Pickles by Brian Crane for December 04, 2021

Maybe the dog could grab one end and run around the tree a few times.

Earl seems to be going through a curmudgeon phase. I wonder if Brian Crane’s feeling good…

Happened in Garfield years back and just a few days ago in Bleeker the Rechargeable Dog.

Opal to a friend on the phone: I asked the husband to put up the Christmas lights and he hung them up all in a clump. Just wait until the husband wants his dinner and I give it to him. All in a clump! Same with his laundry. All in a clump!

Earl should try for a Tommybaum.

23rd wedding anniversary today (god idk where so many years went! Seems like yesterday I was turning 18 & saying “I do”) wonder sometimes if we’ll be like Opal & Earl one day lol

That’s pretty much how I’d do it.

Seems if you put up several light tangles you might get the effect without worrying about all the knots and tangles.

And some of you wonder why she yanks his chain sometimes.

Good enough.

I’ve seen instructional videos that weren’t as helpful.

Amazing how that happens while in storage off season!

Opal, you didn’t specify how they were be put up.

You really over delivered, plugging them in like that!

Earl I have a feeling you will be doing a redo ;-)

I’ve been doing that for years. Now, even my wife is amused.

And then Earl can use it for New Year’s to imitate the Times Square ball drop!

You forgot to untangle them!

I’ve got a neighbor who solved that problem he never takes the lights down, just changes out the inflatables Christmas to Easter than Halloween back to Christmas !

LOL! Face it, Opal, it’s a no go….

Darryl from baby Blues did this years ago.

My dad had pieces of heavy cardboard he wrapped the lights around before storing, never had a tangle. The tough part was figuring out which light failed. We had those ‘all lights in series so if one fails they all go out’ for years.

IMVPO putting lights and decorations all over your house is like boasting about how much $$$ you have. Yesterday, while passing by some wealthy homes, I discovered that there are companies that can be hired to put up and take down your light show

I have extension cord organizers and use them to store the lights. Work great.

oh yeah, they’re up alright. all tangled up in terrible knots. :D

Nice red shirt, Earl! Same old shirt, Opal!

Definitely the joke of the year. This is the third version I’ve seen in two days. No offence to Mr Crane: he probably submitted his version weeks ago, as did the others.

I left mine up from last year. No, they’re not hanging from the house and fence, but I hope they can shine through the new growth on the evergreen shrubs. If only I can find the end of the cord … it’s in there somewhere.

Good man, Earl. Passive aggressiveness was called for and you performed it well.

Gotta love Earl.

At least they all work and undecorating will be a breeze!

Very festive.

The secret to solving this problem is putting them away properly last year. I use a flat board about 8 X 11 with little extensions both ends, think of a capital I with serifs. I just wind the lights around the I and the serifs keep the string on the board. 15 years for the old ones.

Again, why can’t the son in law help? His stepson practically lives at Earls’ house so it’s the least he could do.

Will probably do that myself this year. Hmmm, I wonder why I live alone. But I’m ok with that.

Is that a giant caterpillar crawling out of the box?

Don’t blame Earl at all. Untangling Xmas lights is a real pain.

SLACKER..!!!!!!GRINCH..!!!!!!!SCROOGE..!!!!!!

I’m waiting for a LASER LED Outside Christmas Hologram to be invented. Due to the phase difference, the drivers speeding by will see an Officer holding a radar gun.

Sheesh…. and I thought I was lazy….

Now at least I have a plan!

Quick remedy…

I never take mine down in the backyard, and I turn them on all year long. The new ones I buy for the front yard, invariably get added in the back yard every year.

Consider the untangling of the Christmas lights as a spiritual exercise. It teaches patience and control of one’s temper at a time of year when those qualities are especially to be treasured.

Oh Earl lazy does not want to untangle.

Boooo Foul on the play.

What is the furry thing hanging out of the box in the middle panel??