kate rothwell

This is the time of year that brings out the need to go do something festive, partake in a special event. Some people go to the Nutcracker, or maybe a production of A Christmas Carol. My kid wants go see this over Christmas break . To be fair, it wasn't his idea. A pal came up with the plan--one of my pals. Pretty damn pricey performance by amateurs (none of the bodies were trained professionals at being bodies, eh?) , that's how I can tell it's in the holiday tradition.

For distraction in this wearying world one can usually turn to the comix. Ha, say the comix today. You think you got it bad? There's Lisa from Funky Winkerbean** heading off to dance death (or maybe it's the phantom of the opera come to collect her?) and Grandad Jim from For Better or Worse is staring up at an alarmed Iris. Jim might be just having yet another set-back. God knows those old people do that. Lisa's clearly entering the dance floor up in the sky, poor thing. Jeepers. __________ ** I can't find the comic at the official site but here's part of a statement: For the first time in a comic strip, Funky Winkerbean creator Tom Batiuk has depicted the death of a young wife and mother from the recurrence of breast cancer. Lisa Moore, a major character who is battling breast cancer for a second time, succumbs to the disease on Oct. 4, 2007, leaving behind her husband, Les, and their five year-old daughter, Summer. As a result of Batiuk’s commitment to helping...