Utah

Embracing the Darkness (With Mashed Potatoes)

It’s not a good sign when a season has its own mental disorder, but here we are, entering the dark, cold, abysmal days of post-Daylight Saving Time when Seasonal Affective Disorder destroys all joy. Darkness descends like a roiling thunderstorm in a fantasy novel, erasing all sunshine and leaving us cowering in the cellar. MyContinue reading “Embracing the Darkness (With Mashed Potatoes)”

Foods That Ruined My Childhood

There was no “gentle parenting” in the ’70s, especially at the dinner table. You either ate what was prepared for you, or you were labeled a sniveling, spoiled brat who didn’t care if children in China starved because you wouldn’t eat your meatloaf. One time, I was forced to stay at the table until I’dContinue reading “Foods That Ruined My Childhood”

Map it Out

Remember maps? Old-fashioned, fold-out paper maps the size of a beach towel? My husband wanted to buy one to navigate our road trip through the Sacramento Valley. I stared at him for 47 seconds before stating, “We have Google Maps.” “It’s not the same thing,” Tom said, sadly. I reminded him I have the orienteeringContinue reading “Map it Out”

Angels from the realms of glory (better have their papers)

Near the twinkling Christmas trees, pine-scented candles and brightly-wrapped packages, most homes in Utah display a Nativity scene. It might be made with Star Wars characters or garden gnomes, but it usually includes wise men, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and an angel hovering near Baby Jesus. If you have children, the crèche could also includeContinue reading “Angels from the realms of glory (better have their papers)”

Hacking Thanksgiving

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner never gets easier. I always start with lofty culinary goals based on recipes from “The Pioneer Woman” that include truffles and capers but end up scraping scorched gravy into a dish and hoping the turkey won’t give anyone food poisoning. Because of my poor cooking skills, I’m always looking for Thanksgiving hacksContinue reading “Hacking Thanksgiving”

The REAL Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Unless you’ve been living in the Gobi Desert, hiding from the toxic political atmosphere, you’re well aware that Bravo will air the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” in 2020. As if 2020 wasn’t going to be terrible enough. If you’re not familiar with the intellectual and thought-provoking series, executive producer Andy Cohen flies toContinue reading “The REAL Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”

Top 5 Reasons I Don’t Live in Florida

I took a summer break from writing this blog so I could have a mental breakdown. Now I can check that off my list of things to do and get back to some smart-ass blogging. As you’re aware, it’s hurricane season, and meteorologists around the country are having orgasms on live TV as they discussContinue reading “Top 5 Reasons I Don’t Live in Florida”

Bathroom Brouhaha

I feel like I’ve missed something. Admittedly, I often feel like this since I’d rather spend my life reading books than interacting with humans, but the furor around this issue leaves me flummoxed. Recently, the Obama administration told schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Okay. Great. MoveContinue reading “Bathroom Brouhaha”

Utah 2015: A Recap

Utah survived another year but several significant events made headlines, including Mormon preppers convinced the world was coming to an end on Sept. 28. Didn’t happen. But here are some things that did happen: President Obama visits Utah In a token gesture to our super-white, super-conservative and super-Republican state, President Barack Obama reluctantly stepped off anContinue reading “Utah 2015: A Recap”

Halloween for Dummies: Top 5 Tips For a Successful Holiday

Some people live in countries (or states) where Halloween is ignored because people believe it’s based on Satanic rituals and pagan beliefs. They might have a small Jesus-themed trunk-or-treat event in a church parking lot, handing out mini New Testaments, before heading home for a family sing-a-long. But in Utah (home of pagan beliefs) we celebrate HalloweenContinue reading “Halloween for Dummies: Top 5 Tips For a Successful Holiday”