As much as I love mashed potatoes, sage stuffing, and a boatload of gravy, I don’t think I could bring myself to eat any of it in the middle of August. Last night I made cold sesame noodles with sliced cucumbers and red peppers, and cold chicken (soud vide and then chilled).
I know a lady who has three sons, and all three had their birthdays in summer. When they were little, she told one son that she would cook him anything he wanted for his birthday, and he immediately said he wanted an entire Thanksgiving dinner. She couldn’t bring herself to renege on her offer, so she went ahead and made everything in the broiling heat. Of course, her other two sons also wanted the same deal when their birthdays came due, so that became the infamous Triple Thanksgiving Summer.
An elaborate dinner every once in a while is fun. Today, the daughter returns to college; the son preceded her by a week. So tonight, we are officially empty-nesters again. This means I can make my green beans with Italian bread crumbs again (the daughter hates them that way?).
However, empty nesters are a misnomer. With five cats and one dog, it is still a busy place
I remember one Thanksgiving where my most loved beagle, Kerry, stole a turkey thigh from the tray. We took it from her, but she had the last laugh when she had delicious turkey for the weekend.
Wait, what? Bread Salad? Is that really a thing? I just looked it up and it is real. Italian has never been a big food influence in New Mexico, our menu is more influenced by the Mexican and Pueblo diet.
Followers of Jorts the cat will remember the infamous buttering incident, when a human co-worker put butter on him to encourage self-cleaning, with disastrous results.
I have read that buttering the paws of a new cat helps it feel at home.
I’m pasting posts that Georgia made on Twitter/X last night. I thought everyone in The Orb would want to know so we can send our support. From Georgia’s X account: “I don’t like to get too personal on here, but I’m going through an incredibly sad, tough time this summer. Having the mole/raccoon story to work on and readers be so positive on it and enjoying it has been really steadying, during a hard time of some unexpected sad events. I’m grateful for all of the positive comments and feedback, and the overall response. I’m sorry to be vague about my troubles (I don’t like when people do that either) but I wanted to acknowledge things have been a bit tough and express my gratitude for all the kindness.”
uncle snipe 9 months ago
I so LOVE Ora Z and her butter paws! I fell in the stuffing. She just rocks! So does Pucky and his sneaky paw.
Sue Ellen 9 months ago
Looks like Puck snared a turkey leg. And is that cranberry space goo bouncing underneath OZ?
uncle snipe 9 months ago
Pucky got him a leg…… Iggy sneaking a peek. So much goodness here.
lpayne.1632 Premium Member 9 months ago
I wondered why the stuffing was so messy in panel 2. . . and look out, Iggy! The Cranberry Space Goo is loose!
Gloria Fleming 9 months ago
Oh no, be careful of the cranberry space goo!!!
dmah Premium Member 9 months ago
As much as I love mashed potatoes, sage stuffing, and a boatload of gravy, I don’t think I could bring myself to eat any of it in the middle of August. Last night I made cold sesame noodles with sliced cucumbers and red peppers, and cold chicken (soud vide and then chilled).
Le'letha Premium Member 9 months ago
What did the Woman THINK would happen?
katey11 9 months ago
Oh my. OZ in the stuffing! Puck with a turkey leg! Can Iggy, Goldie, Elvis and especially Lupin be far behind?
Lady Bri 9 months ago
The Woman’s patience is amazing! Look at that smile as she chases Ora and tries to contain Pucky!
Robin Harwood 9 months ago
I see Lupin has a fancy glass instead of his usual mug. And chicken/turkey leg is doomed.
I need a burrito 9 months ago
Dang puck got that hole chicken leg and it didnt get taken away from him
DennisinSeattle Premium Member 9 months ago
Cats need to be locked up on Fancy Dinner Night.
WelshRat Premium Member 9 months ago
Iggy about to grab the goo there.
FreyjaRN Premium Member 9 months ago
I can just see Iggy play with the CSG.
As for Ora, you’re getting a bath, and no nonsense.
