In the neighborhood

The Hendersons are our neighbors. Go check and see if they're really giving out Snickers. And be sure to tell them that I sent you!

Happy Halloween!

You can stop serving me now

When I was a youth, there was one service project I helped with where my task was to trim some bushes. I spent at least an hour trimming and shaping the bushes so they would look just right.

When I stepped back to admire my handiwork, I saw that I trimmed almost everything off the branches. They looked like a tiny row of Charlie Brown Christmas trees.

The folks we were serving were a little shocked, but understanding.  And, luckily for me, the bushes grew back!

Early morning zombie

Another cartoon based on real-life adventures!

Monday Sketchbook: International edition

I really liked this idea, but as I was sketching it out, I realized that for it to really be effective, it would have to be a little more graphic than my censors would allow.

Salud!

Rolling forth

In Korea we occasionally ran into a hog's head in a doorway (due to a shamanistic tradition), but never a sentient hand!

It's all staged

This was actually inspired by my friend and fellow cartoonist, Arie Van DeGraaff. His gag on Thursday was about a ward organist, and I was expecting to see something like this. He, however, took a different turn.

By the way, I updated a couple of cartoons from earlier this month. First, the zombie piñata gag from last Friday, and then Igor's dog from Saturday. Maybe you'll be able to see the difference. I like these versions better.

Digging up the past

It's amazing what you can dig up and find in your closet when you do family history!

Just for grins, you can see this exact same cartoon on Meridian Magazine this week!

That's what little brothers are for!

It's my brother's birthday, and while I don't recall him ever saying anything like this, I wouldn't put it past him!

Happy birthday, bro!

Choosing a costume

I thought it might be time to take a break from zombies...

I doooo

This caused a bit of discussion around the dinner table. Would "holy matrimony" be wrong to use? What about "unholy matrimony"? In the end, I chose just plain ol' matrimony.

Monday Sketchbook: Safety First

I thought it was important for the kid zombie to wear his helmet...to protect his brains.

Credit for this one goes to my sweet companion. Be afraid.

First the lesson, then dessert

No bones about it

I wish I could credit the idea for this to my padawan. But I can't.

Listen to your mom!

After yesterday's cartoon, you should have seen this one coming!

Halloween research and development

This is one of those things that's good to discover in beta testing.

It's a scary holiday

Zombies are back!

It's getting to be that season!

Monday Sketchbook: Happy Thanksgiving, eh!

Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone in the Great White North! Enjoy!

You're my Pinspiration

Inspiration can come from a variety of places.

The first companion

Sis. Kerry Jo finally made it to the mission field!

Have you seen the new "Hastening the Work" website? It explains how members and missionaries can work together. Check it out!

Carving time

I like the colors and the subtlety of this one. It reminds me of an old snowman gag I did long, long ago.

It's just not fair!

Two things. First, like a lot of people, I've been trying to figure out the logic of the government shutdown. Some of the stuff they've closed down makes sense if it's "essential operations." But some of it just seems ludicrous.

Second, this cartoon is a bit of a shout out to Lauren. I hope your classroom is still open!

Benefits

Of course, this doesn't apply everywhere...

Post-Conference rehash

Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood was different from what he usually talks about. He did such a great job of delivering the "can't get up" line, though. That alone makes the talk worth listening to!

Monday Sketchbook: General Conference, Sunday Sessions

Another wonderful General Conference! There were a lot of really amazing talks and an abundance of good messages.

I liked Pres. Eyring's stories about his parents, and I thought Elder Oaks, as usual, gave some pretty straight talk. My favorite of the morning session, however, was Elder Scott. Usually we hear about the moms and the boys of the Ammonites -- I think this is the first I've heard anyone talk specifically about the fathers.

The afternoon was really good, too. Elder Andersen made some good points about priesthood power. I loved Elder Ochoa's story about playing marbles in the rain, and Elder Vinson's story about moving the rock. Pres. Monson summed it up well when he said his heart was full. Awesome conference!

Most -- if not all -- should be available for download now! And Arie Van De Graff should have his packet up, too. Enjoy!

Special Sunday edition of the Monday Sketchbook: General Conference

The first session was awesome. There were so many good messages -- and so many memes! I liked Elder Soares' story of attending church outside the window, and Sis. Stevens' story of visiting the families in Honduras ('cause that's where Sis. Klein is serving as mission mom).

In the afternoon, I thought that Elder Christofferson had a very good message, and it was fun to hear from Elder Nielsen. Elder Holland addressed a very important topic: mental health. I'm glad he addressed it head on.

Priesthood was awesome as always! Our family liked the reference to Jean Valjean. During Elder Funk's talk I couldn't help but think of that old Zest jingle, "You're not fully clean until you're Zest-fully clean!" Repentance just seemed to fit. Pres. Uchtodorf did a great job of delivering the line: "I'd fallen, and couldn't get up." Pres. Monson, as usual, had some great stories. I liked his quote from Pres. McKay -- and I liked how the sketch of him turned out in my notes. I almost felt guilty about doing drive-by home teaching last week, but our families knew we were doing it.

Saturday's sessions are archived already, just in case you missed them. Be sure to listen to General Conference today. And stay tuned tomorrow for Sunday's notebook!

Ready, set -- watch!

Sessions start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mountain Time), and there's a slew of ways to watch or listen. And don't forget the Priesthood Session at 6! Be there!

Conference champs

When I was a green missionary, one of our district leaders had the realization that Super Sunday in the states actually translated into Super Monday in Korea -- our P-Day. He arranged for a "district meeting" at a local establishment that just happened to be carrying the Super Bowl on TV.

It seemed a little fishy to me, but I was green and didn't know any better. The zone leaders showed up in the second half, so that made me feel better.

I still feel guilty about it. I'm sure a lot of that guilt would have been assuaged if it had been a BYU bowl game instead!

Conference perspectives

It's time again for General Conference!

It's also time for Mormon Cartoonist Arie Van DeGraaff's Conference Activity Packet, if you have kids (or a spouse) who need a little help paying attention.

Even though the banner below mentions the Sunday Morning session, remember that there are sessions on Saturday too!

See you there!

Who's that knocking on my door?

No, this isn't early in the month for a home teaching gag...it's late for last month!

Some rain must fall