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Lighthouse Cruise: Part 2 of the 6 Hour Tour

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My cruise to view Chesapeake Bay lighthouses began here.

As we approached Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse the weather started to turn cloudy and stormy.

Continuing north heading toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge we next encountered Thomas Point Shoal Light.

Upon close inspection coyotes can be spotted on the dock on the left.

Since January, 2024, a faux coyote named Drew has been stationed on the dock of the historic 1875 screw-pile lighthouse to solve a persistent bird-dropping problem.  The decoy family has now expanded to include a companion named Debby (with painted red toenails) and a young pup named Nugget.

As we left Thomas Point behind we could see rain squalls surrounding us.

Public tours of the interior of Thomas Point Lighthouse leave from Annapolis and must be arranged in advance for about $103 per person.  These charges help to maintain the lighthouse.

The first lighthouse at Sandy Point Shoal was erected in 1858.

As we watched the sky get darker and the rain begin to fall on us, we came upon Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay.

Many of us on the cruise brought raingear to protect us from stormy weather. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the distance.)

Since 2005 the lighthouse has been in private ownership who is required to allow Coast Guard access to the structure for periodic maintenance of the light.

Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse is out of commission but doesn’t look as dilapidated as some of the others.

In 2019, the Coast Guard notified mariners that Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse was being discontinued: “Due to the deteriorating condition of the Sandy Point Shoal Light structure, which has become a severe health hazard and a hazard to access for maintenance crews, the Coast Guard discontinued the light. The structure is privately owned and maintained, the Coast Guard is continuing to work with the owner concerning maintenance.”

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse was finally commissioned in 1902 after 4 years of wind, water, and weather problems.

Our final lighthouse, Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse, marks the entrance to the Baltimore Channel at the mouth of the Magothy River.

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse is now privately owned and available for tours and events.

Heading southward toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge the seas became rougher.

As the storm and rough waters increased we headed back to Cambridge Harbor (approximately 3 hours away) at top speed.

Yee ha! Love an adventure.

I was soaked through to the skin even with my rain gear. However the water and air were warm so getting wet was not much of an issue for me except I dared not take out my phone for any more photos.

Jo

Lighthouse Cruise: Part 1 of the 6 Hour Tour

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I was up bright and early on a Sunday morning to meet Captain Phil, his first mate, and a group of 14 other lighthouse enthusiasts.

Captain Phil welcomed us aboard Fish Magnet out of Church Creek, Maryland.

The plan was to cruise up the Chesapeake Bay to see 6 lighthouses in various states of disrepair as many have been taken out of service.

Cambridge Creek Drawbridge on Maryland Avenue.

We sailed from Cambridge harbor through the drawbridge down the Choptank River.

Choptank River Lighthouse is located on the end of Pier A at Long Wharf Park (Water and High Streets) in Cambridge.

Our first lighthouse was the Choptank River Lighthouse which is open for self-tours from the land side.  This is a replica screw-pile lighthouse.

Sharps Island Lighthouse at the mouth of Choptank Bay.

After about an hour’s cruise to get out of the Choptank River onto the open Chesapeake Bay we saw Sharps Island Lighthouse. Once upon a time Sharps Island was over 600 acres, by the 1830s it was about half that size.

While unable to actually climb aboard the lighthouses we got nice and close.

By 1960, Sharps Island had been reduced to an underwater shoal, completely lost from view.

Sharps Lighthouse

Now all that remains is the third lighthouse on that spot, currently featuring a 15-degree list after it was damaged by ice in 1977.

Bloody Point Lighthouse has solar panels to power the modern lens, which is still an active aid to navigation.

Bloody Point, built in 1882, is named for the nearby point which has been the scene of a number of violent events throughout history. In the early days of the US, a group of Indians was reportedly enticed to the area by English colonists, who then butchered them. It is also rumored that a villainous French pirate was hung at Bloody Point.

Bloody Point Lighthouse has had a tilt almost from the beginning.

