That Lady - Sammy's Club

Posted on April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 by ThatLady — 1 Comment

FANGIRL

Remember: It costs nothing to encourage an artist, and the potential benefits are staggering. A pat on the back to an artist now could one day result in your favorite film, or the cartoon you love to get stoned watching, or the song that saves your life. Discourage an artist, you get absolutely nothing in return, ever.
Kevin Smith

All year I braced myself to turn 57. Until 4 weeks before I turned 57 when I realized I was actually going to be 58. I then needed a real pick-me-up, yeah howdy.

I have never used the expression “yeah howdy” until the sentence above. It’s a weird time for me. Anyway, I saw that Kevin Smith was going to be at GalaxyCon. I actually called it “GalaxyQuest” until 4 weeks before the actual event. I’m starting to see a pattern emerge here …

*I ACTUALLY PAID TO SEE THIS. DON’T JUDGE*.

I love Kevin Smith. I like his movies, yes – but it’s his TALKS that never fail to hit me in the feels. I remember watching an interview that turned into him just waxing philosophical. For almost an hour. The primary gist was “Never give up.” And part of it was about not being too old to start.

*“KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON!” — BUDDY CHRIST. PROBABLY.*

Well … I’ve already started and wavered – but I’ve started.

So one fine day, Kevin Smith liked a Regarding the Secret Life of Rabbits’ comic tweet! A super hero mash-up, in fact. Yeah Howdy!

As an act of gratitude I made a comic of Sam and Silent Bob.

And he RETWEETED IT!

and then it was picked up by some Hollywood website!

I went viral for a hot second. I mean, if you consider a tweet getting retweeted by a celebrity and some attention from a Hollywood gossip website going viral. Alas, fame still eludes me. Although, for $8.00 a month Elon Musk will let me have a blue checkmark!

I decided I wanted to meet this man. Kevin Smith – not Elon Musk.

I bought a “for $$$ get something autographed” ticket. The big day arrived. I cosplayed as … well … you know … That Lady.

Ok, it really wasn’t cosplay. I always look like That Lady. Kevin Smith was in a curtained-off booth, hidden from view. It was all very mysterious. Apparently mystery makes my palms and upper lip sweat. “OH. NO.” I thought to myself, “I HAVE A HAG HAIR.”

*Hag Hair: the thick black hair that sprouts on a person’s top lip or chin when their estrogen level crashes. Usually the thickness of a corded rope.

*SERIOUSLY, I CAN LASSO CATTLE WITH THESE THINGS.*

My turn! Kevin Smith smiled and extended a hand to shake mine. I looked at his hand. I looked at him. I blurted out a startled, “Oh!” and shook his hand. I am smoothe as silk.

I put “SAM AND SILENT BOB” in front of him. His hands lightly slap against the table.

“YES!” He looks at me, “I remember this!”

ME: You liked one of my tweets and I did this one to thank you!

KS: YES!

ME: <complete fangirl delayed reaction> OHMYGODYOUREMEMBER?!

KS: YES! <indicates comic> IS THIS YOU?!

ME: YES!

KS: THIS IS GREAT!

ME: OHMYGOD!

We seriously stood there exitedly yelling in each other’s general direction. Kevin Smith actually acted as geeked out about the comic as I was over him.

He shared that he had forwarded it to his daughter (the person I was actually focused on back then because – bunny mom) and she apparently found it … HILARIOUS.

I then explained my following grew because of that. I got a fist bump and he put his hand on his heart and said, “I love that.”

So FINALLY we get around to the signature and I haven’t once thought about that ebony serpent poking out under my nose.

He wanted to know whom to make it out to … “Could you make it out to my rabbit, Sammy?”

He put his hand out again. I looked at said hand again. I looked at him again. I blurted out a startled, “Oh!” and shook his hand again.

ME: Ok. I’m going to go cry now.

KS: Awwww. Don’t do that!

But I did.

I came away from this experience with a couple of things:

A. How does a person do as much as he does (podcast, comics, movies, speaking, autographs, publicity tours in general)? Everyone wanting and taking a little piece of you. How does he not lose his mind?

and

B. I never told him my name. He only knows Sammy.

If you wait long enough, everything you hope will happen, will happen. It just requires patience. It doesn’t require money. It requires patience and longevity. If you wait long enough in life, patience and longevity will absolutely deliver it to you.
Kevin Smith Again

Yeah Howdy.

PS. Don’t wait for someone else to make a way for your dream – make your own way.

Posted on September 12, 2022October 5, 2023 by ThatLady — 3 Comments

COW PILE

I have a curious fascination with cow abduction. I do not know why. I’m not into the “Mutilated Cow Found in New Mexico” headlines. At all.
However, the concept of a cow getting sucked up into a tractor beam is just so absolutely hilarious to me. I mean, cows? Why cows? Other than the fact they are so dingedly adorable?

