Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartThe Bucket List
By Anna Doll
I’m not as old as Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, both of whom were feisty young bucks by the time my mother gave birth to me. But ever since the day I hit 40, it seems as if that cute little saying, “She’s over the hill!” has evolved into “Watch the old lady tumble down the mountain!” Scary.
If the climb up the hill was rugged, trust me, it’s smooth as ice on the way down. Right now I’m on a ledge halfway down, I’ve got bruises and scrapes all over my body, sweaty fingers are gripping a clump of grass in a crevice, a tenuous hold at best, and my legs are flailing around, trying to find purchase.
It’s not pretty.
I have a t-shirt in my closet that says, “I got this shirt when I turned 40…I hate this shirt.” Two years ago, I crossed out the word “hate” and wrote in “love”. Yeah, 40 is a heck of a lot better than 5… Darn keyboard. Can’t seem to find that number…
But I digress.
I thought about my bucket list when my 20-year-old daughter, Jennifer, asked if I’d like to skydive with her this summer. “Skydive? You? Me? Are you CRAZY?”
After getting over the thought of watching my little baby girl hurtling toward earth at 55 meters per second, a niggling memory picked its way through my psyche and I remembered that I’d signed up at age 19 to skydive with a group of friends. Unfortunately I wound up having emergency surgery the week before, then pretty soon I got married; shortly afterward we were saddled with a mortgage, birthed three kids, now the grandkids…well, you get the picture. Responsibilities.
That dream of jumping out of an airplane only surfaced once—when I’d stepped outside for a few minutes and my two little boys locked themselves in the bathroom to test what would happen if they flushed a tennis ball down the toilet. Over and over they flushed, so many times that by the time I found them, the carpet was waterlogged halfway down the hallway and into three bedrooms. Oh, and hubby was out of town for a week. Of course.
Sorry. Some things you never forget, even at the ripe old age of 5…
I’ve been giving her proposal a lot of thought. School’s out. I’ve got good insurance. I’ve had a good life. And parachuting was on the original list, I reminded myself. Along with visiting New York City, several times—check; riding a camel to the Giza Pyramids in Egypt—check; sipping a glass of wine with friends at a restaurant somewhere along the Mediterranean (Alexandria)—check; roaming the Coliseum in Rome—check; watching a baseball game at every major league park (10 out of 30, not too bad); playing golf and enjoying a luau in Hawaii—check; publishing a novel—check. I’ve still got a few unchecked items on the list: traveling throughout Europe, sailing on the Atlantic, seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Great Wall of China.
Oh, and hitting the New York Times bestseller list. Gotta have a stretch goal on the old Bucket List, right?
I’ve crossed out several items, so I’ve decided to add to it. Carol Burnside’s cruise (see her blog from last Friday) is definitely on the list. And, yes, jumping out of an airplane with Jennifer this summer is on the list. I’ll let you know how it goes. If anything, it’s good research for my next book. Surely I can find somewhere to put in a scene of my heroine jumping out of an airplane.
Screaming bloody murder the entire way down.
Any suggestions? What would you put on your list?
Tags: Anna Doll, romance, Romantic Comedy, The Bucket List, writing
About the author
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Anna Doll | Anna Doll is busy at work on her third novel--a romantic suspense set in New Mexico and Washington, D.C. The story has been percolating ever since she spent four years as a Senate staffer on Capitol Hill during the Watergate era. At the age of 12.
And you thought Monica Lewinsky was an anomaly? Hah! Not even close.
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June 1st, 2010 at 6:02 am
Someone recently referred to be as being “advanced” in age. I love birthdays. The alternative is not having birthdays and I rather be old than dead.
As for the bucket list, is it weird to want quiet? I’m not opposed to jumping out of a plane, but I’d love for my house to be clean and my life to be less hectic. After a year of quiet, I’ll be ready to sky dive!
June 1st, 2010 at 6:50 am
Ah, Nicki, I remember those days. I have lots of quiet now. Actually, it’s nice. But I really do miss those hectic days. They went by so quickly.
Oh, and the clean house? I’ve never been able to do that without paying for it. Not in the gene pool, for any of us. I finally settled for “picked up” and no dishes in the sink.
Have a great day, dear friend!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 7:44 am
Anna,
Many things on my list. Some checked off; a lot not.
I plan to check off the “take a train across Canada”, “be kissed by my love under the Eiffel Tower” and “spend a month in Ireland/Scotland.”