Aspen_Bell 9 months ago
I like Lupin’s nostalgic smile.
alcorn 9 months ago
Sunday Funday: or hopefully good news!
Liz the Lucky Premium Member 9 months ago
I think my favorite bit is Elvis’ eyes. He is just so done with OZ’ shenanigans.
dadoctah 9 months ago
Elvis explained to Ora Zella that she needs to get those butter paws stamped so she can hop the train straight to Buttertown.
Daeder 9 months ago
It’s fitting that Ora Zella be a part of the meal. Her name always reminds me of that tiny pasta.
I AM CARTOON LADY! 9 months ago
Alright, everyone, sing along by following the, bouncing, Cranberry Space Goo!
cat19632001 9 months ago
So many TOE BEANS! Goldie and then a quadruple shot of all of Ora Zella’s!
dmah Premium Member 9 months ago
I know a lady who has three sons, and all three had their birthdays in summer. When they were little, she told one son that she would cook him anything he wanted for his birthday, and he immediately said he wanted an entire Thanksgiving dinner. She couldn’t bring herself to renege on her offer, so she went ahead and made everything in the broiling heat. Of course, her other two sons also wanted the same deal when their birthdays came due, so that became the infamous Triple Thanksgiving Summer.
Arianne 9 months ago
I may be imagining things again, but the flame on the candle on the right looks like a chicken to me!
(And, those flames are beautiful!)
Arianne 9 months ago
I think that divot in the stuffing is as close as we’ll ever come to seeing an Ora Zella depression.
cb8ty 9 months ago
It’s true!!! I’ve never seen a cat in the stuffing in a restaurant.
misty 9 months ago
That stain’ll come out tomorrow
Bet your buttered bottom, that bread-salad is such fun
Just sinking in soft and slow
Clears the way for Pucky to borrow turkey ‘til there’s none
When I’m stuck with kibble that’s gray and boring
I just stick out my smol butt, and grin, and say, oh
Bread-salad break my fall, look out below!
Oh, I need to wear butter ’til tomorrow, come what may
Bread-salad, meal-to-go, I love you, as you know
You’re always a fall away
- Martin Charnin / Charles Strouse – Tomorrow
Kitty Katz 9 months ago
The Zombies: Time of the Season
It’s the time of the summer
For a fancy dinner
It is time, to fall into the bread salad
And let me try the space goo!
…….
It’s time everyone
To across the table run
And steal what we can
It’s the time of the season for eating!
…….
What is this?
It’s cranberries
Is it good to eat?
Who has taken anything
From the table for a treat?
…….
It’s time everyone
To across the table run
And steal what we can
It’s the time of the season for eating!
Sue Ellen 9 months ago
When they got the new heating system for the Big Pink House, did it include central air?
artchick530 9 months ago
I agree, Lupin, there are some experiences that you just can’t get (don’t want?) in a restaurant!
cat19632001 9 months ago
Enquiring minds want to know exactly what Ora Zella is saving those butter paws for.
cat19632001 9 months ago
By now, the People must be used to some cat fur in the food.
diskus Premium Member 9 months ago
Of course the people must draw the full blame on this. No other results could be expected. Cats are blameless as always.
lsnielson 9 months ago
I"ll have to remember the name “bread salad”
rs0204 Premium Member 9 months ago
An elaborate dinner every once in a while is fun. Today, the daughter returns to college; the son preceded her by a week. So tonight, we are officially empty-nesters again. This means I can make my green beans with Italian bread crumbs again (the daughter hates them that way?).
However, empty nesters are a misnomer. With five cats and one dog, it is still a busy place
kittylover.truitt 9 months ago
Sunday Funday
ladykat 9 months ago
I wonder what the occasion is that warranted a turkey dinner with all the trimmings in August?
kittylover.truitt 9 months ago
Aww! I love this ! Im saving these buttery paws for later lol
Daltongang Premium Member 9 months ago
So true Lupin, so true. At a restaurant the food isn’t seasoned with cat hair.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 9 months ago
This strip is one of the best I’ve ever read and I’ve been reading a long long time!
