June 10th – Mimi & Eunice: Speechless

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Mimi & Eunice.

 Comic Breakdown

“I’m speechless.  I don’t know what to say.  There are no words…” – Mimi to Eunice

“Shut up!” – Eunice to Mimi

Speechless

When someone says that they are speechless, it means they cannot talk. 

People say they are speechless because they are in shock.  

It can be a happy shock.

  

Or a surprised shock.

Or a confused shock.

Or an angry shock.

What is going on?

This comic is funny because it shows how the expression “speechless” gets used too much. 

Many people say they are “speechless” when they are upset or surprised by something.  However, they are not truly speechless because they keep on talking and talking. 

This Mimi and Eunice comic is the perfect example of someone who talks non-stop despite claiming they are speechless. 

Eunice is so annoyed that she tells Mimi to, “shut up!” which is a rude way of telling Mimi to stop talking.   It means that Eunice has heard enough and understands that Mimi is shocked about something.

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

June 4th – Mimi & Eunice: Black & White Thinking

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Mimi & Eunice.

Comic Breakdown

“I’ve given up my black and white thinking.  The shades between black and white aren’t gray.  They’re the full color spectrum!” – Mimi to Eunice

What is going on?

Mimi is saying that she does not see the world as black and white. 

Black & White

The term “black and white” is a figurative expression to mean “right or wrong” or “yes or no” or “good or evil”.  There is no other choice.  People with this view are considered either very simple or harsh in thinking.

Gray

Another way of thinking is “gray”.  This means that things are not so clear.  Many things in life are not simply right or wrong or bad or good.  Gray thinkers are not as extreme in their views and opinions.  Right and wrong or good and bad depends on every single situation. 

The Full Colour Spectrum

This means that one sees the world with an open mind.    People with an open mind are very positive and non-judgemental.  They are open to all possibilities. 

What Does Mimi See?

Mimi sees the full color spectrum which means she believes in a world of opportunities before her.  The full color spectrum means that anything is possible. 

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, and here.

May 27th – Family Circus: Penny For Your Thoughts

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Family Circus.

Comic Breakdown

“A penny for your thoughts Billy.” – Grandma to her grandson Billy

“Sorry, Grandma.  In this ‘conomy the price for that has gone up.” – Billy to his Grandma

Note: conomy = economy

What’s going on?

The expression, “A penny for your thoughts” means someone would like to know what you are thinking about.  They do not actually give you money (a penny is equal to one cent) for your thoughts.

Why is this funny?

Many children take this expression literally and believe that someone is offering them money for their thoughts. 

In this case, because of inflation (the value of things go up), Billy believes that his thoughts are worth more than just one cent.

To read about another comic that features the expression, “A penny for your thoughts?” click here.

Today’s images are from here, here, here, and here.

May 20th – Family Circus: God & Colour

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Family Circus.

Comic Breakdown

“Is God white, black, brown, yellow, or red? – Dolly asking her mom

“Yes.” – Mom’s response

What is going on?

God is portrayed differently in different religions and cultures.  Dolly wants to know God’s race(ethnicity) .

Is God Caucasian (white)?  Is God African (black)?  Is God East Asian (yellow)?  Is God Aboriginal (red)?

The Answer

The Bible says that God made man (humans) in his image.  This means that God is not one race; God is all of them. 

In conclusion, our ethnicity does not matter.  We are all one race, the human race. 

                             

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, and here.

May 17th – Family Circus: Prayer

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Family Circus.

Comic Breakdown

“There’ll always be prayer in schools as long as there are tests” – Grandma

What is going on?

A big political issue in the United States in recent years is whether or not to allow religious prayer in public schools. 

Though the majority of Americans are Christian, the United States is officially a secular country.  American law states that the church (religion) and the state (anything related to the government) must be separate.

Why is this comic funny?

Billy’s mom is thinking about how prayer will always remain in school in some way or another even if outward prayer is not allowed. 

Students will always continue to pray, whether or not they are religious, as long as tests continue to be given.  

Even people that are not religious will always pray (or hope) to pass and to do their very best when they face a difficult task.

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, and here.

May 13th – Dilbert: Ugly Rumour

Hi everyone,

Today’s comic is Dilbert.

Comic Breakdown

“I’m the victim of an ugly rumor at work.” – Dilbert to Dogbert

“Are you saying that the rumor is ugly or that the rumor is that you’re ugly?” – Dogbert asking Dilbert

“I’m saying the rumor itself is ugly.” – Dilbert

“Well, then I have more bad news for you.” – Dogbert

Rumor

A rumor is when someone hears something or makes up something and passes the information around like it is true.  Rumors are usually only partially true or completely false.

Ugly

The word ugly means someone or something is physically very bad looking.  It is the opposite of beautiful.

An ugly rumour means a bad rumour.  Spreading an ugly rumour means that someone is telling people bad things about something or someone that are not true.  An ugly rumour is like a lie. 

What is going on?

Someone is spreading terrible (and probably mean) lies about Dilbert around.   Dogbert was not sure if Dilbert meant false information was being spread about him or if the rumors were about people saying that Dilbert was ugly.

Dogbert’s bad news is probably that he thinks that Dilbert looks ugly.  Dogbert and Dilbert have a love and hate relationship.

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, and here.

Note: Is it “rumour” or “rumor”?  There are two ways to spell the word rumour.  Rumour with a “u” is British and rumor without the “u” is American.   Both forms of the word are acceptable. 

May 10th – Family Circus: Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Today’s comic is Family Circus.

Comic Breakdown

“We’re makin’ Mother’s Day cards at school!  But we’re not to tell a soul, ’cause it’s a secret!”
 – Dolly telling her mother the secret

What is going on?

Children are making Mother’s Day cards at school.  It is a secret which means the kids are not supposed to tell anyone, including their parents and especially not their mothers, because they want it to be a nice surprise.

This comic is funny because it shows how many children do not know how to keep a secret.  This means children tend to tell everyone everything.  In this case, Dolly told the secret to the one person (her mother) that she is not supposed to tell.

Mother’s Day

Today is Mother’s Day, the day to honour mothers and motherhood. 

Mothers often get flowers, cards, and gifts from their children and loved ones.

Mother’s Day always takes place on the second Sunday of May in Canada and the United States. 

Mother’s Day takes place at different times of the year around the world.  In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent (usually in March).

Mother’s Day in North America originated in the US in the late 1860s.  It was created with the intent to reunite families that had been affected by the American Civil War.  The holiday began as a local event in West Virginia.  The holiday gained more and more popularity over the years.  By 1910, individual US states began adopting the holiday.  In 1914, the United States Congress passed the law that officially made the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day, a federal holiday.

Today’s images are from here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.