The right place, the right stuff

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: No matter where you've been, there's nothing better than coming home to your own kitchen, your own bedroom and your own bathroom.

It's just a technicality

I don't know if there's much more I can say about this one...!

A sky full of stars

Now that we've been on this virtual trek for a little more than a week, it occurs to me that perhaps some of them should be wearing masks. Oops!

Even if you're prepared, you can still fear

I thought about throwing in a Tik Tok gag in there somewhere, but I couldn't make it work.

Sketchbook: Hitch 'em up!

When we hear of wagons crossing the plains, does anyone besides me think of red Radio Flyers rolling across Nebraska?

Just like my ancestors did!

I don't think I want to say any more about this one.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Feet to the fire

Any time you can work in a fireside gag, you have to work in a fireside gag. It's an unwritten rule of LDS cartooning.

Virtual Trek: Get a grip!

And should we die

With all the treks and camps canceled for the year — they're always a great source for cartoon gags— I thought it would be fun to explore what a virtual pioneer trek would be like.

Join me over the next several days, and let's see how this plays out!

Sketchbook: An instant classic

It would be cool to have another perspective on Lehi's journey out of Jerusalem!

Have you ever tried to read Moby Dick? It's more challenging to get through than the Isaiah chapters in 3 Nephi!

Family history in the age of COVID-19

Although the global pandemic is far from over, let's go back in time just a few months.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it totally disrupted our lives. Movie theaters and restaurants closed down, toilet paper disappeared from grocery store shelves. Suddenly, both work and school were at home. There were no sports to distract us — only what we could stream on TV.

Remember March, April and May? They seemed to go on forever!

Nowadays, a lot of the changes that were instituted don't seem so strange any more: masks, teleworking. Zoom, Teams and Skype are old hat. Eating dinner out means bringing food back home.

Announcing That's No Moon — a collection of cartoons and journal prompts to help you remember this long, strange trip. It's filled with gags and questions for you to add to your family's story. Who were you with? What did you do?

There are two versions: the Standard Edition and the LDS Edition, which features additional cartoons and questions geared toward members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Order your copy today!

They can all be true

The other day, my colleague at the Ward Cartoonist mentioned that in his mission, they were encouraged to attend cultural events. It reminded me of one time we went downtown to observe a cultural event...and wound up carrying lanterns in a parade to celebrate Buddha's birthday!

The point of that is, I can easily see some motivated missionaries doing something exactly like this!

Make your first impression last

I can't even imagine trying to date now. As if it wasn't challenging enough before the pandemic!

And now, a gardening tip

Yep, you've got to keep that garden clean!

On a side note, this is the first new Zarahemla Times that I've drawn in a long time!

Gone to seed

We were just reading in Alma as a family, and for some reason this old Zarahemla Times cartoon came to mind. 

It's for the birds

I hope they come soon!

Sketchbook: Cats and dogs

In my experience, cats and dogs can get along together just fine — once they know each other. Seems like the same thing is true with people as well.

Hmm. This is two weeks in a row my sketchbook has gone to the dogs. Probably some significance there. 

New. Improved.

Can't you just see the competing congregations? My Rameumptom is better than your Rameumptom!

It's the little things

The other day I was on Facebook and saw that one of my fellow ward members had posted an update.

"Hmm," I thought. "I haven't seen them in a while. I wonder why not?"

And then I remember that we haven't had meetings at the church for almost four months now and I haven't really seen ANYBODY.

Sigh.

Put it on the "hope" cycle

I've got a t-shirt that I wore once while changing my car's oil. The oil spilled all over it. After several years and dozens of washings later, my once white shirt is now a lovely shade of beige. It'll get there some day!

It's all in how you look at it

Everyone in our family has had cool experiences as a missionary. Whether it was teaching people in ice shanties, making Bible videos, watching bike tires melt into the pavement, street contacting in Paris, or looking the other way on the Balboa pier in southern California, there was something special everywhere!

But, wow! The experience this crop of missionaries is having? They're certainly being prepared for something!

Wibbly-wobbly

Ever since, say, March 13 or so, time has been completely weird. Can we all agree on that?

Sketchbook: Gone to the dogs

One of the best things about having a pet is that they don't care a whit about politics!

With everything that's going on right now, it's nice to get that respite someplace.

Strike up the band!

Parades have always played a big part in our Fourth of July celebrations.

In high school marching band, we spent the entire day marching in one parade or another, often participating in three or four.

While I lived in Provo, I either attended or participated in the parade each year.

It's a little sad that we won't be having one this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. We'll just have to do our best. I know we have a bunch of musical instruments someplace!

It's for your own protection

Let's stay safe out there!

And now for a moment of culinary history

One of the fun features on FamilySearch is the section on family recipes. We enjoy rolling out some of the old recipe books at holidays. We have a bunch of my grandma's cookie recipes, but on the Fourth of July, I break out my dad's recipe for baked beans. Even with the coronavirus restrictions, that's something we can still enjoy!

For our neighbors to the north

Happy Canada Day!