Bloody Point Lighthouse is now charred and rusted as a result of a tragic fire in 1960 that very nearly killed two lighthouse crewmen. Finally, in 2006 the lighthouse was auctioned to the private sector.

The clouds rolled in and the bay water became dark.

Check back for Part 2 of the tour when the weather turned ugly and the water became rough.

Jo

Fallingwater

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On our road trip to western Pennsylvania for my high school reunion, Charlie and I planned a side trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.

Fallingwater was a unique design for a family weekend home in the 1930s.

In March 2026 the property completed a major three-year, $7 million “World Heritage Preserved” restoration project.

The outdoor areas of Fallingwater are free to visitors.

I purchased a timed entry tickets for our date of choice about a month in advance. I opted for the Guided Architectural Tour at $42 per person.

In addition to drinks, a limited menu is available for snacks and lunch.

We started in the Visitor Center where I had an espresso coffee at the cafe, looked around the gift shop, and toured the small museum.  This is the only area with restrooms so we were encouraged to use them before the house tour.

Fallingwater is built over a waterfall instead of with a view of the waterfall so the inhabitants will be lured outside of the house to view the scenery.

Charlie and I walked down the path that the map described as the best place to view the exterior of the house.  Ultimately we were glad to have done this first because we were fairly exhausted after climbing all the steps to the three-story dwelling plus guest house.

The view from the entry bridge shows steps that start inside the house and continue into the natural pool under the house.

The same stairs from inside the living room.

Our guide met us at the Visitor Center and handed out earpieces so we could hear his commentary as we toured.

The house is built of local Pennsylvania sandstone cantilevered on top of a natural rock foundation.

Once inside we were permitted to take photos on the first floor only.

The dining area is part of the open-plan first floor.

The description of Frank Lloyd Wright’s plans and thinking helped to explain some of the concepts of our own mid-century modern house.

The kitchen is very basic since the family had onsite staff who did all the cooking and cleaning.

Fallingwater was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh, PA. between 1936-1939. It became a landmark of organic architecture and was donated to the public in 1963.

A salmon smoking a cigar is a comic symbol of the smoked salmon prepared on the premises.

We had a busy morning and headed to a nearby restaurant, Out of the Fire Cafe, in Donegal, PA.  The food was delicious.

These stairs are reminiscent to ours at The Landing.

Open-back stairs at our home seem inspired by FLW.

Then we headed back to the hotel about an hour away.

Jo

 

101 in 1001 #7: 365 Days In

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I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009.  I’m one year into list #7 which began August 2, 2025 and runs until April 29, 2028.  Today is August 2, 2026.

My 6th list began November 4, 2022 and ran until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Black is the color for original post. Completed items are in blue.  Pink items are plans.  Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

  1. Buy a car.
  2. Start taking RMD in 2026. Complete! 1/9/2026
  3. Visit Wallops Flight facility.
  4. Send 10 handwritten cards. Complete! 12/2/2025
  5. Build frame for full length mirror.
  6. Throw away or donate 30 things and don’t replace them.  27 down
  7. Organize trip to a Caribbean island.
  8. Redesign kitchen.  Complete! 10/10/2025 

    The kitchen design.

  9. Picnic on the sandbar.
  10. Refinish tall dresser.
  11. Make a photo album of Mommie.
  12. Bird tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.  Complete! 9/28/2025 

    There’s an eagle in those trees.

  13. Night Sky Tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.  Complete! 8/22/2025 

    Top to bottom– the moon, Venus, Jupiter — 3 items I can identify in the night sky.

  14. Refinish green vanity.
  15. Read 30 books.  12 down
  16. Attend 5 concerts. Complete! 9/27/2025

    The Sea Chanters — one of my favorite service music groups.

  17. London theatre trip.  Complete! 3/16/2026 

    The Devil Wears Prada in London starred Vanessa Williams.

  18. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
  19. Go dog sledding.  Complete! 3/8/2025 

    The sled was sooo much fun.

