A Week of Writerly Thanks: Wednesday

I'm a little late to post today, but I wanted to make sure and get this in ... (an overnight trip to the emergency room with a kidlet totally throws your whole schedule off!). All is well now and that's what is important!

What I was actually planning on posting today was this: 

As a kid I could not wait to get out of Utah. I suppose most teens are totally of the "cannot wait to escape this place!" mentality - getting away from suffocating parents, everyone knows everyone and is up in my business, there's nothing here .. you know the drill.

Well, I am so thankful I didn't leave! 

Over the years, as I've grown older and grown to appreciate more of my surroundings, I've learned Utah is an amazing place. We have an opportunity to enjoy all 4 seasons, this is the home of the greatest snow on Earth (great for a snowboarder like me!), the number of national parks and monuments to enjoy are (imo) unparalleled! There is so much to inspire the creative mind here!!

Yeah, most of this stuff not such a big deal when you're a kid, but now, I love that I live here!

Plus, an added bonus ... back in those days I had no idea the writerly mecca that Utah is ... especially when it comes to young adult authors who live here. It's been such an amazing thing to get to meet and grow to be friends with these uber-talented, witty, smart, and kind people who I would not have had the opportunity to get to know otherwise! Plus, if I'm drinking the same Utah water as them, something's gotta rub off right? Here's hoping!