60 by 60

It is easy to let life become mundane. The daily tasks and necessary duties of living can numb our sense of a purposeful existence. We can find ourselves on autopilot. After falling prey to this mindset for many years, I now make conscious efforts to structure my life with intention and purpose.

Recently, a friend and client, Julie Milligan, mentioned to me that she was working her way through a list she called, 40 Before 40. It is a list of 40 things she wants to accomplish before she turns 40 years of age. We discussed many of the things on her list and I became inspired to create my own list. Since I am many years past the age of 40, I decided to create my 60 by 60 list. I started checking things off the list in September 2018. My plan is to blog monthly about what has been ticked off the list.

The list includes many one-time events and several accomplishments that will require months of focus and dedication. It is divided into the following categories: Writing, Physical Training, Hiking, Cooking, Home, Relationships, Trips and Travel, Creative Outlets, and Personal Growth. When I started brainstorming the list, I thought 60 would be difficult to reach. But I have had to whittle the list several times. My list would look very different if finances and time weren't limiting factors. But, having some limitations encourages a unique alchemy of reality and creativity.

The office at Mary's Swap Meet.

We lost my dad to cancer of the esophagus over 14 years ago. He used to raise a wide variety of birds including chickens, peafowl, geese, ducks, and turkeys. When they were ready to sell, he often took them to Mary's Swap Meet in Oklahoma City. I remember him telling very colorful stories of Mary's (as he called it). He mentioned the diverse groups of people that he would meet and the interesting things he would see for sale. I never had the chance to go to Mary's Swap Meet with my dad and was curious to see it for myself. So as one of my September 60 by 60 items, I went to Mary's with my sister, Barbra.

One row of the many rows of booths at Mary's.

I don't know if it met my expectations since I didn't really have any, but it was definitely a unique and lively experience. Some of the booths are permanent, but many vendors set up temporary booths on the day of the sale. My first impression was one of a refugee camp because of the mismatched materials used to construct some of the booths. We arrived around noon and found everything from massive copper cooking pots to used shoes and clothing for children. Couples and families with small children milled about. Many people were enjoying snacks as they roamed among the stalls. Some enjoyed the pony rides while others rested in the shade. Lively music filled the air and added another sensory dimension to the atmosphere of the day.

The livestock area at Mary's Swap Meet.

We roamed through used books, saddles and tack, beautiful glassware, tables of shampoo and personal care items, and a table of really cool brass knuckles. There was so much to see. Then we found the area for selling livestock and birds. This is where my dad would have set up his birds. The theme of diversity continued in this area as well. There were turkeys, quail, chickens, ducks, piglets, goats, and a few ponies. This was why I had come. This was what I needed to see. The sounds of the different species joined together into an interesting symphony of clucks, oinks, neighs, and turkey gobbles. We weren't there long, about 45 minutes. But it was long enough to satisfy the need I had to connect with my dad's memory. "Check"......I could mark "attend Mary's Swap Meet" off my list.

The oat scones....ready to be put on the
baking sheet and placed in the oven.

Another activity planned for September was to make a recipe out of a cookbook I own, but have never used. I selected the Outlander Cookbook and chose  a recipe for Oatmeal Scones. I baked them at my daughter, Kathryn's home. I miss having someone to cook for and with, so it was nice to prepare the scones for her family. I served them with butter and strawberry jam and they were a hit. Another item marked off the list.

Tucker's in Oklahoma City.

Other things marked off the list in September: Write letters of appreciation to my family and friends - sent one of these and have more planned for the future. Eat at a new restaurant - ate at Tucker's in Oklahoma City. Leave 2 letters of encouragement for strangers.

My meal at Tucker's: chicken sandwich
and fries. It was excellent!

And....I worked on the following items which will take consistent effort and focus: established a focused writing practice to finish my book, registered for a mace training in October, registered for a car maintenance class in November, worked on establishing a movement practice, continued physical therapy to enable me to train for some specific kettlebell goals, practiced Scottish Gaelic words (goal is to learn 30 words and this is proving to be quite difficult), and read part of "Wilderness Essays" by John Muir.

This process helps me keep what is important at the top of my "to-do" list. It brings another level of intention and focus to my life on a daily basis. And I am having a lot of fun! And....what is life if you aren't having a little fun!