My Extra Bonus
Hajra Khatoon put up a challenge at Hajra Kvetches! responding to Jayme Soulati’s who recently wrote a post entitled 20 Things To Do Before I Die.
Gini Dietrich promptly took up the challenge by writing The 10 Things I Want To Do Before I Die.
Jason Konopinski then shared his 10 Things I Want To Do Before I Die and my friend Kaarina Dillabough followed suit with This Is Not A Bucket List .
I thought easy peasy I can do that in 2 seconds, 2 days later I stand corrected.
Well, not so easy after all!
And this is why I am writing this post: it is not that much about a list of things I want to do and have (and I also refuse to call it a bucket list, I hate this expression), but about taking the time to think about all I HAVE.
I live in a beautiful country, Switzerland, and enjoy a happy family life and have a beautiful daughter of whom I am immensely proud; I have lovely friends with whom I share my interests in good and healthy food and wine. I travel quite a lot and get to see new places, and new food to discover.
I lack in nothing, certainly not in a material way, I have every reason to be happy and content. I try to make the people around me happy and enrich their lives, helping as much as I can do (well, sometimes I would like to think more about my own wellbeing).
Is this my dream house?
So, here are my 12 things that would be nice to have but are not really necessary to make my life fulfilled
The extra bonus list
#1 Live in Southern Tuscany in the countryside and grow my #2 own wine and #3 olive oil
#4 Write a book (am I not in good company?) about cooking and recipes, interwoven with my travelling experiences
#5 Travel to India again for another Ayurvedan therapy and some travelling
#6 and whilst I am talking about travelling: go to Japan again as well
#7 Visit South America, especially Argentina and spend some time on a big big farm
#8 Take up horse riding again
#9 Take up some sports (leisurely dog walks do not count)
#10 Live in a house with a fireplace
#11 and a big kitchen, and yes, the fireplace could be in the kitchen as well
#12 Do not forget to send this list to the universe
Your turn now: what are the things you secretly crave: skydiving? Climbing Mount Everest? Make a movie? Write a book? Escape to some Pacific island? Leave your secure day job and go travelling? Set up your own business?
Comments 58
You did it! I am so proud of you. I don’t know why this is so tough; it is supposed to be easy; we should be knowing things we want to do… 😉
Travel to India seems like quite a favorite around; also writing a book is making a lot of wave. We bloggers just want to be writers at the end of the day.
A house with a fireplace is probably one of my dream too. My grandpa has one and I make sure I visit him during the winters! 😉
@Hajra Yes, quite proud too, thank you, but watch out: I’ve got you tagged!
Was it not tough for you? How long did it take you to write your post?
Travelling to India is my own Ramadan (if I am allowed to say so): a time for introspection, solitude and focusing on essentials.
I am always thinking of you in terms of hot weather in Abu Dhabi, your grandpa must live in the North of India? I want to go!
@Late_Bloomers It took me so much time to come up with this!
My grandpa does live in North India and though he experience hot summers; the winters are extremely cold and thus the fireplace! 😉
@Hajra “We bloggers just want to be writers at the end of the day. ” We bloggers ARE writers! Imagine 100 years ago having the ability to write and publish and gather an audience! You would have had to step up onto a soapbox and read your stuff aloud! All my writing energy is going into my blog these days, though I have another book in me, at least one! But it is such a wonderful thing to have this medium, this outlet for writing, isn’t it!
Ooooh! I love #11 and #4! A kitchen with a fireplace! Sounds so nice! I love your dream house too Barbara!
Lori
@Lori Hi Lori!
Is it not great! It exists near Lake Garda in northern Italy, it used to be a cloister and they lovingly turned it into a small hotel. And I am inspired by those Queen Anne houses in the English countryside that have really huge kitchens (at least 40 m2), enough space to cook to your heart’s content and the open fireplace could be used for BBQs as well.
@Late_Bloomers I love the idea of a large kitchen – large enough for a rocking chair and sofa and of course a bar with stools. Dream on my friend – dream these dreams into reality!
@Lori You know my credo: live your dream – do not dream your life! And of course, there will be a large comfortable sofa in the kitchen, for long chats with friends or reading a mesmerising book by the fireside!
@Late_Bloomers Not just “a book” but “a mesmerizing book” – this is why I love your writing so much!
@Lori You win the first medal of the games! You put a silly grin on my face! Thank you!
Hi, Barbara; thanks for pushing the meme forth! I’m so dumb I had no idea these were called bucket lists; guess my consumption of mass media and movies stinks so I don’t align with what they do and instead do what drives me.
Sounds like you do, as well? Your list is so peaceful to me; not sure where that descriptor came from, but upon reading it made me feel very warm.
