Stanley's Cup

I know, I know -- the National Hockey League playoffs are still going on. I'm pulling for the Boston Bruins. They've been my favorite since I was a kid, even though my Uncle Rex was a Kings fan.

Personally, I struggle with the concept that the NHL championship is determined in June. It just seems wrong for a winter sport, eh?!

So my wild, rebellious streak rears its mild head -- by running my Stanley Cup cartoon on the last day of May. Take that, NHL schedulers!

One of these things

Leviosa

Every time I read the Harry Potter books, especially Deathly Hallows, I find myself thinking how much easier -- and shorter -- the journey would have been if they'd just taken the time to drop to their knees and ask for some divine guidance. Instead, what do they get? Snape sneaking around the woods at night!

Stand in the place where you live

As I was putting together a cartoon for Kerry Jo's mission blog, it occurred to me that the last panel had an almost meme-like quality to it. Running this doesn't take away from the rest of the gag. I kinda like it.

Monday Sketchbook: Remember who you are

My grandfather passed away when I was only eight years old. I remember some things about him, but not much.

A few years ago, I came across a notebook that he'd written out by hand, in pencil, that was a series of remembrances about his life: jobs, school, courting, growing up. I transcribed the notebook, added a few photos, and shared it with many of my relatives on that side of the family.

It was exciting to discover so many things about my grandpa. He wasn't just the old guy in my hazy childhood memories. He was full of adventure, and learning more about him explained a lot of things about my own dad!

As you go about your Memorial Day today, remember those people who have gone before and the stories they told!

P-mail

Most of the time when I see kids using their smartphones or other iThings in church, it's usually not really related to church.

Letting go

I would so love to hear something like this in church some day!

What's on the menu?

Locals often tell missionaries that eating the native cuisine will help them speak the language: in Arizona it was salsa or Navajo fry bread; here in the northwest it's salmon or clam chowder. In Korea, it's kimchee.

Sometimes identifying just what the local food is that's the challenge. There were times that the only thing on the table that I recognized was rice!

By the way, it's not long before Kerry Jo goes into the MTC! Keep up with her on her mission blog!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

When we took our students to Europe last year, one of the kids was wearing a French Club shirt. The shirt looked great -- it was silver paint on a black tee. Problem was, the silver paint was metallic...which set off the metal detectors at security!

After the second airport we had a quick wardrobe change. Lesson learned!

Pinkwashed

Our ward was pinkwashed -- the missionary term for replacing elders with sisters -- a little more than six months ago. One of the sisters has been here almost the entire time.

It's kind of a change for the members (there aren't nearly as many splits with the priests or elders quorums), and they don't have the same sense of humor (fewer jokes about bodily functions) but it's pretty awesome to have them here.

Sisters rock!

I've got a feeling

Every now and then, as an LDS cartoonist, I face a dilemma. Sometimes I think of a good gag that might cross that line of being in good taste and being funny.

Some things are fair game, no questions asked: Scouts/deacons, elders quorums, dating, church basketball, and most missionary stuff involving food.

Other things are a definite no-no. For example, references to most ordinances are taboo -- with the exception of baptism. For example, a gag about the high school quarterback passing the sacrament might be finny, but would probably cross that line of good taste.

So I wasn't entirely sure about this one. Yes, we're all about teaching children how to discern the promptings of the Spirit. But is this nudging that line?

I guess I shouldn't worry -- there are other gags that will be much more likely to get me into more trouble than this one!

Monday Sketchbook: Winning with tithing

Sharing time in Primary was all about tithing this week, with some interesting results.

For the older classes, the kids got ten pennies each. They talked about tithing and about the other donations listed on the slip.

It was interesting to see how the kids reacted. Some kids put in a penny for tithing; others donated all ten pennies; a couple of kids wanted to keep them all!

It's so fun what you can learn from Primary!

Arise!

I once saw a kid call out somebody for sleeping during a sacrament meeting talk. Glad it wasn't me!

Strange new worlds

My missionary son has the new Star Trek movie as the No. 1 show that he wants to see when he gets back. At least for now. I'm sure there will be another one that comes along that will take its place.

Linked out

I recently attended a 21st century communications conference in Portland that featured all kinds of speakers and presenters ranging from professional tweeters to Intel's futurist, who helps plan the computerization of tomorrow. The verdict is that social media is here to stay, and is an important part of the mix in modern communications.

One of the challenges nowadays is reaching people who live off the grid. How do you communicate with the person who isn't on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Linked In? I think here I may have found the answer.

Mark a verse Any verse.

When we taught Primary several years ago, one of the girls in the class was SO excited because she just got a new highlighter pen and could now mark her scriptures. During class she very carefully chose a page, outlined each verse and then colored in the whole page. When she finished that one, she moved on to the next page and started the process all over again. I admired her enthusiasm!

Imitating life

A few days ago, American Kenneth Bae was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for being "a subversive who was plotting to overthrow the government."

This was my reaction when I first heard the news:

Well, there was a follow-up to the story, and apparently Rodman had the same idea. He asked Kim Jon Un to "do him a solid" and release Bae. Now, he says that he's planning on going to the North to ask Kim in person.

Weird.

• If you were expecting this to be an update on Kerry Jo's mission, sorry! You can keep up with her on her personal blog.

Tuesday Sketchbook: Do you hear the people shout?

Baseball and Broadway can be an odd mix, as our family discovered while driving by the ball field one day.

Special Edition: Not the Monday Sketchbook

This was too appropriate not to share today. We'll run the Monday Sketchbook tomorrow. Thanks!

Mother's Day, Part III

I wonder if it's true that Hallmark gave Brigham Young volume discounts for birthdays and holidays?

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day II: Remember to phone home

It's easy to get confused.

Mother's Day ideas, Part 1

Somehow I always seem to get roped into the discussion of what the ward gift should be for Mother's Day. Some of the suggestions are better than others...

I want to dance all night

I don't know how it is elsewhere, but around here we have a "Mormon Prom" that's either the week before or after the high school prom. Usually they try to ensure that everyone has a date, the go all out on decorations, and the whole environment is one of fun while still abiding by Church standards.

Having been a chaperone at both high school and church dances, I can tell you there's a HUGE difference in the atmosphere. And no one, to my knowledge, has been suspended for misbehaving at the Mormon Prom.

Hook, line and sinker

There are always rumors of the nefarious ways that websites and social media sites try to keep users coming back for more so that they can generate more ad revenue.

It's back

Monday Sketchbook: As numerous as the sands of the sea

I understand this is becoming a problem at the MTC: too many missionaries. But I think it's one that we're willing to deal with!

The day cometh

Buzz haircuts, shaved heads, pregnant tummies: things you may want to touch but shouldn't.

Locks can deceive

I wonder how many guys have, after shaving their heads, looked in the mirror and said, "Oops!"

Good for the soul

As for us, we're still waiting on lab results. Let's hope it turns out well!

On a different note, it may be a rerun, but check out this week's cartoon in Meridian magazine.

Change of scenery

Turning the other cheek, sort of

I have someone who was just diagnosed with cancer -- for the third time -- after having beaten it twice before. It's frustrating to him, but he's upbeat and has a positive attitude!