  20. Increase net worth by 25%.
  21. Zipline in rainforest.
  22. Parasail or hang glide or skydive.
  23. Work on side hustle.
  24. NYC/Broadway/Cabaret.
  25. Visit Morocco.
  26. Take a repositioning transAtlantic cruise.
  27. Get rid of 5 big things. Complete! 6/20/2026
  28. Shampoo rugs. Complete! 1/14/2026 

    The gray rug on the 2nd floor landing was especially full of hidden dog hair.

  29. Visit some place out west – Seattle.
  30. Try 5 new restaurants. Complete! 11/27/2025
  31. Go on a road trip.
  32. Redesign primary bathroom.
  33. Landscape front yard.
  34. Get together with sister.
  35. Order new curtains for living room.
  36. Paint or replace venetian blinds.
  37. Focus on entry window coverings.
  38. Take 3 Bible studies.  2 down
  39. Paint the entry hall.
  40. Design and rebuild top of breakfront.
  41. Host 5 get-togethers.
  42. Finish painting trim in DS bedroom.
  43. Find new dermatologist.  Complete! 12/23/2025
  44. Stain interior wood doors.
  45. Rejuvenate the deck.
  46. Clean up the marsh.
  47. Collect driftwood.
  48. Get new vanity for heron bathroom.
  49. Repair dining room rug.
  50. Get a new music system.
  51. Visit 2 states where I’ve never been (not just driven through).
  52. Sort out my wardrobe and donate or get rid of 10 items. Complete! 7/7/2026
  53. Have a dinner by candlelight.
  54. Take a trail ride on horseback.
  55. Fix curtains in master bedroom.
  56. Visit Mount Rushmore.
  57. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Southwestern PA.
  58. Have ring appraised.
  59. Shred old files.
  60. Find tai chi on Eastern Shore.
  61. Clean up and organize old photos.
  62. Eat vegetarian for a week.  Complete! 2/27/2026
  63. Work on studio/office in back bedroom.
  64. Put outdoor shower at shore house.
  65. Install dual system heater/AC in master bedroom at shore house.
  66. See 5 theatrical productions. 4 down, 1 to go
  67. Carpet stair treads.
  68. Visit Canada. Complete! 9/14-17/2025 

    Halifax

  69. Get a security camera. Complete! 3/21/2026
  70. Paint and renovate laundry room.

    Needs an upgrade.

  71. Drink a glass of water every morning for a month.  Complete! 10/24/2025 

    At least one tall glass every morning.

  72. Organize personal files.
  73. Set up a music system at the house.
  74. Paint the exterior of the house. Complete! 7/15/2026
  75. Visit 5 local thrift stores. 3 down
  76. Meet and remember 5 new people. Complete! 11/30/2025
  77. Hang some art.
  78. Take dance lessons.
  79. Paint trim in downstairs bedroom.
  80. Add shoe molding to downstairs.
  81. Outdoor shower at The Landing.
  82.  Repair and refresh dock.
  83.  Upgrade railings on back deck.
  84.  Visit Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay
  85.  Paint one wall an outrageous color. Complete! 7/2/2026 

    A little splash of color in the entry hall with a Baltimore Oriole theme.

  86. Paint studio walls.
  87. Visit a lighthouse.
  88. Clean car headlights.  Complete! 8/2/2025 

    Before and after

  89. Watch a meteor shower.  Complete! 11/17/2025  
  90. Take a cruise to the Panama Canal.
  91.  Wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day. Complete! 3/17/2026 

    Freshly blessed shamrocks from St Patrick’s Soho in London.

  92.  Walk across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
  93.  Eat no sugar for a week. Complete! 9/7/2025
  94.   Plant a dogwood tree at The Landing.
  95.   Buy a stranger a meal.
  96.   Travel first class.
  97.   Get rid of 10 pieces of clothing. 3 down
  98.   Have living room bergère chairs slipcovered.

    These chairs were always slipcovered when I was growing up.

  99.   Get a boat.
  100.   Transplant my orchids.  Complete! 8/2/2025 

    The orchids have been freshly replanted.

