Harts Pass No. 412

You can watch any number of videos on YouTube or read more about it in the Seattle Times, but the relocation of an "exotic" mountain goat population from Washington's Olympic peninsula to the more appropriate setting of the north cascades was one of the more fascinating things to happen this summer. About 350 goats were relocated. The others were unfortunately eliminated by other means.

PS This comic was never published in the Methow Valley News. I drew it a little late, and it seemed less appropriate to send in the following week.

Harts Pass No. 411

So I started teaching art classes at our local high school this fall... and thusly time has been slipping ever-so-quickly through my fingers! My first week of September DID very quickly become the second week of October, and so on and so fourth. The comics are coming back though. Slowly but surely!

Harts Pass No. 410

Hard to ignore the wild fire smoke right now. Both from an "I'm living here" standpoint, and from the fact that for three years running the first several weeks of our fall XC running season (coaching for my part) have been compromised by at least 3-8 days of unhealthy air quality. This is not normal. It is not acceptable. The policy makers of the world need to wake up and pull their hands out of Big Oil and corporate-interest pockets. Its not all supposed to be about money and greed. It should not be a business-first kind of world. They need to start thinking more critically and with long-term vision about the health and well fare of the American people. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 409

Pretty much how I've been operating of late. There is an outward projection (hopefully calm and collected)... and an internal chaos that hard to ignor. GRRR! #wolverinesarepeopletoo

Harts Pass No. 407 & 408

UHG! The wildfire smoke from Canada and local sources is hitting us HARD! Atmospheric particular matter (PMI) readings in the 400's today -- which is among the highest on the planet right now according to the air quality index listing at PurpleAir.com... We've had intermittent smoke and good/bad days over the two weeks since the first strip, but it has been consistently worse just to our south. The lack of air movement is layering it in all around and there is no real change in site. Stay inside if you can. The wolverines and other critters have far fewer options. GRRR!

The most awesome POLAR OPPOSITES reading ever!

OK, I don't really haunt the YouTubes looking for my books, but in a random search today I came across this POLAR OPPOSITES reading by the incredibly awesome Sauda for the YouTube channel, ABC Read, ABC Learn. It doesn't look like Sauda does too many of their other readings, but this one I definitely had to share. Enjoy!

Harts Pass No. 406

The strip pretty much says it all. Tim's Jalapeño chips are totally addictive. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 405

It seems to me that free time is filled with too many practical and objective pursuits these days. I mean, its one thing if you're older and using that time to pursue a passion or to get on track with some other thing that leads to something else, and I'm all for a high bar and goals and drive... but for kids - especially kids of a younger age - they really don't need to be getting ahead on next year's school work with their summer time lazy days. Relaxed is relaxed, a wandering mind is good. A laser focus on the "next thing" or some sort of objective lesson with literally EVERY activity will only wear you down before your time.

Harts Pass No. 404

Another weather strip. PS Summer is NOT my favorite season! #wolverineworries #snowforlife #summer...

Harts Pass No. 403

I'm late in posting last week's strip -- which is too bad because I was pretty happy with it :) So many of these little comics are just a reaction to everyday normal things like the weather etc. (RE WINDY of late!) but then I get to draw some cute animals and try to find a little humor in it. As always, enjoy!

Harts Pass No. 402

Up in the mountains since the 4th of July. A summer-like tardiness to the posting of this strip but the sentiment rings true -- and perhaps even more so as we move past holiday feelings of freedom on to taking a measure of the actual freedoms that we should cultivate and encourage. Onward! 

Harts Pass No. 401

Summer started last week, but I was busy celebrating that 400th strip. For that matter, with highs today really just barely reaching 70 degrees, the swimming hole will be slightly more appealing in another week or two. Not a huge fan of the "hot" part of summer... so I'm good. Enjoy!

Harts Pass No. 400!!!!!!

Our 8th year anniversary here from the lofty heights at Harts Pass Comics. Progress is hard, but our wolverines keep giving it a go. Onwards and upwards. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 399

Happy graduation class of 2018!!!!

Harts Pass No. 397 & 398

And still behind on my online posts! A little rush to catch up on other things at the end of the track season. I should be back into a more normal rhythm and flow next week.

Harts Pass No. 395 & 396

A little behind on the uploads from last week. NOT because of imminent flooding, but there have been a lot of happenings in the studio and beyond.

And this week's strip basically sums the goings on of the greater world. Things like clean energy, higher cafe standards, regulations to protect worker's rights or to prevent stupid things from happening with the banking industry... some things are just better for everyone. I mean seriously! Except of course for those very few who stand to make a lot of many from continued pillaging and abuse. Anyway, the river's up.

Until next week!

Harts Pass No. 394

WSDOT reports that the North Cascades Highway will open on Friday -- just in time for the 49er's Day Weekend here in Winthrop, WA. Always an important boon to the start of summer tourism, this open stretch of scenic highway through the heart of the north cascades is also a popular bike route -- especially in the week or so period of time when its just almost  done but not quite open to cars. The wolverines and other non-cycling members of the animal kingdom must also take a least a passing fancy to these pre-car days of open road. Enjoy! 

PS Headline news in the Seattle Times today: Breeding Wolverine Heralds Comeback in Washington's Cascades. A quick story about the first documented breeding female south of 1-90. Coming soon as a topic of interest to Harts Pass Comics :)

Harts Pass No. 393

May 2nd truly was #greatamericangrumpoutday - and it turns out that it was actually #takeababytolunchday #truffleday #tunaday #brotherandsisterday #scurvyawarenessday AND #playyourukeleleday as well. Who knew? #ukelele #wolverine #procreateapp #comics

Harts Pass No. 392

A haiku for spring -- and a public service announcement about the benefits of sunscreen to boot!

Harts Pass No. 391

Late to posting last week's comic... You can certainly appreciate this on the ground level as a fan of #collectivenouns — but it will resonate even a little more with a greater knowledge of #okanogan #okanogancountyhigh schools and #highschool #sportsObviously, I coach the #mountainlions :)