A Pet Subject. . .

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I’ve adopted a lot of cats- on one trip to the shelter, I saw a tag that looked like it read, “Mange.” It really said, “Marge” but my cartoonist brain grabbed that moment and filed it away for later use. . . fast forward about 12 years. . .

The Green’s cat’s name is Mange. When we started to create the cast of the Green House, we thought this young couple would have gone to a shelter and rescued a cat for their first pet. It’s what I did when I got my first apartment. To be exact, a friend brought a kitten that she’d rescued, and I took her in and named her Mandy. I love dogs and cats, but cats are an easier “starter” pet when you’re first learning how to live on your own.

As we begin our comic, we’re introducing you to the characters and their personalities. We’re also providing a setting: a home, their surroundings, their likes and dislikes, their jobs, their neighbors, family- all the things that create their world. Todd is a cartoonist and works from home, which, as we begin, is a modest apartment. Pam is a special ed teacher and part-time yoga instructor. When deciding on the first pet for them, I drew inspiration from another cat I helped rescue back around 2006 named Maggie.

My sister owned an apartment that she was subletting, and when a tenant moved out, the tenant left behind a cat in a crate. . . a sad looking old cat that appeared to be malnourished, sick and neglected. My sister had two cats of her own and 2 dogs and couldn’t manage another pet at the time.  I had two cats and a dog, but I also had a studio where I could keep this cat until another home could be found for her. She was long-haired calico and her voice sounded more like a “croak” than a meow. When I got her to trust me and let me hold her, I started petting her and rubbing her neck, where I  found that a tiny collar was embedded in the fur deep under the mats on her neck. After carefully cutting away the hair and removing a collar that must have been her kitty collar, I found that her croaking was caused by choking. A trip to the vet was next in order and this brought the discovery of diabetes and parasites. With the help of my wonderful veterinarian, we got Maggie back to reasonable help and began insulin injections. Long story short, she only lived about 5-6 months with me before passing on. Her diabetes was in very advanced stages and other parts of her digestive health were failing, but she waited by the door for me to come in and out of the studio- sat on my lap and then on my shoulder while I worked, and when I laid down to write, she’d lay on me and purr more deeply than any cat I’d ever known.  She was a true blessing to me and I suppose, I to her. She was a special cat. Well, every pet I’ve ever had was special, but she was here so short a time, it was just different.

So, in thinking of a pet for the Greens, she seemed like the perfect choice- a studio cat, with a little bit of attitude and a lot of love. . .  but love isn’t always funny- so we gave her an attitude drawn from another cat of mine, Snickers. . . a Garfield clone.

It’s Monday, the coffee’s kicking in and my brain’s starting to thaw. I should start doing some stretches, and perhaps I will after I finish typing this. . . but I’d just like to suggest that you all join me and take a minute or two to remember your past pets and perhaps think about your current ones and what they mean to you. I can’t think about Maggie without feeling a deep calm and re-connection to her. Her spirit seems to stay with me and bring me comfort. Seeing her in the comic makes me happy. I hope she makes you smile a little too.

Do you have a story about a special pet or pet rescue?  A deep connection you made with an animal in a short period of time?  Comment here or on our Facebook page, we’d love to hear your stories.

 

That new Playstation game will have to wait a few more months. . .

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We’ve all been there. . . when life is like a Country song and there’s “too much month at the end of the money.” What I like about this strip is the priorities. . . charity before “mad money. . . ” others before self. Todd may be upset at the balance in his “mad money” account. . . but it’s inspiration and motivation to do more as we’ll see very soon in The Green House.

My favorite writings about money- and self-value are in Dan Millman’s “Everyday Enlightenment- The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth.” I remember reading the book back in 2007 and loving every bit of it and making an internal pact that I would follow these writings and embrace the Twelve Gateways. . . except for the Fourth one- because I didn’t have much money and was just “getting by.” I obviously needed a kick in the “gateways,” because it’s all there, even for those who have nothing financially. . . I just wasn’t in a place to align with these teachings. Millman opens the chapter with this:

The Fourth Gateway~ Manage Your Money

“Money is neither god nor devil, but a form of energy. Like love or fear, it can serve you or bind you, depending how you manage it.

By clarifying your goals and using your gifts, you can make good money, doing what you enjoy while serving the highest calling of your soul.

Using money wisely, and well, you increase the material and spiritual wealth with your world.”

Pam obviously has learned these lessons well. . .  I’m still in “Todd-ville.”  Yes, I’m re-reading
“Everyday Enlightenment” this month! :0)

Do you recall a moment in your life where you had that revelation that you could be doing more, not necessarily working harder, but working smarter and opening yourself to be more. . . to receive more? Share your thoughts and stories. . . someone at the Green House is waiting to be inspired today! As always, the conversation is always happening on our Facebook page. . .

