My snarky comment about Cherry’s discussion resembling a student presentation in yesterday’s strip encouraged regular reader Downpuppy to again promote his hypothesis that Mark Trail is transforming into a strip directed towards children, or at least written at that level. That is a real possibility. I originally thought that the idea of “attracting a younger audience,” as was once claimed by Rivera, referred to newer readers under 60, for example. But I think Downpuppy refers to pre-adolescent children. On the other hand, a lot of children in that age range already like adventure and action stories with a lot more danger and a lot more action.

As for today’s installment, the idea that Violet Cheshire would send Cherry to a convention for collecting organic trash for composting is silly (but I do think panel 3 with its burnt-orange background and spot-on narration box is an effective flashback). Since when did Violet become a conservationist, anyway? What would make more sense for this story is for Violet to offer an award (or free trip) to whichever person or family in the community does the most composting over the summer. Yeah, it still sounds boring, but it would at least make more sense. Just think of the intrigue and drama between the contestants!

In any event, it’s not going to go that way. In fact, like Mark’s adventure of the wild horses that had little to do with wild horses, I think composting will also be a sidebar. Instead, this story may be another morality play about keeping confidences, rumors, and Cherry’s continued regression from spirited, self-confident, problem-solving female to TV sitcom, blabby-mouthed bore.

Airhead Jeanette (well, that’s how she is presented here, so don’t blame me!) will almost certainly be spreading the word about those secret tax credits around Lost Forest faster than Rusty can consume a plate of flapjacks! Woohoo, boys and girls! What will happen next? Will Violet get visited by the Income Tax Boogey Man? Tune in again tomorrow for another thrilling chapter of “Lost. Forest. Adventure. Theater!”