Terri Libenson's Blog, page 12

Recap

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Anything interesting happen in the past month? Yeah, okay, I’ll just move right past that.

In case you’ve been more preoccupied with the news than with the funny pages (btw, I highly recommend the comics as an antidote), 2016 was a turbulent year in the PD characters’ lives. Certainly, they’ve managed to retain their sense of humor throughout all of it. For your entertainment pleasure, here’s a little recap.

Nanci has been challenged by her son Ben’s special needs and continues to navigate this new course.

Grandma Sophie has begun to deteriorate. Her dementia is a constant concern for her family. Jill, as usual, internalizes it.

Rob started traveling for work, which presented some new challenges (and comic relief) for the Kaplan family.

Amy entered in her junior year and feels the pressure of school and upcoming college decisions.

Jess is blooming into a full-fledged teenager, which presents new emotional and, um, physical changes.

And Jill is…well, Jill. Still nutty and preoccupied as ever.

A little peek into her Magic 8 Ball: she’ll soon face some physical challenges of her own.

Stay tuned. Until then, stay strong in 2017!

Those strips about Ben, part 2

It’s been 6 months since my last post about the ongoing “Ben” series. Thought I’d share a little update.

After waiting many months, Ben has finally had his autism evaluation, and Nanci and her husband are waiting for the results. One thing I’ve learned through research: it can take a painfully long time to get diagnosed, and the wait can be agony for the family. 

Meanwhile, there is some comic relief. Kids on the spectrum have a myriad of challenging traits, but also some funny ones. Gettin’ nekked is one I can applaud. Sometimes kids with sensory issues just don’t want their clothes touching them. I understand this to the extent of practically ripping off my bra as soon as I step in the doorway (okay fine, IF I’m wearing a bra). Obviously, it runs a little deeper here.

There are other challenges as well. Families can have a tough time. Marriages can suffer, especially if parents aren’t on the same page. Nanci and David can attest:

Not having kids who are on the spectrum, this is clearly uncharted territory for me. But I still think autism is a good topic for the strip and can be addressed with both humor and heart.

So I’ll continue taking on this self-imposed challenge. Stay tuned.

Pre-pre-holiday reminder

This is a friendly reminder to order Pajama Diaries books and merchandise for you or your loved ones before the mad holiday rush.

And yes, I know I’m evil for mentioning the holidays not even a week after Halloween. 

But in case you’re anal-retentive like me, click here for my store page, where you can buy books, t-shirts, mugs, etc., or find information about purchasing prints and originals.

Okay, back to your leftover Halloween candy noshing.

A book that has nothing to do with PD…but if you like me, you’ll buy it

Hey everyone, check out this exclusive sneak preview of my upcoming book, “Invisible Emmie,” from HarperCollins (for ages 8-12). It’s set to hit stores in May, 2017. The great comics website, The Mary Sue, debuted the cover today. Click here to check it out!

And don’t forget to pre-order the book here for the kids in your life!

The P Word

Perimenopause isn’t funny.

Oh wait, actually it is.

As the saying goes, if you can’t cry, you laugh.  That’s why I’ve been writing about autism, dementia, my #$@% blood disease, and now this. First of all, it’s cathartic. Secondly, it feels good to laugh about something that essentially sucks. Thirdly, it helps to connect with others that may be going through something similar. And since half the population is female, I’m guessing most of them would relate to this topic at some point.

Fourthly — and this is a big one — I do think menopause and perimenopause are traditionally stigmatized subjects, and we really need to destigmatize them (is that a word?). So I’m taking it upon myself to open up the perimenopausal conversation on the funny pages (Yes! Look at me on my high horse!). Or vent about it, anyway.

I’ve started dealing with this crap life change in the past few years. After all, I’m fortycoughsomething, so it comes with the territory. Top it off with a blood disorder that shares some of the same symptoms, and you get one confusing hormonal stew.

What boggles my mind is this is just starting to happen. I haven’t even come close to being menopausal yet. I cannot even imagine the comedic gold that will materialize then — if I’m not too busy crying into my bed sheets to write.

In any case, if you read the strip, you know I don’t shy away from this stuff. And this stuff is funny. It really is. Night sweats (or leg sweats, stomach sweats, butt sweats…sometimes it’s weirdly specific), chin hairs (I plead the fifth on this one), and fatigue (I almost took a nap on a fallen log during one of my runs)…these are things that are so ridiculous, they’re hilarious. Well, to me anyway.

I hope you agree. ‘Cause being a woman is goddam hard.

So we might as well laugh about it.

 

 

 

 

 

Toonfest, 2016!

In just a few weeks, I’ll be speaking at the Toonfest in Marceline, MO. This is the hometown of Walt Disney, and they have a big cartoon festival that takes place annually. This year, Toonfest will be Sept 17. It is family friendly and open to the public. Click here for the speaker lineup. Fittingly, there will be several Disney animators presenting. I’ll be in great company!

“UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital” Cartoon Collage

This has been a looong time coming. Almost a year and a half, to be exact. Bet you’re wondering what I’m talking about. Well, let me provide the back story…

Last October, my younger daughter celebrated a Bat Mitzvah. Part of reaching this milestone included performing a charitable service of her choice. She chose to gather a large group of friends and paint small canvases (with cheerful, “outdoorsy” themes) to give to patients at Cleveland’s renowned Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. In addition, each friend also contributed a new stuffed animal to accompany these paintings. The party was a big success.

(above: our daughter, Nikki, painting away last June)

(above: a few results from the party)

In addition, my husband, Mike, suggested we do an adjoining project for the hospital. We would ask professional cartoonists to donate small character sketches that we’d collect together to form a large, collaborative “collage.” This could be hung in the hospital for patients and visitors to enjoy.

I agreed it was a great idea. I put a call out for b/w 5″ x 5″ character sketches, and over the next few months we received a steady stream of contributions. The artwork included a variety of media, from Sharpie drawings, to pencil sketches, to ink washes, to a full-on painting.

The collage mainly features work by professional comic strip and panel cartoonists. I tried to include local cartoonists as well as those whose work appears in the comics section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper; we thought these would be readily recognizable to local families.

Here is the list of contributing artists, whose work is hung in alphabetical order:

Jim Allen, Mark Anderson, Sunny Artanis, Tom Batiuk, Jim Borgman, Charles Brubaker, Jenny Campbell, Dave Coverly, Brian Crane, Rich Diesslin, Scott Ebisch, Hy Eisman, Jan Eliot (2 pieces), Graham Harrop, Bill Holbrook, Scott Jensen, Polly Keener, Rick Kirkman, Jeff Knurek, Terri Libenson, Mike Lynch, Jef Mallett, Mark Parisi, Jeff Parker, Stephan Pastis, Lincoln Peirce, Hilary Price, John Rose, Pat Sandy, George Schill, Maria Scrivan, John Steventon, Mark Tatulli, Bill Watterson, Wayno

And here is our fantastic result (unframed)! So much thanks goes to all the wonderful creators who contributed.

(click to enlarge)

Here is a photo of the final piece, beautifully framed and ready to hang soon in the hospital. [Couldn’t get a straight on image because of the glass]. I can honestly tell you that photos don’t do it justice.

Finally, here is our Nikki, who did us proud on her Bat Mitzvah. Mazel Tov, kiddo. Look what you started.

 

 

 

 

Truth or Dare

 

Having a comic strip that’s semi-autobiographical often brings up questions from friends, family and readers. “Did that really happen?” “Don’t your husband and kids get mad/embarrassed/want to send you to Siberia?” “How do you put yourself out there all the time?”

Well, first of all, rarely do I write anything that is exactly true or verbatim. I take many artistic liberties. Yes, I often use real life as a starting point, like my kids’ Bat Mitzvahs, driver’s ed, and situations like attempting to scale back work hours. But most of the time, these stories veer off course and take on new paths of their own. That’s a beautiful aspect of writing: continually surprising yourself.

As for the reactions of my family…well, they’ve been good sports forever. Also, they read almost everything in advance. My husband is like me, he has completely lost all shame. Anyway, he’s pretty cool and lets good-natured ribbing roll right off him. There have been times when my kids have put the brakes on certain story lines (like one where Amy gets her period), but for the most part, they couldn’t care less are pretty relaxed about it.

And how do I put myself out there all the time? This is an interesting one, because I grew up very shy and closed off. I suppose I’ve always expressed myself through art and storytelling, so this is where I feel most comfortable. True, ten years ago, I was much more wary of “exposing myself” to a public audience, but the more I did it, the more I relaxed and didn’t worry about it so much. I guess it’s akin to how comedians grow in their field. Besides, the more “honest” and “exposed” I am, the more my work evolves and the more my audience appreciates it.

And — I won’t lie — I get a certain thrill from pushing the envelope. We all get our kicks somehow.

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Note: the above cartoon is one of the few I wrote verbatim. (*immature giggle*)

 

 

Those strips about Ben

If you’re a frequent Pajama Diaries reader, you’ve noticed an ongoing storyline about Nanci’s young son, Ben. Ben has been displaying some troubling signs, and Nanci and her husband David are trying to find out whether or not Ben has autism. Stay tuned.

Obviously, I’ve been doing a fair amount of research on the topic. While I don’t know firsthand what it’s like having a child with special needs, I know a bit from having friends with autistic kids or friends and relatives who help these kids (including many occupational and speech therapists). I’ve wanted to introduce this topic in the strip from the parents’ perspective.

I’ve also been getting a fair amount of helpful feedback from readers who know firsthand. I appreciate the advice and information. Please keep it coming!

I’d especially like to give a shout out to my incredible and caring aunt, Connie Molecke, who is a retired speech therapist and helped start a camp in New Mexico for kids who are on the spectrum. She’s been a fountain of knowledge and has helped me tremendously with this series. Thanks, Aunt Connie. You rock!

