Soup to Nuts

What does it take to be happy?

Laurie Gilquist figures it takes the normal way-markers in life

Car, wife, house, kids. At 23 years old he longs for the day when

he can start living.

But when he finds a painting--quite possibly a 16th century

priceless still life in the linen cupboard, his luck and life are about to change

On his unlikely journey across Europe to find the owner of the painting and a wayward father,

he finds friendship, a gift for helping people and a belief that folks are the same the world over.

But-

that's after being run over, escaping near death, chased by

gangsters, being kidnapped and finding love. Not exactly the

way-markers he had in mind, although joie de vivre* sometimes

knocks you off course on your way to la dolce vita^

All it takes is a plumber, a painting and the pursuit of happiness.

* the joy of life

^ the sweet life