Trouble casts a shadow upon Wheaton’s dairy farmFlunky from the money people threatens to cause harm.Pressure promises riches beyond a farmer’s dreamsNellie’s proud that Pappy is not tempted by his schemes.Boasting they can drill down deep and leave the water cleanWhat they’ve done to Reynolds’ land is deadly and obscene.The frackers live for profits, no matter what they spoilThe Wheatons live from dairy cows and produce from the soil.To add to Pappy’s worries a stranger was discoveredHidden in the pick-up truck, her memories unrecovered.How she lost them none can say; all seems so uncertainHer identity beyond her view, like someone drew a curtain.Pappy calls her Gertie and there’s a twinkle in his eyeNellie’s young but she’s no fool, so knows the reason whyPappy whistles while he works, there’s a new spring in his gaitHy Pressure may mean mischief; Pappy won’t take the bait.
I just hope Sparkle’s amnesia didn’t make her forget to wash off the fertiliser she was wallowing in that day! (Mind you, her Pappy never worried about such things)
DaJellyBelly is on to something—what would happen if Sparkle now has TWO men in her life (i.e. Wheaton and Junior), just as Junior has TWO women to contend with (i.e. Mysta and Sparkle)? What an amazing “love quadrangle” this might turn out to be! And how could our authors find a way to resolve it? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m on the edge of my seat . . . and I think that the late, great Mr. Gould would love this!
Today’s installment goes part way toward settling my fears about Wheaton, only to suggest perhaps a new potentially sinister turn: does he really harbor “romantic” notions about “Gertie,” as Mikeyj has suggested? —I don’t think so on the evidence so far, but stranger things have happened in the Tracy universe. And, yet, why hasn’t he notified the police about “Gertie”? There’s a lot to mull over here….
A phone call to the authorities could check on any missing persons reports, and report her amnesia. He could also offer to backtrack where he was that day to see if anything might trigger a memory. (Sparkle could ride in the front this time.) Oh Sparkle, Where Art Thou?
Good poem, Pequod, thanks. As for Sparkle, she’s a celebrity of sorts in the world of DT (former model, daughter-in-law of the famous Dick Tracy, & now a popular radio performer), and I have to think her disappearance would be all over the news. So we’re being asked to believe that not only has Mr. Wheaton neglected to contact the police about Sparkle, but he and Bonnie don’t watch TV or listen to the radio, either. (I personally doubt Wheaton has ulterior plans for Sparkle—just not seeing him as the conniving sort.) I’m willing to suspend judgment, though, because this has been such an outstanding story so far. I also get the sense from what’s been said so far that Sparkle will get her memory back sooner rather than later and all of this will blow over.
oh, and what are the odds of mr wheaton’s mother in law being named Gertie as well? Could his wife somehow b e gravel gertie and sparkle’s half sister or long lost sister?!?
speaking of long lost sisters.. i BELIEVE that we are drawing closer to the time that bonnie braids will make her appearance in this strip
i think mike mentioned MONTHS AGO in the yahoo group that bonnie would be back sometime around the fall.
it would be nice to see tracy’s family back together again as one happy unit… Dick, Tess, and their children Junior, Bonnie and Joe, Sparkle, Honeymoon, Jewel, Gertie, B.O., Attitude… and heck why not throw in B.U. Tiffil (who i THINK mike had said he was “reading up on” a while back) and Perfume Plenty as well.
Just wondering out loud about some things…is Mr. Wheaton Nellie’s father or grandfather? I ask this because my grandkids all call my ex their pappy, or pap as they get older, and I don’t personally know anyone who calls their father “pappy” though I know it’s done. Was the picture on the wall of the elderly woman Mr. Wheaton’s wife or mother. If it was his wife, she looks considerably older than him but then he seems to advance and regress in age appearance in various panels. In some he appears wrinkled and old and in others smoother faced and quite hunky. This causes me to wonder if his feelings towards Sparkle are fatherly or more of a romantic attraction. What made him say “Gertie”, his presumably late mother-in-law’s name, in Sparkle’s presence? I know people are of indeterminate age in Tracyville but could it be that he had been married to a daughter of Gravel Gertie and now is meeting up with another of her daughters? I’m chuckling here because I’m thinking I should be taking my own advice from yesterday and just let the story play out but a lot of the commentators seem to be of the opinion the Mr. W is interested in Sparkle romantically and I hadn’t gotten that impression so I’m wondering if I missed something obvious.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 11 years ago
Good morning all…
Sparkle Plenty? Should that be Sparkle Tracy?
Pequod almost 11 years ago
Trouble casts a shadow upon Wheaton’s dairy farmFlunky from the money people threatens to cause harm.Pressure promises riches beyond a farmer’s dreamsNellie’s proud that Pappy is not tempted by his schemes.Boasting they can drill down deep and leave the water cleanWhat they’ve done to Reynolds’ land is deadly and obscene.The frackers live for profits, no matter what they spoilThe Wheatons live from dairy cows and produce from the soil.To add to Pappy’s worries a stranger was discoveredHidden in the pick-up truck, her memories unrecovered.How she lost them none can say; all seems so uncertainHer identity beyond her view, like someone drew a curtain.Pappy calls her Gertie and there’s a twinkle in his eyeNellie’s young but she’s no fool, so knows the reason whyPappy whistles while he works, there’s a new spring in his gaitHy Pressure may mean mischief; Pappy won’t take the bait.
DaJellyBelly almost 11 years ago
Shouldn’t Mr. Wheaton be calling the authorities to report that he has a young lady who apparently has amnesia?
