List Making

 

I am a tremendous list-maker. Almost every morning (for decades) I review my list from the day before and reprioritize. I generally add a few new items, cross off a few that no longer need doing/have been done and then try to do at least a few of the most pressing on the list. But, as I've written before I don't have a bucket list. There are a number of things I'd like to do, but I don't have my demise as the literal "deadline." 

I also don't pay much attention to lists that I find on-line. You know the lists of the ten "top" beaches in the world or the most beautiful gardens. Until I went to Victoria Falls last month, I hadn't looked at the list of the Seven Wonders of the World since grade school. There are several (at least) lists of the wonders of the world and on every list of the natural wonders, Victoria Falls appears. I didn't consult a list before I traveled, but so glad that my travels took me to this wonder. It's an extraordinary sight, especially as our group saw it in all its misty splendor with a rainbow. 

The Majesty of the Falls

I've taken thousands of photographs and hope to take thousands more in the years to come. But I don't anticipate that any will surpass in awe and delight of the rainbow at Victoria Falls last month. Adjectives -- awesome, fabulous, extraordinary -- all fail to capture the vision that was in front of me and now lives only in photograph and memory. I also took a helicopter trip over that Falls, but that epic adventure deserves a post of its own. 

I couldn't imagine the sight beyond this entrance gate. 

Since we're in Victoria Falls I'm happy to inform the winners of the Victoria Falls giveaway. The change purses made there will be going to Donna and to 16 Blessings Mom. I will be in touch for addresses and will make a trip to the post office next week. 

I'm glad that you're enjoying the trip posts. I'm equally enjoying going through my photographs and reliving some of my favorite moments. 

As ever, thanks for viewing and have a sweet summer afternoon.   

My Anti-Bucket List

I love the concept of keeping a list of things I hope to do, and have had a list for decades. Some are taking years to accomplish -- seeing all fifty states -- and others -- visiting the "Cake Boss" bakery in New Jersey -- should be accomplished in the next few months. What I don't like is the word "bucket." I don't like "kicking the bucket" as my goal, but rather these are things I want to do in the celebration of living. It may only be a matter of semantics, but the phrase really bothers me. I prefer to think of the list as my "Living list." These are not things to do before I die, but things to enjoy while I live.

These reflections have two sources. The first is that I did one of the things on my list this weekend -- photos following -- and that it was part of my birthday celebration. Birthdays give me a nudge to reflect and I took a little time to reflect on what activities rise to the top of the "Living list."

Floating to the top of the list...1) Get trimmer and fitter; 2) Visit Bali, which has been on my list long before "Eat, Pray, Love"; 3) Write a novel; 4) Visit all fifty states; 5) See the Aurora Borealis; 5.5) Spend a relaxed month in Italy.

For a long time I've wanted to eat at The French Culinary Institute in Lower Manhattan, but just never got to it. I spent Saturday afternoon with my college roommate, Jane, and to celebrate our July birthdays we indulged in brunch here. That's one of the glories of summer in the city, we just walked in with no reservation. We settled in at the bar to wait for a table and about a minute after we got our iced coffees we had a table where we could watch all the liveliness of Soho while we ate.

My beautiful and delicious salad. We also had mussels.

My birthday begins in one hour and eight minutes. If it doesn't rain I hope to blog a photo of one of my great Living List goals. It's not on the list above, but I'll give you a small clue. I'll be outside in Brooklyn. And as always, inquiring minds want to know, what's on your living list?