Snowball Vs. Hat: A Drama In 4 Panels
OK, imagine you’re an illustrator. You’re working hard on an assignment, and you realize you’ve been neglecting your blog. Do you:
A) Hope for a miracle
B) Recycle some old work
C) Both
Answer: C.
The miracle occurred when I was picking up some clutter (an annual, very feeble New Year’s resolution) and found some gag cartoons circa 1996. That’s what– 17 years ago?? Definitely old work. This one made me smile, though, and it seems perfect for a January post here in cold and wintry New Hampshire, USA.
The plot called for two characters: a distinguished gentleman, and a mean little kid– so I was able to incorporate both aspects of my personality into it… : ) Hope you enjoy it.
What do you think? Have you ever tried to knock somebody’s hat off with a snowball? Ever had a practical joke backfire on you? Hope you’ll leave a comment.
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You just gave me an idea 🙂
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Uh-oh! I see trouble ahead… : )
Many thanks for stopping by!
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OK, imagine you’re an artist and a writer… Hope for a miracle. 🙂
I love throwing snowballs, but no one here wears hats to knock off.
Here is my version of this fun winter pastime:
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Hey, wait a minute– you are an artist and a writer! See? Miracles do happen. I wish they’d happen to me… : P
It’s been so cold here this week, I’ve been wearing a hat in the house. But I know what you mean– nobody wears target practice hats anymore, and it’s a shame. It’s forced mischief into unhealthy channels– like drive-by shootings, for example… : P
Your comic strip captures the innocent joy of snowball throwing– as long as one’s not on the receiving end, of course. Thanks for the visit, sir! : )
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HAHAHAH!!!!!! Normally, seeing someone get knocked over by a snowball wouldn’t make me laugh but that kid asked for it. LOVE this!!!!
Your characters always have complex expressions on their faces — like real people. WOW!
I’ve never thrown a snowball at anyone. Or had one thrown at me. But I do know how to make the kind with ice in the middle for optimum damage….LOL
This is wonderful!
And I’m very very very happy you’re back!
🙂
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Take that, ya nasty kid– ya had it comin’!! Darn tootin’!– SMACK!!
Do real people have expressions like that?? Huh! I’m gonna hafta start paying more attention. Obviously my razor-sharp subconscious has been on the job… : P
You know how to make an iceball?? Yow! I want you on my side during the next snowfight!!
Thank you for that lovely comment, dear Robyn– it gave my top hat a most delightful spin!! : )
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Very good!
I love how distinguished people never have to open their eyes.
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Ha!! A keen observation!! Your comment made me roar with laughter– thanks so much for stopping by!! : )
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My aim is so terrible I have never thrown anything that went where I intended it:-) Very cute Mark, I love it! And please don’t fulfill your New Years resolution of cleaning clutter. I don’t want to be the only one with a desk that looks like mine!!
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Your aim may be terrible when it comes to snowballs, but anyone who reads your blog knows you’re always on target… : )
No worries– my clutter cleanup campaign ground to a halt after I found that cartoon! Thanks, Tracey!! : )
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I’m having a great time watching you rock this blog, Mark.
Rock on!
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It just comes naturally to me– must be all the rocks in my head… : P
Thanks, TT!
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Okay, I’ll confess. As a child my parents moved our family a lot. I lived in 3 different states, 3 different provinces and two northern territories, all of which featured winter snow and associated sports. I was a very accurate snowball tosser in winter and a softball pitcher in summer. However, I wasn’t a mean little kid who sought out adult targets. I was far too smart for that, as I was raised in a time when any adult could flatten any child for misbehaving right on the spot.
Sometimes I long for the good old days… especially when I witness nasty kids and adolescent trolls online. Sometimes I wish the politically correct would simply shut up but hey, it’s a wild world and I’m resilient. Today and every day, I snort when mean spirited acts backfire and take out the perpetrator. Today and every day, I appreciate your art.
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Thanks for sharing all that, TT. I’ve often heard it said that kids who have to move a lot learn to adapt and develop great resilience. I can well believe it. It took me a long time to realize that challenges are what serve to make us stronger in the long run.
Interesting to think of you playing softball– I can see you striking out the side! : )
We must be from the same era because I, too, remember a time when adults reacted swiftly to misbehavior, without having to worry about getting sued or being charged with child abuse. I’m sure there were abuses, but in the great majority of cases it was just a quick swat on the bottom to teach kids that you didn’t amuse yourself at other people’s expense.
Seeing someone get their deserved comeuppance has to be one of life’s sweetest experiences. A snort and a fist-pump is definitely in order!!
Your support is a sustaining influence for me, TT– thanks. : )
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Now, that’s street justice. Love it, Mark.
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Ha! Thanks, Judy. You know street justice has caught up with you when you wind up on the pavement! : )
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Little snow here in southeastern Washington state– just freezing rain.
Knock someone’s hat off with a snowball? Don’t think so, as people seem to wear knitted caps for winter. No stovepipe hats, and even men seem to wear hats more as a fashion accessory nowadays than an outdoor piece of clothing. (Not me– “I don’t care if your head feels naked without your hat, cowboy, when you come to visit me, ya take your hat off when you come inside! I’m old-school!”)
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Ha! Excellent point, Jak. Pretty hard to knock off a knitted cap without taking someone’s head with it– and that pushes the prank into not-so-funny land, something I can’t support. I hear you on the indoor hat phenomenon, tho I’m willing to make an exception for movie cowboys… : P
Thanks, as always, for your kind support! : )
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That little Jackie Cooper got what he deserved. 😉
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He certainly did: Mischief Hunter becomes the Hunted– POW!! : )
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You should approach..the Weather Network. 😀 for a posting. I love it!
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Ha!!! Your wonderful comment made me roar with laughter, Jean, and beam with pleasure!! Always exciting to have you streak by, brrrnngg-brrrnnnggging that bell on your handlebars– many thanks!! : )
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ahahahahahahahaa…hilarious!
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Thank you, my dear Inge! Sounds like you laughed so hard your top hat fell off!! : )
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Just thought I’d let you know that you’ve been awarded the Very Inspiring Blog Award by me, check it out: http://deanzwordz.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/inspiring-blog-award-surprise/
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Thank you very much, sir! Having received this award, I know I shall be more inspired than ever before! : )
Very sincerely appreciated– thank you, Dean.
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No problem, Mark! You deserve it!
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Wow! This is older than I am! Yet still hilarious, and reminds me of when I started a snowball fight only to have it end with one down my bra. I am glad I stumbled upon you, I am really enjoying your posts. 🙂
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Gee, I felt young and energetic a minute ago, but after reading your comment I feel positively decrepit!! But I’m sure you meant well… : P
Just kidding. Very glad you’re enjoying the posts, and be sure to button up before your next snowball fight! : )
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Made us gag with laughter!
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Dear, dear– I’m sorry I wasn’t there to perform the Heimlich Maneuver… : P
Many thanks, and a cheerful ahoy to my favorite sailors!! : )
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Love the look on the kid’s face in the third strip ! This just reminds me of an incident my father told me when I was a kid. Only that they threw paper rockets on their teacher’s hat. Though I highly doubt that my father was a part of the prank. 😉
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Zinging a teacher’s hat with paper rockets– I like it!! Paper rockets seem a lot less hazardous than snowballs– unless you get poked in the eye by one, of course… : (
Knowing you, I’m sure your dad was part of the prank– these tendencies are hereditary, you know… : )
Always delightful to see you, thanks for that good-humored comment! : )
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