Chapter 9, Page 20 Awesome

You don't usually expect this sort of thing from someone who looks like Dad. Well, I suppose it's getting more common now that people who grew up with rock are getting to be Dad's age, but it still takes a lot of folks by surprise.

I think it's fun. Dad being like that and the reaction people have to it.

I'll be taking a bit of a break until the new year to try to draw a bit of a buffer for MQC. Also spend time with family over the holidays and try to figure out what I'm doing for the cover of the next chapter. Anyway, thought I'd let you know.

Chapter 9, Page 19 Suicidal wildlife.

Ever get the impression that Mary is rather tightly wound?

Though it is understandable under the circumstances.

Chapter 9, Page 18 Does he walk?

That's a very good question. He never really did walk. He went straight to running. A lot.

The best part of Grandpa's house is that the rooms are interconnected. So Peter can run round and round and round and...

I sympathize a lot here, but also realize that nothing comes of wishing change wouldn't happen. After all, if there was no change, we'd be up to our hips in trilobites.

As cool, and creepy, as that would be.

Chapter 9, Page 16 Reminder

Yeah. Peter's bigger than the others were at that age. It makes a difference.

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. It might continue to be erratic until finals are over. I had hoped to get some of this dealt with over the Thanksgiving Break, but I ended up getting homework done instead. And not enough homework, at that. ~.~ Sigh.

Chapter 9, Page 15 Something terribly wrong

I noticed in Walmart that the bras were very nearly touching the aisles for boys underwear and pajamas. Awkward doesn't begin to describe it.

Chapter 9, Page 14 Serious freaking.

Well, at least Mary understands that there's a problem. A tad overly emotional about it, but she does have some understanding.

I had a lot of ideas for Mom's last line, but I think the 'oy' gets the idea across much more eloquently.

There may be some delay in the next episode as I work on some much needed computer cleaning and figure out just what the next episode is going to be. ^^;

Chapter 9, Page 13 Why that look?

Mary is in trouble. Though perhaps she's suffered enough for her crime?

Chapter 9, Page 12 Panic under pressure

There are people who perform wonders under pressure. There are those who approach problems with calm and poise.

Mary isn't one of those people.

Chapter 9, Page 11 Too quiet

There are children in the house.

There is no noise.

Worry.

It's pretty amazing how often that progression works out.

Chapter 9, Page 10 Left behind

This is not going to end well.

Chapter 9, Page 9 Queen of the castle

Last Thursday was the 22nd. That's the 20th anniversary of Jacob Wetterling's kidnapping. I was six when that happened, so Mary wasn't born yet. My memories of the time are kinda vague, and I don't think I entirely understood what was going on, but I do remember finding the whole thing rather frightening.

Mary is about to have a similar experience. Just to let you know, I'd planned out this arch before finding out about the coinciding date. Really. Oh, and the following is based strictly on real events. (Being responsible is not fun.)

Chapter 9, Page 8 Hexagonal graph paper

For those of you who aren't in the know, Mary has just discovered something that has certain groups screaming about Satanism and witchcraft.

...

I just realized that doesn't narrow it down much.

Chapter 9, Page 7 A key distraction

A summer of lagging on updates makes for a difficult return to a regular schedule. Doesn't help any that I have a lot of homework. ~.~ I have a lot of MQC drawn, I just haven't inked or scanned any of it in.

Oh well. Try to guess what Mary's discovered. Looking at the tags is cheating.

Chapter 9, Page 6 All together now...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Little ones do the sweetest things without even thinking. Of course, they can do annoying things in exactly the same way. It balances out. ^_^

Chapter 9, Page 5 Repetative Repetition

I cannot begin to tell you how often I've done something like this.

Chapter 9, Page 4 Bathing Brother

Remember, Mary, parenthood is not boring.

There is one thing even more certain to trigger embarrassment in an older sister than having to watch her little brother in all his naked glory taking a bath. That is realizing that said little bother is about to expose that naked glory to the rest of the world.

Little boys are not born with modesty, are they?

chapter 9, Page 3 Just a cartoon!

In case you're curious, or couldn't guess, Mary and family are watching X-Men: Evolution in this episode.

That still bugs me...

Chapter 9, Page 2 Over thinking.

Mom's suggestion was a good one. It's just that Mary has a way of overdoing, well, everything. She also tends to be rather dramatic. Or did you already notice?

Chapter 9, Page 1 Minnesota action hero

I wouldn't say that I (or Mary) had a crush on MacGyver at this point. That would necessitate wanting to be with him. I just wanted to *be* him. Doesn't hurt any to find out that your favorite action hero hails from your home state.

Chapter 9, Title Page

Here it is, as promised. The new chapter starts now. Whether I can maintain a regular update schedule is yet to be seen. (Life has been, ah, interesting.)