Nice to have met you here in your own house!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Hi, Jayme: welcome, there is a fire in the fireplace and a comfortable seat beckoning you to relax and have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee (I am writing this at outside temps of 34° C! which would come close to 100° F)!
I love your comment and I am happy you started that thingie which we do not want to call a b.l. any longer, I have spoken about it to friend IRL so often in the last days and glowing in the light of that my life is fulfilled and good as it is – thank you so much!
I’ve already written my Aspirations List here http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/not-bucket-list/, so I will simply revel in yours for the moment…and send it along to the universe:) Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough I love you, Kaarina, hey folks, have you read Kaarina’s lovely post yet, head over there right now: http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/not-bucket-list/ and then come back to my place for some more. No, honestly, I really loved your post and the positive energy it sent across the oceans! And the universe surely smiles on us today!
Let the games begin!
@Late_Bloomers Yay for the Games!
Did you watch the opening ceremony last night? I really enjoyed the show, so English and yet so much part of our own culture as well. I wanted to see all the participating nations, it is always a pleasure to see the anticipation and joy in the athletes’ faces but unfortunately I fell asleep, but I have seen the Canadians! Three cheers for them!
@Late_Bloomers Hip hip hooray! I watched the whole thing with tears in my eyes. It never fails to move me.
A worthy list indeed; probably the most common theme among most is the traveling. I love to travel but my wife, not so much so. Two things I think would be pretty cool would be to back pack across Europe and hike the Appalachian Trail in the US.
The president of Lanier Upshaw is a mountain climber. In fact, he left for Africa today w/ his son to hike Mr Kilimanjaro; that’s a pretty unique summer trip, huh?
Any adventure that involves good food and meeting people I am all in.
Thanks for sharing.
@bdorman264 Hi Bill!
We want your list! I mean you have already started it … The Appalachian Trail reminds me of this horror movie Deliverance with its haunting music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzae_SqbmDE , eeek, I would never want to go near there after having seen it!
To climb the Kilimanjaro would be nice, too, I am more for leisurely dog walks, have I ever admitted to being lazy?
And YES to good food and meeting people.
I trust you are well and enjoying your weekend.
My sister-in-law went to Argentina recently and said it was her favorite place ever. And she’s been everywhere, and I mean “everywhere!” She also said the wine was the best she’s ever had 🙂
My wife and I want to live in Spain for at least part of the year, but we are open to other countries as well … 🙂 How’s that?
@Craig McBreen Hi Craig!
Lovely to see you here, friends went to a farm in northern Argentina owned by some relatives of the Liebig family and they came back with such lovely memories: all the animals were left to roam and even the horses were allowed to share the pool! No hunting on the farm territory. Would this not be a lovely experience?
Where did your sister-in-law go to in Argentina?
So, you want to live in Spain, why? Or would you consider any other European country? My mother had lived there for 25 years, in Andalucia on the Atlantic coast, quite savage at the time she built her house but unfortunately tourism found its way there too.
Have a great weekend!
@Late_Bloomers She went to Patagonia, but spend some time in other areas as well. Couldn’t stop raving about the climate, the people, the vino 😉
Spain is our target for now, but that may change. Of course we are considering other countries, but one of our main reasons is climate. 20 years in Seattle will do that to you 😉 Someplace sunny, not too hot in the summer, etc. A place like Valencia kinda fits the bill, don’t you think?
@Craig McBreen And tango, we should not forget tango! Do you tango?
Haha, I do not blame you, although I always get to see the lovely side of Seattle by not living there, the lovely houses on the shore, and the green richness.
Valencia is beautiful and within easy reach for other destinations. In winter it is still warm during the day but watch out you find a place with proper heating as the nights get cold and dampness will find its way into every nook and cranny, including cupboards and you get some nice surprises … I look forward to see where you will finally settle!
@Late_Bloomers I can’t dance, sorry 😉
Yes, I love it here, but would like a change, at least part of the year.
Thanks for the warning too. I may hit you up with some questions down the road … 😉
@Craig McBreen Hi, Craig,
Today’s interview at your place with Srini is so goooood, I loved every bit of it, his post on Indian weddings (how did I ever miss out on it), the teenie girl who forgot to sign in with twitter until it was too late and above all the way you conducted the orchestra!
Dance: never too late.
Seattle: change is always good, knowing other places makes you cherish the things you have at home.
Living elsewhere: anytime, Craig, I love if I can be of help to you and your wife!
In the meantime have a great week, Barbara
@Late_Bloomers Thank you!
Well, you’ve never seen me dance 😉
Honestly, I’ve always wanted to travel around Europe and the more I move my business completely online the easier that becomes 😉 So we figured why not try and live there part of the year. We’ll see what happens and thanks!
