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Bucket lists
A few years ago I attempted to put a bucket list together, but since then I’ve mostly ignored it. I think my list might have been a bit too pie-in-the-sky. However, since I’m not getting any younger, I’ve decided to cobble another list together. I have to admit, though, I am concerned about what happens if I manage check all the boxes on my list and I still have a bit of gas left in the tank. A few years ago I attempted to put a bucket list together, but since then I’ve mostly ignored it. I think my list might have been a bit too pie-in-the-sky. However, since I’m not getting any younger, I’ve decided to cobble another list together. I have to admit, though, I am concerned about what happens if I manage check all the boxes on my list and I still have a bit of gas left in the tank.
When I compiled my first list, I said I’d like to hop on my bicycle and pedal across the country. Well, I’m older and wiser now. I know for a fact I won’t cycle on roads where the grade is greater than two per cent—we’re talking rail-trails. In the past I have cycled on roads that were greater than a two per cent grade and I don’t think I want to repeat that thrill, unless the section greater than two per cent is less than four kilometres in length. I have standards, you know. I’d actually be thrilled to pedal from Picton to Kingston and back. LOML and I have done that a couple of times in the past, with a child or two. So, that should go back onto my list because I know I stand a good chance of ticking that off the list. Also, on that original list, I said I’d like to run a marathon in less than four and a half hours. Well, honestly, that ain’t ever gonna happen. When my doctor and I figured out why I felt the way I did when I ran, I’ve decided there couldn’t possibly be enough water stops along the route or a camel pack big enough to get me to the finish line. Thank you Sjogren’s Syndrome.
I don’t really know how long a bucket list is supposed to be, but I guess longer than two items, right? So, item number three on my bucket list would have to be to build a “Tiny Home”. Again, that was on the original list and “Yep, you read that right”. My dad was a designer and a builder. He made sure all of his kids knew sheet rock, mitre boxes and how to measure twice. My baby brother is a builder. LOML and I have done a bit of fixy-fixy in all three of the houses we’ve owned, here in the County. I don’t know why I’m fascinated by tiny houses. Maybe because it seems so doable. How difficult can it be to build a Tiny Home? Right? I am right. I’ve got a great big back yard. I’ve seen what our neighbours have constructed on their properties. A Tiny Home should be a piece of cake, or at least a tasteless rice cake with almond butter on it.
A bucket list thing makes me think about my potential, so I’d still like to knit an entire sweater for someone. A sweater that someone wouldn’t be afraid to wear in public. This particular project I have started, if casting on seventy- five stitches is the beginning of a sweater. As regards clothing, on the original list I said I wanted to make (remake) a wedding dress for myself, one that I would be happy to wear. Well, I found my bin of Simplicity, Butterick and McCalls patterns. Honestly, I don’t think any of those patterns (some of them are from my high school days) would fit me. Gone are my size six days. But, I am so over the wedding dress redux. The wedding dress thing may show up on a bucket list redux, but not this one. While I’m trooping out my creative side, I’d still like to write a book. You know a book people would actually read and tell their friends to read without adding, “I dare you” to the recommendation. I don’t want it to be the book that people buy because they feel sorry for me, either.
The final item on my bucket list is axe throwing. You read it here. I want to go to one of those places where it’s okay to throw an axe at something and not at whatever it is that growls and rustles the brush near the tent at three o’clock in the morning. Think about it. Me, with an axe!
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