  101. Private

Jo

Merry Christmas 2025

/ Jo / 2 Comments

I am so happy to wish the readers of LFTM a very sincere merry Christmas.

My sister has sent gifts wrapped in whale paper — my Christmas theme of wildlife.

While we do have some decorations up this year the house is a bit unsettled as we are gutting the kitchen little by little and hope to begin remantling in spring.

The future kitchen will have color and storage.

Once again Charlie was the musician for 2 church services on Christmas eve at a church we’ve recently begun to attend.

If Charlie shows up there will be music.

The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5

Look for the light.

Merry Christmas from Charlie, Jo, and Dash!

Jo

A Walk Across the Bridge

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For a long time I have been contemplating walking across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (4.3 miles) which is allowed once a year in November as part of a 10K (6.2 miles) race.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is 4.3 miles across from shore to shore. (Our view from a cruise ship.)

Then this past February I fell about 14 feet from a ladder directly on my back.  I didn’t think I’d ever be able to walk any distances again. Finally at the end of August I began easy walking everyday and building up stamina until I believed I could at least cross the bridge under my own power.

My goal was to get to the high point of the bridge.

Just before we left for our cruise to Canada I signed us both up to join the estimated 18,000 participants who would run or walk that day.

I was going to walk not RUN!

The night before the event I received this notice:

Hi Jo,

We regret to inform you due to the forecast and a higher than acceptable chance of inclement weather, the Bay Bridge Run has been canceled and will not take place as scheduled on Sunday, November 9, 2025. THE EVENT WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED. During inclement weather, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) does not implement two-way traffic operations (one lane in each direction) on the Bay Bridge’s westbound span. As such, the eastbound span cannot be closed for the event. Please be assured that this decision was not taken lightly; however, the safety of the bridge’s customers, employees, and runners are the MDTA’s priority.

This is my official shirt and race bib.

I was not very happy.  I’m not sure I have it in me to train for the walk next year.

I was the oldest member of the Chesapeake Cars and Coffee Team.

However I did meet some really nice people.

Jo

101 in 1001 #7: A Fresh Start

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I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009.  I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. Now I am starting on list #7 which begins August 2, 2025 and runs until April 29, 2028.  It’s been difficult coming up with 101 new things to see and do.

In past adventures we ballooned over the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

My 6th list began November 4, 2022 and ran until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Black is the color for original post. Completed items are in blue.  Pink items are plans.  Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

  1. Buy a car.

    Betty is still running strong after 10 years but she won’t last forever.

  2. Start taking RMD in 2026.
  3. Visit Wallops Flight facility.

    Charlie and I experienced the last shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral. Hoping to find something exciting at Wallops Island in Virginia.

  4. Send 10 handwritten cards.
  5. Build frame for full length mirror.

    A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.

  6. Throw away or donate 30 things and don’t replace them.
  7. Organize trip to a Caribbean island.
  8. Redesign kitchen.

    The kitchen needs a new layout, new cabinets, and new appliances.

  9. Picnic on the sandbar.

    The sandbar is a short boat ride from our dock.

  10. Refinish tall dresser.

    My grandmother’s dresser might look great in navy blue.

  11. Make a photo album of Mommie.
  12. Bird tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
  13. Night Sky Tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
  14. Refinish green vanity.

    I’m not sure of the direction in which to go but the dressing table is getting dilapidated looking — needs a zhuzh.

  15. Read 30 books.
  16. Attend 5 concerts.
  17. London theatre trip.

    We enjoyed theatre in the West End on our last trip to London.

  18. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
  19. Go dog sledding.

    I’ve done extensive research on just where to go dogsledding.

  20. Increase net worth by 25%.
  21. Zipline in rainforest.
  22. Parasail or hang glide or skydive.

    This looks like something I would really like — just have to convince Charlie.

  23. Work on side hustle.
  24. NYC/Broadway/Cabaret.

    We haven’t been to NYC since the COVID pandemic.

