This drawing was in The New Yorker several years ago. It’s one of my favorites, not sure why. This drawing is about this man, not about leaves, really. What is his story? I know the subject of leaf raking has been discussed here on my newsletter, but there is never enough! Haha.
I love this and not only because I posted some snarky remark here or on threads, I can’t recall, earlier this morning about every suburban wyte dude can hear a leaf fall in his yard and he’s out there straightaway with the leaf blower or tractor ... I say on my deck in this “quiet” suburb and was assaulted with all three of my neighbors with leaf blowers and tractors... my bones were rattled with the ground and air vibrations, my head dizzy from the gas fumes and my ears ringing with the high-pitched whining of the motors... my only reprieve was it started drizzling, they went inside and I stayed on my deck just for some peace, even though it was a wet peace... I know you didn’t ask, but thanks for listening....
Liza, this is just a note to tell you that, in a sea of depressing and dumb news and posts, your drawings and explanations are bright spots in my day. Plus, they often get me thinking differently (to paraphrase the famous Apple slogan).
*different 😀 Now you’re just gonna stoke the grammar gods into a fistfight over the proper use of Think Different, a fight that has long gone smoldering into linguist embers ... troublemaker 😂😂
😀 Think Bigly ... and the fistfight is more of a sparring of words and egos ... I should have enclosed it in quotes... “fistfight” ... *WHEW* I feel much better, lighter!!
Walt, that is so nice of you to take the time to write me that. It means a lot to hear it, sincerely. And from you! Keep thinking differently. (always hated the APpel slogan, it hurt my ears).
I could be one of these men in your cartoons, and maybe would be if I moved into the city. Renting a house with 3/4 of an acre of land, many tall trees that shed tons of leaves and the occasional huge branch with a 6-inch diameter or more, I treasure my rake and my chainsaw. Probably wouldn't bring either to to the city , nor the post-hole digger, the spade, the gas mower and the snowblower - but of all of these the rake would be most likely. I've been raking since the start of the 1960s, with only rare interruptions. A good rake is like a good bottle of beer, which is the ideal end to a good raking session. I might bring some of that, too. That, and a small bag of dry leaves, so once in a while I could drop one into the wind and see what borough it heads for.
I love leaves and I love these. The pile of leaves cartoon reminds me of living in Los Angeles when I would rejoice when I did manage to see some little pile of leaves in the so-called autumn out there. (Which makes me think how different this cartoon would feel if you imagined it taking place in LA vs. NY).
I’ve also only recently noticed how many lines you use to subliminally point toward the focus of a drawing, as well as the use of white space and dark space, and in these regards the single-leaf drawing is a tour de force. 🤘😎
Also you got a rave review from Walt Mossberg and that’s gold. His Apple reference makes me note how you are also such a master of minimalism. 😌
Thanks so much, Philip. I love minimalism, but am not always fully aware of how I design the lines I use. So it's nice to hear it makes some sense! And it's funny to think that the one leaf drawing could be an LA setting, hadn't thought of that. A NYC living in LA, missing the seasons!
And yes, what an incredibly kind note from Walt. It did not escape me. I met him once maybe 10 years, and we have been sort of connected on social media ever since. Thoughtful person, and a groundbreaker to boot. It is gold.
Your pile of leaves idea is a lot of fun. It makes me think the woman walking by should have a very excited dog straining for a chance to leap. That was my first thought. I’ve seen some very funny videos of dogs joyously leaping in a huge pile of leaves--maybe on YouTube
I think of meditation. He's just not 'empty' yet. Of course there's the trying to control nature thing, a afraid of the feminine principal, but this guy seems different to me.
I love love love the man who doesn't want to feel left out in autumn when it comes to leaves. No one really takes much notice of leaves until they start to fall. Then people are either complaining about them, and the people who make noise trying to get rid of them, or asking you to leave (sorry) them alone so the bugs can replenish. From my point of view, whether on the trees, or on the ground, I love 'em. I used to enjoy jumping into them. So, I had a good guffaw with the second cartoon. Liza, I love getting my daily laugh from your work. Travel Mercies on your trip. xo
I love this and not only because I posted some snarky remark here or on threads, I can’t recall, earlier this morning about every suburban wyte dude can hear a leaf fall in his yard and he’s out there straightaway with the leaf blower or tractor ... I say on my deck in this “quiet” suburb and was assaulted with all three of my neighbors with leaf blowers and tractors... my bones were rattled with the ground and air vibrations, my head dizzy from the gas fumes and my ears ringing with the high-pitched whining of the motors... my only reprieve was it started drizzling, they went inside and I stayed on my deck just for some peace, even though it was a wet peace... I know you didn’t ask, but thanks for listening....
