This number boggles my mind. I don't even feel like I've been in the world for 25 years, yet alone in one spot in the world. The 5 years I spent outside of SoUt were while my young student parents were attending BYU, my Mom birthed me out in Provo, UT. Once Pop graduated, about a year later, we returned to Southern Utah. Because it really is a pretty great place to live and thats where the Rogers' were. The 4 extra years of my existence, were spent in Maricopa County, Arizona. I loved those few years in AZ But the Fam couldn't resist returning to Good Old Dixie!
We came back in 1995. and soon after our return my Dad got a job for Dixie College as the Academic Recruiter. He traveled all over the west promoting Dixie College and St. George telling high school seniors that Southern Utah was the place for them. Naturally, I knew I was going to Dixie College. Its hard to pass up free tuition and The love for this place had been buried deep within me covered by piles and piles of red dirt...I love my Hometown. I do. So many memories of Snow Canyon Sand dunes, fireworks on the Red Hill, the Black Hill, ice blocking and golfball diving, "cruising the vard", pranks in Smiths parking lot, the ocean, the point, the crack, concerts at the Electric, bingo and buffets in Mesquite, school shopping and shows in Vegas, Gunlock fishing bonfires, sleeping on a mattress in the back of my truck, Skim boarding and floating down the Virgin, picnics and hiking in Pine Valley, Zion, Kolob, Snowboarding in Brianhead. This is a beautiful and blessed life. I couldn't have asked for a more lovely place to grow up.
but, I still have always had a desire to see what it's like outside of this little region. This state. this half of the country even. Is the grass greener? I always wanted to move somewhere and see. See if I would Choose to live in St. George and not feel like this is where I had to be.
After I graduated with my associates degree, I had the chance to move away. I landed a job in New York as a Musical Director at a summer camp for kids. As a 19 year old wannabe musician, this opportunity was golden. When they were ready to send me my plane ticket, I felt super uneasy and strange. What? Why? Was I wussing out? When I was offered this job I was told that I would have to work on Sundays and that I wouldn't be able to attend my Mormon Sunday services. My day off would be Saturday and I could spend my time in the city. If I felt the need to be churchy, I could attend the Evangelist Saturday Worship Service. I took the job immediately. I wasn't worried about missing church. Jesus would understand, it was New York! When I came down to the heart of it, I knew it wasn't the right thing for me and I had to pass on this ticket to the Big City. I don't regret not going. I only reference this story to make the point that I could have gone somewhere exciting but at this point in my life, I was compelled to stay in Washington County. I knew I would have other opportunities to leave and I would take one. To be a thousand percent honest, there may have been a missionary kid that I was hanging around for. I would have never admitted it back then but everyone kinda knew. Luckily for me, during that time I also made a good friend named Jon Butler.
The friendship between Jon and I is my most cherished blessing. It led to something wonderful. We didn't have a lightning bolt kinda love. It was always comfortable and natural and grew without us even realizing it. Jon is my ultimate match. Seriously, I never knew two people could work so well together and be so unbelievably happy. Jon is a Dixie Man and we share many of the same memories of home. He loves Southern Utah and would never leave if he didn't have to.
Jon is half way through Grad school at the University of Utah. When he first decided what he wanted to be, I was pumped and found the program he needed at schools all over the country... But amazingly enough he was accepted to the U's Extension program right here in St. George. This Fall, he will begin his internship to become a School Guidance Counselor. In a little over a year, our family will no longer be a student family. We will start trying to find a place to settle. For years I have been telling Jon as soon as school is finished we should leave. But now, for the first time in my whole life, I hope we get to stay here.
I would be so lucky to stay here forever. Here the the dirt is red and the Grass is very Green.
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Journal: January 7, 2013
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We had a fun weekend. Friday night I went out to dinner with Kate and Amanda. We went to Benja's and laughed a lot and I had a yummy Vegas Roll. Then went to Jazzy's for a listen to the bands. Caught the last of Your Meteor. Their three part Harmonies were lovely. Live music makes me happy so I was glad to be there for just a minute. then I was even more glad to run home to my babies. Saturday we made birdhouses and Matix got a cut from Barber Dave. We had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and I overheard the waitress telling the family behind us that their lunch had been paid for by the patrons that had just left. I peeked at their faces and the Dad said, "wow, thats never happened to me before. Thank you" What a warm and generous gesture. this town is good. people in it are good.
Music Happening this WEEKEND.
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1/9 - Open Mic at Jazzy's Rock N Roll Grill1/11 - Josh Larsen @ Wing Nutz on Sunset 7pm - Free
(Acoustic rock)
1/11 - Soul What! @ George's Corner 8pm - Free
(Classic R&B/Rock)
1/11 - The Moth and The Flame/Polytype/Quiet the Titan
@ Jazzy's 9pm - FREE!!
Go have some dinners and some listens!
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