Worm Holes and Carbon Footprints

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Today we meet two of the critters at The Green House, Link and Wormy. Link is a liberal blogger who is trying to introduce his new friend, Wormy to the world of environmentalism. Tomorrow, Link checks in with Wormy to see how he’s enjoying reading “An Inconvenient Truth.”

As much as we seek knowledge and “the truth,” we’re all  reading the latest news, reports and studies to see what “those in the know” want us to know. It’s also clear that those who are “experts” can sway us to their side by great speeches, writing or story-telling through movies. However, seemingly minutes after we form an opinion or answer a call to action, we can dismiss and distrust if we hear “facts” well told from the other side of the debate.

I really wanted to believe Al Gore and the message of “An Inconvenient Truth.” I recall taking my Mother to the movie and seeing how moved she was by all the facts about the melting glaciers and endangered polar bears. . . which I knew were facts “skewed” a bit to make a point (and sell a movie). My Mom and I had a great discussion about the movie on the way home, which proved one point that put Al’s movie into a “plus” column for me. . .

It was clear from the discussion that my Mom hadn’t really been following environmental news much, even though she knew how big a “Greenie” I am- and she was now excited to start reading more and to start living a cleaner, more organic life. After dropping her off, I came to the conclusion that as much as Al Gore may have propped up certain info and dramatized events to make a more compelling movie, my Mom was moved into a more positive direction for having seen “An Inconvenient Truth.”

I don’t condone lying to the world to make a more impactful movie-  I like to see balance- but in this case, I’ll give a nod in the affirmative to Al.

So, for my part,  I’ll  do what I can to show how thoughtful, informed, conscious people (and critters) relate to the same information, in my own writing. Maybe my presentation of debatable subject matter will open discussion that is balanced and discussed with open minds. In any event, finding any moment to open a person’s mind to thinking about their planet is a good thing. Do it with humor and cute characters and it’s a big round ball slam dunk!

More on the subject over the next few days.

What were your thoughts and experiences after reading or seeing “An Inconvenient Truth?”  Start a conversation here or on our Facebook page. We love fresh insights and honest experiences.

My very fiber. . .

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Yes, I’m a tree hugger. I feel at home in the woods. I feel the connection to all creation. It’s here I feel my spirituality and my sense of soul. Some people get it from church. . . The forest is my temple. It’s the high reaching branches that stretch for the sun. . . the nutrient seeking roots that anchor us in the past and connect us in the heart of the earth. . . the moss and lichen that feeds from us and teaches us to share of ourselves . . . and the constant humbling organic smell of composting that tells us we are all part of a great purpose.

I respect trees and all of life. Perhaps they notice us too.

Who Wrote Jimi Hendrix’s Favorite Song?

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From a “Star Spangled Banner” to an “American Trilogy” . .  Happy 4th (and 5th) of July! It wouldn’t be July 4th without hearing Jimi Hendrix’s “Star Spangled Banner” . . . and having recently heard an interview with Jimi, he once told Kenny Rogers that “Just Dropped In” was his favorite song. . . The First Edition’s recording of a song by Mickey Newbury was doing okay on the Pop Charts- until they appeared on the Smothers Brothers Show, lip-synced to a psychedelic production, and the song went that era’s (1968) version of “viral.”

And who was the “mechanic” behind the hit? “Outlaw” Country singer-songwriter, Mickey Newbury.

I had just a minimal knowledge of Newbury before researching this strip, knowing that he wrote “Just Dropped In” and was referenced in “Luckenbach, Texas” by Waylon & Willie, with the line “Newbury’s train songs.” And as is so often the case in delving deeper into a subject, you find some amazing talent and an tremendous artist. Mickey Newbury created the concept and arrangement for Elvis’ “American Trilogy”- the soulful blend of a civil war “Northern song” , a Southern Song and a Jamaican slave song. . . that is one for the ages.  The most incredible part of this research into Mickey Newbury was actually hearing him sing and watch him perform, via YouTube.  Below you’ll find Mickey’s soulful, bluesy version of “Just Dropped In” and a live performance of “American Trilogy.”  There is also a live version of “Just Dropped In” by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. . . and if you have some time, treat yourself to a few other performances by Mickey on YouTube, you won’t regret it.

