Well, like mother like son in the motormouth department. Mike is his mother’s son having inherited the loquacious side of her personality as well as enjoying creative writing. Hence he needs a wife similar to John who listens to his verbose spouse while reading, loading the dishwasher, or working on the car.
I don’t think any teenager has ever said fogey, let alone fogeyville in their life, yet Lynn still gets how some teens see their parents: both the good.. and the stuff that drives them up the wall.
I find it interesting that Mike has to go through a long explanation of what his mother does for her career only to top it off with “she could be something.” As for his father, there is not one mention of dentistry or model trains. I suppose this means Mike is embarrassed by his mother’s career and is not embarrassed by his father’s.
Granted, it was Rhetta saying to the parents, but I promised my daughters that I would NEVER greet one of their friends or dates with “I’ve heard all about you!” I actually remember how I felt when my mother said it to a boy I introduced her to. I did it once as a joke…thankfully, both my daughter & her friend were in on the joke.
Darn it by the way panel 4 is drawn we can’t tell if Michael’s dad greeted Rhetta while wearing a dirty old t-shirt! But it does look like he at least dragged a comb through his messy hair.
wow… sends chills…her name was Marilyn…we were coming home from college for T.Giving …she was my very first girl friend…coming to and Italian family’s dinner with alllllll the relatives…. as i was introducing her around..my uncle joe, the doctor in the family, said hi to her and then told her that… guys with mustaches…. (yes, i still have one) ….have 1000’s of times more germs on their mustaches when they kiss….. it made a lasting memory ….that still gives me chills…..
I don’t remember ever having dinner at a boyfriend’s house. I do remember one time having a boyfriend over for dinner, but that was after I graduated high school. (I also remember how embarrassed he was because he couldn’t figure out how to eat what mom served. Long story.)
How come Rhetta’s parents did not act like buffoons when Michael came over? Guess they are not (stereo)typical parents who feel a need to get their thrills by putting down their kids in front of others.
I feel bad for the real life son. How was he to know what girls were interested in him and not in getting their hands into Lynn Johnston’s deep pockets?
For some reason, this storyline reminded me of an off-topic but true story. My doctor and his wife were friends of the family in our small town. I wasn’t home at the time this happened, but he told me about it years later. My dad was a physician. Doc’s future wife cut her leg while riding horseback, and she and her friend then rode over to our house for my dad to help her. My 8 siblings and my parents were eating supper at the time. They finished supper, then dad had the young lady lie down on the dining room table). He then neatly stitched her laceration, and she and her friend remounted and rode away!
Templo S.U.D. over 1 year ago
Bring on the embarrassment.
capricorn9th over 1 year ago
Well, like mother like son in the motormouth department. Mike is his mother’s son having inherited the loquacious side of her personality as well as enjoying creative writing. Hence he needs a wife similar to John who listens to his verbose spouse while reading, loading the dishwasher, or working on the car.
Jacob Mattingly over 1 year ago
I don’t think any teenager has ever said fogey, let alone fogeyville in their life, yet Lynn still gets how some teens see their parents: both the good.. and the stuff that drives them up the wall.
Botulism Bob over 1 year ago
This isn’t going to end well.
catchup over 1 year ago
Could be worse, John could actually play the accordion.
howtheduck over 1 year ago
I find it interesting that Mike has to go through a long explanation of what his mother does for her career only to top it off with “she could be something.” As for his father, there is not one mention of dentistry or model trains. I suppose this means Mike is embarrassed by his mother’s career and is not embarrassed by his father’s.
[Unnamed Reader - 8bb645] over 1 year ago
Accordion music? Maybe by a Yankovic?
Tantor over 1 year ago
And I thought that canadians were normal…
rshive over 1 year ago
Typical parents.
Johnnyrico over 1 year ago
Rhetta is actually April at 17 years old, who traveled back in time, just to mess with St. Michael.
Wren Fahel over 1 year ago
Granted, it was Rhetta saying to the parents, but I promised my daughters that I would NEVER greet one of their friends or dates with “I’ve heard all about you!” I actually remember how I felt when my mother said it to a boy I introduced her to. I did it once as a joke…thankfully, both my daughter & her friend were in on the joke.
dcdete. over 1 year ago
Darn it by the way panel 4 is drawn we can’t tell if Michael’s dad greeted Rhetta while wearing a dirty old t-shirt! But it does look like he at least dragged a comb through his messy hair.
