Inklings

Category: illustration

  • SKOL Vikings!

    My oldest son, Mason, is a devout Bears fan (I think he still is) so Sunday afternoon’s Vikings – Bears game was a must watch. “Just-like-a-car-wreck” must watch. After several fits of anger followed by tears, we had to remove him from the game all together. We all knew the Bears were going to eat it, except Mason. I certainly don’t worship football, but I do claim to be a Packer Backer. One thing I will freely admit, is that Favre, even wearing the Purple and Gold, is still fun to watch. For 16 seasons he pulled a lot of the same stunts for the Pack and now he’s doing it for <ughh> their chief rival. Minnesota sure looks tough this year and the kid in me (the one that used to like the Vikes growing up) wants to see them make it all the way to the Super Bowl.

  • All I want for Christmas…

    My youngest son, Chase, just recently lost his other front tooth, making the total number of gaps in his mouth now three. It’s really interesting how his young mind works. After losing his first tooth, he placed it beneath his pillow, as advised, and the next morning woke up to a nice crisp one dollar bill, courtesy of the tooth fairy (who, by the way, my son believes is a man). When he lost his second tooth my wife asked him to repeat the process so the tooth fairy could again make his transaction. Chase simply replied, “I don’t want to sell this one yet.” So, for now he’s holding onto two shares. Apparently he feels his teeth are worth more and is waiting for the market to improve.

  • Our plates runneth over

    I like turkey as much as the next guy, but have to admit that our bird was a little large this year. The fridge (and freezer) is full of it. Beyond the main event, it’s been turkey for every meal and we’re still dealing with an impressive surplus. I fear what creative form it will take next. Turkey protein shake, anyone?

  • Happy Thanksgiving

    I couldn’t think of a more fitting image for today’s Inkling than the oft reproduced photograph-turned-oil painting Grace by Rhoda Nyberg. One of my childhood friends had this very painting hanging in his dining room. Every time I went to his house I saw it and never gave it much thought. There are so many things that I have in my life that I’m thankful for, but many days, like that painting, I don’t really think much about it. Thanksgiving Day, to me, is a reminder to be appreciative of just how fortunate and blessed I am. So, before enjoying that bountiful Thanksgiving feast with family today, I plan to take a moment to thank God for the abundance of blessings in my life.

  • Ungrateful Pilgrim

    “The potatoes are lumpy, the turkey’s like shoe leather, the gravy’s cold, I found a hair in my cranberries and, I’m sorry, I don’t see what’s so fabulous about maize. First Thanksgiving?! This will be my last!”

  • Mouse Trap

    There’s a history of rodent infestation in the building where I work, so it’s not uncommon to see three mouse traps in a single office. I heard rumors that if you listen closely you might even hear them squeaking and running in the ceiling. I’ve seen droppings on occasion, but have never, in all my years on the job, actually discovered a trap victim… except for a dead mighty mouse, which we planted to have a little fun with the custodians. Something tells me, they’ll have the last laugh.

  • On the way to Plymouth Rock…

    The Pilgrims, while searching for a prudent location to moor the Mayflower, happened upon a large granite edifice. Tragically the vessel caught a piece of the rock and began to take on water. All passengers aboard had to evacuate with supplies via the ship’s cutters. Thankfully all were spared and lived long, fruitful lives in the New World. The following month a pier was constructed to insure such a tragedy never occurred again. #GetAPieceoftheRock

  • Evolution of the Idea

    I never realized how ubiquitous the symbolism for an “idea moment” was until I considered its use in a historical context. The pre-twentieth century “ideas” don’t quite depict that flash moment of brilliance that we associate with turning on a light. Using the traditional incandescent bulb in today’s green-conscious world seems too anachronistic. Will adopting a revised symbol of the light bulb be necessary as advances in technology render the original unrecognizable? Add this to your list of things to lose sleep over.

  • It’s not easy to fly anymore

    I wouldn’t consider myself a world traveler or anything but I’ve flown a few times since the TSA upped its security at airports. One thing I haven’t gotten used to is the demoralizing process of taking your shoes off to walk through airport security. There’s something very vulnerable about being barefoot. In the same breath, I’d rather traipse about in my stocking feet for a few minutes than risk climbing aboard an aircraft with some psychopath who is skilled at concealing weapons of mass destruction in his penny loafers. In the name of safe travel, I guess I’ll unlace.