But first, here’s a bit of Mickey’s 2002 Obituary by Dave Laing from: The Guardian : http://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/oct/03/guardianobituaries.arts

The best-known composition of American songwriter and singer Mickey Newbury, who has died aged 62, is An American Trilogy, with which Elvis Presley frequently closed his concerts. But Newbury wrote more than 500 other songs, and with such colleagues as Kris Kristofferson and Tom T Hall brought a more literate and thoughtful dimension to country music in the 1960s. On hearing of Newbury’s death, Kristofferson said: “When he got it just right, simple lyrics and simple melodies worked in a way to break your heart.”He was born in Houston, Texas, one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. His parents were country music fans from farming families, but as a teenager he absorbed the sounds of rhythm & blues, and Mexican music, too. He performed and recorded with a vocal group, the Embers, which toured with black artists, often as the only white act on the bill. At 18, Newbury joined the US air force, spending three years at RAF Croughton in Oxfordshire. Weekend leave was spent at parties in London, an experience Newbury was to draw on for his song Swiss Cottage Place.He turned decisively to songwriting after leaving the service in 1963. Following a spell on the shrimp boats of south-east Texas, he moved to Nashville to try to sell his songs. There he met Kristofferson, another would-be writer, who became a life-long friend. Newbury’s work caught the ear of the doyen of Nashville music publishers, Wesley Rose. Consequently, the country star Don Gibson made the first recording of a Newbury song.With its languorous melody and melancholic lyrics, Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings set the pattern for much of Newbury’s oeuvre. Commenting on the sad tone of many of his songs, he once said: “Music has never been anything but an escape from depression for me. I write my sadness. I call it robbing the dragon.”Read the rest here:   http://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/oct/03/guardianobituaries.arts

 

 

From Mickey’s Website: Mickey Newbury is a songwriter most famous for a song he arranged, but did not write. One night in Los Angeles, at a time of national distress over war and race issues in the U.S.A., Newbury spontaneously combined a southern anthem (written by a northerner, D.D. Emmett), a northern anthem (written by a southerner, William Steffe), and a third song that was originally a Jamaican slave song (All My Sorrows). In the audience that night were many celebrities, Odetta, Kristofferson and Streisand among them. The trio of songs brought tears to Odetta’s eyes. It came to be called An American Trilogy, and would be adopted by Elvis Presley as the centerpiece of his later concerts. This clip is an extra from LIVE AT THE HERMITAGE, the new Mickey Newbury DVD, and features Marie Rhines on violin. The clip is uploaded with the permission of the Newbury family, and the DVD is available in the cd store at: www.mickeynewbury.com

“Little Know Hippie Facts” . . .

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Peter and I were working together one day and talking about music. . . Naturally, when old guys start talking music, it usually leads to Bruce Springsteen and works backwards from there. And then somehow, we started coming up with these silly ideas about comically denoting great moments in the ’60’s- which led to “Little Known Hippie Facts.”

For some of these you have to really know your “hippie trivia.” We lived it, so it’s kind of second nature. . .  We came up with a dozen or so of these and sprinkled them into the Green House every once in a while just to keep it weird.

Hearing about two young girls in Texas who had their lemonade stand shut down last week reminded me of this . . . and so we’ll start with this one.  Let us know if you get it or have your own Kool Aid or lemonade stand story.

Ken’s was successful, and it looks like the hippy philosophy is still alive and well!

Reason #17 for keeping a recycling bin handy. . .

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Everyone who sees Wormy seems to love the guy. . . his cute little pink body, his happy demeanor. . . everyone save one. . . the bird.

Who are we to argue with the natural order of things? Okay, yes- birds DO love worms, but in a different way. Wormy is discovering that life isn’t always a pleasant wiggle through the garden. You have to watch out for adversaries and be a little lucky. Fortunately, Tuesday is recycling day at the Green House and the bin was in a handy location. Wormy was lucky today. . . but he also was quick thinking and prepared.

Denzel Washington said about luck, “I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it.” And there’s another side to that, the more prepared you are, the more open you are to taking chances. Personal Development guru, Brian Tracy says, “I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.“

We always talk about the early bird getting the worm. . . but where does that leave the early worms? I’ve felt like an early worm many times during my life. . . putting myself out there, going for the experience and sadly falling prey to those more prepared to take advantage of my “green-ness.” But I’ve always learned from those experiences and told myself that I was never going to be an early bird and prey upon those less experienced. . . I would instead be the most “lucky” early worm they ever ran into. How do you feel about luck? What was your luckiest moment and how do you think that luck found you? Share your thoughts here, or on our Facebook Page, where there’s always great conversation.

 

Here We Mow Again. . .

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This strip was based on reality. . . and an old Lawn Boy two stroke machine that was handed down to me by my wife’s grandfather.

“Best lawnmower in the world,” he said. . . “just make sure you get the oil-to-gas mixture right.”

“No problem!, ” said I, then I went out to my local lawn mower repair shop to ask what the heck Grandpa Lewis was talking about. Until that day, I thought all lawn mowers had a place to put gas and a place to put oil, but to my surprise, there are some machines that run on a mix, just like string trimmers and chain saws. I was careful about the mixture, but that lawnmower still smoked. . . and smoked. .  and eventually got traded in for a regular gas Snapper push mower. I had that Snapper for about 20 years and now I have a variety of grass care equipment . . . from a battery operated reel mower, that just doesn’t have enough power to cut any grass over 2 inches. . . to a swap shack Craftsman plug-in electric machine with a broken handle that keeps folding while I use it. . . to a regular push reel mower and a regular gas mower my sister gave me when when she moved into a condo. I have too many mowers and very little grass, except for a small field that I mow about 4 times a year.