Johnnyrico over 1 year ago
Well, Michael, when we’re talking about YOU, it’s total Asshatyville..
USN1977 over 1 year ago
Lawrence Welk! “A 1-A, a 2-A, and a 3-A!”
Redd Panda over 1 year ago
Just a couple of old fogeys, who gave their best, to get him to adulthood.
EnlilEnkiEa over 1 year ago
Wait until mom pulls out the photo album.
GirlGeek Premium Member over 1 year ago
“If she went back to school, she could be something.” That is incredibly harsh.
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Ah yes, the typical teenager with a preventative strike carried out to deter expected embarrassment from the parents.
g04922 over 1 year ago
Rhianna is going to do ‘ok’, after Mikes briefing….
g04922 over 1 year ago
Rhetta is going to do ‘ok’ after Mike’s excellent briefing…
jimchronister2016 over 1 year ago
Perfect
kennnyp over 1 year ago
wow… sends chills…her name was Marilyn…we were coming home from college for T.Giving …she was my very first girl friend…coming to and Italian family’s dinner with alllllll the relatives…. as i was introducing her around..my uncle joe, the doctor in the family, said hi to her and then told her that… guys with mustaches…. (yes, i still have one) ….have 1000’s of times more germs on their mustaches when they kiss….. it made a lasting memory ….that still gives me chills…..
goboboyd over 1 year ago
Have you hidden the family photo album?
Jelliqal over 1 year ago
Mom is running a household of 3 children and working a job. I say she is SOMETHING now. There is more to life than your career title.
198.23.5.11 over 1 year ago
Then the dinner menu is all the stuff Elly didn’t know Rhetta hates…….
paranormal over 1 year ago
So much for the evenings small talk…
jbruins84341 over 1 year ago
Time for them to tell her all about Michael.
kathleenhicks62 over 1 year ago
Is Dad cleaned up now/
JanLC over 1 year ago
I don’t remember ever having dinner at a boyfriend’s house. I do remember one time having a boyfriend over for dinner, but that was after I graduated high school. (I also remember how embarrassed he was because he couldn’t figure out how to eat what mom served. Long story.)
cranefriend over 1 year ago
dang old coffee-stirring dad
mindjob over 1 year ago
My mom had Tom Jones and Fifth Dimension records. I guess that’s old fogey music now
donwestonmysteries over 1 year ago
Fogeyville. I like it. Is it Canadian term?
Enter.Name.Here over 1 year ago
And now, at dinner mom and dad will turn the tables and tell you all about Michael….. EVERYthing….. Poor guy. ;-)
HodgeElmwood over 1 year ago
Jeeze, Michael, for a guy with two loving parents, you’re an….well, it starts with an ‘a’ and ends with “ss”
kamoolah over 1 year ago
How come Rhetta’s parents did not act like buffoons when Michael came over? Guess they are not (stereo)typical parents who feel a need to get their thrills by putting down their kids in front of others.
kamoolah over 1 year ago
I feel bad for the real life son. How was he to know what girls were interested in him and not in getting their hands into Lynn Johnston’s deep pockets?
InuYugiHakusho over 1 year ago
Michael, your mom DID go back to school when you were younger.
Judy Hendrickson [Unnamed Reader - 852856] over 1 year ago
I know how how Michael feels. My dad made one of my boyfriends the 3rd degree,was so embarrassing thought if d never see that boy again but Idid!!!
finnygirl Premium Member over 1 year ago
For some reason, this storyline reminded me of an off-topic but true story. My doctor and his wife were friends of the family in our small town. I wasn’t home at the time this happened, but he told me about it years later. My dad was a physician. Doc’s future wife cut her leg while riding horseback, and she and her friend then rode over to our house for my dad to help her. My 8 siblings and my parents were eating supper at the time. They finished supper, then dad had the young lady lie down on the dining room table). He then neatly stitched her laceration, and she and her friend remounted and rode away!
hagarthehorrible over 1 year ago
Kids always underestimate the potency of parents. The realization occurs when they grow up and mature. And the cycle of life continues.