Really, if you want to know the future, read The Panda Chronicles. Everything happens here first.
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
It’s the 3rd of July here on Whidbey Island. I’m happy to say, that it has been raining all day and the temperature has not topped 60. What’s that you say? Shouldn’t I wish for warm summer weather?
Well, as last year, most of June was in the 80’s, with some temps above 90, even out here on the island (Seattle went above 100 several times, even before July arrived) AND as Island County has not seen fit to put provisions in place banning fireworks when fire danger is high, last year at this time I was completely stressed out in fear that some moron would burn down my neighborhood and me along with it.
So, this year, as we have had a very cool start to summer, I was happy when I woke up to rain, which has continued through the day.
The show of my (serious non-panda) paintings opened last night, with a well attended reception and a few sales. If you’d like to see it (and you don’t live within range of Langley) your can see it here. I got a very nice comment form an artist friend who had come into see the show. I hope she won’t mind me sharing it here: ” …the light feels brave, like something fighting the darkness that is trying to overtake us…”
That is exactly what I have been feeling these past 8 months as I worked on these paintings. That I am desperately clinging to some shard of optimism in the face of the evil that still is trying to take us down.
There are glimpses of hope: people speaking up for the January 6 committee that we might not expect, testifying to events we feared and now are confirmed. While it is true that we haven’t gotten everything we want from those we have elected, I can pretty much guarantee that we won’t like ANYTHING the republicans inflict on us should they regain power.
I would point out that this ‘toon was drawn in 2019, and take no credit (or responsibility) for giving the idea to attack the Capitol to Mittens and his band of thugs.
Panda on, no matter what!
Bob T Panda
I’ve been on a little journey these last two weeks…not an actual journey, mind you. More of a healthcare journey. Don’t panic. All is well. But my vision has been dimming and clouding these last couple years, and while the pandemic is not exactly on the run, it felt safe enough to consider….
Cataract surgery.
Just thinking about getting to the point where I needed cataract surgery made me feel very old. But it was time to suck it up and do it, as the last time I had my eyes examined last year, the doctor was saying he didn’t know how much more he could improve my vision with glasses.
I opted not to get the kind of lenses that meant I would no longer need glasses. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 8 and I like them. If nothing else, I am much less likely to poke my eye with a branch when gardening, if I still wear glasses.
Even though my eyes are still recovering, I can see much better. One of my old pairs of glasses seems to be working generally, but not so well for close up. So, I will henceforth blame all typos on this for the time being. Heh!
One thing I can see quite clearly is that the GOP (Guns Over People) Party would rather see more people shot than to either offend the NRA or have President Biden get any credit for doing anything good.
Just in case any of you are about to acquire a swimming pool…you know who you are!
Am I sensing a theme here?
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
This has been a hard week. When 20 children were murdered in Sandy Hook, I thought surely, now would be the turning point when something was done to get guns off the street and out of the hands of violent people. Are those people suffering from mental illness? No doubt. Killing large numbers of innocent people is not a normal response to an unhappy life.
But the truth is that mentally ill people are more likely to die from violence than to perpetrate it. There are studies.
Write to any of your representatives you can to let them know your views on this. Take to the streets in protest. Donate what you can to groups that are trying to move the needle on instituting more controls on guns and getting guns (especially assault style rifles) out of the equation. Oh yeah…and VOTE. Vote for people who are not happy with the status quo. You know who I mean.
What we do need more of is baby pandas.
Panda on!
Bob T Panda
Rumor has it that there was a large flash of light over the continent of Australia yesterday, as people headed to the polls to vote in their elections. We can neither conform, nor deny that Pinky and PPJ had anything to do with the outcome. After all, magical wands are prohibited within 50 feet of a polling station.
What have we got to lose? Everything. That’s what. It’s not too early to check your voter registration (primaries are happening, y’all!) and make a plan to vote. Remind your friends to vote too.
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Some weeks I have a time to expound upon, and then I look for archived ‘toons that illuminate that theme. Other weeks I have no idea what I’m thinking of and then I just have to spin the wheel and see what pops up.
Well as Pinky all says, you can never have enough ‘toons about Pinky!
Till next time,
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
What could be better than a poem by Bikkie?
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Yes, pandas have become a part of every day life in Washington DC!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Pay no attention to those reports of Ling Ling biting one of her keepers! I’m sure it was just a little panda nip!
Yes, I know that Mr Wu is not an SNZ Panda, but he is related through his mom and Papa Tian Tian, who are half siblings!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Sometimes I have ideas, and sometimes I don’t necessarily know where they are going. In the way of pantsers* everywhere, I will just start writing and drawing and see where it goes. (*Pantser: a writer who writes with no plan or plot in mind)
Over on #PandaTwitter Six and Sebben are on the loose! Who knows what they will get up to, or where they will turn up. Mama Lun Lun bought them around the world tickets, paid extra for their passports, turned up the music and locked the door. Not necessarily in that order.
Sometimes Twitter #PandaImprov turns into ‘toon story lines. Sometimes we are just having fun!
Stay ‘tooned!
Be the Bear
Bob T Panda