Sunday, February 3, 2008

Fun Monday: The Bucket List

The lovely Tiggerlane, who claims to be a neophyte blogger, is this week's Fun Monday hostess. Tigger has come up with a unique assignment for this Fun Monday. Tigger is asking us to compose a Bucket List. You know, a list of things that we would like to do before our death - untimely or otherwise. Since I am old and gray, my list may be shorter than others. However, both of my grandmothers lived into their nineties, and my maternal grandmother died after her 97th birthday. So perhaps, I have another 30 or so years of living. Here is my list of things that I would like to do before I kick the bucket. These are in no particular order. With a few exceptions, my list is compiled of practical and doable deeds.

Before I Kick the Bucket, I would like to...

1. See the Grand Canyon.

2. Stand next to a giant redwood.

3. Learn to play a dulcimer. I guess that buying a dulcimer would be a prelude to playing one. Goldendaze Ginnie writes about a week-long Dulcimer School in North Carolina in this post. Western Carolina University sponsors a 6-day conference where participants take classes to learn to play a dulcimer. I would like to attend such a conference.

4. Retire.

5. (After retirement), make fabulously motivating science presentations to elementary school children with my husband Daddy D, who currently teaches physics and chemistry.

6. Move from our present home.

7. Buy some photo altering software such as Photoshop and learn to make exciting photograph transformations with the software.

8. Organize my life.

9. Finish visiting all of the fifty states photographing the sights and the wildflowers.

10. Run in some preliminary to the Senior Olympics, and of course, I want to win my event.

11. See Michelle Kwan skate.

12. Visit Dinosaur National Park in Utah.

13. Travel abroad especially Great Britain and perhaps take a walking tour.

14. See Sydney, Australia especially the opera house.

15. Spend more time with friends and family.

16. Spend more time reading.

17. Stand on the Great Wall of China.

Maybe after I kick the bucket, I would like to donate my body to science. But maybe science does not need an old worn-out body.

Jumping out of airplanes is not in my future. Before you kick the bucket, visit as many of the Fun Monday participants as possible; there is a list at Tiggerlane's place. If your time is almost up, forget about Fun Monday and get out there and live the rest of your life.

46 comments:

willowtree said...

1. Done.
2. Done.
3. Pass.
4. Done.
5. I'm not allowed near schools.
6. Done.
7. Done.
8. Why?
9. Ok, that's not a bad one.
10.You'll need to take more steroids.
11.Pass.
12.So that would be like a dinosaur visiting a park...
13.Done.
14. Ah...Done.
15.Pass.
16.Is your TV broken?
17.Huh? you want to stand on a stack of plates?

At least all your stuff is do-able.

Anonymous said...

Stand on a stack of plates! Heh.

Great list, Molly. I'm wondering where you would move to. Maybe closer to your grandkids? I hope not far away. I was thinking Willi and I should start checking the pawn shops for a dulcimer when we are down south. We've found some nice guitars that way.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your kind comments on my post. I like your list!

laurie said...

excellent list--funny we both have "retire" on our lists!

laurie said...

and i once bought a dulcimer kit, thinking first i'd build it, then i'd learn how to play it. but you can guess what happened... i never did either. too bad i don't still have it--i'd mail it to you.

Faye said...

mjd,learning to play a dulcimer conference--like travel with a purpose. Agree with you about seeing Michelle K. skate--such a beautiful artist. Going over your list, it seems like retirement is going to be pretty active and the old brain is still going to be fully engaged so you'll be able to match family members' longevity.

Sauntering Soul said...

I totally forgot to put "retire" on my Bucket List. I absolutely want to do that.

Celeste said...

I noticed that you are a teacher. My mother is a teacher and we she "retired" she has begun tutoring underprivileged children. I guess that is retirement.

A great list. I hope you do it all.

Peter said...

That list sounds very do-able with just a little effort... OK then, a lot of effort.

daddy d said...

#'s 3 and 7 can be done right away. #9 will be taken care of by spring training...sort of.

the planet of janet said...

wow. i love your list (even the ones that wt wants to pass on...lol)

and i also totally forgot about retiring. that IS something i want to do someday!

Alison said...

great list!! the redwoods are my favorite...they are my Happy Place!!

Unknown said...

When you complete 7 & 8 will you please help teach me? :)

Anonymous said...

Great list. I really like number five. You would be so welcome in so many schools...especially if you were wearing one of your special shirts. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey- there are some amazing places to walk here in the Southwest (UK). It's such a beautiful area. In fact, the area where we live is an Area of Outstanding and Natural Beauty. Or some crap like that. But it is pretty;).

