by looking at their eyes, not their mouth. That’s why their emoticons have smiling eyes: (^.^) instead of mouths. :)
I don’t think any of the characters’ comments are meant to be bitter or mean. This kind of relationship is, I consider, in the last stages of earthly love, when you admit your life and your mate’s life are intertwined in history (with a small “h”) and your destiny won’t have many more forking paths. It’s the core of love, with the last resigned, bittersweet laughs before Assisted Living, Hospice, and the final Sleep..In our family, we have a situation like that right now. I know it’s just a cartoon, but that’s what I’ve come to see in the whole Pickle series.
Those who mistakenly think only older women complain about men have not been around women enough. From the earliest age, they share the most intimate and detailed failings of their boyfriends and husbands..It made me fearful of female involvement until I remembered I have no failings..
It does make me wonder, though, why women who know Patsy react upon meeting me for the first time by snickering and smile every time we meet after that. (Not that I’m suspicious or anything.)
Llewellenbruce almost 11 years ago
You should tell Earl to take a long walk on ashort pier, Opal.
Linguist almost 11 years ago
I took a long walk once, went out for cigarettes and never went back – and I didn’t smoke !
Superfrog almost 11 years ago
You can make them longer by changing the locks.
Homeward Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Mostly the other characters are compensation enough, but man oh man that Opal is such an irritable old pill. She’s only likable when she goofs up but even then she has something mean to say or someone else to blame it on. Maybe a coconut could fall on her head and make her nice?
emptc12 almost 11 years ago
It seems to me, at least in families I know, older women don’t feel intimidated by the menfolk, anymore. I remember as a kid hearing my great-aunts and grandmothers tear down their husbands when talking among themselves, sharing their men’s failings and cackling about it. It was kind of embarrassing, but I understood and still remember. Maybe menopause makes women feel more free and draining testosterone makes men more vulnerable.
CasualObserver almost 11 years ago
Love and mutual respect with a bit of tolerance works best in a marriage. Unfortunately that makes for more difficulty when trying to produce a humorous comic strip.
Earl’s wry humor is less denigrating than Opal’s, as far as that goes. She seems to have little or no affection for him.
alondra almost 11 years ago
It may have something to do with him being retired, therefore there all the time underfoot. But she’d miss him if he were to pass away.
magicwalnut Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Observation….the comments above appear to be from men. Observation # 2….the comments above seem to be from people who don’t understand wry humor…..the sort that includes, " I married him for better or worse but not for lunch". She’s teasing, folks. You’re all projecting.
Intophaloblue almost 11 years ago
Right there with you Opal!!
jtviper7 almost 11 years ago
No walks in Vegas today… Record heat for June… 111 and 116 at Lake mead.
joegeethree almost 11 years ago
Seems like Opal is turning a bit bitter towards Earl.
linda trigg almost 11 years ago
My brothers wife did that, went out for milk & never came back Linguist , did she meet up with you when you went for cigs, haha.
holmswedeholm almost 11 years ago
She should also like long naps as well….
scrabblefiend almost 11 years ago
When you have been married for a long time, like 40 or 50 or more years, and both retired, sometimes you need some space from each other. It doesn’t mean you don’t love each other, but you need some breathing space.
Lots of men when they retire, have no life outside of work, and expect their wives to keep entertaining them. The wives don’t think so, because they would like to retire too, from all the cooking, cleaning etc.
Manga Enthusiast almost 11 years ago
Opal’s character doesn’t seem mean to me, she just has a satirical slant. I thought her sister complains about Earl the most. Since we need to know real people by what their voices and eyes display as well, we can only imagine what the cartoonist is revealing about their characters. Some cartoonists do show more feelings in their little people than others. Japanese say that you can see if someone is happy by looking at their eyes, not their mouth. That’s why their emoticons have smiling eyes: (^.^) instead of mouths. :)
Number Three almost 11 years ago
Agreed, Opal.
LOL xxx
Manga Enthusiast almost 11 years ago
Oh, the double submitting happens when you click ‘refresh comments’ after you’ve finished your comment. I’ll be careful not to do that next time.
emptc12 almost 11 years ago
I don’t think any of the characters’ comments are meant to be bitter or mean. This kind of relationship is, I consider, in the last stages of earthly love, when you admit your life and your mate’s life are intertwined in history (with a small “h”) and your destiny won’t have many more forking paths. It’s the core of love, with the last resigned, bittersweet laughs before Assisted Living, Hospice, and the final Sleep..In our family, we have a situation like that right now. I know it’s just a cartoon, but that’s what I’ve come to see in the whole Pickle series.
gmasj almost 11 years ago
I love Earl and Opal, and Brian Crane for coming up with this wonderful comic strip!
aerilim almost 11 years ago
One of these days he’s going to take the real long walk, and then she’s really going to miss him…
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 11 years ago
Those who mistakenly think only older women complain about men have not been around women enough. From the earliest age, they share the most intimate and detailed failings of their boyfriends and husbands..It made me fearful of female involvement until I remembered I have no failings..
It does make me wonder, though, why women who know Patsy react upon meeting me for the first time by snickering and smile every time we meet after that. (Not that I’m suspicious or anything.)
Love-dog98 almost 11 years ago
Stay cool inside! I know what Opal means.