Here is what you and your date are going to do tonight:

Today I read that Utah slipped to second place as the nation's Happiest State. We lost our reigning title to Hawaii. Now if it were me Mr. Gallup, I wouldn't even include Hawaii because first of all, it is Hawaii, and second of all they don't even have to share our land mass. Plus, three isn't Hawaii just another name for Paradise? Who isn't going to be happy in Paradise? Otherwise am I working so hard at being righteous?

So I've been thinking all day about this position, Utah being such a happy place. And I know there are baskets full of nay-sayers proclaiming it is high-spirited only because we are all on chemical serotonin. But I have some ideas on why I am a happy Utahan (currently not taking medication--though if I were I'd not discount my opinion), and I'd like to profess them right now.

In my spot, where my family currently resides, in Provo--the heart of a county nicknamed Happy Valley--I have much to be pleased about.

I live among people who champion families. Our local law-makers believe the family is the central unit of society, and most businesses are family-oriented. We reserve family time as essential and respectfully allow families their needed space away from outside demands.

My neighbors practice self-sufficiency, gardening and emergency preparedness. There is even a neighborhood captain assigned to our street in case the Wasatch Fault decides to give into pressure and we are without basic essentials. Or worse, any essentials.

I wear aprons around town, and so do other women. Like my mom, for example.

The principal of our local elementary is my best friend's mother, who sent her children to the same school twenty-plus years ago. The school song is still the same, and it ends with "It's the best school in the land!" And in my heart, I really believe it.

If I forget to push my garbage can to the curb once a week on my given garbage day (which seems to be a constant in my life--is there an app for that?) for ten bucks the city will send the garbage truck back to my house for a second chance. Plus, my son gets to watch out the window (LOOK MOM! GARBAGE TRUCK!) for free.

There are certain areas of my town where not even Coke can be purchased.

In my neighborhood there is variety. We have friends from Ghana, Hong Kong, Korea and Denmark to name a few. Nearly all my neighbors have spent time living abroad--outside the USA or beyond our state's borders. Many of us speak two languages. For example, I speak French, my husband speaks Japanese, our friend Kirk speaks Italian and Katie up the street is fluent in Spanish. (She even has a decent accent.) Justin down the street speaks Korean, Ellen up the street speaks Danish and across the street you can send your children to school where they can be immersed in Chinese starting with first grade.

We are within moments of parks, museums and a creamery with in-house ice cream on tap. Behind us, a glorious mountain range. In front of us the city and out further, a lake with a water skiing course.

Everyone exercises. Almost everyone. But pretty much everyone. It seems like.

I know men who have studied Christianity all of their lives and who hold doctorate degrees in doctrine. I know women who have successfully raised large--and small--families. I know artists, musicians, engineers, lawyers, doctors, educators and actors. They are all my neighbors.

I can post a photo like the one above which alludes to me cooking, but I can also admit we eat out at locally-owned restaurants and feel simply fine about it. Because we have good food here. And it keeps getting better. And better.

We are old fashioned traditionalists. We are progressive thinkers. We believe general enlightenment is what makes a soul happy. We are seekers.

Obviously I could go on, and I also don't want to misrepresent. I know we've got our aches and pains. As a daughter of Provo who wanted nothing more than to get the heck out of here as soon as I could, I understand those who leave our town broken-hearted and anxious. This place isn't for everyone.

But neither is Hawaii.

Look at this, an exhibit at the Provo Library featuring a unique art form: rocks.
Check this out:

44 years of Pietra Dura by Boyd A. Hansen

In 1966 Boyd began teaching a technique called "pietra dura" to the children in his fourth grade classes. "Pietra Dura" is an Italian phrase that means "hard stone" and refers to the technique of creating intricate inlaid pictures from shaped colored stones.

Boyd continued to create pieces of art using this technique for the next 44 years. His most recent piece was completed in 2009 as a gift for a granddaughter. For this exhibit, his artworks were gathered from family members and friends who cherish them as the beautiful works of art they are and also for the hours of patient and meticulous work that he invested in them.

His family is proud to share this exhibit with you and to celebrate Boyd's many talents. He is a builder, a singer, a teacher and an artist. He is currently retired and living in Spring City, Utah with his wife Betty Hansen. His three children, seven grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren hope that he will continue to create what he calls "rock art" for many years to come.

Thanks to Boyd's granddaughter Jenna for the heads up on this cultural event!


With all the many local creative businesses popping up all over it is helpful to hear about a new website called Simply Utah.
Simply Utah is an online directory for all the creative businesses developed in here in our Beehive State. Small businesses from cakes bakers to photography to bead work, whatever it may be Simply Utah will put it all on one spot. The site also highlights local boutiques and shops on a monthly basis.

Go to SimplyUT.com for a full run down. Personally, I think it's a smart idea these two sisters have put together. But, were you asking my opinion?

Lastly, Kristen from Utah County's United Way emailed me about a possible free tax service for Provo citizens. I am not kidding.
Check this out:

At United Way of Utah County we sponsor a program called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). VITA is completely free for those who qualify. The main (and basically only qualification) is that you earn less than $49,000. Many people in Provo and in Utah County fall in that category. VITA is run by IRS certified volunteers and they do their best to get the biggest return for everyone. You can read more about the program at our blog or our website.

Thanks Kristen!