(That’s not me. . . but the collection is close to mine. . .)

So, what’s the big deal? Well, in a perfect green world, I’d just have one battery-operated electric mower and an electric string trimmer. . . but I can’t seem to justify spending $400 on the type of mower I’d like to have, when I have all this equipment that works (in some capacity. . . like me).  I spend a couple hours each year checking out the new equipment that’s available and ultimately decide that there are things I need more than the new super green mower. . . and I resolve just to mow with whichever machine is calling to me that day. I know how much gas mowers pollute, but I don’t use it very often and only for a short time, unless I’m doing the field, which is about 8 hours total over the summer. Does that call for spending $400? Probably, but I’m not ready to make that big green leap yet. I need to top dress the grass, plant new seed,  fertilize and make the lawn look good. . . not “Scott’s ” perfect- I do it all with green company materials, compost, Garden’s Alive Grass seed and Jonathon Green’s fertilizer and I don’t mind “weeds.” Clover, crab grass, whatever as long as it’s green. And if I get that all done, I’ll have to mow again. . . and rethink that $400 purchase. . .   wait. . .  what about a goat?

Let’s Hear It For The Roys! . . .

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Growing up in Avon, CT, my (step) Dad was an upholsterer. . . he knew everything about tufting, sewing leather, tying springs & stuffing cushions. . . and he learned the trade from his father. He was a whiz at bringing old chairs back to life. . . but he hacked his way through everything else around the house. When something needed to be done, Dad tried. . .then Mom would send us to get Frank, Rene’ or Roy. If something electrical needed fixing, we called Frank next door.  Problems with the car?. . . go get Rene’ (also next door on the south side). . . and for EVERYTHING else, we yelled for Roy.

Roy was the gentleman farmer three doors down who seemed to know a little about everything. . . plumbing, farming, woodworking, paint, roofing, fences, trees, tile, town government. . .  He was Mr. Yankee-ingenuity.  I’m not taking anything away from Frank or Rene’. . .  both wonderful, talented, hardworking and generous men, but Roy had an air of mystique about him. Quiet, gentle and good-natured, he had the barn, the tractor and a smart wife, Edna. Roy was the guy Frank and Rene’ called when they needed something.

I was so fortunate to be in a neighborhood with three wonderful neighbors who were always there for us. . . and I’ve always held their images to be what I’d like to be as an adult. We often need help, advice, an extra hand or just the smile of a neighbor. . . good people who will be there for you. We created Roy as Todd & Pam’s neighbor to fill those big workboot style shoes. . . and also give him a sagely sense of humor. He’ll always be there for them. . . and us. . .  although, in our new version of The Green House (debuting later this summer), we may be changing his name from Roy to . . .

Sorry, that’s our little teaser-  and another good story for another day!

Who was your “Roy?”  Convince us we need to consider your former (or current) neighbor as a next-door-guru for the Greens! Comment here or on our Facebook page where the conversation’s always happening.

I Keep Forgettin’ . . .

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Sometimes real life writes the strips . . . in those situations, it isn’t always funny.  Fortunately, I don’t mind bringing home a plastic bag every once in a while. I find uses for them around the house, or I fill a plastic bag with plastic bags (anybody else have a special place for that plastic bag full of plastic bags?), and bring them back to the store for recycling every couple of months or so. I also find uses for paper bags at home, so those work too. . . but why can’t I just remember to grab the cloth shopping bags whenever I go into a store?

It’s not just the grocery store. . . I bought a new pair of jeans last night and got to the checkout line, and thought, “Why didn’t you bring in a shopping bag?” I carried the jeans au-naturel. It’s probably just my scatter-brained nature. I’ve tried putting them in the front seat so I won’t forget them. . . I’ve tried putting the shopping list in a bag . . . that one works if I can remember to do it- at least I don’t end up in the shopping line without the bags. . . and now some markets have signs on the door or in the parking lot reminding us to grab our reusable bags. . . but you have to be conscious to notice them.

I’m sure I’ll get it someday, but in the meantime, I’ll always think of this strip when I’m walking back to the truck for my bags. If only they could talk?. . . . Ah ha! Sensors in the shopping bag connected by Bluetooth to an app on your phone that set off an alarm if you get more than 10 feet away from them! Or, I could just make sure I only go shopping with my wife, she always remembers.

It’s probably just a “cartoonist thing.”  What are your secrets for remembering your shopping bags? Any good bag related stories? We’d love to hear them and share them with other “cartoonist minded” folks! Please leave your story in the comments below or as always, we have the best conversations on our FB page!

NOW. . . where did I put the shopping list? . . .