 

 

That moment I got a %$@# Reuben!

Well, some things are hard to top. This just may tie with my wedding and the birth of my children (but don’t tell that to my family).

It all started this past Memorial Day weekend at the National Cartoonists Society’s 70th annual Reuben Awards Ceremony, held this year in Memphis, TN. Originally, I was going to skip this year’s event and catch up on napping and Netflix, but I got “the call.” I was nominated for an NCS Reuben Award for Newspaper Comic Strip.

Well…..fine, I’ll go.

Hubby Mike and I packed up the kids (since grandma wasn’t around to watch them) and headed south. Many cartoonists arrived a day early to draw for patients and their families at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. My only regret is not being able to make it in time for that event. Heard it went beautifully.

Friday morning, Mike and I went to register for the weekend, when suddenly I was wrestled to the ground and forced to don a pig costume. That’s how they greet you at the Peabody Hotel. Not really. You see, the Peabody in Memphis is famous for its morning and evening Duck March (read about it here). There is even a designated Duckmaster. Today, the children’s book author/illustrator, Mo Willems, was the guest Duckmaster, and he needed someone to dress up as Piggie — from his popular “Elephant and Piggie” books — to help greet the kids.

Was I ever in the right time and place. NCS prez and Simpsons/Futurama comics extraordinaire, Bill Morrison, was already slated to be Gerald the elephant. I must say, we rocked our roles. Here are a few scenes.

That’s Bill and myself flanking Mo Willems. He looks pretty astounded by our amazing ability to fit in the elevator.

Greeting the masses.

Yeah, those are my kids in the above photo. Look at those expressions. It was worth that sweaty, clunky hour just to embarrass them.

And here’s one of the fabulous Jenny Robb, curator of the Billy Ireland Library and Museum, escorting me so I don’t fall on my rather large face.

I thought THAT would be the pinnacle of my weekend. But it kept going. Saw some great presentations, and then Friday night was the annual welcome cocktail party (a.k.a. cartoony boozefest). Here are a few photos from the evening.

Large banner for cartoonists to sign for St. Jude’s.

That’s me with the ever-sweet Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate).

With the always enthusiastic Mike Peters (Mother Goose and Grimm/editorial cartoonist). Mike was the first professional cartoonist I ever met — in 1990 — and he hasn’t aged since.

With fellow nominee, Mark Tatulli (Lio). Not sure why this photo is in black and white — but don’t we look elegant.

With Jeff Knurek (Jumble), Wayno (WaynoVision), Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues), and Dave Blazek (Loose Parts). Truly nice, funny guys.

And there’s Bill Morrison and me in our “after” shots. A bit easier to hold drinks now.

Many long, boozy, karaoke-filled hours later, we finally collapsed. Saturday morning, our family took a detour and spent some somber hours at the National Civil Rights Museum. If you haven’t been there, I urge you to go. Deeply moving experience.

On a different note, I’ll spare you the full tragic story of Hair vs. Humidity. Let’s just say I learned a lesson about trying to get my hair done (for the awards banquet) in a humid climate and then walking 15 muggy minutes back to the hotel. I think we know who won.

Bye-bye, $$.

So, yes, Saturday night. I redid my hair, Terri-fashion (up), and hubby and I attended the banquet. What an evening. The Comic Strip category was announced toward the end. I heard my name, Mike mentioned I gave some kind of “yippy squeal” (fitting for a former piggie), and almost bawled. I didn’t, but I think I came close.

Here are a few scenes from that glorious night.

Pre-banquet cocktail hour (cartoonists have a lot of cocktail hours). Standing next to the board that showcases the comic strip nominees (Pajama Diaries, Pearls Before Swine, and Lio) . I refrained from drawing Sharpie mustaches on my competitors’ cartoon characters (you didn’t hear that, Mark and Stephan).

Hey look, there’s Mike Peters again. Not sure why we’re pointing at the other comic strips. I decided to make sure I always look as enthusiastic as Mike in photos from now on. His energy is pretty contagious, anyway.

With two wonderful people, Jan Eliot (Stone Soup) and Mark Parisi (Off the Mark).

With the incredible MAD cartoonist, Tom Richmond. Yes, that’s a light-up tuxedo in the background. Best photo bomb.

Looking a little like fashion twins, with Maria Scrivan (Half Full).

With good friend, Sandra Bell Lundy (Between Friends).

With two prolific nominees, Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) and Ann Telnaes (editorial cartoonist). Ann won the Reuben for editorial cartoons.

And finally, one with hubby and myself. Mike joked that I was going to bring the award to bed and impale him. I assured him it would have its own pillow and stay on my side.

As usual, there were many other photos that were simply too blurry to post, but hope you enjoyed these. It was an incredible night and still feels like a (good) dream.

For some extra reading pleasure, here is a list of this year’s winners and some other fun stuff (side note: Anton Emdin got the record for 3 wins. Well deserved!):

 

Cheers!

-Terri