Category: lists

Ringing in 2012

2011 was a hectic year. Here’s a list in no particular order:

  • I got married.
  • I went to Seattle.
  • I went to New Hampshire.
  • I read more books in 2011 than I did in 2010.
  • I returned to blogging.
  • I started lifting weights.
  • I ran 3 5k’s.
  • I spent a lot of time in my garden this spring, summer & fall.
  • I started writing letters.
  • I worked on my poetry manuscript.
  • I discovered I love Twin Peaks.
  • I cooked some new recipes (soup, cookies & pasta).
  • Our family dog, Basil, died December 23rd.
  • A friend and colleague died in Madrid a few weeks ago. 
  • My husband found a job & lost a job.
  • I took my students to the IMA and the IRT. 

 In 2012 I’d like to:

  • Write more poems.
  • Take up yoga.
  • Own some Zebra Finches.
  • Go on a trip with my husband to a state other than IN or PA.
  • Cook more vegetarian meals.
  • Plant more flowers/shrubs.
  • Read more books & magazines.
  • Complete my promotion portfolio to Associate Professor.
  • Improve my teaching & be more creative/innovative.
  • Work on a photography project.
  • Join a neighborhood book club. 
  • Keep working out & run some more 5k’s.

I’m not big on “resolutions” because I think it puts unnecessary stress on people which sets them up for failure. I prefer to think of my list as an ongoing list of goals that I’m continuously building on.

I wish you all the best for the remainder of 2011 and I’ll see you in 2012.

A List Of Reasons Why You Should Take Walks Outdoors

If you read my earlier post about my curiosity jar, then you know I like to take walks outdoors. As the weather begins to turn, I have to remind myself why it’s good to get out of the house, even if it’s cold and snowy.  Below are the reasons I like to walk outside no matter the season.

1. Fresh air. Winter brings the return of closed windows and the furnace. This is all well and good, as I like a toasty home as much as the next person. However, it also brings stale air and dust.

2. Exercise. I, like most red blooded Americans, have a hard time resisting the urge to take up residence on my couch, under a fleece blanket with a box of cookies and call it good until April. The hibernation instinct is strong when it gets dark at 5 PM.

3. Good conversation. I’ve had some of the best conversations of my life while walking.

4. Inspiration. For better or worse, I’m a writer. I like to write about the outdoors but not exclusively. I get ideas while walking (I had one today). It’s good for my brain.

5. Treasures. See the curiosity jar post.

6. Stay up with the neighborhood. You get to see whose raked their yard, who put up their Christmas lights way too early and just who the hell decided that “electric blue” was a good color to paint their house.

7. It’s quiet. This may seem odd to some people who know that I live in an urban environment. However, especially in the winter months, snow acts as a good muffler and I’m always struck by how quiet it is after a significant snowfall.

8. It’s scenic.

9. You meet your neighbors. They know you’re out and about. You chat about your gutters or pesky squirrels. It’s social, people.

10. It keeps you in the moment. If walking does anything for me, it’s that it gives me an opportunity to stop and just take in my surroundings for a half hour. Again, good for the brain.

A List to Sum Up the Past Two Weeks…

Took a break from blogging to manage a busy week or two. During those weeks the following events occurred (not in chronological order):

1. Our dog, Kweli, suffered some terrible dog plague and proceeded to throw up everywhere. Everywhere includes a pile of old sweaters in R’s closet that thankfully “were going to be donated anyway.”

2. Binoculars were purchased so I could watch the birds at my bird feeder.

3. I bought my wedding dress.

4. I became newly aware that eye glass frames are incredibly expensive.

5. I discovered that my Kindle cover caused my Kindle to reset all the time. The answer? A new Kindle cover with a reading light.

6. Elizabeth Bishop had a birthday.

7. I am going to Seattle in April for a conference.

8. My sister visited. She’s awesome.

9. I learned I am teaching all online classes this summer.

10. I went mini golfing with my colleagues in Liberal Arts & Sciences.

11. I went to a talk given by a survivor of one of the death camps in the Congo.

12. I ate the most amazing brunch ever at Zest & then drew all over the tables (see pics below).

13. I had a fun book club meeting where we discussed Murder on the Orient Express.

14. I attended a performance by my community college’s chapter of the Odeon Society.

15. I chatted with my best friend who I don’t talk to nearly enough.

16. I bought Elizabeth Bishop and The New Yorker.

17. I got my taxes done and almost had a heart attack when the accountant thought I owed $5000. Thankfully, she was wrong.

18. We began the registering process at Crate & Barrel.

19. I ran almost three miles at 5.3 on the treadmill.

20. I sent out more poetry submissions.

21. RJ and I celebrated Valentines Day with a trip to Santorini and Best Chocolate in Town.