The Oral Tradition Continues!
Hi Folks, here is my story-telling effort for the month; “The Bosh-Bosh Oil” by Alicia Aspinwall. The strange drawing above is an original illustration for the story by Marie L. Danforth.  It was originally printed in 1896; collected in the anthology “Short Stories for Short People”. I read “Tulla Oolah” from that book before, now here’s another of my favorite tales. It must be one of the first stories I can remember being read aloud by our wonderful librarian at Bristol School, Miss Bedell. She always read everything with great dignity and a serious air that kept all us first-graders in rapt attention. I have a little more relaxed attitude toward the story and characters, corning it up a bit. Give it a listen while you go about your internet business: www.zshare.net/audio/727905061e166b03/
Felix is from 9/7 to 9/13/1936 this time. The Messmer elephant adopts Felix and is so grateful to him for kicking the mouse that he won’t leave Felix alone! In the Sunday, Snobbs gets arrested for impersonating an officer and Felix sleeps in Snobbs’s bed.
Krazy Kat is from 2/26 to 3/2/1940. Two-day continuities this time involving spelling, telephones, mirrors and Mrs. Kwakk-Wakk’s gossip.
Patrick is from 11/29 to 12/3/1965 this time out. I love the intensity of feeling as Patrick jumps up and down on his wind-up toy and his Lucy-like joy in his “scream that will shatter glass”, without a “throat-mike” yet! The pose in the 11/29 strip as Patrick declares; “And It’ll All Be Your Fault” looks a little like a “Miss Peach” character, but pushed to the brink. Have fun with the blog, and I’ll see you next time.
edsquid says:
Hello Mark! I’m a newcomer to the internet at the age of 48. Well, I’m an admirer, and had to check out your blog. Glad I did. This is the first I’ve seen your actual personal work, and wanted to compliment ya. Man, “It’s the Cat” made my day. I needed the laughs. I had to grab a cel setup, and I’m looking forward to framing that sucker. Great comics and watercolors. Peace, Ed Flynn.
Mark says:
Hi Ed!
Thanks for visiting my website and the blog! I’m glad you enjoyed “It’s ‘The Cat'” and purchased a cel! You bought a cel from Sc. 22, the Cat’s “saucy skip”. If only 1/16th of my readers would buy one, we could finish the next short! Please return for more posts, and tell all your cartoon loving friends about our site.
Meow and Purr, Mark