Morty the Dog

Saturday, April 28, 2012

On a clear day I can see the foothills of the Olympics from my front yard. But we don't get a lot a clear days here in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Mostly we get rain. A lot. And this is why we are called "The Evergreen State." At least on the western side. Today my front yard visibility is about 4 blocks.

I am guessing this constant rain, which keeps many of us inside most of the year, is a major contributing factor to why so many cartoonists come from the Pacific Northwest.

The best description of our climate I have ever read came from Ken Kesey in Sometimes a Great Notion. I note that recent immigrants to our corner of the world don't mind the rain so much as the constant overcast and lack of sunlight.

But this is Washington, my home, wherever I may roam. This is my land, my native land, Washington, my home. I was born in Spokane, but raised on the wet side, so I consider myself a true trans-Cascade Washingtonian, loving both sides of this great state.

McCleary Mini-Comics Day! May 26!

This event is now less than a month away, so I guess I better start getting serious about organizing this thing.

If you are coming from the Roman Road we call I-5, take the exit at Oly to Aberdeen/Ocean Beaches and you'll find yourself on US 101 heading west. After crossing Mud Bay you'll be given a choice of continuing on 101 to Shelton, or staying on the main road, which magically turns into SR 8 heading for the Coast. Stay the course and head for the Coast on SR 8. You'll find 9 out of 10 vehicles turn off to continue on 101. Only the few, the proud, keep climbing the mountains on to SR 8. You will now be entering a world outside of the Seattle media. You will be visiting the old, original Washington. And romantic as it may sound, it isn't always pretty or politically correct. But it is harshly real.

From the start of SR 8 it takes about 20 minutes to climb to McCleary, the highest point on the road between Oly and the Coast. After you take the McC exit, turn right, left, descend down the hill into the town at exactly 25 m.p.h., and at our stop sign with the flashing red light on top turn left. Now you are on Simpson Ave. heading west, otherwise known as the old Highway 410. Go about 8 blocks and on your right you'll see the McCleary Community Center, happily located next to the town cemetery.

As you fall into McCleary you'll see as you come down the hill the McCleary Methodist Church on your right. This building was designed by Joseph Wohleb, an architect responsible for many buildings in Oly, including the Capitol campus.

After you turn on to Simpson, you'll see diesel pumps at a gas station on your left. When I was a kid there was a big house there. I believe that is where McCleary's only movie actor, Major Mite, lived.

This ground-down corner of the state can use some good, positive creative energy. I hope you crazy cartoonists out there are willing to make the trek up here to the woods and produce some comix. We are going to have fun and celebrate the comic art form!

Favorite Movie Quotes: Naked Gun 2 1/2 : The Smell of Fear

"Oh, it's all right. I'm sure that we can handle this situation maturely, just like the responsible adults that we are. Isn't that right, Mr. Poopy Pants?"

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On display next to one of Olympia's largest Protestant evangelical compounds.

Favorite Movie Quotes: Naked Gun : From the Files of Police Squad!

"Protecting the safety of the Queen is a task that is gladly accepted by Police Squad. For no matter how silly the idea of having a queen might be to us, as Americans we must be gracious and considerate hosts."

[Reviewed in Cheaper by the Dozen 34]

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Favorite Movie Quotes: My Man Godfrey

"The only difference between a derelict and a man is a job."

[Reviewed in Cheaper by the Dozen 47]

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Favorite Movie Quotes: My Fellow Americans

"Hello, sirs. No need for concern. It's only me-- the twisted psycho."

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Favorite Movie Quotes: My Cousin Vinny

"Lisa, I don't need this. I swear to God, I do not need this right now, OK? I've got a judge that's just aching to throw me in jail. An idiot who wants to fight me for two hundred dollars. Slaughtered pigs. Giant loud whistles. I ain't slept in five days. I got no money, a dress code problem, and a little murder case which, in the balance, holds the lives of two innocent kids. Not to mention your [stomps foot] biological clock! My career! Your life! Our marriage! And let me see, what else can we pile on? Is there any more shit we can pile on to the top of the outcome of this case? Is it possible?"

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Lap Cat Laptop

Favorite Movie Quotes: My Blue Heaven

"Of course you have a sense of humor. Everyone thinks they do, even people who don't."

Friday, April 27, 2012

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Door of Mystery

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Felix VanQuaethem

Born

Aug. 17, 1861

Died

Aug. 23, 1902

Bush/Union/Pioneer Cavalry Cemetery

Tumwater, Washington

Sept. 20, 1894

Aged 44 yrs

Bush/Union/Pioneer Calvary Cemetery

Tumwater, Washington

Favorite Movie Quotes: Murder on the Orient Express

"The result of a slight fracas in the mess, sir, with regard to the quality of a pudding known as 'spotted dick.'"

[Reviewed in Cheaper by the Dozen 46]