Clean hands, clean back, clean everything

This sounds like the kind of logic my kids would have used!

And now, a word of thanks.

Cartoonist Rick Kirkman of Baby Blues fame came up with an idea to have cartoonists say thank you to the front line workers today. Cartoonists were asked to include six symbols to represent the people who have been on the front lines: a mask for medical professionals, a fork for food service workers, a shopping cart for grocers, an apple for teachers, a steering wheel for those in the transportation industry, and a microscope for the scientists and researchers trying to find a cure..

At the same time I got that news, I was studying in Come, Follow Me — about Alma and the mighty change of heart. Which evolved into this. It may be more of a Halloween-themed cartoon...but its heart is in the right place!

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Our cooking experiments while we were in lock down went pretty well for the most part. We found a great alfredo recipe, and we made some good breads and some good soups.

Don't ask about the deconstructed cabbage rolls. At least the bread was good!

The winner by a hair

I've heard of bishoprics holding beard-growing contests. I've grown and shaved off three different beards during our lock-down. How's your face holding out?

When there's nowhere to go...

Our county just opened up to Phase I — which means a few more businesses can open and restaurants can take a limited number of dine-in customers. But it turns out, a lot of people don't want to go anywhere!

A tremor in the Force

This is what happens when you do a Star Wars marathon while in lock down.

One bite at a time

There are definitely going to be some gaps in my food storage that will need to be refilled once this whole COVID-19 thing is over. I know I haven't stored nearly enough Reese's Pieces, and the five jars of salsa didn't last nearly as long as I hoped they would. I won't even mention the ice cream situation!

One with everything

There was one week early in our lockdown where a "varied diet" meant that we ordered from a different pizza place every night. Somebody has to keep them in business, right?

By their masks ye shall know them

A member of our ward popped up in my Facebook feed as a friend suggestion the other day. I looked and looked, and I thought: "I used to go to church with their family, but I haven't seen any of them for a long time!"

And then I remembered that I haven't seen anybody — in person — for a long time. Weird.

Sketchbook: Stand back

The scriptures can indeed be likened unto us. Nephi and Abinadi both told people to stay away and not touch them. And when Abinadi returned "in disguise," was he wearing...a mask?

Stay healthy!

Burdens to be borne

OK, I think I have officially set a new record for the longest caption for a cartoon anywhere!

Sometimes it seems like we enjoy comparing trials and hardships. It really doesn't make any sense. We're much better off using our energy to count our blessings!

I know this particular gag is a variation on jokes that have been going around on social media, and it would have been more timely a couple of weeks ago (although we're far from out of the woods with COVID-19 yet). But it begs the question: just how much did we know before coming to this point in time?

One last thing. There are a couple of cameos in this cartoon. Can you spot them all?

Curse you, coronavirus!

My wife bought me a Snoopy protective mask to wear in public. It got me to thinking how Snoopy may have responded to the coronavirus. I can see him as the world-famous doctor. I could also see him in his World War I flying ace uniform, ready to take off and fight the disease.

What I settled on was the most likely scenario. Wear a mask, and stay home!

The hope of a new May

I've heard it said that fasting without a purpose is just going hungry. I think this particular idea is one that we could all rally behind!

Who was that masked companion?

Well, the good news is that the missionaries who came home for COVID-19 are starting to go back out. I take that to be a good sign!

A day in the sun. Or a couple of weeks. Make it a month.

If only there were sunny places to nap all day, rather than chores or videoconference that need tending to.

We're all doing what we can

It's hard to get your 10,000 steps while you're stuck at home — 10,000 calories on the other hand...

How long has it been?

Social distancing can mean different things to different people. It's all a  matter of perspective.