Will never get to check off “meet Agatha Christie” or “ride a mule down the Grand Canyon” (that one, I consciously put a line through.
Did “have my picture made on Graceland’s steps”–while Elvis was alive. (I never regretted flirting with that guard.) Did “skinny-sip.”
There are more. Some you wouldn’t be interested in and some you’d pay to hear. But I’m still adding to the list, planning a check-off date, and hoping/planning to publish a novel.
June 1st, 2010 at 8:13 am
Anna,
I loved your post. Recently, my daughter’s boyfriend wanted to give her a birthday gift (their birthdays are four days apart) of skydiving in Atlanta. I forbid her to do it. Actually, you can’t forbid a 24-year-old living on her own to do anything, but I tried. And my husband was against it and the boyfriend’s parents. The kids researched it and said it was safe. Well, I guess I don’t have an adventurous spirit. I didn’t want her to do anything that dangerous at that young age. I guess when you’re more advanced as Nicki says, it would be okay. Well, she didn’t go (or at least she didn’t tell me) although she probably would have shown me a photo once she made it back alive.
Personally I like the other unfinished items on your bucket list, but I hope you do it if that’s what you want to do.
I guess the things left on my list would be travel to Israel and Madrid to see the Prado and Scotland does sound nice although I’ve been to Ireland and it’s wonderful and publish a book.
I would also like to have some grandchildren (if anyone is listening).
I never saw the Grand Canyon (except many times in an airplane) as I traveled to the West Coast. But I would never see it on a mule (that’s my adventurous spirit again). (I agree with Brenda on that).
Marilyn
June 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
I’ll be praying for you Anna. I just can’t see any reason for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. So, that is NOT on my list, but I would love to fly in or even pilot a small plane someday.
Also on my list is rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, being published and hitting the NYT list, floating facedown in a tropical lagoon watching the fish(done that), Traveling to Istanbul and Marrakesch, Seeing Italy and Great Britain(done that), Seeing the Aurora Borealis, and holding my first grandbaby in my arms (doing that this weekend!)
Thank you for an interesting and thought-provoking post!
June 1st, 2010 at 9:03 am
I definitely think you should do it, Anna. Particularly if you want to. I’ve always thought of accruing years as a sort of carte blanche to do things without apology. This is, of course, assuming one is already a good citizen of the earth (wife, mother, daughter, actual citizen, etc).
I cannot wait to get into the next decade … and the next, etc. I can hardly WAIT to be 40. I can’t. Cindy and I talk about 30 as a half-way house between not being young enough to get away with being cute, and not being old enough to have any clout.
I’m ready for my years and with them, I want to travel to India, Thailand, Nepal, and Tibet. Actually, there aren’t a lot of places I’d say no to.
I also want more genuine relationships, more time, more wine, and more laughter.
And I’m with Marilyn in wanting grandchildren.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:09 am
You know,
I haven’t written a bucket list yet. I need to. Because there are so many things I’d like to do before I kick it.
Scotland has always been on the list I have yet to write. And also (shh don’t tell anyone) but I envision myself on a beach in Greece, one of those nude beaches. I want to lie topless in the sun in Greece. Please don’t ask me why that’s one of my fondest desires, but it always has been. I just hope I get there before the girls go much further south. I’d like to enjoy the sun with perky breasts revealed, not raisins.
And like Marilyn, I want to see the Grand Canyon so much. (I’ll go with you Marilyn!) What a beautiful natural wonder. It takes my breath away when I see it on tv.
I’ve never wanted to skydive, but I do want to hang glide and there’s a great place in Ga my husband and I have our eyes on.
Yep, gotta write that bucket list. There’s so many things I envision myself doing before I move on.
LOVED the post!
Good luck with all of your dreams!
Tamara
June 1st, 2010 at 9:18 am
I’ve got to write my bucket list. Hubby and I want to hit all of the Major League ball parks–I’m only up to 5 if you want to count Camden Yards even though the game got rained out.
I think one of my biggies–besides the NYT Bestseller List–would be to stay at one of those cabins over the ocean in Tahiti.
Great food for thought, Anna!
June 1st, 2010 at 9:26 am
Um, helloooo.
I forgot NYT bestseller list, as well. I think as writers, we can all assume that goal is on our list.