  25. Visit Morocco.
  26. Take a repositioning trans-Atlantic cruise.
  27. Get rid of 5 big things – furniture, toys, tools

    The oak dresser I bought in Greenwich Village (NYC) in 1977, might have to go.

  28. Shampoo rugs.
  29. Visit some place out west – Seattle or Alaska, etc.
  30. Try 5 new restaurants.
  31. Go on a road trip.
  32. Redesign primary bathroom.

    The primary ensuite bathroom is rather basic.

  33. Landscape front yard.
  34. Get together with sister.
  35. Order new curtains for living room.

    The living room curtains need to be replaced with something a little more elegant — these can go in the primary bedroom.

  36. Paint or replace venetian blinds.
  37. Focus on entry window coverings.
  38. Take 3 Bible studies.
  39. Paint the entry hall.

    The entry hall walls are 2 stories tall and impeded by a staircase.

  40. Design and rebuild top of breakfront.
  41. Host 5 get-togethers.
  42. Finish painting trim in DS bedroom.
  43. Find new dermatologist.
  44. Stain interior wood doors.

    All doors are an orangish wood tone.

  45. Rejuvenate the deck.
  46. Clean up the marsh.
  47. Collect driftwood.
  48. Get new vanity for heron bathroom.

    The only bathroom with a tub needs a major upgrade.

  49. Repair dining room rug.
  50. Get a new music system.
  51. Visit 2 states where I’ve never been (not just driven through).
  52. Sort out my wardrobe and donate or get rid of 10 items.
  53. Have a dinner by candlelight.

    Can’t wait to celebrate a special dinner.

  54. Take a trail ride on horseback.
  55. Fix curtains in master bedroom.
  56. Visit Mount Rushmore.
  57. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. Southwestern PA
  58. Have ring appraised.
  59. Shred old files.
  60. Find tai chi on Eastern Shore.

    We have tai chied on vacation but I haven’t found any local practitioners yet.

  61. Clean up and organize old photos.
  62. Eat vegetarian for a week.
  63. Work on studio/office in back bedroom.
  64. Put outdoor shower at shore house.

    Once upon a time a temporary shower (brrrr) had been rigged up outside the laundry room.  I think we can do better.

  65. Install dual system heater/AC in master bedroom at shore house.
  66. See 5 theatrical productions.
  67. Carpet stair treads.

    The risers on the stairs are open.

  68. Visit Canada.
  69. Get a security camera.
  70. Paint and renovate laundry room.

    So far the only improvement I’ve made to the laundry is to switch out the lighting fixture.

  71. Drink a glass of water every morning for a month.
  72. Organize personal files.
  73. Set up a music system at the house.
  74. Paint the exterior of the house.

    We started the shed before the house to check the color.

  75. Visit 5 local thrift stores.
  76. Meet and remember 5 new people.
  77. Hang some art.

    I loved the gallery wall in our previous home.

  78. Take dance lessons.
  79. Paint trim in downstairs bedroom.
  80. Add shoe molding to downstairs.
  81. Outdoor shower at The Landing.

    The shower is installed here but the enclosure is still on the drawing board.

  82.  Repair and refresh dock.
  83.  Upgrade railings on back deck.

    The deck railings are basic.

  84.  Visit Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay
  85.  Paint one wall an outrageous color.
  86. Paint studio walls.
  87. Visit a lighthouse.

    Our nearest lighthouse is a beauty.

  88. Clean car headlights.
  89. Watch a meteor shower.
  90. Take a cruise to the Panama Canal.
  91.  Wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day.
  92.  Walk across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

    I’ve driven across more times than I can count.

  93.  Eat no sugar for a week.
  94.   Plant a dogwood tree at The Landing.
  95.   Buy a stranger a meal.
  96.   Travel first class.
  97.   Get rid of 10 pieces of clothing.
  98. Have living room Bergere chairs slipcovered.

    I have 2 chairs that I would like to have slipcovered.

  99. Get a boat.
  100.   Transplant my orchids.
  101. Private

Jo

January, 2024: Did It

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January, 2024, was a really productive month.