We are called upon to actually believe intelligent beings, with technology far beyond our collective imagination, skate through galactic wormholes and meteor storms … for cows.

The entertainment factor of bovine ascension alone is so high for me that I collect “Cow Abduction” trinkets. They make me chuckle every time I look at them. But more about that later.

I did some research on this riveting topic so you don’t have to. Lo, I found the first recorded case of cow abduction!

1897
It seems a man by the name of, I kid you not, “Alexander Hamilton” spoke of his poor cow and a cigar shaped object in the sky. He had to cut the mooer loose and watched helplessly as the ship disappeared with his cow. The article also mentions that Alexander Hamilton was a bon-a-fide member of a group of tall tale tellers. Well … Isn’t that just what the government would want us to think?

https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/cow-abduction.htm

1932 Saint Paris, Ohio

2022 Saint Paris, Ohio

*IT’S LITERALLY HOVERING OVER MY HOUSE!!*

Anyways – trinkets!

HAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA

Posted on April 22, 2022October 5, 2023 by ThatLady — 5 Comments

GHOSTESESES

I currently reside in an old 1900 farmhouse.

It’s in God’s Country, Ohio.

The neighbors are pretty friendly too.

Mr. Tibbs
[I am friends with all 7,334 cats]

Whilst cleaning one fine evening, I gazed beneath my stove and discovered a dead body! A. DEAD. MOUSE. BODY.

DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNNN

The scene was horrifying. I mean, what exactly happened here?! Why under the stove? Why under MY stove? Was it an accident? Murder? Suicide?

Whatever the circumstance, my house now has a GHOST MOUSE. As fate would have it, there were also LIVE mice. They were squatters and were pretty active squatters at that.

It comes with the harvest-time territory: plow the fields, the mice find new digs. Not one of those 7,334 cats offered assistance. Immediately I researched “Mouse Landlord Rights: The Politics of Eviction” and found this:

The CaptSure Original Humane Mouse Traps, Easy to Set, Kids/Pets Safe, Reusable for Indoor/Outdoor use [take breath here] for Small Rodent/Voles/Hamsters/Moles Catcher That Works. 2 Pack (Small)

The following is no exaggeration:

And when I multiplied the above equation by 2?

**THE WHISKERS’ NEW RESIDENCE**
[I wave and yell, “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers!” Whenever I drive by. Don’t judge.]

If you are in need of a catch-and-release that actually works so well it’s stupid, here is an Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADED-CaptSure-Release-Reusable-Hamsters/dp/B073GRKG88

Reusable-Hamsters … HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Anyhoo

To honor the dead Grampa Whiskers (?) [I am assuming he died of natural causes unless there was a hefty life insurance policy involved] I acquired this Grampa Whiskers (?) cast iron door stop memorial. Enjoy the bunny molt and chewed walls as well.

*“Rural Home Security” is seen in the corner*

SIX MONTHS LATER

The lights began flickering on and off. Sometimes they stayed off and I would have to go flip the circuit breaker to get them on again – only to have them flicker and go out once more. “Where is your circuit box?” I’m sure you’re asking. I am so glad you asked.

But I digress …

We all know what causes these flickering lights: GHOST MICE. Well, it just so happens I own a Ouija [an Ouija?] Board. For mice. I dialed up GHOST MOUSE.

“Mr. Ghost Mouse, are you flickering my lights?”

The room was silent as the planchette began to move! E-G-R-E-G-I-O-U-S
At least I think that’s what it spelled out. The lights were flickering and Mice Ouija boards are really freaking small.

Egregious: “shocking” My god. A message from the beyond! FLICKERING LIGHTS / SHOCKING! Wait …
I walked to the hardware store for a new switch and replaced it. And now all is well.

*This post is dedicated to one of my favorite comics illustrators, LIZ CLIMO:

–THE END–

PS. Fluffy says “Hi”

Posted on January 12, 2022October 5, 2023 by ThatLady

2022 Sounds Like Science Fiction

Welp.
It’s been another long strange year. I moved. I am now in a farmhouse with my buns and an upstairs art studio (my bed, complete with Batman sheets, is up there as well).

I *love* rural life. Truly. I was born in a farming community, spent all my formidable years in one and now, it appears, I shall be buried in one.

And – that’s fine by me. Suburbia never knew what to think of me anyways.

Karen (after her yoga class) crossing the street to get away from Yours Truly.

I found a chicken cam on YouTube. I swear to God – only in Ohio …
FOWL OHIO

THE HOLLY KING

Continue reading 2022 Sounds Like Science Fiction

Posted on January 31, 2021October 5, 2023 by ThatLady

Elon Musk is funny

His Twitter sparks joy. There. I said it. And I am a better person for having said it.