Writing, The Waltons and Free Range Women. . .

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Looking at a carton of free range eggs one morning, I started to think about Pam &  Todd making breakfast together. . . and this came to mind.  It’s simple- it’s a small moment in a morning that sets the tone for the whole day, and it’s honest. What more could I ask for? Honesty is one of the things I strive for most in my writing and one of the greatest gifts I can receive when it emerges. It’s the thing I look for in and treasure in other writers and story tellers. . . it’s what I loved about some of my favorite TV shows growing up. . . The Andy Griffith Show, Little House On The Prairie and The Waltons- probably the show that inspired me the most. I loved how the show was told through John Boy’s writing. . . looking back, telling the stories and bringing that amazing family to life for us all.

This comic pulled together Pam & Todd as a couple for me- like the tender moments I loved in the Waltons. And especially the moments that caught me off guard. . .like when late at night, John and Liv would be in bed talking about the troubles of the day and sorting it all out. . . and then they kinda got. . . frisky? Yeah, frisky. How did I think all those Walton kids got there anyway?  And occasionally there would be a moment when Grandpa started getting frisky with Grandma. . . and she’d slap him playfully. You never know when those hormones will take over!

When I create characters and write for them, I have to believe in them and know them. . . know what they’d say, know what they’d do. . . know them like family. . . And laugh when they surprised me or maybe even got “frisky.”  This strip made me laugh when it spilled out on to my pad. Channeling my inner Earl Hamner, Jr. maybe, and letting the “frisky” moments happen.

Thank you Earl for the inspiration and creating a show that was honest, enduring, loving and down-to-earth. It’s what I strive for in my work.

(Here’s a Youtube video from the Waltons Final Goodnight, with some of the most beautiful prose Earl Hamner Jr. ever wrote- and naturally it’s about the mountain, the sky, the wind,  the earth, and the family. )

“Goodnight, Elizabeth.”

Be Conscious and Chew Your Words Slowly. . .

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“Kwin-oh-ah.”

What is this kwinoah stuff? OHH!. . . That’s the KEEN-WAH stuff you’ve been talking about? Funny way to spell it, Q-U-I-N-O-A. . . .  Now, who is the authority on how to pronounce this new sweetener, STEEEEEVia? Anybody want to meet me at Cheee-poe-tlay for lunch? I’m not even going NEAR Ah-sigh-eeeee. . . .

Not only is learning to eat healthier good for your body, it’s wonderful for your vocabulary . . . although potentially hazardous to your ego. . . briefly. It seems like we are beginning to get more adventurous with our eating, and opening ourselves to trying new, exotic and foreign foods, but there awaits the ever-present and ominous choking hazard. . . choking on a mis-pronunciation. Even when you listen to an expert in the culinary field, you may switch to another channel and hear the same word pronounced a little differently. I did a google search on “How To Pronounce Chipotle” and here’s what I got. . .

But, wait. . .

At a party this weekend, I heard 3 different pronunciations of “chipotle.” Two of them were total wrecks: “chipoltay” and “chiploatlay.”

We’ve apparently had this problem as a nation for quite a while. ” Tom-ay-to, Tom-ah-to. . . Poh-tay-to, poh-tah-to,” let’s call the whole thing, fun.

I’m no expert on vegan cooking, but this strip came from watching an episode of “Christina Cooks,” with our friends, Christina Pirello and her musical accompanist, Jon Michaels. Jon commented that he was willing to try what Christina cooked, but he was still a “steak and potato guy,” mostly because he couldn’t remember the names of half the stuff she cooked.

At the Green House, Pam is a vegan and Todd is just an average guy who grew up on the “Great American diet” (of somewhat disasterous food). Pam respects Todd’s dietary choices, but is trying to bring him along slowly to a healthier way of organic, clean eating. Sure, we could just make Todd love all the stuff that Pam eats and advocate a healthy diet- but that’s not the reality for most of us. It’s a slow process, an interesting, exciting adventure. And it’s also funny! We like funny, we need funny. We need to keep it real, laugh at ourselves and be willing to make mistakes along the way. It will help that Pam is a Special Ed teacher. She’ll need a lot of patience with Todd.

What was the last funny food moment you had, the last great foodie revelation, the last time you looked at the veggie isle in a health food store and asked yourself, “what the heck is a jicama or whatever new foreign food that caught your eye?”   (It’s “Hee-com-ah”. . .  I think. . .     ;0) )

Getting Our House In Order. . .

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It’s another beautiful day here at the Green House! The weather has been odd. . . in a good way, mostly. July- like February. . . March-like April. . .  June-like . . . hopefully JUNE? . . .    As Mark Twain said about New England weather, “WTF?”  That’s not really a verified Mark Twain quote but he must have asked, “what’s the forecast?” as least once or twice in his lifetime.