I’m actually ashamed I forgot to mention it. Oy.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:32 am
Tamara, believe me when I tell you not to worry about your girls, firstly, because you’re ridiculously gorgeous and secondly, because they don’t only go topless in Greece. In other words, your girls are the least likely items to be sagging. Just saying. I’ve been. With several men on the beach. Some of them well into their 70′s.
June 1st, 2010 at 10:33 am
oh help, I’ve just had a Stephanie Plum comment about doodles jump into my head and I’m laughing too hard to type!
June 1st, 2010 at 11:10 am
Just think, Tamara,if the girls have gone south you can just think of them as “sun ripened raisins”.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I love this, Anna! I say go for it.
I’ve been skydiving (tandem jumping) and LOVED IT!!! I plan to do the whole learning thing and eventually jump on my own. It is that addictive!
I do have a bucket list of my own and am checking things off right and left. There are some things I’ve crossed off as a “what was I thinking” type thing, but I’ve also added things as recently as yesterday. I consider this list a work in progress and something to add to when I think of something new to do…grin…
Good luck!
Tami
June 1st, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I don’t have a Bucket List and don’t think I want one. I don’t have a very adventurous spirit, I guess. Rather, I like to think that life is one giant gift and each time I peel back another strip of the wrapping paper, I find something delightful and unexpected.
Yes, my recent Mediterranean Cruise was one of those things and one of the rare ones that was dreamed of and planned.
Others are: seeing the grand canyon in the continental states and a mini one (but just as beautiful) on Kauai.
Experiencing 30 yrs of marriage with the man I love and wishing for many more. (Ok, maybe there was some dreamin’ of this one going on in my youth.)
Living on Oahu.
Camping in the Grand Tetons.
Watching bears roam free in Yellowstone (from behind the dubious safety of my car window).
Seeing the world from atop the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps.
Experiencing the wonder of pregnancy and seeing my two children become adults.
Seeing the magnificence of a buffalo herd roaming and grazing.
Taking an ancient train ride high up in the wildness of the Rockies.
Snorkeling in the Caribbean.
Standing on top of Pikes Peak twice in my life.
Climbing El Castillo at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan.
Witnessing an Olympic event in person (Women’s figure skating when US took gold!), and seeing the closing ceremonies.
Seeing for myself the works of some of our artistic geniuses.
Riding in a stagecoach. (Ouch! Never again.)
Stroked a dolphin’s rubbery nose.
Watched a killer whale and her calf cavorting in the Pacific.
Okay, geez, I’d better hush. But thanks, Anna! I’m reminded of my riches in life and am grateful.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
A bucket list is a great idea. Since I just graduated from grad school, mine is empty at the moment. I’ll have to give this some thought.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Hey, all…this computer keeps eating all my responses…hopefully this will go through…!
June 1st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
will respond as soon as I get home…only one more day of post-planning and I’m off for 8 weeks! Yay!
June 1st, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Considering that I’m a homebody, it’s funny that I spent my senior college year in Scotland, went to France for 6 weeks in high school and then again for a month for my honeymoon.
No bucket list except I do want to take my kids to Yellowstone before they move up and away.
A bucket list means you’re contemplating mortality. Gads…I’m just done with the midlife crisis. Is that looming next? I should count myself lucky that I’m living here and now. Been reading about historic mortality rates. I’d be considered a geezer back when! An anomaly. Just when I feel smart enough to write a good novel.
June 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Maxine,
I’ve responded twice and both times it got eaten by the internet goblins. Yeesh!
Sounds like you’ve had some fun things to cross off your list. I’m like you…that trip down the Grand Canyon on a mule got crossed off the list in my 30s! I’d rather jump out of an airplane!
And skinny dipping? I can so see you doing that–figuratively speaking, of course.
Thanks for stopping by! I can’t wait to get together with a bottle of wine…want to know what the others are!
Anna
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Marilyn,
I totally understand your not wanting to let your daughter parachute with her boyfriend. There was a time when I felt the same way. For me, I always wished I’d have done it in my 20s. It is very safe…tandem jumping, that is. A lot safer than letting her drive through rush hour traffic on 400 (which I let her do at 16…) She’s a lot like me!
Now the grandchildren thing…I think you need to start pestering soon. I’m expecting a third grandchild in August and cannot wait!
Spain and Israel and Scotland? Maybe we can do a PFHT trip around the world…and write it off as research!
Thanks for stopping by!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Cinthia,
Thanks for the prayers! I’d be more afraid to pilot my own plane. I trust others much more than I would me!