I normally ignore the filthy rich. I can’t relate to them. Heck, I can hardly wrap my mind around the words, “expendable income”.

Remember this?

This is pretty much how I view Wall Street shenanigans:

But then GameStonk happened:

While I was keenly following the stock market like a Hedge Fund, I saw this:

Is this guy the Everyman’s billionaire?

Yes! Yes, he is.

So … I Tweeted @ him and asked if he would pay my art school student loan. I also shared my age (indicating I’ll die before I even get close) as well as my opinion that art degrees should be illegal.

ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL – EIGHTBALL #7 NOV 1991 – DANIEL CLOWES

I would love to have that loan gone! I would much prefer that I somehow hit big with Regarding Comic and Raging Bunnies and wipe that God forsaken loan out! Alas, I have no clue how to even begin. I’m flying by the seat of my jammy pants at any given moment.

Anyway, I remain hopeful that Daddy Musk will come through. I’ll keep you posted. </sarcasm>

From the sketchbook:

probably should have something more impressive for Mr. Musk.

ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL – Daniel Clowes

You’re welcome.

Posted on January 15, 2021February 1, 2021 by ThatLady — 2 Comments

NUNS

God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. Each being has the same right of protection.
-Francis of Assisi

I am not Catholic. If you want to label me perhaps “Heretical Non Denominational Buddhist Wiccan Kinda Believer” would cover it.
Honestly, I’m white knuckling it in the belief department.

I ddocall myself “Christian” because it’s what I seem to know most about. Well that and feminine symbolism. People would tell you otherwise about me being “Christian”. I have no problem with anyone’s path – unless the “tools” of that path are used as weapons. Stop doing that. Stop. You have no right to declare any brand dogma superior and you can’t legislate morality for the masses.

So stop it.

But I digress.

I was reading about Saint Francis of Assisi. What a cool guy! He called all of creation “Brothers” and “Sisters”.
And there is so much YES to that. I decided to write a sermon to my rabbits in the vein of Assisi.
Because this is how I roll, dagnabbit.
…….

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6

Sister rabbits, praise our Creator [by any name in which we call upon the Creator] and love Them always.
They clothed you in warm fur to protect you, gave you swift legs to carry you and blessed you with a radiance of wit.

Among all of Their creatures, They made you cunning and quick. [… but first, they must catch you.]
They gave you a soft fleeting foot and a silent voice yet you rage profoundly eternal in my heart.

You are in perfect alignment and await my redemption.
You are perfect in creation.
You are blessed and a blessing.
…….

RESPONSE OF THE CONGREGATION

Humans, be kind stewards to all creation.

Posted on January 8, 2021February 1, 2021 by ThatLady — 2 Comments

2021

What a strange trip 2020 has been.

I found myself stuck in a commission. That has never happened before.

Maybe the isolation of 2020s plague got to me. Or the medical scare. Or the general state of weirdness our culture is in.

I started the commission. Stopped.
Started it again. Stopped.

Maybe I’m just getting old.
I started it yet again. Stopped again.
I was depressed and wasn’t sure what was happening.

Somewhere in there I ate an aweful lot of Oreos and received some of the most bizarre Amazon packages.

As a kid I would illustrate the situations I wanted. I called it “making things real.” I made a world where I was mystifyingly beautiful and there were winged horses and unicorns. And a cow. The cow wasn’t magic though. She was just a cow.

As an adult, I still “make things real.”

Bridge buns are brought to life [for me] and I fall in love with every one I draw.
EVERY.ONE.
They “speak” to me and I talk to them.

But there I was: stuck. Like a truck in mud: the wheels spinning but I wasn’t going anywhere.
This bun wasn’t talking to me. Stubborn boy.

One afternoon while chasing around the hot mess that is Snow – she stole one of my pencils – I realized something …

This was the *first* pencil-in-hand project that I was doing without Lance. My muse. My companion. My critic.

He would snuggle under my drawing board in and stay for as long as I did. I’d take a break and he’d look the project over, judge it, judge me, judge my existance as a whole … the way rabbits do.

I brought the hot mess that is Snow back in studio. She bit all the tips off my color pencils. She slid my rough sketches and models across the floor. She flopped a foot away from me.

Then… I drew.

Everyone – meet Thor.

Posted on October 31, 2020October 31, 2020 by ThatLady

Be on the look out –

In this, the apocalyptic year of 2020, expect the unexpected. I received notice today that our very own mad plague doctor himself, Doctor Sammy, has been spotted.

No need to fear it as a bad omen. In fact it is quite fortuitous in that tomorrow is the warren’s all time favorite holiday: HALLOWEEN!

