Top Ten of 2009, part 1

No. 10

No. 9

No. 8

No. 7

No. 6

Top Ten of 2009: Runners-up

It's time again for the end of the year review! These are a few that didn't quite make the Top Ten, but I liked 'em anyway!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

I just saw an editorial cartoon with the New Year's baby saying, "If you think 2009 was bad, just wait 'til you see what I have in store for you next year!"

Here's to a better new year for all!

Monday skechbook: Dinos on ice!

Sorry about the tpyo

This is one from the archives that I did a long, long time ago when I was waiting for my call. I'm sure every potential missionary stays awake wondering where the call will take him or her. I guess I stayed awake wondering a little too long!

Post-Christmas

Here's an old one that's just kind of silly.

If I remember correctly, I think this is one of the first cartoons I drew after coming home from my mission. But I could be wrong! : )

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

"And they knew it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given."
(3 Nephi)

Merry Christmas!

• Watch The Christmas Spirit video

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
“And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.”

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.


“And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid…had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.
“In fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world."

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful."

“And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers."

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully.
“But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite."


“Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet."

The Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many things.

“And behold, he said unto them: Behold, for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
“And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld.
“And behold, this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.”
(Helaman 14)

The holiday feast!

You know, looking back over the past few cartoons makes me think that I might wind up on the naughty list! Sorry!

Should've joined AAA

Notice how clear the road is?

Providing motivation

This is from a Christmas card we gave out from the Community Relations Office at UDOT. It opened up to read: "Merry Christmas from Santa's little helpers!"

Celebrating the light

I figure I might as well get all the Rudolph 'toons out there. I almost want to apologize for having so many DOT and Rudolph-themed cartoons, but it seems like such a natural fit!

I hate to do this, but I have to throw in something for the ol' Gee-Whiz File here. Several years ago when I worked for the Utah Department of Transportation, I wrote an article for AASHTO Quaarterly about Lester Farnsworth Wire. Wire was a policeman in Salt Lake City who is credited with inventing the first electric traffic light. One version of his story says that he chose red and green for the color of the lights because he used Christmas lights to illuminate the prototype -- which was made out of an old birdhouse. So that line from the song: "even street lights blink a bright red and green" is right on the mark.

Now you know the rest of the story!

Monday sketchbook: Zombie elves!

I thought about having the zombie elf mutter, "brains!" but that would be a little too much.

Out of the books ye shall be judged

I know this is true. I was a ward clerk.

Baby, it's cold outside

Gotta love this: Our missionary in Arizona said it's gotten so cold down there that they had to buy jackets so they wouldn't freeze when they were out riding their bikes. He said that it's gotten all the way down to the 40s!

Live long and...make toys?

We are Santa's elves!

I found this a little amusing. The day after I ran the cartoon of Rudolph now working for the highway department, the folks at work asked me to make a poster for the toy drive -- with elves wearing little safety vests like they work for the highway department! We should see all of Santa's crew working for the department before too long!

Arctic wildlife...or mildlife?

I tried two or three different approaches to this gag. I don't know if this was the best one, but it's one I can publish here!

Flashing red means stop

I mean, even reindeer eventually have to retire, don't they?

Monday sketchbook: Homesick

This idea stopped at the sketchbook stage because I found it depressing. But it also serves as a reminder at this time of year that if you have a missionary or someone serving in the armed forces, make sure you send them something for Christmas like a card or a package. It will be very much appreciated, because it is easy to get homesick out there!

Stay on the sunny side of life

Always look on the bright side!

Just five more minutes!

I know I feel like this some mornings.

OK, make that most mornings!

Ssssssss-mmmokin'!

This is a different version of one I did for Zarahemla Times. Whaddya think?

In case you aren't familiar with Abinadi, he was a prophet in the Book of Mormon who was burned at the stake by folks who didn't want to be told to repent!

Caution

Umm...OK.

Max Hall's summer job

I was filing away some of my cartoons when I ran across this one, which somehow reminded me of the post-game interview with BYU's quarterback following the BYU/Utah game. It made me smile.

The benefits of studying history

This cartoon reminded me of how it felt yesterday to go back to work, school and (especially) early morning seminary after having nearly a whole week off.

Monday skechbook: Twilight doubleheader

Elder Black and Elder Cullen. Ha!

I got this from my niece, who just couldn't decide.

Welcome wagon

Here's another old one from my files. It reminds me of something our missionary in Arizona wrote to us: they don't get rid of the lizards in their apartment because the lizards eat the nasty bugs!

Vote...for something

This is one of two posters I made for this particular event with the Utah Department of Transportation. Only now I can't remember what the voting was all about!

As you travel back home...

Drive carefully!

Miracle workers

Who knew that the Relief Society would be needed before it was even invented?

Happy Thanksgiving!

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At the top of my Countdown to Thanksgiving list is my family. They keep me inspired and support me…and they keep an endless supply of material coming my way! They’re the reason I do what I do!

That gratitude attitude!

We did a gratitude jar last year. We asked people to write something they were thankful for on a slip of paper and then place the paper in a jar. At the end of the day while we sat around the table with our pumpkin pie, we opened up the jar to see what people had written. One of the cool (and unexpected) surprises we found was that there were very few slips of paper that listed material things. Most were centered around love, friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

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There are a lot of others who I am thankful for — folks I’ve never even met! All those people over in the followers column:

• Felix and Ava have been keeping an eye on things here and in northern California for quite some time;
• Simone from Brazil; and
• mystery man Eric.

Over on the Zarahemla Times side of things, there’s

• Lirik from Russia;
• Pintuka from Ecuador; and
• Michael Carpenter, who is just up I-5.

My gratitude also goes to the Williams sisters who were among the first “strangers” to share some of my cartoons.