Sounds like you’ve done quite a bit of traveling. And holding that grandbaby for the first time…it is something else!
Have a great weekend!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
J,
I found my 30s pretty fun. Of course, that’s when I had my children and keeping up with them is all that I could do. I wish I’d have started writing then. The stories I could have told…!
“more genuine relationships, more time, more wine, and more laughter”…that’s the spice of life! I feel that I’ve had plenty of those, and welcome the many more I expect I’ll have in the next 30 years!
I’m not sure about having clout at 40+…but you certainly don’t give a d–n! And wait until you turn 50! At that point, you really don’t care what anyone else thinks!
Here’s to more friends, more time, more wine, more laughter…and a couple of grandkids!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Tamara,
Pulleze. You are beautiful girl, and it will take many more years before your girls go south!
I’m way past the naked beaches in Greece…or anywhere else! Not only because I don’t want anyone to see me, but darn, I’d be so grossed out! Happened on a topless beach once–there was not one Cristy Brinkley look-alike…gravity had grabbed hold and there wasn’t one person, male or female, who should have been out there!
My opinion is that it’s never too early to start the bucket list. Do it while you’re young–so everyone will remember you as an adventuresome soul!
Thanks for making me laugh…
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Janette,
We need to get a group together to hit those MLB parks! I didn’t know you were such a baseball fan! I’ve wanted to visit MLB parks since I was a young girl.
Tahiti? Now that sounds like a nice trip for the list…hmmm…
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Tami,
Thanks for the thumbs up! Glad to hear you did it and lived to write about it.
Now I’m wondering what else is on that list…
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Carol,
You’re right…you don’t need a bucket list! You’re doing it the right way…start a list of “to dos” early in life so there isn’t anything left for that bucket list!
Sounds like you’ve done a lot of fun things to date…that Mediterranean Cruise is definitely on my list. I just have to convince dh to get on a ship. Not a fun thing for him!
You have been very blessed. It’s nice to be reminded of them, right?
Have a great week!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Okay, Tammy…
Now that grad school is over, I’m sure you have lots of things you want to do. Start that list soon and start crossing off! There’s never a better time than right now!
Have a great week!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Omg, Anna. You are one courageous lady. And that list of yours is pretty cool. So that’s not you in the parachute picture? Yet! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. (From what I’ve read, skydiving with a competent instructor is really pretty safe. Not that I’d ever do it, LOL. I’d need to get over my chair-height fear first.)
June 1st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Linsey,
No, it’s not me…yet! I guess you can pay more for a video…which, of course, I’m going to do! I am afraid of heights…but not airplanes. We’ll see. Once you get up in the plane, there’s no backing down. Basically, they strap you to your instructor and he/she jumps out and you’re in for the ride!
I will definitely blog about my experience in August!
Thanks for stopping by!
Anna
June 1st, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Hey, Anna…
Missed your post amid my responses. You’re never too young to start a bucket list, IMHO. But it looks as if you’ve done quite a bit of traveling, too. Six weeks in France in high school? And a year in Scotland? And then a one month honeymoon in Europe? Wow. We took a trip to Phoenix/Tucson to watch the UNM Lobos play basketball…with my inlaws!
I’d love to talk with you about Scotland…any contemporary stories come from that experience? Do tell….
June 1st, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Awesome post! Jumping out of plane, my hat goes off to you.
As for my bucket list…usually involves travel. You know, I’d like to take the mediterranian cruise (forgive the poor spelling), Live in Ireland for a year, things like that. I could go on and on…
And I am going to encourage you to do as much as you can! As Auntie Mame said: “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”
June 1st, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Great Wall of China, Egypt, Isreal, Japan, Spend a week in a castle, my list can go on and on.
June 2nd, 2010 at 7:34 am
Anna,
I loved looking back at all your replies (and thanks for the sweet words). What a great post!!!!
T
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 am
What a wonderful post, Anna. I love your wisdom and as you said on Facebook – I wish we lived closer! I recently did something off my bucket list – I went parasailing. It was awesome.
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Cool post, Anna. Most of the items on my bucket list have to do with travel. The older I get the more determined I become to go, see, do. Now that my kids are older and basically on their own, my husband is finally on board with the idea of getting away…next stop – Charleston for our 25th. I can’t wait!
Then there’s Yosemite, the redwoods, Alaskan cruise, Scotland…you get the idea.