Bucket List is a term meaning the things you would like to do before you “kick the bucket.”
I have another way of thinking about it, teacher that I am or, maybe, was—the time you stop learning is the time you begin to die. I would like to be around a while so I try to learn at least one new thing every year. Several years ago I learned how to juggle. More recently I learned how to roller blade. Last year I took a Tai Chi class. Now I’m writing a book. (I thought I was stretching things a bit when I set a goal of 100,000 words, but, just passing 102,000 words, the story is still telling itself to me. I think about three and a half more chapters and I’ll be done. Then on to the second book; yes, there’s still more story.)
I believe the best way to stay alive is to have something to look forward to. If you have nothing to look forward to, why bother?
Why this topic today? Well, it turns out that two of my favorite authors are currently writing a series of books—a “Five Book Dash” in a series I quite enjoy. I look forward to reading all of them and more. The authors are about my age and I hope they have genes like those that come from my mother’s side of the family.
One of the people commenting on their FB post said, “I’m 73. Hurry! You have to get them all done before I die . . .”
Reflecting on this I thought that when it’s time for me to go, I don’t want to have already done everything. I don’t want to regret not having done things. I want to be in the frame of mind that there are still things I want to do—if nothing else, I want to see what’s behind that final curtain. (For those of you who think me cynical: Yes, I’d even like to know if there’s nothing behind the curtain.)
Cheap Foreign Goods
Went to the beach today for lunch, puzzling, and reading. Stayed for about two hours. Heavens, it was absolutely beautiful, 82° and a slight breeze.
The picture is taken at Fifteenth Street. Background left is Catalina Island and background right is Palos Verdes.
Looking toward the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, I counted thirteen container ships—one coming in, one leaving and eleven at anchor offshore. That’s about eighty thousand containers of foreign goods waiting to be unloaded. Those of you still waiting for your Made in China winter coats—good luck.
Mist and Smoke
Haven’t posted any cat pictures lately so here are Mist and Smoke enjoying our California sunshine (safely indoors).