Chapter 8, Page 22 Sad movie

It doesn't really help to point out that it's just a story. Even with that knowledge firmly in place a good story will still affect Mary as if it were real. And she's easily affected by sad things. Rather annoying, actually. (To her as well as everyone around her.)

Note, next Monday the new chapter starts. Back to the old familiar layout.

Chapter 8, Page 21 Zoom!

Never would have guessed turtles could move like that. Of course, they aren't terribly maneuverable, but they aren't all that slow, either. At least that species. Red-eared slider, I think is the name.

Chapter 8, Page 20 Serene moment

I love that old willow. And I do mean old. It's probably older than the house and that's roughly 100-years-old.

Chapter 8, Page 19 Study sleep

Mainly because it gets boring sooooo easily.

Chapter 8, Page 18 Feeding time.

Honestly, would you be hungry?

Chapter 8, Page 17 Face to...beak?

Dad isn't scared, just startled. Can't blame him.

Chapter 8, Page 16 Pet in a bucket

Seems Mary is happier about this than the others.

Chapter 8, Page 15 Shell station

Maybe Mom has warm feelings for the cold blooded?

Chapter 8, Page 14 Not so fair

Pretty self explanatory. Anyway, computer's back and hopefully this time it will stay fixed. (It hates me, I know it.)

Chapter 8, Page 13 Beach Spectacle

Some odd things have been going on with my computer. Hopefully it'll be straighted out soon and I can update more regularly.

Chapter 8, Page 12 -- Live bait

Ah, a day at the lake. Sun, sand, water, and no sharks.

Well, no big sharks.

Chapter 8, Page 11 -- Technical Pacifist

So much for a relaxing summer afternoon.

Chapter 8, Page 10 -- Spit Gatling gun, fire!

Told you it was dangerous.

Chapter 8, Page 9 -- Spit cannon, fire!

Do not attempt this at home! Really! It's dangerous. To you.

Chapter 8, Page 8 -- Turn about is...

Watermelons are not only taste, messy, and great for hot summer afternoons, but they also serve as a potential weapons source.

Chapter 8, Page 7 -- Sneak attack

The best laid plans of mice and men tend to turn out much better than Mary's.

Chapter 8, Page 6 -- Summer nap

All together now: Awwwwwww!

Chapter 8, Page 5 -- Caucha!

This is a lot of fun. As long as it's done while his long term memory hasn't fully developed and he can't find ways to retaliate.

Chapter 8, Page 4 -- Lingerie is embarrassing

I still find this sort of shopping uncomfortable.

Chapter 8, Page 3 -- Seppuku by shopping?

I wish to die with honor! Not burdened with stiff, itchy new clothes!

Chapter 8, Page 2 Treasure Box

So from now on Mary is hatless. At least for a while.

Chapter 8, Page 1 -- Peter wants hat

This sort of thing can get very annoying. Though I suppose it's better than using her hair as a dinner bell.

Chapter 8, Cover

Sorry for the long delay. Hopefully you'll enjoy these sketches of how Mary spent her summer.

More appologies

I am still attempting to get my schedule in some semblance of order so that I can not only find time to work on MQC, but also move back into my apartment so I actually *can* work on MQC.

At the moment, I'm sitting at my parents' kitchen table, surrounded by forms, invitation forms, pieces of food, and sewing supplies.

(And, just to make things more interesting, my little sister is getting married in 3 months. I have a feeling the summer may be a wash as far as regular updates are concerned.)

I do hope you will forgive this hiatus. Please check back regularly, in case I manage to get an actual comic up.

Chapter 7, Page 38 Mental association meltdown.

Where does Mary get these ideas? Who knows. I haven't really figured out how my brain works, either. And what nutcase thought of using Popeye to promote spinach? As if the canned stuff wasn't gross enough, you're telling kids they can be just like this seriously deformed sailor by eating the stuff. Eeeeeeew.

More delays. So sorry.

First Monday's strip ends up posted on Tuesday and now there's no Wednesday post? Sorry.

There's a bit of drama on my end involving my rabbit and an apartment management that doesn't like him being there smelling the place up. Never mind that everyone who actually lives here loves the little ball of fur.

I'm going to try to keep my rabbit and the roof that's currently over my head. Hopefully without falling too far behind on my other obligations.

Chapter 7, Page 37 Maybe?

Yeah. I know. It's Tuesday. Not Monday. I'm a day late. There have been... extenuating circumstances.

Anyway, forward with Mary's discomfort and mounting embarrassment. Mom really should get frustration pay. She should get paid, period.

Chapter 7, Page 36 Not flu.

Heh. I managed to get a contemporary reference into one of these. I didn't think I'd be able to pull that off.

There are things I really hate about growing up. Especially as a human. Animals don't have to go through this!

Chapter 7, Page 35 Gottago!

Mary's sick, I'm sick. Well, Mary's problem is a little different than what was bothering me all last week. Ah. I think I'm just going to let you find out for yourselves. It's going to be painfully obvious rather soon, anyway.