Planning Ahead

This is the time of year that we tend to look to the future. Making a few plans is good. It gives us something to work toward. As long as those plans are realistic we might even outline how we will accomplish our goals.

However we should not spend so much time on the future that we forget about today. Life is for living. If you are walking down the street and see some beautiful flowers enjoy their beauty. Smell the fragrance. Touch the petals and feel their delicate silkiness. If a small child is playing take the time to observe the joy the child is feeling. You will smile with joy yourself. If you have a good meal take the time to taste and savor it. If you have good dinner companions have a lively conversation with a lot of laughter.

Dreaming of far away luxurious vacations is enticing. You might even be able to take some of those exotic trips. But there are so many places to go and things to see near home.

Plan some time away from home. You need not go far. It need not be for a long time. You could go to a local museum or have a picnic at a local park. After all some of the best things to see are near to where you live.

Maybe a day trip. Go to a ball game in a nearby town. Visit a famous landmark and buy a few souvenirs. Many state parks have special celebrations at certain times of the year.  Take part in them.

Even a weekend can give you a real break from day-to-day doldrums. Spend a weekend camping and bird watching. Pick a nearby city. See what are the interesting places there and visit them. Eat at restaurants You might not try other times.

Too often we do not take advantage of places close to home. We always think we will do it later. Later is now.

Susan from thecomtemplativecat had a post today that posed some evocative questions. I will print them and give my answers. You might find it interesting to see what your answers are.

If you could live one year of your life over again, which year would you choose and why?

I do not think I want to relive any years. While I enjoy my memories I prefer to look to the future.

If you could learn to be an expert at something without putting in the work, what would it be?

Walking. My knees give me a terrible time of it.

If you could learn a new language instantly, which would you choose and why?

Gaelic. I have taken a couple of online courses but it is difficult when there is no one else to practice with.

If you could give $1 million to any charity, which would you choose?

With that much money I might form my own charity to help children to eat and dress to feel good about themselves. I would follow through to help them establish themselves

 as adults.

When was your Robert Frost moment a la "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..."? The poem (read it here) says you can't go back and that is true. "Way leads on to way" and so forth. But if you could, would you? What is the difference you think it would have made?

I would take the one most attractive. I like overhanging trees and color. I do not think it would have impacted the world one way or the other but I would have been happy to be there.

Time travel: where would you go and when? Why?

Who would you want on your fictional character bowling team? You get to pick four.

I would have liked to be present in Appomattox Courthouse at the end of the Civil War. Two great generals who had great respect for each other discussing the end of a terrible war had to be a great thing to see.

What would you want for your last meal?

A nice juicy steak, baked potato, and Brussel sprouts. For dessert a devil's food cake with fudge frosting like my mother used to make. Maybe some watermelon cubes to nibble on after.

What's your favorite song?

How on earth can I choose? I love music and there is so much to choose from. It would simply be whatever I am in the mood for. One day it might be Louis Prima and the next The Sex Pistols. The Everly Brothers or Credence Clearwater Revival. Vivaldi or Booker T and the MGs. LaVerne Baker or Taylor Swift. Teddy Bears' Picnic or In A Gadda Da Vida. The Irish Rovers or The Vienna Boys Choir. Or anything else.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I am probably an extrovert. I do not like to be ignored.

If you came over to my home and I offered you a drink, what would you want me to serve you?
Water would be fine. Iced tea (not sweet tea) is also good. When I was younger and drank alcohol occasionally I liked Long Island iced tea too. But a nice cold beer was good too.

You can answer these just for yourself if you like. I think they are good questions.