Katzen1415 9 months ago
Let’s see, one-legged chicken, escaping cranberry space goo, and stuffing with cat in it. Certainly an interesting definition of fancy dinner.
Kitty Katz 9 months ago
Meanwhile, Back on the Nile
Floofnet the Joyous: I’m back, everyone, with my nephew, Thomios. We have some new foods to try out.
Chef Instructor Jemma: Are there new spice combinations?
Floof: Yes, and some very old ones as well.
Chef Instructor Senat: Sounds like we’re going to need to develop a few new courses.
Floof: That is so. And now it gives me great pleasure to present to you Queen Catshepsut the Golden!
Senat: It is truly an honor, Your Majesty.
The Queen: Thank you. And I look forward to your meal.
Jemma: We are most fortunate to have honey-glazed ham with bacon.
Puckmosis: It’s a good thing Lupinium isn’t here.
Jemma: What are your plans?
Floof: We are all going to stay the night, Thomios and I will stay here while Her Majesty’s entourage proceeds on to Afar.
Amen-Merchant: We would like to spend the night here, also. Then we will be on our way in the morning.
Floof: We can bargain for spyces, both buying and selling.
Violet-Ifa: Just say the word!
Kitty Katz 9 months ago
I remember one Thanksgiving where my most loved beagle, Kerry, stole a turkey thigh from the tray. We took it from her, but she had the last laugh when she had delicious turkey for the weekend.
Kitty Katz 9 months ago
Bonus Song: Harry Chapin’s Cat’s in the Cradle
A fancy dinner we had today
It was almost like a Thanksgiving holiday
But there were six fine cats
Who stalked the tray
And everyone know they would have their way!
And Pucky and Ora were on the table,
Saying we’re gonna eat right here, yeah
You know we’re gonna eat right here!
And the cat’s in the stuffing bowl
And the drumsticks’ gone
The dinner for the cats goes on
When we gonna eat, now?
We all know when
And we’ll get together then,
You know we’ll have a good meal then!
bryan42 9 months ago
Wait, what? Bread Salad? Is that really a thing? I just looked it up and it is real. Italian has never been a big food influence in New Mexico, our menu is more influenced by the Mexican and Pueblo diet.
emiesty 9 months ago
Followers of Jorts the cat will remember the infamous buttering incident, when a human co-worker put butter on him to encourage self-cleaning, with disastrous results.
I have read that buttering the paws of a new cat helps it feel at home.
scaeva Premium Member 9 months ago
I surprised none of the toebean addicts have realized: Ora Zella’s toebeans are now butterbeans …
Red Bird 9 months ago
Thanks for the footage, Elvis. She definitely stuck the landing.
Fennec! at the Disco 9 months ago
Noooo! The cranberry space goo!!
metagalaxy1970 9 months ago
Bread salad…..different way of saying stuffing. And I see Pucky has a leg. And the “saving these butter paws for later”………………………
The Wolf In Your Midst 9 months ago
I’m not naming names, but I can think of more than a few commenters here who’d pay extra for this kind of experience at a restaurant.
Zoomer&Yeti 9 months ago
Panel 6 made me LOL.
LOVE today’s strip, Georgia!
willie_mctell 9 months ago
Bread salad?
Beloved 9 months ago
I’m pasting posts that Georgia made on Twitter/X last night. I thought everyone in The Orb would want to know so we can send our support. From Georgia’s X account: “I don’t like to get too personal on here, but I’m going through an incredibly sad, tough time this summer. Having the mole/raccoon story to work on and readers be so positive on it and enjoying it has been really steadying, during a hard time of some unexpected sad events. I’m grateful for all of the positive comments and feedback, and the overall response. I’m sorry to be vague about my troubles (I don’t like when people do that either) but I wanted to acknowledge things have been a bit tough and express my gratitude for all the kindness.”
Aspen_Bell 9 months ago
OT: Good news update
Diana Gregory Premium Member 9 months ago
This strip makes me smile. I got a new OraZella of my own a couple of weeks ://>