Hey there, FDers!

“Spring has sprung! The grass has riz! I wonder where the birdies iz?”

That chant—hollered out on the playground once by a kid I knew in the fourth grade—pops into my head every time this year. Google tells me that while it’s often attributed to Ogden Nash, its origin is unknown.

Now that we’ve covered spring, let’s talk about phones!

Countless articles have been written about our present-day relationship with our phones. And I truly think I do not have anything new to add to the conversation.

However….

Let’s face it. Constantly staring at a tiny screen is not good for the noggin. Like chain-smoking, it’s pretty much been proven to be a big, fat negative for overall health. But hey, if you’re a grown-up and either of those is your thing, mazel tov. I’d never tell Fran Lebowitz to toss her cigarettes (I’m sure that’d go just great!) and I won’t suggest that you “be more mindful of your phone usage” or whatever.

But I will relate a story that’s germane to this topic. While recently working on a music project, I asked a new acquaintance, “What are some of your favorite movies?” His response? “Oh…my girl and I usually sit on the couch and look at our phones at night. Mainly TikTok. I can’t think of the last time we watched a whole movie.”And no, this guy isn’t a high-school senior. He’s in his 40s.

When I told this to my husband Rusty, he said, “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” Agreed! But happily, it inspired a new cartoon! As always, I wrote it, Rusty drew it, and may it make you titter during yet another wackdoodle week here in the U. S. of A.

Follow Andy on Instagram @djandyanderson