  • Put away Christmas decorations.
  • Got started on gathering tax return information.
  • Resumed 2 Bible classes, tai chi, and tap dancing.

Here’s what I did in January:

  1. Throw a party.   With Sug’s help Charlie and I had a few people over to celebrate Coptic Christmas Eve and our trip to Egypt.

    Charlie in the clothing he bought at Abu Simbel.

    Unfortunately due to weather and illness we were fewer than we had hoped but we traded travel stories and ate up a storm.

    Both the Egyptian and non-Egyptian food were a hit at the party.

  2. Do something new and different.  On New Year’s Day Charlie and I traveled to Philadelphia to watch the 124th Annual Mummers Parade.  Although we have previously been to Philly, the Mummers Parade was a unique and unusual experience.

    The string bands feature brass, reeds, and percussion along with the strings.

    I recommend adding it to your Bucket List.

  3. Burn then discard all red candles.  I got rid of 5 red candles and 2 mosaic glass globes.

    A few more items to NOT put away this winter.

  4. Get living room ready to paint and assemble supplies.  I’ve chosen a new lighter color.  We’ll get started very soon.

    New color “Alabaster” on the left — old color “Revere Pewter” on the right.

  5.  See a movie.  I saw The Boys in the Boat about the USA crew team that won the 1936 Olympics in Germany.  I plan to read the book.  I also watched Groundhog Day at home for a class about making good decisions.
  6. Empty 2 shelves in master bedroom.  A real challenge.

    From this . . .

    to this.

    The real challenge — my travel shelf.

  7.  Read a book or play.  I read Dubliners by James Joyce which is very Irish and a challenge to read but warm with relationships. I also read The Boys in the Boat after seeing the movie (#5 above) which was rich in facts and details of the world in the 1930s.
  8. Wash living room curtains. I took down the curtains after the party but before starting to paint the living room.

    Freshly laundered curtains on a newly painted wall.

    They are pure linen so I washed and ironed them myself.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STEADFAST.
  10.  Write a goal list for February, 2024.

Jo

My Bucket List 2024

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Last year (2023) we completed a couple of big items (and more than a few smaller ones) on MY bucket list. Charlie and I traveled to one of the most exotic places to date.

Egypt was more than we could have imagined.

This year it will be more of the same.

To that end here is my Bucket List: Items in grey have been on the list for awhile; items in blue have been accomplished.

  1. See the pyramids in Egypt –  We saw the pyramids and the sphynx, we rode camels, we cruised down the Nile.  And that ain’t all!

    Day 2 in Egypt draws to a close.

  2. Inspire somebody to do something great.  I have a friend who credits me with her impetus to do mission work which I think is great.

    A haven for the children of Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.

    Recently she has upped her game and all but moved permanently to Guatemala. 

  3. Own my house.

    I have enjoyed living here over the past 27 years.

  4. Write a book and have it published — I don’t know what the actual subject might be but I think I would write a fictional story about life among the very wealthy.
  5. Visit the Louvre in France — I have been to the Louvre and have seen the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. 

    Nike of Samothrace — Winged Victory — in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

  6. Ride in a hot air balloon. 

    We landed in a newly-planted bean field.

    We enjoyed this sunrise trip on a glorious day in Maryland.

  7. Take a ride in a gondola in Venice.  We visited Venice in September, 2019.

    I have taken a gondola ride in Venice, Italy at sunset.

  8. Go on a cruise. We cruised from Baltimore Harbor to Bermuda and back on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. We have another cruise planned for 2024.

    I’m always happy on the water.

  9. Audition for a movie — I would have to check the local casting calls.  Getting the part is not as important as auditioning.
  10. Own a beach house.

    The shore house.

    It’s not exactly a beach house but we’re fixing it up and it’s 2 miles from the beach.  Hoping to trade in #3 above for an actual waterfront home.

  11. Invent something — I’m hoping I could invent something that would be useful and bring in some cash.
  12. Have a million dollars — working on it.
  13. Go whale watching.

