For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 11, 2023

She was worried.

Farley looks puzzled by this whole thing. Can’t say I blame him.

I like this one, A nice instance of Two Patterson’s realizing they messed up instead of an operatic fight (which admittedly is more common in the homre). Liz booked it home and elly realizes she was too hard on her in her head. Good stuff, reminds me why I consider these years the strips peak

Working Mom guilt.

Because Milborough is such a dangerous place.

Farley must have been expecting Elly to blow her stack.

If that grey wheezing ghostly thing in panel one that is almost as tall as the roof of the house is supposed to represent Liz coming home from the mall in the middle of the night, then will we find out tomorrow why Liz had gotten one leg amputated at the mall? That’s kind of something we never did at the mall!

Hug you because you are home safe.

Elly’s body is going through Elizabeth’s in that final panel. Is she a ghost? Farley looks just as shocked in that final panel as I am.

Ah yes, that often dreaded moment, when a parent must face the reality that their child is growing up, developing a life of their own and wishes to explore that life other than just at home. That time when parental expectations must be tempered to allow for that child to grow and flourish, to gain some measure of autonomy while they still part of the family with family responsibilities.

I don’t think Elly would have been so quick with the hug if Liz hadn’t been openly contrite up front.

The one, very good thing about mobiles … “Where are you?”

My daughter went to a “party” with friends. I told her to call me if she needed a ride home, no matter what time it was. She called me at 2:30 AM When I got there she said “It was a rave and I didn’t want to be there. Are you mad at me for calling?” I said “you did not want to be there. I would have been annoyed if you had NOT called me. You did the right thing Honey.”

First the hug, then the lecture.

Ah Mom, that helps………….

Even before school shootings, there was bus drivers not taking care to drop students off at the right place, especially elementary students nor to mention kidnap attempts.

The heart in your strip continues to affect me. Many years ago I thanked you for an arc of a boy coming out gay. You sent me photocopies of the entire arc. Thanks again.

After Crapril’s temper tantrum about not being the candle, Elizabeth’s problem is much easier for Elly.

Love the expression on Farley in panel 4…

Now that Elly knows her daughter is safe, now she will kill her!

Tomorrow’s strip – The Punishment

Wow, what made Cru-Elly cash this reality check?Michael wrote them for years and she shredded them all!

Always keep ’em guessing.

What’s with the first panel?

Hugs are nice!

Exactly! Later, of course…..Been there, done that.

Reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons where Bart tries jumping over a car with a skateboard because he thinks he is a daredevil. Instead, he goes flying into the air and lands on the ground and is injured. The next scene is the hospital, where the entire family is in the waiting room.

Marge: Bart, are you OK? Oh, I was so worried!

Homer: Marge, remember a united front. We are supposed to be mad at him!

ABBOTT: Why,when Lou was a little boy he was accused of stealing 38 cents from teh sugar bowl. And he ran away from home"

MIKE THE COP:“That’s terrible! Where did he go?”

COSTELLO: “Where can you go on 38 cents”?