A big “thank you” to the reader who sent this in – there truly are no words.

Welp.

Back to the drawing board. Literally!

Posted on October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 by ThatLady — 1 Comment

Election 2020!

Well … 2020 has certainly been … interesting. I am still working on Oreo Cookies [Family Packs at a time, mind you] and to say I am stir-crazy is an understatement. I am … something. So, is it any surprise that the US election is … terrifying?

I cannot guarantee a timely delivery with this product as Covid-19 is still doing a number on many industries that affect independent artists like Yours Truly. It’s … frustrating.

But, it is what it is. I hope you enjoy the buttons. I am off to order a few packs for myself. I am curious as to how gummed up the production/packaging/shipping is lately. I mean, I just received a package that I had ordered in June 2020. As in, I received it TODAY. That’s ok — it was like CHRISTMAS! “What could it be?!”
[It was a pair of shoes that are so cool because I only wear cool shoes].

Speaking of Christmas — or Yule — or Hanukkah — Kwanzaa — National Cookie Day — or if you are a poor soul with a birthday over the holiday season [raises hand],
Holiday Cards will soon be available!

And the new year will be right around the corner …

If you have an idea for a product, print, or comic feel free to shoot me an email!

Until next time:
Pass the word: tinyurl.com/RABBITWRITEIN

Huzzah!

Posted on October 1, 2020October 5, 2023 by ThatLady — 2 Comments

Travel Diary

OCT 1 2020 CALIFORNIA
I am off on a grand journey! I begin in PUH-LENTY of time for the quarantined holidays and look forward to making a “certain someone” very happy!

OCT 20 2020 OREGON
I don’t pretend to understand the mysterious ways of the United States Postal Service.
In fact, I just go with the flow. I DO know, for a fact , that for whatever reason, I am somewhere in Oregon!

NOV 15 2020 INDIANA
Hello Fellow Travelers!
At last, after a few weeks of laying low, I am almost to Ohio!
I enjoy travel as much as the next guy but I am ready to land! Darned mail-in voting put a glitch in mail travel!
But that’s OK!! I am PSYCHED!

NOV 15 2020 TOLEDO, OHIO
The LAST STOP before my final destination! I cannot tell you how excited I am!
I will still arrive in plenty of time for grand celebrations!

TOLEDO OH SIDE STORY:
In December 2018, a Toledoite saw a big ol’ weed horkin’ up the intersection of Secor and Alexis.
The city knew about said weed but seriously, Toledo has a little more to worry about than an unsightly, overgrown weed.

As a lark, said Toledoite went into the corner drug store for décor. A Christmas ball strategically placed was like a beacon in this less-than-stellar town.
Then … it grew and it grew. Like the Grinch’s heart except there was no roast beast to carve.
The Toledo community left gifts, scarves, shoes, blankets, mittens, money, non-perishable food etc, for people in need.

It was to the point there were daily pick-ups for charity. We had Santa, elves, and a stream of carolers.
Good-hearted people came out of the woodwork (Surprise! There are a couple of those still out there!).
It was the best thing ever and restored an ounce of my faith in humanity.

Then, of course – someone tried to commercialize the thing and it all died.

From one snarky bulb to a wondrous act of kindness

Even those with the blackest of hearts had their moment …

NOV 20 2020 DETROIT, MICHIGAN
What?! Wait.
Ohhhh, Ok. THIS is the LAST STOP before my final destination. I am still excited! I am going to make it before Thanksgiving! I think.

NOV 30 2020 CHICAGO
HOLD. UP.
Why in Hades am I in Chicago?! How did I get rerouted?

TRUE STORY:
Anish Kapoor [the artist behind Chicago’s bean seen above] PURCHASED THE RIGHTS to the Blackest Color Ever Made.
I can’t make this up.
So, in retaliation, another artist , Stuart Semple, made his own super black—and now? It’s Even Blacker.
SEE IT HERE
Everyone is allowed to use Stuart Semple’s new Black 3.0
—except Anish Kapoor. You have to digitally sign-off on a promise that you are NOT Kapoor or associated with his studio.
Yes. Really.

DECEMBER 15 2020 AUSTRALIA
???????????????!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, wait. That’s not me. Or is it?

LOST: Two (2) SUNNY SAM BEACH TOWELS. Both headed for New South Wales to different addresses. Both lost on the same day at the same distribution center. BOLO for said towels on the beach. Approach with caution. Ask politely: Excuse me … but do you happen to work for the parcel service?

DECEMBER 27 2020 KENTUCKY
Help.

Not gonna lie. I’m a little bummed that my packages are more well-traveled than I. Godspeed all you lost packages! May you bring a smile to someone’s face!