    Lots of options for this activity — need to decide on a destination.

  14. Buy a stranger a meal.  I’m not sure how to go about it except to just be brave and do it.
  15. Do something I know is reckless! I would love suggestions on what reckless thing other people would consider doing.  I’m thinking  of doing something like parasailing or paragliding. Charlie thinks I’m nuts.
  16. Fly in a helicopter. Charlie and I took a helicopter flight over the volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.

    We flew over the Big Island.

  17. Read the Bible — I read the entire Bible in a year. Very inspirational and enlightening.  I continue to pursue this activity through classes.
  18. Save somebody’s life.  Who knows how and when an opportunity might arise.  I pray I’m up to it.
  19. Fly 1st class.  Saving my money for an upscale trip.
  20. Make and sell a product.
  21. See the Southern Cross in person.  We  saw  it  in  Puerto  Rico. 

    The Southern Cross — Crux — viewed from the island of Vieques.

  22. Visit Greece.  Scheduled for Fall, 2024 along with a cruise from Istanbul to Athens.
  23. Visit London. We visited London in September, 2018.  It was a wonderful trip. 

    Tower Bridge over the Thames River.

  24. See the Northern Lights — the Aurora Borealis — from Iceland.  We had a wonderful trip to Iceland in October, 2021.  While we were warned not to expect being able to see the Northern Lights we actually viewed them on 2 separate nights. 

    I went to Iceland to see the elusive Aurora Borealis and mark it off my bucket list.

  25. Visit New Orleans.  We went in February in a week of perfect weather. 

    A golden statue near the French Market of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans.

  26. Learn to Tango.  Charlie and I enjoyed a 6-week tango class.    Perhaps we’ll dance again in the future.

That’s 26 items from the original list.  I’ve decided to add a few more.

27.   Travel from St Louis, MO to Nashville, TN during the solar eclipse.  This trip is planned around the eclipse which will be happening in early April of 2024.

A full solar eclipse is eerily exciting.

This will be our second solar eclipse.

28.  Visit the luminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico.  Charlie and I enjoyed our weeklong stay in Vieques where we went for the express purpose of seeing the best bioluminescence in the world.

Our kayaks were completely clear so we could see the luminescent microorganisms as we paddled through the bay.

29.  Dogsledding

30.  Police ride-along:  I signed up for a 6-hour-plus ride-along with our local county police force.  Very enlightening.  I highly recommend it if you qualify.  

31.  Pony penning in Chincoteague.

Wild ponies still roam the marshes of Assateague Island and swim across the channel to Chincoteague each year for veterinary services and auction.

32.  Mummers Parade in Philadelphia — A really fun day trip from Baltimore on January 1st.  Both Charlie and I had a great time. 

Men and women of all generations were cheerful in the new year.

Still adding to the list.

Jo

January, 2024: Do It

/ Jo / Leave a comment

I have been hinting that sometime in the not to distant future Charlie and I will be moving from our home of over 2 decades.

I have enjoyed living here over the past 27 years.

It’s time to seriously start getting rid of things we would not want to pack up and move. (See #3 below.)  I’m hoping that each month this year I can accomplish a task that will lend itself to that philosophy.

I love a good fireworks display to welcome the New Year.

Now for my January Do-it list:

  1. Throw a party.   I have sent invitations for a Coptic Christmas Eve Party.

    I’ll be going with an Egyptian theme.

  2. Do something new and different.
  3. Burn then discard all red candles.  They are really my least favorite. Gotta start somewhere.

    The last time I used red candles was the Casablanca screening of 2019.

  4. Get living room ready to paint and assemble supplies.  I’ve chosen a new lighter color.
  5.  See a movie.
  6. Empty 2 shelves in master bedroom.  A real challenge.

    We have too many tchotchkes and books on display.

  7.  Read a book or play.
  8. Wash living room curtains. A tedious job that will help with #4 above.

    The curtains in the living room have to be taken down for painting anyway.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STEADFAST.
  10.  Write a goal list for February, 2024.

Jo