Flock

Heart

Umbrella

Readers- There's a bit of backstory to today's cartoon. When I was very young (maybe 6 or 7), my younger sister would sometimes chase my brothers and me in our Indiana backyard, swinging a croquet mallet and declaring herself to be the "UM-berella" (because she couldn't say "gorilla"). We'd make a great show of running in panic and climbing into the branches of our big apple tree while she'd wait below, clutching her wooden hammer, trying to look as gruff as an adorable little girl can look, while repeating "UM-berella! UM-berella!"

Sadly, my sister is no long with us - though happily, she raised three wonderful kids who now have families of their own. Today would have been her birthday, and remembering the "UM-berella" made me smile. I hope it does the same for you.  -Stilton