Decaf Riff-Raff, Part 4 apparently

Nancy from January 1, 2026

In case you didn't know, the classic comic strip Nancy has a new writer/artist, Caroline Cash. Olivia Jaimes ended her run back in September after 7 years with her last comic being printed on December 31, 2025.

Cash did a series of guest strips over the summer and in her debut as the regular cartoonist, pays homage to past Nancy incarnations. Bushmiller (1925-1982), Guy Gilchrist (1995-2018), and Jaimes (2018-2025). Oddly, the Jerry Scott version, which ran from 1983-1995 despite being stylistically unpopular, is ignored.

Anyway, to check out the new Nancy, you can head to GoComics here.

February 16, 1967

I mean, I can't make a sweater. Although to be fair, I've never tried. I've made a pillow before. In middle school. In a FACS class.

Brutus had caffeine-free coffee back in September and he hated it! I don't know why he would make that his resolution. His hatred of caffeine-free coffee lasted three days!

Donut Dilemma

October 11, 1987

I'm glad that Virgil Gumthanks is so proud of all the work he's had done that he brings it up the first chance he gets. The shirt he's wearing is stupid-looking though. And he really went with that nose? He looks like Professor Hinkle or Snidley Whiplash.

"Big deal cooking..." Oh, God! He's going to be put in charge of Venezuela, isn't he?

I've never been to a bakery where they give you a free fucking donut and I'm 103-years-old (elder Millennial). Am I getting screwed out of a 13th donut? I want the 13th donut, give me the 13th donut.

I want to point out the comic strip magic in today's strip. Brutus could've easily been drawn on the left side of the panel so he is sitting properly with the wheel where it should be in America! but Chip went a different way.

🎵Thorn-ap-ple🎶

William Ward Harding

Around 1902, a young boy was born in Pennsylvania. His mother died shortly after giving birth and he was placed in an orphanage under the name Elmer LaPelle. In late 1906 or early 1907, a group of children were sent from that orphanage to Topeka, Kansas in hopes that they would be adopted here.

Dr. Eva Harding fell in love with little Elmer, who was considered bright, handsome, and lovable. Dr. Harding officially took custody of Elmer on January 30, 1908 and the little boy was re-christened William Ward Harding.

Sadly, on February 6, screams came from the back room of the office/apartment where Dr. Harding and Dr. May Stout lived and worked. When Dr. Stout arrived, Ward was engulfed in flames. She tried to douse the flames with a rug but was too late. It appeared that he tried to light a candle and caught his nightgown on fire.

A small funeral was held in Dr. Harding's office and Ward was buried in Rochester Cemetery in North Topeka.