Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson for February 01, 2021

Well, this is awkward.

Alice is awful quiet today.

I always imagine Timmy Fretwork speaking in Bob Ross’s voice.

You could if you had enough rope.

This may be the most famous CdS of all.

I love today’s strip! My buddy Stu plays banjo and a few years back when we were in a band together I used today’s dialog to tease him whenever he tried to opt out of something. Didn’t matter if his wife was involved or not, I’m hit him with “Wuddaya mean, you can’t make it? Everybody knows you can’t tie down a Banjo Man!” One time I even introduced him to the audience as “Timmy Fretwork” but nobody got the reference. The band didn’t let me do the intros after that…

Banjo man needs the gig, but he looks to be on the verge of running!

I take it, that’s a “No”, very little bliss today….

Of course not. If he did, then the place would have to be called Frethaven. Who wants a name like that?

Every so often, you need to outsource the crazy…

Ever since I first read this strip, I’ve been trying to learn the banjo. They all stay away when I have the banjo on my knee. So I guess it’s working

https://robmclaren.bandcamp.com/track/you-cant-tie-down-a-banjo-man

Something tells me he’s going to be singing the blues today.

She’ll keep him, though. A man with that degree of finger speed and dexterity…

I think, judging from Miss Bliss’ expression in panel 4, that she does, indeed, know that you can’t tie down a banjo man

I really can’t imagine the head of hair their child would have. A chia pet; a Brillo pad; a feather duster?

Well, panel 3 just gave me another T-shirt idea:

Are you kidding? You can’t tie down a banjo man!"

These kids’ parents must like folk music and blue grass!

They call him “The Breeze”, he keeps blowin’ down the road…

So, Miss Bliss, don’t Fret…

Body language experts will have a field day with Miss Bliss and Timmy Fretwork.

It’s banjo or babe. Can’t have ‘em both.

An early Peanuts had Linus commenting to Charlie Brown, (I think) “Every newborn child should be issued a banjo”.

Timmy does look a little tied down in the last panel.

There are some spots where even little demons fear to tread…

I think Miss Bliss and Timmy have silk scarves, pink handcuffs, whips and plenty of other sweet memories.

Ah, kids. So direct! I hope Miss Bliss realizes that she can never have a Private Life as long as she is headmistress at Blisshaven Academy!

As for Timmy—we know the saying is true, and he looks like he deeply regrets his appearing at Blisshaven….

Maybe it’s me not adjusting for the cartoon head/body proportion, but that looks like a mighty dinky banjo.