By Gary Martin
A lightbulb went off the other day as I was sitting in my local establishment having my favorite drink — which also happened to be my dad’s and grandfather’s favorite drink. They’re just influencing me from the great beyond.
Huh!
Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com
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I think that is true, and I also like the fact that you have put a more human face on tradition (not that tradition needs a human face, but it is still nice to see). I can see you with a fiddle!
No one ever had sweeter ghosts…
Yes, these ghosts are giving gifts from the past. No coercion. Just gentle, warm nudges. Lucky guy to have these influences. To life.
Sure, buy drinks for dead people while your old friends suffer in sober silence.
I’m waiting for them to BUY ME drinks.
Good one Gary
This made me giggle!
The committee is always there reminding us to sit up straight, be polite ,
respectful and kind……hard to do these days ! Great image Gary.
So true!
And those traditions can link us to those we’ve lost and miss. 💕
We cannot escape our ghosts.
It could be worse…I’ll take the gentle peer pressure from the great beyond for a cocktail…but stop trying to get me try green/orange/red/yellow peppers, it ain’t happenin’!
Ha! I never thought of it that way, but you’re exactly right!
By that same logic, are creativity and innovation peer pressure from people who don’t yet exist?
Sooooooooo TRUE GARY!!!!!
I hear ya!
So true!
How true!
(And I love the location!)
Love your cartoons, Gary! The weekly dose of humor is so welcome.
Ahhhh yes! My mother sends messages in the lightbulb that occasionally flickers in my kitchen. I swear I think she wants me to clean more (she was a black belt). It’s a bit judgy but I like it.
So many influences from the great beyond!
I never thought of it that way!
Yep! That’s right! Love this one.
Such a smart way to put it!
I personally broke all traditions except when I cook the same dishes my grandma used to cook, and her grandma also, almost 200 years ago.
Love it.
Emphasis on the pressure!!!
Good point! And what are the odds– Eliot Schrefer is a friend of mine!
you’re kidding! this is amazing.
Gary’s always smart and witty, but this one is particularly great. Well, they all are really. Keep ’em coming, Gary!
I look forward to seeing Martoonerville every Sunday. This one especially hit home. Keep them coming.
I may recognize some of my family members. We share ghosts!