Tell You [a] Little Story

First and foremost, happy birthday to my wonderful mom! I honestly don't know anyone more generous, giving or good with people. I like to think of myself as being generous, giving and good with people, but I've got nothing on her . She schools me, bigtime. Some of the unique things that make my mom my mom: She loves my children absolutely, which is a joy and a comfort to me. When she is around, they prefer her to me. She would rather be with her grandchildren than out with the adults, but does not relax when they are around. It's constant counting heads, making snowcones, taking off too-warm clothing, changing diapers, getting drinks. It's exhausting, and she's good at it. And she loves it. (I'm pretty sure.) She hates flying, but flies all over the place, because travel and culture and enriching experiences and seeing family trump her fears every time. She also hates bridges. And swimming. And confrontation. And cooking. And bad grammar. And dopey people. And a...

I'm starting to think about my kid-less trip to Toronto this summer. I'm really excited about wandering the streets solo for five days with no agenda and no one to answer to while Steve is in his conference . What should I see? Where should I go? What should I eat?

1. Hypothetical: Steve has a couple hundred dollars at his disposal to spend as he pleases. Which of the following is near the top of his wish list? a) a new suit that fits well b) an ice cream maker c) surround sound 2. Which of the following is a goal that Steve spends a decent amount of time thinking and talking about? a) learning to make homemade yogurt b) retaking that physics class that overwhelmed him in his undergrad days c) mastering the John Denver anthology on his guitar 3. When the sun is shining, which of the following is Steve most likely to be doing? a) pulling weeds in the yard b) laying out c) making Sunday dinner in the solar oven 4. Just about every night before he goes to bed, Steve: a) gets a loaf of whole wheat bread started in the bread maker b) watches the evening news c) calls his parents to chat 5. The kids know daddy really, really loves them when he: a) plays catch with them in the backyard ...

My son Aaron's picture is supposed to be on the packaging for Provo Craft's new Yudu  silk screen machine. I tried to find it at Joann's, but they only sell it at certain stores, not close to me. If anyone sees one for sell, will you tell me where and/or take a picture of him on the box for me?  Thanks. photo by Nicole Hill

the prophet showed up at my kids' school last week to watch the 6th grade play. Remarkable. I admit: there are some aspects of living in Utah that just can't be beat.

On desiring organization: I have an email inbox of 4460+ emails. I just sorted them by alphabetical order and deleted about 200 totally superfluous, not-real emails in the A's. Blog comments mostly. From Austin, Azucar, Abby, AmyJune, and Alice. I did not delete any actual emails from actual people. I still intend to respond to those. Um, even the ones from 1999. Thanks. On the opera: A generous and beneficent soul gifted us really great tickets to the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera. Really great tickets. He is a generous and kind soul. We cannot use the ones for next Wednesday, March 18: The Marriage of Figaro. Which is a shame, because we saw this performed at BYU and it was spectacular. We'd love to see it again. Please say you'll take someone to the opera next Wednesday night so these really great tickets don't get wasted. Also, it is an embarrassment to my culture, but one-third of the audience will walk in after the performance has begun. Please take my two tickets, and...

To anyone who went to BYU: What was your favorite class? Most enjoyable, life-changing, low stress, important, fun, or rewarding -- any of the above. Bowling? Book binding? Quantum physics? To anyone: What would you take at a large university if tuition was free and you were not motivated by a degree of any kind?