Smackajawea, Brenda Scar, and Richard Thompson

Had a very fun post today from Madelyn (her comment under the Santa Rosa post is copied here) — who's been a fan of Stone Soup since she was a girl. I've heard from her over the years, she's sent me ideas for Holly. Today she goes by MRSA on the roller derby track. I am so jealous.

Hey Jan,

I still read your strip every day but my Dad got to today's strip first and sent it to me. It made my day. I now play roller derby and my name is MRSA.

When I was much younger you sent me an original after I posted some ideas for you on the uexpress forum oooh, say....13 or 14 years ago? Really cool, in fact, it's hanging on my wall. "Shaving your legs isn't all its cracked up to be."

Thanks for the derby shout out. My Dad especially gets it because he was the one who bought my skates for Hannukah, is helping me with my medical bills after a derby-related broken/dislocated elbow, and (reluctantly) supports me now that I'm healed and back in the game.

-Madelyn (MRSA)

Here's the cartoon I created from her idea... 

Here's the strip she loved today.

I love roller girl names. My favs? Well, today, MRSA is at the top. Followed by Sandra Day O'Clobber, Pain Austen, and Smackajawea.

And then there's mine... Brenda Scar. Not that I skate, that would be scary. But I have the name ready in case I ever do. For now, I use it when I play tennis against Pain Austen.

On another note... congratulations to Richard Thompson, creator of Culdesac and all-around amazingly swell guy, for being awarded the NCS Reuben Award and becoming Cartoonist of the Year. Sorry I wasn't at your party Richard. I'm sure it was great!

Speaking of the NCS, my roller girl name Brenda Scar is in honor of Dale Messick, the glamorous creator of the comic strip Brenda Starr. Brenda was a "girl reporter" with a boyfriend who was always somewhere in the world having a mysterious adventure. Allowing Brenda to have love and be independent at the same time. I have an original portrait of Brenda, given to me by Dale, who is no longer with us. Dale had to change her name from Dalia to get the syndicate's attention in the 50s (they thought Dale was a guy) and she's had my admiration ever since.

We've come a long way since then. Go MRSA!