Things have changed rather abruptly for us in the Green House too as we began looking into the reality of our “business plan” going forward. . .  just like the 80 degree days that popped up out of nowhere in April- the sun began to illuminate a path for us and our work.

Realizing that we have SOOOO much we want to do and just a few months until a new year is upon us, we have decided to do as Pam is doing in today’s comic. Put the “inside” out. . .

“Ohhhh, ahhhh. . . . (the little voices in my writer’s head are saying. . .) Brad– that’s such an mysterious statement. . . is it a metaphor for your life’s ambition?. . . Is it an astral projection?. . . Is the cat at the door with it’s legs crossed?”  All of the above!

In the next few blogs, we’ll be revealing our new path and talk about the steps we’re taking. It’s kind of like we’ve been walking up to the forest and saying, “Yeah! Let’s walk through this thing!”  And then finding the trail head. . .  all the signs pointing to interesting stops we can make along the way. . . so we’re going to put what’s inside us – out to y’all and see what you think.

We’d love to get your feedback and comments about what interesting stops you’ve made along the trail. Did you see a Mantis? A worm? A young couple carrying a houseplant?  There’s fun stuff to see and talk about “out there” and we’re glad you’re here to share it with us. . .  I think you’ll enjoy our new focus.

We’ll be making a big announcement shortly. . . maybe something about a book?  Maybe a new website or two. . . there’s a lot hinging on the month of June!

Now. . .  the “inside part” & “hinging”  and getting our houses in order . . here at the Gilchrist house- my hallway and the two doors that lead to vastly different destinations: the garage and the bathroom. . .  ( I could try to find a common denominator or tie- in here. . . but, um. . . nope . . .    :o)    )

Part of our new focus is about the small steps in the big journey of life. . . how to do it greener, simpler, more consciously. Yes! BE CONSCIOUS Brad. . .  stop ignoring that high-pitched squeek everytime you open a door. . . wow, so many metaphors here that I’ll have to pass, lest I keep you on this blog all day. . .  Here’s my Red Green Tip Of The Day:

 

The squeeky wheel. . . in this case, hinges. . . got their due this morning. After (at least) 1,000 trips to the bathroom and garage, hearing those awful squeeks and ignoring them, I finally decided to play Home Handyman this morning. A few whacks of a hammer. . . the hardest part- getting that pin to pop up out of the paint, not put the screwdriver into the wall or door, and getting that little space to extract . . . pull the pin, steel wool it down a bit and apply a few drops of the miracle 3-in-One oil. . . Note to anyone else who I am inspiring this morning: LEAVE A GAP WHEN YOU REPLACE THE PIN- JUST ENOUGH FOR A SCREWDRIVER HEAD (IN ABOUT 20 YEARS). . . Two doors have been made silent and functional. Yay! As Red Green would say, “If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.”

 

See you in a few days, at the (suddenly more quiet) Green House.

 

Doing good and Alternative Solutions. . .

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I could never be a politician. . . but I listen to the radio each day and want to try to find a way to inspire our “leaders” to look at the position they’re in and see if there isn’t SOME way they can REALLY try to solve our state’s and county’s problems. . . put together a coalition of good people with good ideas – a blend of races, parties and interests and say, “NO special interests here. . . what can we do to make things better?”

Really, I do find myself day-dreaming about this kind of stuff. How can we lead others to a path of doing for the greater good, to consider alternative ways of solving problems beyond partisan politics and personal gain. You say something like that and people laugh at you. . . so I guess I’ve chosen to spend my time being laughed at. . . and making others laugh.

Back in the early ’80’s I found myself working for Jim Henson’s Muppets and King Features Syndicate on The Muppets Comic Strip. . . and I was 21. I really didn’t know what I wanted to  do with my life yet ( and I’m still not exactly sure)  but I’d accepted a challenge to try out to write a comic strip for the Muppets. . . and won the challenge- so there I was.  .  . along with my brother, Guy- creating a world-wide feature about my favorite entertainment group of the day, the Muppets.  I actually was a member of the Muppets Fan Club at the time. It wasn’t a dream come true scenario, because I’d never dreamed that something like that was possible. . . and suddenly I’m writing a comic strip for 700 newspapers, meeting with Jim Henson and Frank Oz and hob-knobbing with all the greats of the comic strip community, Mort Walker, Dik Browne, Garry Trudeau and so many others.  As suddenly as you’re dropped into a fantasy world like this- the fantasy becomes a reality and a business with deadlines, corporate opinions, pressure. . . wanting to please everyone and trying to learn how to take the criticism.