You have a great week too.
Wow. I could easily live with your beautiful list. (That dream house is heavenly! I love that huge stone urn)
I dream of living in the country, I want a garden too. And the travel and the writing a book… This is a great idea for a post. I don’t know how I missed @Hajra ‘s post – I am subscribed to her blog. Grr. I didn’t receive the update.
Just know that when you travel to India – you have a place to stay (mine). Bangalore has great weather. :-)Hugs!
Love your #12.
@Vidya Sury Bangalore does have awesome weather! My best friend is from Bangalore (I believe it is Bengaluru now) and she always tells me that the weather is something that never goes wrong 😉
@Hajra @Vidya Sury I will definitely check out the weather in Bangalore now. You make me all curious! And who know, there might be another interview in it for you, Hajra?
A wonderful week to you beautiful ladies!
@Late_Bloomers @Vidya Sury Oh yes! Maybe I should be interviewing Vidya about Bangalore! 🙂
@Hajra @Late_Bloomers What’s all this about interviews? Fill me in, folks, while I test the mic! 😀 Hajra, you’re welcome too, I think I’ve said that before. 😀
@Late_Bloomers @Hajra Ah yes, we’re looking at a good week, Barbara. I feel like making a itinerary. sigh. 😀
@Vidya Sury @Hajra One thing at a time, or like @KDillabough taught me: baby steps, and you certainly do not need an itinerary, just fill your happy bowl! 😉
@Hajra @Vidya Sury Yes, absolutely, now tell her everything about it!
@Vidya Sury @Hajra See, Hajra, Vidya is all ready: test – test -one – two – one – two ….
@Vidya Sury @Hajra
You notice the most beautiful things at one glance, Vidya. I imagine it used to be a fodder trough or a fountain and now it lives on and houses that beautiful bougainvillea. You would have loved the interior as well. What must have been the refectory is now a lounge cum livingroom with a fire place (my obsession becomes quite obvious, no?).
Living in the country and working in the garden, this is root building and balancing.How lovely we are on the same wavelength here as well! Knowing and trusting that by being positive we can move mountains!
Vidya, you make me glow with gratitude and I feel very honoured. Thank you so much for your invitation and yes, I will most definitely come to see you in Bangalore!
Big hugs, Barbara
Hey Barbara, sorry to be so late to the party. Our internet has been “kaput” for a few days and we are now back on-line. Great list packed some of the simplest yet best pleasures in life; wine, food, shelter and travel. There seems to be a purity to that. I am especially enamored by #1, #2 & #3.
My wife and I love to cook and we have not done that so much lately because of busy work lives and really need to go back to basics. I love the fact that you look at the things in life that cleanse the soul. Simply wonderful.
Thank you for the inspiration.
@rdopping Hi, Ralph!
Never late to any of my parties! There is always room at the fire place, a comfortable seat for both of you and a glass or two of lovely red wine (preferably an assemblage of Sangiovese and Merlot as we are in Tuscany!). Do not tell me anything about kaputtes Internet, for me it is not so much about being left in the desert but about the hassles to fix it again!
I loved the way you perceived the list and you bring a new perspective to it: simple but the best, so true. It gives me goose bumps thinking of the olives and grapes growing and ripening in the hot summer heat (unfortunately it has not been raining at all in Italy as well so there might not be an olive harvest) and the anticipation of making the best olive oil ever, oozing out of the mill in a stream of sheer greenish gold into a jug (well, modern times have changed that picture).
When (and not if) the house is ready, you are invited to partake some of the things that make our lives a celebration.
Thank you so much for your lovely heart warming words! Have an inspired week!
There isn’t a thing on your list that I don’t want to do. What I am trying to figure out is which of these things is most important to me.
@TheJackB Hey Jack! Love you for thinking alike, the most important thing is not on the bonus list: leaving some footprints on this planet having made some people happy.
Maybe writing this book could be another footprint, last week I could not sleep and happened on a movie with Harvey Keitel about an non-writing author living In Tuscany who is visited by a lector from London. There was this scene when Harvey asked the lector to describe the sunset which resulted in “the sun goes down behind the mountains” and Harvey countered with such a wonderful description (I will not even try to repeat it) that brought tears to my eyes – yes, to writing something which will be permanent and bring joy and thoughtfulness in other people’s life.
I have to think on this Barbara, but I particularly loved your last one! That one’s important indeed! 🙂
@jpage.manuel Hey Joy! Will you write your own list? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Yes, the last one is really important and can mean so much, cannot it? Thanks, Joy, and have a good week!
Barbara, #7 and #8 tie together! That means you have room for one more. 🙂 Love all of your picks!
@annedreshfield Hi Anne!
