This strip was inspired by the awful, frigid snow-storm socking the Mid-West right in the guts. As a matter of fact, we’re in the middle of it as I “speak.” If nothing else, I think this comic strip has reminded me that one of the key roles a cartoonist plays in its readers’ lives is to be a little pat on the back, perhaps a little smile, when things get tough. I know this morning lots of people will be getting up while it’s still dark, putting on layers and layers of clothes, and going out to snow-covered cars to begin the frigid, arduous process of scraping off snow so they can get to work. If nothing else, I hope this strip reminds them that I, too, am thinking about how this effects them (and everyone), and that I hope a little chuckle (if this strip is at all funny) makes that walk to the car just a little bit better. I’m not splitting atoms or sewing a brain back together; nothing that grand or lofty. I’m doing that little bit that I can do, my little contribution, and when I get it right I feel like I’ve done some good. It’s the little part I play in the big scheme of things. Not the fanciest, most “important” job, but the one I like best. — I could totally split atoms if I wanted to. I just don’t feel like it right now.