Parks 3: Leave No Trace

This is a hidden picture drawing. I did this so long ago that I can't remember where everything is. Oops!

Parks 2: Enjoy the coast

From the J.R. Beaver activity book from Oregon State Parks.

Parks 1: Take a hike

I came across an excellent quote in the Deseret News the other day:

"I am going to explore in the mountains and I invite you to go... The outdoor air is what the people need for health. It is good for them to camp out." - Brigham Young, 1855

That got me thinking that it's time to head to the great outdoors with a series I did for Oregon State Parks and their Junior Beaver progam (I have to include a disclaimer that J.R. Beaver is not my creation, although I did draw this version of him).

These pages are taken from an activity book that is available in many Oregon State Parks.

Monday sketchbook: barbecue

Ahh, barbecue season!

Shield of faith?

I've had a couple of classes like this...notice the manual, Course 13.

For the record, the teacher's gear is not patterned after Darth Vader. It's based on riot gear that was used by the Korean police back when I was there. Hence the nod in the writing on the shield...which when translated says, "no smoking."

And they all lived together...

Every profession has its horror stories...

They're better with ketchup

I submitted this to The New Era, but for some reason they said, "no thanks." I think this crossed the "ick" threshold for them.

Side note: I've often felt this way the day after Pioneer Day. Not because of eating crickets however. It's more hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, watermelon, corn on the cob, baked beans, homemade ice cream...you get the idea.

Pioneer remix

This is actually a remake of an old one that ran in The New Era many years ago. The magazine bought the idea, but they had Calvin Grondhal draw the final cartoon. In my vast archive I could find neither my original drawing nor the published version, so I recreated it with this version. I just kinda like the idea of a tricked out Conestoga.

No GPS?

C'mon, you know it happened at least once!

Is this the right place?

Brigham Young's quote has been so abused in so many ways! Glad I could join the club!

Monday sketchbook: No. 8

You can take the boy out of Utah, but you can't take Utah out of the boy. This week we celebrate the Days of '47, a commemoration of when the Mormon pioneers were told by Brigham Young that the Salt Lake Valley was, indeed, the place.

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Pioneer Day.

Special guest artist: Shauna Mooney

One of the quirky things Mormons are known for is keeping a year's supply of food on hand. Which doesn't seem so strange in these days of salmonella scares and rising prices. I looked at what my family had stored in our pantry, and came up with this idea...I wasn't sure I wanted to be living off of what we had. I've also noticed a recurring theme in my cartoons that indicates a dislike of vegetables. Hmm.

This is another case in which the new artist made improvements to my original...it was pretty rough.

More about Food storage and "provident living"

Tour de what?

I couldn't let the Tour de France pass by without at least a mention of Biko Gecko. He was a character we created at UDOT to promote bicycle safety. My then boss, Kim Morris, was an avid cyclist (or, as some would say, nut job) and there was a real need to promote bicycle safety. We created a coloring book aimed at the elementary school crowd that would teach kids the basics of being safe on a bike. Biko was a good example; he was contrasted with his nemesis, Bonko, who did everything wrong and always wound up getting hurt.

We completed a draft of the coloring book, but there were issues that came up and the project was shelved. I still use it to teach my Cub Scouts. Who knows? We may see more of Biko and Bonko in the future.

Free gas with fill-up

Speaking of heat

After all, it is barbecue season...

I think not...

So Rene Descartes walks into a...Jamba Juice, yeah...and asks for a drink. He gulps it down and asks for another. He downs that one. He asks for another and drinks it down. The server asks, "Do you want another?" Descartes pauses a moment and replies, "I think not" and he disappeared.

No. Remind me.

Monday sketchbook: fried, baked, jambalaya, sauteed...

Whenever we talk about the Mormon Pioneers and the hardships they endured, the Miracle of the Gulls comes up.

In Sunday School the story is often condensed like an episode of a TV program: the crickets came and ate the crops (oh, no!), the Saints prayed (good!), the seagulls came and ate the crickets (huzzah!) and all was well, fade to commercial.

One of my ancestors gave an account in his journal that gave me insight on how desperate their circumstances were when the crickets arrived.

According to the journal, the crickets came and kept coming for days. There were millions of them everywhere and they got into everything. They tried to destroy as many as they could, but they just kept coming...and there were nasty, squished cricket guts everywhere! The pioneers couldn't sleep because of the swarms...and the noise!

When the seagulls came, they were afraid that it was yet another plague. They were beyond the point of despair. But then they saw that the seagulls were eating the crickets. And they kept eating the crickets and coming back for more. It wasn't an instant fix; cleanup took weeks.

It's no wonder that there's a monument to the gulls on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Ruth

Ahh, Ruth! This is yet another of our bookmark series, this one Women of Virtue. What's kind of cool about this particular Ruth is that she's patterned on my mother-in-law. That's because her story is similar to Ruth's. And since today just happens to be her birthday (my mother-in-law, that is...I don't know about Ruth), I thought it would be appropriate to run this today.

Cub Camp: Day 5

Last night was the closing ceremonies for Camp Nee Deep. The kids had a good time. You could tell by looking at their faces. And their shirts.

Cub Camp: Day 4

Yes, it's another archery cartoon, but it is one of the most popular stations at camp.

I have to give kudos to the staff at Camp Nee Deep: safety is a primary concern. As one example, there is one Cub Scout who is extremely allergic to peanuts. Not only have they banned peanut products, they even changed the song Peanut Butter (and Jelly) to almonds. Taking no chances!

Cub Camp: Day 3

The kids are supposed to wear their same shirts all week long. Toward the end of camp some of them get pretty nasty. The shirts, that is.

Cub Camp: Day 2

I swear that this is the scariest thing for the Cubs when we teach them about first aid. Guts and gore? No problem. But soap? That's another story!

Cub Camp: Day 1

It seems like every year there is at least one young man who thinks that Cub Camp is going to be miserable. The attitude doesn't usually last very long, however.

Monday sketchbook: lost in America?

I thought this one was a little too Far Side-y to pursue, but it makes me laugh.

Side note: Jed Hill was also in my mission group. And, as it turns out, we went to junior high together as well.

Firm as the mountains around us

Living in Oregon, we always here of how hard it was for the pioneers who followed the Oregon Trail. And it is true, they didn't have an easy time. But many of the Mormon pioneers had a much more difficult time. Families didn't have much of a chance to prepare and left under trying circumstances...such as their homes being burned to the ground or having family members killed. Unlike the Oregonians, many of the first Mormon pioneers didn't leave voluntarily. They were forced out. Yet they made the best of it, as is reflected in the chorus of Come, Come Ye Saints: "All is well, all is well." It was faith in every footstep that kept them going.

More about the Mormon Pioneer Trek

The Title of Liberty

"And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it -- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children."
Alma 46: 12

Captain Moroni was one of the coolest leaders of all time! And, just by coincidence I'm sure, the Title of Liberty is what our Primary lesson is about tomorrow.

This picture is another one from our Primary bookmarks.

Independence Day!

I love the Fourth! Have a good one!

Here she comes...

I didn't check to see if anyone actually lined up for the parade on University Avenue. I should have.

O say can you see?

Because of the construction on University Avenue, the Freedom Festival Parade had to change routes...to Freedom Boulevard. Although it broke somewhat with tradition, it did seem a more appropriate choice.

We stand on guard for thee

Happy Canada Day!* I thought we should celebrate with some fireworks. Thank you, Thag!

This cartoon was also used by Coldwell Banker for a customer holiday card. Interesting selection.

* But my mom continued to insist that is was and forever would be "Dominion Day."