For Better or For Worse (9/11/09)

Chauvinism aside, the thing that makes this strip feel dated to me is the notion that anyone (woman or man) would be able to stay home with the kids and not earn at least some income. With the cost of housing, food, gas and all types of insurance going up, the great majority of families simply can’t afford to live on one salary. I suppose a successful dentist would be able to knock out the bills on his own, but judging by the four full-time day care facilities within walking distance of my apartment, not too many others are in a position to do the same.

For Better or For Worse (8/9/09)

I spent part of this weekend at a block party and was excited when one f the residents opened the fire hydrant and soaked half of the street with a constant cascade of cold water. Although it took me a few minutes to work up the courage to jump in, I was glad when I finally removed my shoes and socks and took the plunge. The street was filled with adults and children running through the rushing water, laughing, screaming and getting soaked to the bone. In an effort to keep the experience a positive one in my mind, I am going to do my best to ignore the punchline of this strip.

For Better or For Worse (8/21/08)

This has to be my favorite installment of For Better or For Worse in quite some time. For whatever reason – the hokey puns, the contrived plot, the inflated reputation – I just never got into the strip. Even the old strips, which partisans insisted were better than the new ones, didn’t impress me when they were published earlier this year. But today’s installment is much lighter and funnier than I would have expected. Maybe it’s because For Better or For Worse is approaching its final week, but when grandpa pretends to lose the wedding ring it feels as if he’s tweaking the uptight sensibility of the strip itself. I’ll take it as a soothing balm in the saccharine, pun-filled week to come.