Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson for September 17, 2022

enjoy the new school year anyway, Phoebe

But now you get to look forward to Halloween

Okay, so the fact that her summer didn’t end on labor day wasn’t just a miscalculation with the calender.

Wait until you get older and have to go to work and don’t get the summers off! (Unless you are a teacher)!

It’s supposed to be 97 here Monday AND Tuesday, so we get to suck on HOT and SUMMERY.

lots of children wish they could go to school instead of working in a sweat shop

I bet that she has a great time 1st day back and then wonders why she felt sad about returning

Our Phoebe remains, reassuringly, a child—“not fair” often means “I don’t like it.”

Kid, it’s Sep 17. You haven’t been to school for 2 weeks.

I still remember the phrase “Back to School”. It was something that was plastered everywhere in stores, as if they were taunting me. That last week of freedom that was spent shopping for clothes and school supplies, constantly being reminded that I had to go back to school soon, and then the worst thing of all, that final night before school started. Sitting on the porch at my grandparent’s house listening to the crickets as darkness fell and bedtime approached, knowing the fun was all over and I would have to get up REALLY early the next morning to get ready and catch the bus, the anxiety and dread. It was all so long ago but I can remember it all so clearly.

Ha. Child, you think this little inconvenience means your life stinks?

(takes another look at modern elementary schools)

Then again…

Well, you can wear a sundress and sandals to school.

Is it just me, or is Phoebe’s nose getting longer and pointier.

Be happy you aren’t one of the kids who had to start the new school year in August. Criminal!

For some reason, I’ve always liked the word righteous …

I can relate to the back-to-school blues, too. Hang in there, Phoebe.

Life always stinks. It is also always wonderful, far more than we realize. Yes, it’s a paradox. So what? That’s life.