Aha!! Found it. It was a goofy reel... too many platforms, I lose my best stuff 😀😀😀 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyBS5XuOslL/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Oh jezzus. UGH!
Liza, this is just a note to tell you that, in a sea of depressing and dumb news and posts, your drawings and explanations are bright spots in my day. Plus, they often get me thinking differently (to paraphrase the famous Apple slogan).
*different 😀 Now you’re just gonna stoke the grammar gods into a fistfight over the proper use of Think Different, a fight that has long gone smoldering into linguist embers ... troublemaker 😂😂
I wasn’t aware of the fistfight, but it amuses me to know it exists. I’d say Think Different is like Think Big.
😀 Think Bigly ... and the fistfight is more of a sparring of words and egos ... I should have enclosed it in quotes... “fistfight” ... *WHEW* I feel much better, lighter!!
I got it--fistfight of words and egos. Can be lots of fun, can also be depressing, it depends.
Me, too! Here’s to the cartoony ones.
Cartoony is such a happy word, thanks.
Walt, that is so nice of you to take the time to write me that. It means a lot to hear it, sincerely. And from you! Keep thinking differently. (always hated the APpel slogan, it hurt my ears).
I could be one of these men in your cartoons, and maybe would be if I moved into the city. Renting a house with 3/4 of an acre of land, many tall trees that shed tons of leaves and the occasional huge branch with a 6-inch diameter or more, I treasure my rake and my chainsaw. Probably wouldn't bring either to to the city , nor the post-hole digger, the spade, the gas mower and the snowblower - but of all of these the rake would be most likely. I've been raking since the start of the 1960s, with only rare interruptions. A good rake is like a good bottle of beer, which is the ideal end to a good raking session. I might bring some of that, too. That, and a small bag of dry leaves, so once in a while I could drop one into the wind and see what borough it heads for.
It is now one of my favorites too!
I love the first drawing you showed - it says so much!
I love leaves and I love these. The pile of leaves cartoon reminds me of living in Los Angeles when I would rejoice when I did manage to see some little pile of leaves in the so-called autumn out there. (Which makes me think how different this cartoon would feel if you imagined it taking place in LA vs. NY).
I’ve also only recently noticed how many lines you use to subliminally point toward the focus of a drawing, as well as the use of white space and dark space, and in these regards the single-leaf drawing is a tour de force. 🤘😎
Also you got a rave review from Walt Mossberg and that’s gold. His Apple reference makes me note how you are also such a master of minimalism. 😌
Thanks so much, Philip. I love minimalism, but am not always fully aware of how I design the lines I use. So it's nice to hear it makes some sense! And it's funny to think that the one leaf drawing could be an LA setting, hadn't thought of that. A NYC living in LA, missing the seasons!
And yes, what an incredibly kind note from Walt. It did not escape me. I met him once maybe 10 years, and we have been sort of connected on social media ever since. Thoughtful person, and a groundbreaker to boot. It is gold.
I would pay that dollar, dressed in a suit and heels.
yes!!!
Your pile of leaves idea is a lot of fun. It makes me think the woman walking by should have a very excited dog straining for a chance to leap. That was my first thought. I’ve seen some very funny videos of dogs joyously leaping in a huge pile of leaves--maybe on YouTube
I've seen those videos, too. They are so joyful!
I think of meditation. He's just not 'empty' yet. Of course there's the trying to control nature thing, a afraid of the feminine principal, but this guy seems different to me.
I love raking leaves, and I love these cartoons.
I have many memories of trips to Vassar during my college days, the only problem being that all the girls were smarter than I.
Steve, you mean “smarter than me.”
Ha! So you are a Vassar guy? I was just there yesterday, I'm a visiting "scholar" for the year!
Nope, it's "smarter than I". I learned that from the Vassar girls.
If you'e serious, I want to understand this once and for all 😬. IS it, "... smarter than I " bc "...am" is implied? 🤔
yes
I love love love the man who doesn't want to feel left out in autumn when it comes to leaves. No one really takes much notice of leaves until they start to fall. Then people are either complaining about them, and the people who make noise trying to get rid of them, or asking you to leave (sorry) them alone so the bugs can replenish. From my point of view, whether on the trees, or on the ground, I love 'em. I used to enjoy jumping into them. So, I had a good guffaw with the second cartoon. Liza, I love getting my daily laugh from your work. Travel Mercies on your trip. xo
Thank you, Allia! I love leaves, too. And I am so happy you’re enjoying my daily missives!! 😊
I am, indeed. We need more humor in our lives...and thankfully, you provide it.
Thank you:)