You are right, thank you for drawing my attention to this! But is not everything tied together somewhat in life and one thing leads to another? And our imagination and dreams are limitless.
Will you write your own list, Anne? Make sure to leave your link here!
A happy Wednesday to you, August 1st is Swiss National Day!
It’s not so easy, is it?! That’s why I only did 10…I ran out of time to think of another 10.
I love how you framed this (and I particularly like 1-3!). It’s so much fun to learn more about bloggers as they take on blog posts like this one.
@ginidietrich Hi, Gini, welcome and there is a place at the table for you, dinner will be ready shortly! Leave your bike outside, next to the others ( your #6), the dogs will guard them (unless they are inside begging for food) and though I would not call myself a big chef I would like to do #7 with you, we will go the market first thing in the morning to get all the fresh produce and make our own pasta for lunch!
I love dream weaving! If I had all the money in the world I would want to give most of it away to make other people happier – money can do that – and provide shelter, food and education to young needy persons. Like my mum always says: your last shirt does not come with a pocket, so why should I carry the load around when living?
You are so right: it is fun to learn more about bloggers and it is also bonding! Looking forward to much more!
@Late_Bloomers I am on my way!
@ginidietrich LOL, does the universe know about it? And what about Jack, is he involved in your travelling plans? Chica would love to meet him!
Not sure why I just got another link to come back here, but it’s a good thing. All the folks commenting here (mostly all) I know well from Twitter and Triberr and my blog.
That said, Barbara, may I invite you to my Globe Spotting Tribe on Triberr? @Hajra just joined; @rdopping is planning on coming in, and we have no one from Switzerland! I’ve been to your lovely city, Basel, as well. If I recall, there is a rather large hill in center of town?
Please advise, and I can send you an invitation. If you’re not familiar, it’s one of the best means to enhance your traffic, attention, community, friends. I’m pretty certain everyone who commented is a member of a tribe already.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @Hajra @rdopping Hi, Jayme, maybe the universe? I have no clue!
I would love to join your Globe Spotting Tribe, thanks for inviting me, I know both Hajra (hey, my dear!) and Ralph (my favourite movie star) and I love them! I am on triberr and I love the focused attention it forges.
You have been to Basel? Exciting, were you here on a holiday? Yes, there is a large hill in the center with the cathedral (Münster) on top of it overlooking the river Rhine, very majestic, dating back to 12th century.
Jayme, this is a lovely surprise on a rather grey morning (unpredictable weather this summer) and you brighten my day. Thank you so much and I look forward to globe spotting (reminds me of the movie title: train spotting but this is another story!).
Have a great day, Barbara
Ah, living in Tuscany for a while…I totally understand.
@JSJ2020 Hi, Muriel!
Three cheers to “Vivere una vita da papi”! Back to the roots in a way with some extravaganza.
Have a great week!
So, you thought it would be easy, then it turned out to be hard. That almost sounds like a challenge…okay, I’m starting the timer on my phone…
In no particular order…
1) Spend an entire season following the Cincinnati Reds in a truck pulling an Airstream trailer and write a book about it. I’ve done the math on this and it could be done under 100K. This past season I’d have only missed 5 games because of the distance for the travel.
2) Go to the Amalfi Coast and take lots of photos
3) Own a Hasselblad camera, digital back, and a dozen or so Carl Zeiss lenses. This would be more expensive than the baseball dream, but that is okay.
4) Ride a camel
5) Spend a couple of months driving around the country writing a book about a truck driver who is followed by a serial killer and the police see where the trucker has been and assume it is him. I’d use real places in my book.
6) Build a castle out of shipping containers. (Well, design it, and help with the building.)
7) Run a marathon
8) Spend a year travelling the world, film the experience, with the focus to be on photographing food. Submit it to the Travel channel and have them love the idea, and buy it. I would then get a small band of food photographing groupies. <Really it is just the groupies I’m after, they could be for anything…possibly my prowess at riding a camel.
9) Lean to draw…a camel, and then do a self portrait of me on the camel I’d ridden.
10) Take up Archery.
11) Learn to read sheet music
12) Learn to play the piano while reading sheet music.
Okay, that is twelve. It took me about…well, exactly 10 minutes, 27 seconds…and 8 tenths.
This was fun!
@ExtremelyAvg You are amazing, Brian, it took me about 10 hours ….
@Late_Bloomers I wrote it down in 10 minutes, I’ve carried the dreams with me for decades.
@ExtremelyAvg Brian, I have just been over at your place and left a comment on your post. I think I will redo my list every 6 months, I want to be aware of how my focus shifts and to remember the things I am grateful for!
@Late_Bloomers That isn’t a bad idea. I’m sure that it is the sort of thing that would be cherished many years down the road.
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