I haven't seen the Grand Canyon either....shoulda put that on my list, lol.

Great list!

Hootin Anni said...

Grand Canyon......it takes your breath away. I still remember to this day just how awe inspiring the place is. Nothing like the photos you see....GO SEE the Canyon!!!!!!!

My Fun Monday is posted. I had a good time this week, voicing my opinions on Fun Monday.
Happy week to you.

Sayre said...

I haven't seen the Grand Canyon either (but have been within 5 miles AND I HAVE seen it from the air) but I have stayed in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah and my husband says the view is just as, if not more awesome.

I like your list - when you retire, travel should definitely be a priority for you!

Frema said...

What a fun list! And your granddaughters will be happy to hear about your plans to live a long life. :)

-Ann said...

Great list - good luck with it.

Robocop said...

Nice list. I would like to see the Great Wall as well.

Jill said...

i have to agree with you that jumping out of airplanes is not my idea of a good time. my husband wants to, but i value his life more than that!

Joy T. said...

I have the Great Wall on my list too! Your list is great and all very do-able I would say. Yes even the Senior Olympics. I'm a Starter here in Canada so I've seen some of those 'Masters' run. You could take them :o)

Junebug said...

We have several items in common.

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Finish visiting all of the fifty states photographing the sights and the wildflowers, me too! Great list.

ChrisB said...

I have done a few on your list namely 1,2,5. If you come walking this way drop in for coffee. The Great wall of China is on my list so I'll join you!

ellen b. said...

that's a wonderful list. What a great goal to go to all 50 states.

Anonymous said...

Good thing WT thoroughly checked your list. It's a good one!

Anonymous said...

Three summers ago we drove through the redwoods - they are amazing! And summer of 2006 we went to Dinosaur Park in Utah - it was great...a real step back in time.

I think you have a great list of things! - especially the Great Wall.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Organise my life...oh yeah, I'm right there with you on that one!

Anonymous said...

Love your list. When I was a kid we went to the Red Wood Forest. Awesome! Even though I have been to Arizona 4 times now I haven't made it to the Grand Canyon. On my list too.

Yolanda said...

I really liked this list . I too want to learn to play the dulcimer. I actually have one but haven't learned yet.

Margaret said...

I've done one and two--very cool! Is 8 even possible??

Jenni said...

I've seen Michelle Kwan skate many times. Oh, did you mean live?

I like #9 best, but the dulcimer is a beautiful instrument and I wouldn't mind knowing how to play if I could magically wake up with that ability.

Anonymous said...

Ditto on #1, #12, and #17.
I have no desire to run anywhere, and good luck on #8. Science would use my body as "here's what NOT to do". Great list and I hope you make them all happen!

Michelle said...

Wonderful list!! I hope you get to do them all!!

Pamela said...

I'm taking a photo shop class, and I feel like my head is spinning. But I'm determined to break the surface!

I will be incorporating some of your list into mine. I would probably be photographing birds in all 50 states, but wildflowers might be included.

Where do you want to move???

Linda said...

Oh, yes! Science totally needs worn out bodies... do everything on your list - twice if you have to! Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I have given up on the thought of ever having an organized life. It's just not going to happen.

Tiggerlane said...

As I visit all the lists - I keep seeing things I should have put on mine. DEFINITELY want to see the Grand Canyon. Thanks for participating!

molly said...

Some I've done , some I'd want to do, others no, but I hope you get to cross them all off, one by one ,and have a great time doing it!

Hootin Anni said...

I'm back...just wanted you to know there is something waiting for you on my Wednesday blog!!

Anonymous said...

That is a great list and a lot of the traveling ones would be on my list as well.

I definately want to spend time in every state and try some international travelling too.

My REAL goal would be to RV around the country, so that would probably have to be an after retirement thing...I've got a ways to go.

karisma said...

Ha Ha love Wts list there, but seriously the Opera house is a little over rated. You should come and visit me instead. And then we could both go and visit WT maybe but he lives to far inland. I know! We shall visit his dear wife instead. She lives closer to my place LOL.

Princess Jewelee said...

what a great list.

You are signed up for next week over at www.oohashinypen.bogspot.com/

LizLSB said...

What a fantastic list. I wish I'd seen this one. I think I will make a bucket list of my own; by the way, that was the best movie I've seen in a long time.

Debs said...

I want to do your number 11 and 16 too.

:)