Pickles by Brian Crane for July 07, 2020

The support group for Earl and the other co-dependents is called Onanon.

and over and over and over and… need I say more?

My spouse and I used to have a lot of conversations that went something like:

Spouse: "You failed to (something) because you (screwed the pooch).

Me: Yeah. Sorry, I’ve (unscrewed the pooch) and begun work on (something).

Spouse: But you (SCREWED THE POOCH) and failed to (something)!

Me: Yeah, sorry, but I’ve started fixing it.

Spouse: You really (screwed the pooch) this time! and (something) didn’t happen.

Me: Yeah. I’m working on it.

Spouse: But (SOMETHING) didn’t happen and…

Me: Walks out, yelling “The horse is DEAD already!” over shoulder

Either spouse has figured it out, or I’ve stopped (screwing the pooch) so much or something. No idea what we did to actually fix it, but it’s been a lot better for the last year or two.

We solved the problem of arguing over how things should be done. Whoever came up with the idea or vounteered has complete say. The other either does not offer any suggestions unless asked otherwise stands there to hold a tool or comes running only when 1) being summons or 2) hearing a scream.

That last panel recalls my ex. She never took any of my advice but she always asked for it, over and over and ad infinitum. The years have not changed her in that way. Even now when we talk on the phone I just say yes, really, that’s a shame, etc. That is assuming she leaves a moment of quiet where I can jump in. She’s essentially a nice person but her parents really messed her up.

Roscoe’s expression= Priceless.

I want a teeshirt that says “That which is understood does not need to be discussed”

I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but my mother’s still alive so…. Yeah.

Two thirds of her kids won’t visit because she never finishes talking. Every sentence is followed by four or five more sentences about the same thing. And she absolutely will not give a direct answer. It’s actually quite amazing how many ways she has of saying neither yes nor no — I’ve been meaning to write them down for years now, but the very sound of her voice makes my hair stand up on end.

Sometimes the things you talk over get over talked…

I don’t know if Roscoe agrees, but it’s an interesting look he has in the final panel…

As the old expression goes “She must have been vaccinated by a phonograph needle” Not too current today, though!

I do wonder if it’s a male/female thing since my beloved also talks things over and over. Fortunately, we worked out years ago that she and I would talk it over once or twice, and then she would rehash it over and over with her girlfriends. Seems to work for both of us.

Or like the other expression “She is like a broken record”

At times she is like an inflated balloon that has been untied… just about bursting to get all of those words out.

Earl try not to “Opal” on Nelson ! ;-)

As a man , once you are married, you will never do anything right for the rest of your life. Your wife will make sure you never forget it. Get used to it.

All I know is that he didn’t listen or hear me EVER. But if someone else said same thing, it was; Oh wow did you hear about this?! It made me sad. I quit talking and the marriage fell apart.

“…and over and over and over and over and over and over and over…”

And then she got mad at me and didn’t talk to me for a period of days — I don’t know how many — followed by anger I hadn’t noticed.

(How was I to know her voice hadn’t given out?)

It took her a few decades, but she has forgotten most of the things I must have done wrong. I never knew what they were — “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.” “Okay.”

It must be hard being a woman — harder still dealing with us obtuse men.

Some people like to chew their cabbage twice, thrice, etc

Brian’s been spying on my house again… Sounds just like my bride.

I call her my repeating rifle – and her comments are usually pointed at me. Of course, she has lots of ammunition…

Might do Earl well to consider WHY Opal feels issues are not resolved.

For hubby and I, I had to stop on speaking especially when hubby started counting. Then if we start to argue I tell him we are talking, usually does not last long. Nothing new goes on nothing to speak of.

Rolfe’s knowing look is priceless!

So glad I’m single now.

Trouble is, these days you just can’t get away.

If you miss it the first time, it’ll come around again every 4 or 5 years.

kitchen?

My FAVORITE comics for a few years!!!

" I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue … and was as good a continuer!"

_______Benedick – “Much Ado About Nothing”, Shakespeare.

Mostly she talks over Earl’s head.