TODAY'S NEWS: I'm very fortunate. When we got snow last week, I didn't even think of driving up to Pittock Mansion and taking photographs of the grounds (although traffic was horrid that day due to the unexpected snow, so it's probably just as well that I didn't). Luckily, one of my LiveJournal friends posted photos she took there, and she graciously agreed to let me use them for today's comic! So today's photo credit goes to Becca Ortenberg, who blogs at historein.wordpress.com. Thanks again, Becca!

Did you all have a good holiday? I hope so. I did, although, as always, I didn't complete nearly as many projects as I hoped. And let me apologize to all those fans who descended on Doreen's Day Spa and Transmission Repair in Dimmitt, Texas, hoping to meet the Minions. When I mention the holiday destination for the Minions, it's always where they went the prior year. Their current vacations spots are not publicized, to protect their privacy. Still, I hope you all had a chance to relax and get your transmissions checked!