At some point during the first few years, things got really complicated and I was really doubting myself and my work. . . and then, out of the blue, we got a call from Jerry Juhl, head writer of the Muppets just to tell us we were doing a great job. We talked for a while and I confided my doubts and fears. He listened . . . and then explained that they all felt that way, still. To paraphrase, because my memories not good enough to remember his exact words, he said, ‘every time we write something, or create something, we put ourselves out there -and you’re going to hear from the critics. You’re going to piss somebody off. . .  and they’re the one’s you’re going to hear from. . . NOT the millions of people who are enjoying what you do. They’re just happy you’re there for them everyday. Just believe in yourself, do the best you can and if something doesn’t work, move on and create something else. . .  just do good things and good will come from it.’

So, from that point on- I grew to love and embrace that little space I was fortunate enough to occupy in 700 newspapers – and make it my task of creating something that would bring a smile to whomever was looking into our world that day. That’s a big responsibility, but somehow, it was mine (ours). . .   As they say now, “haters gonna hate.”  Just do good and everything else will take care of itself.

Now, the story doesn’t have a real happy ending, because the “business” of the comic business ended up causing the demise of the Muppets Comic Strip after 5 years of publication. But what an experience it was, and what amazing people to be mentored by. It’s been tough getting back to that place where I have such a huge following and level of success that I had at 21. . . but I’m still trying follow Jim & Frank’s example, and Jerry’s words, “move on and create something else. . . just do good things and good will come from it.” 

 

 

Little Known Facts in Hippy History #2. . .

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A few weeks ago, I got to see Melanie sing in Colllinsville, CT- which reminded me of this old Green House comic (make the Woodstock connection?) . . .

PLEASE don’t think we’re dissing Neil with this comic- we LOVE Neil Young. But, we’re cartoonists and look for any way to get a laugh.

As I look back on these “Hippy” strips- I try to justify why we thought they worked into our Green House concept. . . out of the blue, single panel glimpses into the ’60’s. . . yeah, that fits right in with a comic about environmental consciousness? . . .  But it kinda does. The essence of the hippy movement was getting back to what’s real, what’s down to earth, what’s organic?

“We are stardust
We are golden
(Billion year old carbon)
And we’ve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden.”

~from “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell

I read that Joni and Neil were friends up in Canada in the early days.  A serendipitous meeting of stardust.

 

Another Fascinating Honey Bee Fact!

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Our new Green House Business Cards are arriving today and I feel just like Steve Martin in “The Jerk,” with the phone book. . . like I’m going to be validated as an official cartoonist of a great Green comic strip as soon as the business cards arrive (Yes, I’m stalking, er, TRACKING them with the UPS app).

The image featured today is a portion of the inside card art. Peter and I created a folded business card, because we wanted people to get “inside” the Green House, starting with opening the card to get inside our group of characters and critters. One funny little story that cropped up while working on the card, came from Peter’s house. Peter’s son, Bodhi was inspecting the card art and asked who the character was next to Wormy on the Pagoda. Peter replied that it was “Hunny B,” and Bodhi thought for a moment and said, “you’ve never had her in a strip, have you?”

Ummm. . .  that would be a “correct, we haven’t, Bodhi. . .” although it took Peter and I both a few seconds to think about it. Somewhere around 2008, Peter and I created this character that until today has only appeared in Peter’s Sketchbook and inside one of our Christmas cards, although she’s been in our consciousness for a long time. We roughed out a few storylines with her and filled a few pages with notes and images as we hashed out the details of her character.

Her full name is Hunny B. Tokeless and she’s a holistic healing honey bee. She plays guitar and is into astrology, herbal medicines and holistic healing. She seemed like a natural addition to the garden critter group as she could provide us all with information about the many uses of all the wonderful plants in the Green’s garden. We thought Wormy could use a female influence as well and she just created herself with a few swipes of Peter’s pencil and a lot of laughs and ‘OH!. . . OH. .  what if . . .” moments.

Bee’s are amazing creatures and we hope Hunny will be just as amazing and interesting as her character and stories develop. Speaking of which, here’s a link to a great article on the fascinating Bee. We shared this on our Facebook page earlier in the week and have received some nice feedback and personal insights from y’all about your experiences with bees. I started a hive a few years ago, which I had to dismantle due to overwhelming interest from our local black bears. . . well, I dismantled it before they did, but it was a great learning experience. I hope you all find Hunny B. to be fascinating and funny too.

13 Fascinating Facts about Bees (from mental_floss.com)   Click on the bees below. . .

Lil’ Ol’ Lady Whoooo? . .

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Apples! WE have so many wonderful orchards here in NW Connecticut- been eating the fruits of Applegate Farms in Canton, CT lately. . . so, here’s a little info on the goodness in this garden of Eden temptation. . .

 

Going for it. . . and hanging on!

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I just broke into the Green & Blacks organic dark chocolate bar (70%). . . it’s 9:30 am. . . I had coffee earlier, my smoothie at 7 am, a few nuts and I’m sitting here staring at the computer trying to figure out what to write about that’s relevant to today’s strip. . . then it came to me. Or called to me. . . the chocolate in the pantry. . . Wormy’s showing me the answer and I’m not even noticing. . . go for it.  The chocolate is calling . . . it’s not like you do it everyday, just grab a piece, savor it and then hang on!

