To Do List

I love lists.  

Somewhere along the way I shed the need to make my lists about chores and turned instead to lists that inspired me--places I wanted to visit, words I love, books to read or new traditions for old seasons.  Every now and then I'll pull out an old notebook, flip to a random page and smile at how little has changed.  Once I love something, I will always love it.

I came upon a list titled "Summertime" tonight.  I can't tell you when I wrote it.  It could have been 10 years ago or yesterday.  Some of the items from the list are as follows:

• The front porch of an old farmhouse.
• Homemade lemonade.
• Farmers markets.
• Berry cobblers.
• Corn on the cob.
• Fireworks.
• Days at the beach.
• Fresh peaches.
• Bicycles with baskets.
• Afternoon naps in a hammock.
• Outdoor concerts.
• A porch swing.
• Picnics.
• White picket fences.

I was giving some thought to this list tonight as I stood in my kitchen chopping zucchini and summer squash for dinner.  The windows were open, the dog was asleep in the middle of the floor and I didn't want that moment to end.  I wanted to figure out a way to soak up every last bit of summer this year and not leave myself wishing, by Labor Day, that I had enjoyed it more.  

I remembered an article I saved from Real Simple a few years ago.  It's called "Like We Did Last Summer ... Twenty Five Traditions You Can Start Today."  I loved the opening picture--two friends in a row boat, feet hanging over the side, dangling in the water.  I remember thinking to myself, "I'll have to do that one summer."  

Peeps, one summer has ARRIVED.  

I'll be making my way through this list on the weekends or random weekdays when I happen, serendipitously of course, upon these new traditions.  Some of these items I've done, some I've never done.  But all of them together?  I have a feeling will make Summer 2008 a very memorable one indeed. 

SSG's Summer To Do List (courtesy of Real Simple)

1)  Float in a boat.

2)  Make a cake.

3)  Listen closely.

4)  Pick some berries.

5)  Buy a vintage sun dress.

6)  Take an outdoor shower.

7)  Make a shell necklace.

8)  Get a buzz cut (um, we'll have to think of a "creative alternative" for this one.) 

9)  Paint your toenails bright pink.

10)  Read a biography.

11)  Chill out.

12)  Hang wind chimes.

13)  Make old fashioned lemonade.

14)  Go skinny dipping.

15)  Cook dinner in one pot.

16)  Create a summer haven.

17)  Climb a mountain.

18)  See how they grow.

19) Ride a ferris wheel.

20)  Sell your junk.

21)  Find Shakespeare.

22)  Catch a ball game.

23)  Collect pine cones.

24)  Treat yourself to ice cream.

25)  Return to a favorite place.

Each Monday my "Weekend ABC's" will include what items I can check off this list.  Some of them make me want to hide under the covers (Skinny dipping?  Outdoor shower?  Does anyone have bail money if I get arrested for indecent exposure?).  Some of them I welcome (Ferris wheels?  Shakespeare?  BALL GAMES?!   Oh my!).  

Is anyone else up for the same challenge?  If so, e-mail me (sometimesserendipitousgirl@gmail.com) when you blog about any or all of these items and I'll post your links each Monday.

And if not?  No worries.  Crickets are one of the best sounds of summer.