UPR Commentaries

Commentator and former poet, Jennifer Pemberton, wants to remind listeners that April is National Poetry Month and you don't have to be a poet -- or even look like one -- to celebrate poetry in America.

These are the poems that nearly bring her out of retirement every time she reads them:

Musee Des Beaux Arts by W.H. Auden

A Display of Mackerel by Mark Doty

Happy Earth Day from Utah Public Radio. This commentary from Springdale member, Betina Lindsey, will hopefully encourage you to get out there and get your hands dirty celebrating.

Happy anniversary to Ed Kociela and his family, who have been away from home for one whole year. In this week's radio essay, Ed reflects on how far they've come in their first year living in Mexico.

Writer Gina Wickwar recollects growing up with the Girl Scouts, starting her career as a Brownie in Panama, where her family was stationed. She still has some of her lanyards.

It takes a computer or a religious consultation to figure out when Easter is each year. Commentator Dennis Hinkamp tries to pin it down for us.

Every family has an official designated shopper. Steve Eaton's family has a strict list of approved foods and forbidden food. As a columnist, it's his responsibility to talk about important issues of the day like eating chocolate chip cookies before 7:00 a.m. Also about the relationship between pink slime and the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Yes, the world economy reaches down to Baja California. Ed Kociela tells us how his place in the world is affected by all the other places in the world.

Steve Eaton proposes a National Nap Initiative: Take a Stand Lying Down.

Jennifer Pemberton spends this time of year watching the forecast closely, not worried about snow or sun or even the particulate count in wheezy Cache Valley. She's on Blossom Watch, checking the National Parks Service webcam on the National Mall in Washington to see if the cherry blossoms on their way, which will mean it's time for hanami.

Mitt's been in such a good mood lately...Steve doesn't want to be around when he finds out he doesn't get to be president. Still, he feels a little bit sorry for him and is willing to bet you $10,000 that you wouldn't want to be him.