Channel your inner Wormy. Sometimes we just overthink this stuff. A lot of information doesn’t always translate to knowledge or “know how,” or wisdom. . . it’s just stuff there confusing you. When your tummy hurts you need to heal it. . . you need that “gut feeling” and you need to allow a gut reaction.

I’ve been starving at my core for a long time now, trying to put all my knowledge and experience of writing to use for the greater good. The greater good of mankind and Bradkind. . . I need to make this Green House thing my future, my today, my purpose and in all sincerity the part that I’ve been struggling with is the physical writing of it. It’s like there’s a wall in me that I walk up to daily and scribble on. It’s really entertaining if you step back and read it. . . but there’s SO MUCH more on the other side of that wall. So much more space to scribble on. . . and (Holy Wormholes!) . . . there’s a bunch more walls!!!

I think all creative people have a wall. Some walk up to it daily and walk away. .  some walk up and knock down a few bricks until there’s a hole big enough to crawl through. Some run up and vault over it. . . you get the idea. . . I’ve been trying to plan the perfect door to build and calculate all the materials I’ll need to make that door work perfectly. . . but lately I’m jumping. . . a little higher each day. I’m writing stuff on the top of the wall now.

Today I’m throwing a chunk of chocolate over it and then scaling the danged thing to get to that chocolate!  I’m almost to the top and ready to . . . . wowwwww. . . . it’s amaaaazing on the other side. Ready to jump. . . . . . I jumped. . . landed . . .  and the chocolate is delicious.

What’s been holding you back? What’s your wall? Need to talk about it? Need some chocolate? I’m right over here. . . toss me a note or climb over and join me! Crap . . . Wormy just told me he tunnels under the wall everyday. I gotta start paying more attention to that worm.

Comments?

Balancing Act. . .

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“We can either wait for change to be imposed on us (by the ecology) – and so increase the risk of catastrophe – or we can make some difficult changes on our own terms, and so reclaim control of our destiny.”  (pg 178, “Earth In The Balance” by Al Gore)

I love this quote from Al Gore, because it gives a great message, muddied up with an unnecessary phrase just in case we can’t imagine the intent of the previous phrase . . . essential Al Gore. . .   “-and so increase the risk of catastrophe.”  Yes, Al, we kind of get that. . . that’s why we’re reading your book.  But it’s a good quote overall, and I’m being picky, because I’m a cartoonist, and to me, the most powerful messages are edited down to their most critical elements. . . make the most of the small space you’re given and make your point. Like today’s featured comic. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth five thousand from Al Gore.

Peter and I are at a critical point in our development of the “new Green House.”  Critical because we want to do the most we can with the time we have, make the most impact, do the most good, reach our desired audience and hopefully help others make the essential decisions they desire to make to create a better world. That ain’t easy! So, we’re are starting at ground zero, literally. . . the ground – and what is it?

Today I’m working on a rough outline of a poster about Composting. . . what is it,  how does it work, how do you do it? We’re creating a poster, a booklet and a comic adventure about “everything compost” because, that’s where it all starts. . . and ends . .  and starts again.

A flower emerges from the earth, growing on the decay of all life that came  before it. . . nurtured by those nutrients. . . yes nutrients. We are all nutrients for something else, either while we’re here or after we’ve gone. . . same as the flower. Currently, I’m doing my own research on two forms of composting, composting in a container and worm composting, and I’ll be sharing photos and information on the blog. While we’re working on the stories of our friends at the Green House, Peter and I will also be sharing our compost information online with the poster and publications, on this blog as a forum – and in a series of talks we will be giving on a local level to schools, libraries etc.

At the same time, we will be creating new Green House material and looking for markets to share it with. Let us know what you think of our posts, comics, information etc. . . if you love it- we’ll move further in that direction. If you don’t, we’ll compost it and let it nurture some new material.  Below are two pictures: one of my worm composter, and one of a rotating compost bin that my sister-in-law had retired, as she’s got chickens and a big compost pile to take care of her needs.  I’ve had the worm composter going for about 60 days and the bin going for about 30. . .   please share your thoughts or questions.  We need the input and feedback. . . help us find a balance to work from. We have so many lessons to learn and share. . . Peace.

Starting a Fresh Week

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I’m always trying to find new ways to motivate myself. . . cleaning my desk, organizing my notes, rewriting a schedule, creating a little reward. . .  and in the end, if it works, “Hallelujah!” If not, just get down to business. It’s Monday morning and I have big plans for the day and week and month.  . . so it’s time to stop scratching the surface and dig in and do what I gotta do. . . I’m just hoping I don’t stink the place up by the end of the week.

What’s your big goal for the day and beyond? No, really, I care. . . :o)