What's there to see in Utah?

We live in an amazing state!
Top Utah getaway destinations:

The D News ran this interesting article giving a list of all these areas in our state with another longer list of things to do and see in that general area. Check out the link above.
We've traveled all over this great state. The only areas I haven't seen are highlighted in RED. I really, really want to rent a houseboat and go to Lake Powell sometime. I think it would be a great family vacation and I know Courtney will agree.

1. Escalante area: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase, Boulder Mountain
2. Cache Valley area: Bear Lake, Logan Canyon, waterways
3. Cedar City area: Utah Shakespearean Festival, Cedar Breaks
4. Moab area: Arches, Canyonlands, Colorado River
5. Central Utah area: Little Sahara, Skyline Drive, Cove Fort, waterways
6. Davis County: Lagoon, Antelope Island
7. Kanab area: Grand Canyon North Rim, Monument Valley

8. Ogden area: Weber and Ogden Canyons, waterways
9. Park City resorts, Heber Valley
10. Lake Powell, Glen Canyon
11. Box Elder County: Golden Spike National Historic Site, Willard Bay

12. Salt Lake Valley: Temple Square, Salt Lake area canyons, Bingham Copper mine, Great Salt Lake
13. Vernal area: Flaming Gorge, Green River, Uinta Mountains, Book Cliffs (I've only been here once and would like to go again.)
14. Utah Valley: American Fork, Payson and Provo Canyons, waterways
15. St. George area: Zion National Park, Snow Canyon, waterways

Summer visitors

We've had a steady stream of visitors come through our home this summer.
~Dave's friend Danny J. came and stayed with us for a couple of weeks while he was waiting for a new rental agreement date to come up before he got married. We enjoyed having Danny around.
~Claire's sisters-in-law came and stayed with us for about four or five days while they were visiting the area. It was great to chat with them. They are wonderful women, both single, and I would highly recommend them to any interested suitors! One lives in CA and the other in TX. Contact info available upon request. The oldest one was recovering from doing a full iron man competition in Idaho and was moving a little more tenderly than usual. We enjoyed some early morning walks and they even went to my Pilates class with me. I loved having their female company.
~Jordan and girls came for about 17 days as mentioned previously. We had a fabulous time and enjoyed every minute of it. Jake flew up and was able to stay for about a week. We kept busy with lots of fun activities.
~Claire and R came for the 4th of July weekend. It was heaven to have all but Dave and Courtney home for a few days. Little Skippy kept us on our toes and she had a great time playing with her cousins.
~Carol, Taylor, Madi and Makayla came for dinner and an overnight stay to attend the Stadium of Fire program with us. It was a quick trip and I hope they come back again soon.
~Rick's sister Robyn came up for a week to visit and help their parents. We had some good chats with her.
~Rick's former roommate and mission buddy Terry R. and his wife stayed with us for two nights. They stayed over one night as they were driving to ID from AZ and the other was their return from ID back to AZ. We're conveniently located just off the freeway, so that makes it easy for people who are passing by and need a place to stay. Come on over!
~Dave and Courtney came to town for the return of Courtney's parents from South Africa where they were presiding over the Johannesburg mission. It was great to spend time with them and enjoy some chicken kabobs and corn on the cob (which accidentally caught fire on the grill.) Courtney came another evening and we passed an enjoyable time with her. I'm so happy she felt comfortable coming without Dave. They shared some very good news! Dave wrote the news down on a napkin and put it under Andy's plate. Andy discovered the message about half way through the meal. Happy, happy faces were found on all in attendance!
~Mom and David along with David's daughter Diane stopped by overnight on their way back to AZ to see the doctor. It was a fun evening eating Sunday dinner and enjoying some good conversation. Syd and Adam were able to come over as well. We also had our Bishop and his daughter who needed a good meal while Allie was out of town.

~Lee and Kylee came to town to celebrate Kylee's 24th birthday. We celebrated by eating some Cupcake Chic cupcakes and eating some tacos and fajitas on the patio. We played a rousing game of Things and laughed till we were sick. Would someone PLEASE come and get that game out of my house??

Suicide prevention

A few years ago a friend called me who was in trouble. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I could recognize her voice. By the time my husband and I got to her, she was face down in vomit on the floor and was unresponsive. We helped her and called 911 and they came and scooped her up and took her to the emergency room. I stayed with her as they cleaned out her stomach and saved her life. She had overdosed and it wasn't the first time nor would it be the last attempt.
I know this is a difficult subject, but it is an important subject. I don't think that we can turn our backs on it because it is unsavory and no one wants to think about it. I've been thinking about how to help those who are contemplating suicide a lot over the last month or so. The affects can be so devastating for the ones left behind. I've observed how difficult it is for the family and friends who are close to the person who left them unexpectedly. They sometimes feel that it was their fault or that they should have done more to help. Suicide causes a lot of remorse.
I ask myself, what can be done to prevent this tragedy?
There is a lot written on the subject. Check out this link at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for more information, and this link for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

What Are The Warning Signs For Suicide?

Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK if you or someone you know exhibits any of the following signs:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

I can see some of these warning signs in my friend even now. She lives alone. She is estranged from her family. She is a dear kind friend, but she has some significant mental health challenges. Given all of her obstacles, I marvel at her strength to fight back and to carry on. I've know her for more than 20 years and I've observed a thing or two that really helps her. I think these are things that would help anyone with suicidal tendencies.

1. Friends she can depend on. People who are her friends unconditionally. People who accept her for what she is and don't try and change her.
2. Friends who listen, who invite her to go places, who show an interest in her life. People who take time to be with her and do things, even little things. She doesn't want to feel like she is a "project" for anyone. She can tell the difference.
   
3. A hobby or way to express some creative abilities.
   
4. Work. Having something to do.
   
5. Consistency. We have a walking date every Monday at 5:30. We rarely miss, rain or shine. Her other friends have similar things that they do with her. She counts on it. She needs it. EVERYONE needs human interaction.
6. Service. She has found a way to serve. She tutors students who need help with math. She volunteers at the library. She gives to others in other ways as well and this really makes her feel worthwhile and needed. The more she is needed, the happier she is! The more purpose her life has, the better goes her mental health. I believe that most people need to feel needed and wanted. It's a pretty sad life otherwise.
7. Faith in a higher power. A belief that our lives have a purpose and that we are on the earth to accomplish some things and to return to our Father in Heaven.
   

There are so many people who feel alone in the world. They may be alone in the world. I think it is very important to identify people who are lonely, the aged, the sick, single people who are shut ins and who may not have a strong support group. Visit them, take them somewhere, show some interest in their lives. Be their friends. My opinion is that some suicides could be prevented if people took notice and reached out more. Make a visit. Pick up a phone. Send a card. Say hello. Set a lunch date. Just talk and ask the person how they are doing. Listen.
What are your thoughts? What can be done to prevent this tragedy?

Suicide

An uncle
A cousin
A brother-in-law
A dear friend of my husband.

Lives extinguished in a flash, at their own hand.
It's hard to understand.
It's hard to imagine pain so severe that ending ones own life seemed like the only solution.
Was it thought out over a long period of time or was it a spur of the moment kind of thing?
What despair is so intense that this seems like the only option?
Some contributors could have been:
Depression. Loneliness. Isolation. Addiction. Hopelessness.

Could we have done more?
Should we have done more?
Those left behind are left to suffer and wonder...
Why?

There are no easy answers.
Only questions that will never be answered.
At least not now.
But, maybe someday.

Suicide: Some things we know, some things we do not.
read it here.

Summer theater

One of the highlights of our summer is going to see some amazingly good theater productions. The little state of Utah has some stellar stage productions and we absolutely love to be patrons each year. This year I got to see the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater production of Oliver with my sister Lee. The little guy that played Oliver had a great voice and was perfectly cast. Michael B. also did a stellar job as Fagan. The music in the play was wonderful, the sets were well done and the costumes and casting were great. It was a fun evening.
Rick and I always love to go to Cedar City to attend the annual Shakespeare Festival. We met his sister Robyn and her husband Bob again this year and we had a great time. This year the Festival is celebrating their 50th year. That is quite an accomplishment for world class theater in the little city of Cedar City. Fred Adams the founder should feel very proud of what he has accomplished. They have branched out from doing just Shakespeare to also include some Broadway plays and some other theater productions that are generally well known. This year we saw Shakespeare's Richard III. It is a dark historical tragedy. During the three hours of the play good ole Richard knocked off 11 people as he murdered his way to the crown. I MARVEL at the ability of the actors to remember their lines (in Shakespeare no less) over the course of almost three hours of the play. The actors are so good at performing, it seems like we in the audience are just sitting there watching the live action take place before our eyes. It's an interesting story and another way to learn just a little more of English history (although I'm sure Shakespeare took a lot of liberties with the material.)
We also saw a top drawer production of the Music Man. It was delightful in every way! Amazing acting, great costumer and sets and just a fun afternoon watching amazing live theater.
The final play we got to see was the Glass Menagerie. The cast consisted of four people. A mother, a son, a daughter and a possible suitor for the daughter. The story was set in the 1930s and it was memorizing to watch the actors perform. It's a story with a sad ending, but the themes contained in the play really cause a person to think and contemplate relationships, especially family relationships. It was time very well spent.
It was great to spend some one-on-one time with Rick and to enjoy one of our joint passions. I highly recommend both theater companies.