Mikeyj almost 11 years ago
I just hope Sparkle’s amnesia didn’t make her forget to wash off the fertiliser she was wallowing in that day! (Mind you, her Pappy never worried about such things)
FLIGHT SUIT almost 11 years ago
@Captain Kiddeo, I saw your comment from yesterday. When did I declare that there must be something wrong with you? I have no memory of this.
I was surely right, because I can’t imagine myself being wrong about something, but I’m glad you seem to bear me no ill will.
;-)
BellsAndMotley almost 11 years ago
DaJellyBelly is on to something—what would happen if Sparkle now has TWO men in her life (i.e. Wheaton and Junior), just as Junior has TWO women to contend with (i.e. Mysta and Sparkle)? What an amazing “love quadrangle” this might turn out to be! And how could our authors find a way to resolve it? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m on the edge of my seat . . . and I think that the late, great Mr. Gould would love this!
Sisyphos almost 11 years ago
Today’s installment goes part way toward settling my fears about Wheaton, only to suggest perhaps a new potentially sinister turn: does he really harbor “romantic” notions about “Gertie,” as Mikeyj has suggested? —I don’t think so on the evidence so far, but stranger things have happened in the Tracy universe. And, yet, why hasn’t he notified the police about “Gertie”? There’s a lot to mull over here….
SlyMongoose almost 11 years ago
Oh! That’s what happened. I see, now.Good Morning, VB!
coldsooner almost 11 years ago
A phone call to the authorities could check on any missing persons reports, and report her amnesia. He could also offer to backtrack where he was that day to see if anything might trigger a memory. (Sparkle could ride in the front this time.) Oh Sparkle, Where Art Thou?
miqq1234 almost 11 years ago
…..hey pequod 77….very well done poetic synopsis….thanks
willy007 almost 11 years ago
Good poem, Pequod, thanks. As for Sparkle, she’s a celebrity of sorts in the world of DT (former model, daughter-in-law of the famous Dick Tracy, & now a popular radio performer), and I have to think her disappearance would be all over the news. So we’re being asked to believe that not only has Mr. Wheaton neglected to contact the police about Sparkle, but he and Bonnie don’t watch TV or listen to the radio, either. (I personally doubt Wheaton has ulterior plans for Sparkle—just not seeing him as the conniving sort.) I’m willing to suspend judgment, though, because this has been such an outstanding story so far. I also get the sense from what’s been said so far that Sparkle will get her memory back sooner rather than later and all of this will blow over.
Mikeyj almost 11 years ago
I was only kidding about the old man having feelings for Sparkle but, on the other hand, it would make a good plot twist!
fhoffman01 almost 11 years ago
Moon Maid dead? Nah, she’s committing grand theft auto. I bet the DNA test will show she’s Moon Maid, too.
William Bednar Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Personally, I think Mr. Weaton has kidnapped Sparkle! For what purpose? I don’t know but it can’t be good.
tsull2121 almost 11 years ago
oh, and what are the odds of mr wheaton’s mother in law being named Gertie as well? Could his wife somehow b e gravel gertie and sparkle’s half sister or long lost sister?!?
speaking of long lost sisters.. i BELIEVE that we are drawing closer to the time that bonnie braids will make her appearance in this strip
i think mike mentioned MONTHS AGO in the yahoo group that bonnie would be back sometime around the fall.
it would be nice to see tracy’s family back together again as one happy unit… Dick, Tess, and their children Junior, Bonnie and Joe, Sparkle, Honeymoon, Jewel, Gertie, B.O., Attitude… and heck why not throw in B.U. Tiffil (who i THINK mike had said he was “reading up on” a while back) and Perfume Plenty as well.
tsull2121 almost 11 years ago
youre about 24 hours late matty… i mentioned your name YESTERDAY! :)
Rick Smith Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Maybe Mr. Wheaton will end up with Moon Maid lite…
Rick Smith Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Is Mr. Wheaton’s first name Wil?
Ken in Ohio almost 11 years ago
You said “Tracy and company don’t yet know Sparkle is missing” -
I think they do. We saw Junior sitting at breakfast with Honeymoon and Jewel, discussing Sparkle’s absence. Surely, Tracy knows also, if Junior does.
rhonda Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I should look it up somewhere, but doesn’t Sparkle have a sister?
Morrow Cummings almost 11 years ago
Maybe Wheaton will channel the Elizabeth Smart story.
avenger09 almost 11 years ago
WOW!!! My first post in weeks gets removed! Sheesh! there’s just no respect these days! LOL!!!
S.I.T.O.A.N.M.I.
Sweet Betty almost 11 years ago
Just wondering out loud about some things…is Mr. Wheaton Nellie’s father or grandfather? I ask this because my grandkids all call my ex their pappy, or pap as they get older, and I don’t personally know anyone who calls their father “pappy” though I know it’s done. Was the picture on the wall of the elderly woman Mr. Wheaton’s wife or mother. If it was his wife, she looks considerably older than him but then he seems to advance and regress in age appearance in various panels. In some he appears wrinkled and old and in others smoother faced and quite hunky. This causes me to wonder if his feelings towards Sparkle are fatherly or more of a romantic attraction. What made him say “Gertie”, his presumably late mother-in-law’s name, in Sparkle’s presence? I know people are of indeterminate age in Tracyville but could it be that he had been married to a daughter of Gravel Gertie and now is meeting up with another of her daughters? I’m chuckling here because I’m thinking I should be taking my own advice from yesterday and just let the story play out but a lot of the commentators seem to be of the opinion the Mr. W is interested in Sparkle romantically and I hadn’t gotten that impression so I’m wondering if I missed something obvious.