The 2022 Olympic Games have begun, so while Team Panda ties their skate laces, finds their way to the ski slopes and loads up the front of their Bob-sled..oops…I mean bribe the judges…um…that wasn’t us…
Be the Bear
Bob T Panda
I rely on my astute readers to alert me to important stories and this one is one of those stories. I mean, if I had made it up, y’all would be doing some serious eye rolling and questioning whether I had lost it.
At a school board meeting in Midland Michigan, a parent complained that she did not think the school should be encouraging students who think they are cats, by putting litter boxes in the (unisex) restrooms. A GOP state legislator posted her outrage on her Facebook page. The school principal was not amused. You can read the story here:
At least they put them in the unisex restrooms so that ANY cat could use them!
In other NooZ, we are VERY excited that the White House has finally fulfilled their most important campaign promise, which is, of course, to put a cat on the payroll! As to that other campaign promise, if you read my Twidder threads, you already know what I think. Oh wait… I can’t keep my mouth shut, which will not go well if the fascists take over. Personally, I think the GOP is afraid that by putting an intelligent, accomplished, COMPETENT, and experienced Black woman on the SCOTUS, she will show how unqualified all of TFG’s appointments are, not to mention the Representatives and Senators that are wetting their pants over the very idea.
And speaking of fascists between the book banning (can burning be far behind?), the nazi rallies, and the completely unreasonable demands on teachers, I am trying really hard to hold on to hope. Boy do I need a nap!
Keep being the Bear (while we can! No litter box for YOU!!!)
Bob T Panda
Yes, it’s time for our Panda Olympics team to hit the ground…um…well, hit the ground, anyway! Pandas from around the world will be competing for the GOLD!!!
May 2021: Pinky’s dream of the future continues!
On to June and…Frank and Mikey go on an adventure!
I love nature stories, don’t you?
So, as neither the pandemic or the ongoing attempt to Make Fascism Great again seems to be over, I’ve been continuing work in the felty studio! Of course I have to make felty versions of Fleur and Snowy, our newest French pandas!
But I’ve also been making cats! I still need to take some photos of them, but when I do I’ll post them here. I’m thinking of doing a special thing in February, to honor Betty white and all the work she did in support of animals. I’ll let you know more about it soon, when I take photos of all the little cats.
Till then, here’s a contact form if you want to order Snowy and Fleur! (or any other pandas!) I’ll reply via email and send you a square invoice for your pandas.
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
I have often discussed my abiding adoration of the Bear of Little Brain (and no, I’m NOT talking about Bob!) so it was with great excitement and anticipation that I read that Winnie the Pooh had entered the public domain this year.
This means that anyone can include Pooh Bear and his friends, and representations thereof, in their own creative works! This only applies to the original A.A. Milne/ Earnest H. Shepard version, which is fine, since I have always considered the Big Mouse World version as a crime against art. My first introduction to the World of Pooh Bear was via the original (and far superior) black and white drawings. I still think they are what made me want to be an artist, and maybe led me to making stories with pandas.
We’ll have to wait a few more years for Tigger, as he first appears in the 1928 House at Pooh Corner, which is not yet in the public domain!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
What a year, huh? While like 2020, we would really rather forget 2021, it is good to look back and acknowledge so that maybe we won’t do the same the things again. Mebbee. Anyway, looking back at the ‘toons of each month is always a good way to remember the year, rather than looking at the actual news, which is kind of depressing.
I think we’ve seen enough of Mittens to last us a lifetime, so let’s declare 2021 the Year of Bikkie! (and his Beary good friend Mr, Poppee!)
Remember Pinky’s “Workout wif Bikkie” Videos?
Well, that’s it for January and February 2021 Year in Review! Join us next Sunday when we look back on March and April of 2021!
New ‘toons coming this week! I think mebbee Bikkie’s snow day and something something something else!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
I definitely considered not posting anything today, being the day that democracy almost went down the golden toilet, but then I decided we needed a little humor along with remembering that day, one year ago, it could have ended up a whole lot worse.
At this point, it is good to remember that the Republican Party didn’t think that shooting and killing 20 school children and their teachers was a sufficient reason to institute any kind of gun control, so why would we think that if members of Congress had been killed, that the GQP would have had any qualms about about tossing democracy in the dumpster.
I watched the commemoration of the anniversary as I worked today. Combined with the new information that has been released and what I watched in real time, it is clear that we came this ][ close to living under a vindictive dictator.
As I watch the GQP attempt to dismantle democracy, defund public libraries, constrain what teachers can teach their students, dismantle women’s reproductive rights, and deny a global pandemic, not to mention TFG’s role in allowing it to rage out of control and causing the deaths of almost a million Americans, I have to wonder what they think they will ultimately gain.
One thing you learn living on an island, is that everything is connected and we are all dependent on each other. Every once in a while I think about what would happen if the ferries stopped running and the bridge went down. within a week (probably less) we’d be out of gas, grocery store shelves would be stripped clean, and once the first wind storm hit, we’d lose electric power and we’d would descend into anarchy. The mainland could probably survive for about 2 weeks till it all went to shit.
What do you say we cut the first rant of the year short and get to the new ‘toon?
I promise we’ll have more fun here at The Panda Chronicles this year. Just maybe not today!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
I hope everyone had at least some joy over the recent holidays. It’s been a really hard year for most of us, and very terrible bad year for others. While some of us had the privilege to hide out from the day to day perils and anxieties, others were out on the front line, doing the work that needs to be done.
Many people are saying that The Panda Chronicles helps them get through the insanity that surrounds us, and I am so happy that I can do something useful from my fortress of solitude! I hope that I can keep writing and drawing about my favorite pandas far into the future! Thanks to all of you who cheer me on and find my panda ‘toons funny. Who would have guessed?
Tomorrow we return to The Bears of the Baskervilles. It’s been long enough since the last episode appeared here, that I thought it would be a good idea to start from the beginning. For the next 4 days, I’ll recap the earlier ‘toons, ending with the exciting ending/new ‘toons from the story. Huzzah!!!!
Snow and cold temperatures arrived here last night, so since I am stuck on my snowy hill, I guess I’ll get some work done!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Somewhere around Christmas Eve of 2014, Pinky bit the ouchie wire and went up in the Dreaded Hemlock and would not come down! Then Bob told a fib about it and was suspended (obviously Chris Cuomo should have learned this lesson from Bob and not made a similar mistake!) only to be replaced by none other than…
I hope you enjoyed today’s encore presentation commemorating Pinky’s trip up the hemlock!
See you tomorrow for more from the holiday archives!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
Did you say you thought that right wing TV “News” show hosts were complete fools, picking a fight with Miss Piggy?
Back to our regularly scheduled story next week!
Be the bear, and stay safe out there!
Bob T I-really-think-I-am-a-Muppet Panda