They shall sing a new song

I like how they're rolling out the periodic updates to the hymnal. Some of them are familiar, and it gives us a chance to listen and learn the new ones in bite sized pieces.

But I'm pretty sure they're never going to include Rudolph.
 

The nice list

Don't judge me. I'm currently serving in the Primary, I know whereof I speak!
 

A taste of winter

Around here, all you'll get is a mouthful of rain!
 

Sketchbook: Side benefits

When I was little, I envied the kids who got baptized in December. They didn’t have nearly as much stuff to repent of to ensure a spot on the Nice list!
 

The Zombies of Christmas Yet to Come

I totally get this kid. Too many ghosts, not enough monsters!
 

Seek ye the best gifts

I've made a lot of cool discoveries this way. A lot of gross ones, too! 
 

Finals time

Issues persist. We continue with reruns.
 

In memoriam

My sister-in-law passed away unexpectedly a short time ago. Today is her memorial service. 

A few years ago she asked me to illustrate some of their family stories. Here are some samples of those illustrations. 

From the top: 

One of the daughters learns what it’s like to go camping with the boys. 

Waking up daddy with a head butt rather than a kiss. 

Kids only get sick when they’re on the top bunk, at the top of the stairs or just outside the bathroom. 

Fun times with the blue paint! 

When you’re potty training and wander into the laundry room rather than the bathroom. 

Static electricity makes for a shocking kiss!

We’ll miss you, Jeanie!

Sketchbook: It’s all in the pronunciation

Candles. Wicks. Wick. Ed. 

Frans of Keanu Reeves’ character John Wick have run into the same problem. 

There’s a reason why some of these stay in the sketchbook!
 

Pepperoni service

My brother-in-law brought a pizza to the hospital for us just after my youngest was born. It was one of the most memorable pizzas I've ever had!
 

Share your talents

This is one of my favorites ever. And it almost stayed a sketchbook!
 

All I need for Christmas

I like the phrase, "pay it backward."
 

Thinking of you

Due to some unusual circumstances, I'm going to be revisiting some of my favorite Light the World cartoons this week. Enjoy!
 

Sketchbook: Feeling Groovy

It's time again for Light the World, one of my favorite Christmas celebrations!

This year, the Light the World team came up with 50 Ways to Let Your Light Shine — 50 ways to love your neighbor.*

Have a great Christmas season, and let your light shine!

*Musical History Note: Many years ago, musician Paul Simon had a chart-topping hit, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Now you know.
 

Quickened

Every now and then, there's a gem that comes across in a sacrament meeting talk that begs to be shared. This is one such gem, at least according to mom.

Later I encountered said child in the hall going toward Primary. I'm on the mom's side — the shoes he had on were sufficiently speedy!

Ever Thanks

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate. If you don't, I wish you a wonderful day. Thank you for your readership and support.
 

Made for missionaries

My thoughts inevitably turn to the Missionary Training Center each Thanksgiving. It was a special place to be at this time of the year when we (in the United States) turn our thoughts to gratitude. 

What made the day more special was knowing that while I was there eating Thanksgiving dinner in the MTC cafeteria, my family was about a mile away, enjoying a home cooked meal at my grandma's house.
 

The upward spiral

It seems somehow appropriate, don't you think?

 

Sketchbook: Our fellow beings

Once again it’s time for Light the World, and this year we have TWO machines in Oregon. One is in Portland a few miles from the temple, and the other is in Eugene, near the site of the soon-to-be Willamette Valley Temple. 

We had so much fun volunteering at the one in Portland last year! It’s so much fun to see people’s eyes light up as they buy things that support local needs. 
 

Editor’s note: We even got a little help from Godzilla!

Turkey stuffing?

Should this have stayed in the sketchbook? Maybe!
 

My dinner with Mikey

Credit for this gag goes to faithful reader Christy B. It should be pointed out, however, that Michelangelo was a sculptor, not a carver. But quick — name a famous carver other that George Washington (Carver). Not so easy, is it?

Yes, we took a break from Shakespeare, but we're still hanging out in the classics!
 

Much Ado About Stuffing

Stuffing can make or break a Thanksgiving dinner. I've probably mentioned this before, but I had an aunt who made stuffing that was dry as sand, even when smothered with gravy. I loved her dearly, but her stuffing, well, that was another story.
 

Special bonus material!

Hey! It's another Disney cartoon! But there's something special about this one — it isn't included in the book!

The folks at Disney took out the Splash Mountain ride without consulting us, so we pulled this one from production.

Just a reminder that our book, The Pickletons go to Disney, is available now and makes a great gift for that Disney fan in your life.
 

Sketchbook: In the straw

There’s a gag in here somewhere, I just haven’t quite found it yet. Too bad — it’s a catchy tune. 
 

Editor's note: Sometimes even the sketches need a little color!

A Scottish Thanksgiving

Not sure I'd want to have dinner with Lady Macbeth...

Here's a fun fact: female turkeys —like male turkeys — also have wattles (the neck thing) and snoods (the beak thing), but theirs are less pronounced. Their coloring is more subdued as well. 

The more you know...

There when you need it

I guess that's kind of the equivalent of turning your turkey off and turning it back on again.
 

With unlimited text and data

This is a rerun from the last time we studied the Book of Mormon, but it's one of my favorites. How much do you depend on your phone for light?
 

Next: Cat juggling

There's a gang of wild turkeys that wanders our neighborhood. They've got an attitude.

Their attitude made me think beyond the wild turkeys to wild and crazy turkeys — which led to the early years of comedian Steve Martin.

This might appeal to a particular demographic. Still, it made me laugh!
 

Sketchbook: Here's a thought

I learned this week that in Egyptian it would take about 11 characters to write out "Mahonri Moriancumer," but only two to write "the brother of Jared." I think Moroni was wise to choose the shorter option — besides, it makes some of our Jaredite jokes so much easier!

The more I think about it, I may make this into a full-fledged cartoon. It certainly illustrates what it feels like to come up with an idea for a gag: from dumb as a rock to enlightenment!

Flying turkeys

You may be aware that starting next spring, TSA will require that you have either a passport or a REAL ID endorsement to board a domestic flight. 

You may also be aware that domesticated turkeys, generally speaking, can’t fly. Wild turkeys are able to fly short distances. Turkish Airlines, on the other hand, flies all over the world. 

That’s a lot of work for one little cartoon!
 

Golden, yes. Gold, maybe not so much

It's probably a little too soon to start thinking about golden, roasted turkey. Mmm.
 

Prepare every needful thing

We’ve still got a couple of bags of leftover candy. We may have overbought!
 

Perilous times

 

I’ll start with a caveat: This is NOT a Christmas cartoon! Even though Christmas is mentioned, this is about autumn and the Fall. 

Thank you. 

Sketchbook: The way to go

It’s not that this is a bad gag, just a little off-brand. Maybe I should have missionaries asking for directions?
 

Disney Day

Our book The Pickletons Go To Disney is due to go live today! I'll post a link as soon as it's available!
 

Here it is!

Tricks and treats

I thought I'd run a few of my old Halloween favorites today. Enjoy, and let's be safe out there!

 

It sends a shiver

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
 

Stop. Look. Lurch.

This was a Sketchbook a while back, but I liked it to much to allow it to stay there. Besides that, it has an important safety message — and we're all about safety here!
 

Sketchbook: Let them in

Either way it could have eternal consequences!
 

The teaching pool

Sorry about the wordiness of this one. Once I got going, I couldn’t stop!
 

It’s the mileage, not the years

I get that feeling. I certainly can’t stay up the way I used to!