The Power of the List

 

I am a planner and a list-maker and yes, I like control.  I feel more in control when I can write things down and then cross them off the list.   My lists are usually made on paper with a #2 pencil.  There is nothing like the feel of that pencil scratching along the paper turning thoughts into actual written words. And the cross-off part is important. I'm not much for checks, I like grabbing that #2 pencil and revel in the tactile sensation of making a heavy, dark line through the item in question.  Now that's satisfaction.  

Groceries, errands, things to do around the house, work-related tasks, all those types of things populate my lists. At my work, we have a checklist of tasks that need to be done to complete the birth process from the clinic point of view.  8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, single-spaced, Times New Roman 10 pt. and the sheet is full.  I don't know the actual number of items but it must be 44-45 and most of them have nothing to do with actual "nursing" care.  But without it, I would most likely forget many of the minor details when attending a birth in the middle of the night.  You know, like resetting the thermostat.  So lists keep me on track and somewhat successful in both my home and professional lives.

But here's what I've realized since taking the MondoBeyondo Course a couple of months ago:  I've never used lists to keep track of things I want and need to do for myself.  I guess those are only to be done when I "have the time"  and I haven't seen them as important enough to warrant a list.  Wife, mother, daughter, sister, employee, professional,  member of a community, all those identities come with their own lists of tasks that I have given position over those things that are just for me.  

The things that make me, ME. 

So, here are some things on my list:

1. Ride my bike at least 3 times a week
2. Take a bike tour of at least a week.
3. Travel to another country and provide healthcare.  Going to Honduras in Jan 2011!
4. Take an online course on the Constitution. (seems everyone is a Constitutional expert these days, I might as well join them)
5. See a good movie and have lunch at least once a month and not worry about the time.
6. Preserve space and time for art.
7. Start that cob tiny house.
8. Improve my almost non-existent Spanish.
9. Remember every morning that this is the only day I have.

These are a few of the more short-term items.  My MondoBeyondo list is probably about 50 items, although I haven't really counted.  There is no ranking as far as importance factor and I'm sure some items will change as time goes on but the value lies in using the list as a reminder of where I want to go and what I want to attain.

That is the power of the list.

Back to the World

Our vacation,

We are so lucky to live within driving distance of many beautiful areas of the southwest.  These are memories of Silver City, NM, Luna Lake near Alpine, AZ and Hoyer CG, in Greer, AZ.

It is monsoon time in the southwest and that means rain so I got to do a lot of reading in the last week.  My favorite was Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.  What a wonderful job the author did of relating the life of an English butler in the early 20th Century.  It was as if I was seeing the story unfold.  (Yes, I know there is a movie which I haven't seen and probably won't.)  I also enjoyed The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson-laugh out loud funny if you grew up in the 50s and 60s.  I have read several Bryson books and he always provides a good time along with some knowledge.

I started Bel Canto by Ann Patchett for the second time, the first attempt was back when it was originally published.  I've gotten halfway through this time and will probably finish but the only people I care about are Gen, the translator and the young priest.  For all the praise this book received it's a disappointment after reading Ishiguro.

Readers out there, if you've read these books what are your thoughts?

In Progress

Do you do this?  Have a new project to start but have to sit with it for awhile?  This has been auditioning in the living room for a week and I think it has the part.  

 
Needs some work, has some rough edges but it just what I've been looking for in the role.  I found it in the parking lot of a thrift store here in town for $2.98, right in my price range.  I bought the fabric a couple of years ago and although it has tried out for many parts, has never made the cut.  I actually like the green chenille that's on the chair. 

I'm sure it's original to the chair and it reminds me of a couch we had when I was a kid, but it's pretty worn and the seat needs to be repaired as the springs have sprung.

I'm guessing the chair and I are about the same age, and some days I feel that way myself.