20 things to do before I die!

1. Raise a happy child.

2. Tell my husband how much I appreciate him.

3. Read all books by PG Wodehouse.

4. Get up with the dawn.

5. Make at least one spectacular quilt.

6. Make one good embroidery sampler.

7. Learn to bake.

8. Learn to dance.

9. Go on a trip alone.

10. Visit Egypt and spend time in the valley of Kings.

11. Visit Greece and the Vatican.

12. Trek in the rain.

13. An African safari.

14. Go backpacking in Indonesia and Bali.

15. Visit the origin of the Nile (if I could figure out a way to avoid the snakes and the insects).

16. Search and visit places from Rider Haggard’s books.

17. Go to Vienna.

18. See the midnight sun in Norway.

19. Visit Israel.

20. Stop being lazy if I intend to go through at least one fourth of my list :).

My ideal day off...

How would it feel to have no responsibilities? How would it feel to be able to speak exactly what comes to our minds? How would it feel to do just what we want to do? Instead of trying to please the family, spouse, kids, parents, how would it feel to please just you? What would you do if you get a day all for yourself? Read, cook, dance, go trekking, catch up with friends, go for a movie?

How about a solitary picnic by a brook or a stream? With a picnic basket? Some books to read. A couple of Jane Austens or PG Wodehouse. Even Lord of the Rings would do. A perfect setting to read something fantastic. To get lost in the romances of Emma or Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy and living their predicaments…..admiring the restraint and patience of Mr. Knightley’s feelings while waiting for Emma to realize her love for him….These books have been read many times but still the romance that they evoke creates a new magic with every reading.

A nice nap in the afternoon by the tree on the soft grass….waking up to the silent shadows of the evenings….a nice hot cup of tea and I am ready to head home.