Looking for a strong connection

They just announced that the April General Conference will be held virtually, for the third time in a row. Can you imagine what it would look like if they filled the Conference Center with Zoom screens and we could all join in?
  

Tools of the trade

We had our first snow here a couple of days ago. It lasted long enough for drivers to freak out and kids to make snow persons. 
 

Tip top shape for the field

My trainer, bless his heart, wasn't as concerned about physical fitness as he was about spiritual fitness. 
 

Just a minor warning

Those little dogs may not be able to get through the snow, but it won't stop them from yapping!
 

Opening up to possibilities

I'm notorious for leaving my windows down when it rains. I'm usually a lot better about the snow!*

*I'm pretty sure Tiwi wouldn't let them get very far if they left the windows open.  
 

Sketchbook: You were my brother!

I was reading a Baby Blues collection the other day, and I noticed that Hammie, the little brother, reminded me an awful lot of some of my missionary companions. Sometimes it seems that they're like little brothers!
 

Watch what you say

I'll bet it's even more difficult with face masks.
 

Ghost in the machine

 

Missionary tools

I had a companion who was a baseball player. One of his favorite ways to get people to talk to was to go to the batting cages and knock the covers off the balls. He usually didn't throw things at people, unless necessary.
 

Improving those shining moments

I don't know how it is where you live, but in our stake we're required to wipe down the podium and microphone between speakers. They ask the speakers to clean up when they finish, but often they forget — so a member of the bishopric has to jump up and do it. It's actually quite entertaining. 

Sound advice

Probably good advice for all of us right now.
 

Sketchbook: Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

The flavor of goodness

And if I recall from my time in the Young Men's program, having girls involved is even better — at least from the boy's point of view! 
 

We've been trying to contact you

I've had enough of those calls. How about you?
 

That's the way I like it

If you find yourself troubled by our times, think about how it used to be. We may have political unrest, but at least we don't have platform shoes, plaid bell bottoms and silk shirts!
 

Now we're cooking with fire!

This only happened a couple of times while I was on my mission!
 

Making friends

 

Sketchbook: What just happened?

One of the least favorite "dad lines" I use on my kids is, "At what point did you think this was a good idea?"

I have to ask that again in light of events in Washington, DC, this week.

Sigh.

I found a good antidote in Elder Gong's Devotional Sunday night. Give it a listen — you'll feel better!

From a certain point of view

At work I'm doing some illustrations for a leadership seminar. This illustrates the old Sufi tale of the blind men and the elephant. Each interprets the animal from their limited point of view. 

The elephant is like:

• a snake.
• a spear.
• a fan.
• a tree trunk.
• a wall.
• a rope.

Then comes the question: is each one right, or are they wrong altogether? 

That's kind of where we find ourselves today. Each one is clinging their one part of the elephant, refusing to even consider that other points of view have merit, too. 

Here's hoping we can move beyond that!

Editor's Note: Have you ever noticed how many elephant metaphors there are? Elephant in the room, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, and many more. What's up with that?

 

No news is good news

I remember the days of being blissfully ignorant of the news for two years as a missionary.

Well, not completely ignorant. Every now and then we'd see the cover of a Time magazine in the window of a bookstore, and my dad kept me up-to-date on the important headlines — like the BYU basketball and football scores. 

I guess you could say I was mostly ignorant!

Then again, it didn't really matter. The locals were all convinced that the missionary gig was just a cover for working in the CIA anyway.
 

Let it snow

 

This is a rerun from last year. It seems appropriate to run it again today.
 

Working overtime

I went through this a few days ago — a day full of online meetings. I just got a new set of headphones, and I had to wear a face covering because there were too many people in the office. When I went home I noticed that my ears were worn out and tired. Not like after a concert, but like they'd been carrying extra stuff all day. What a weird feeling! 

I wonder if there are exercised one can do to build up one's ear muscles?
 

Sketchbook: It never bothered me anyway

 

Welcome to the new year!

There are times when I wish I would have thought of an idea sooner, and this is one of those instances. Especially since  Bill Amend in Fox Trot had a similar punchline in his cartoon yesterday. When I saw that, I knew this would have to stay in the sketchbook.

I find it interesting how often cartoonists come up with similar ideas that run on the same day. It happens all the time in the comics pages.

What's worse is when I think of a hilarious LDS-themed gag, then as I research it I discover that the reason I think it's so funny is that Arie Van De Graaff or someone else did the exact joke years ago!

Anyway, here's to a new year! Let's make it a great one!

Top Ten: Part Two (5-1)

 As we look at 2020 in the rear view mirror, let's take a look at the rest of the Top Ten!

No. 5: We offered our share of cooking tips. Don't try this at home.

No. 4: We've all been there this year...

No. 3: More uses for the mask.

No. 2: Remember when we all met together for church?

No. 1: The briefing.