My list

My high school history teacher had a common saying that he used on numerous occassions when he was lecturing. "Put it on your list," he said. He used this phrase to refer to traveling places, learning skills and various other life aspects. His point was that if we really wanted to do something in life, we needed to commit to it and possibly even physically write it on a list. I have not put most of my list on paper, but there are aspects of the list that are always on my mind.

This week, I read an article with recommendations of 50 things that children should do before they are eight. The article reinterated the idea of "putting in on your list." A sampling of famous people provided the content of ideas for the article. They ranged from learning how to give a proper handshake and writing a handwritten thank you note to making a yarn pom pom and brewing homemade lemonade. It was somewhat embarassing to realize that I'm 26 and have not done some of the things that these people recommended children do before they turn 8. I've never made lemonade from scratch. Maybe I need to "put it on my list."

In honor of Mr. Speer, my HS history teacher, and the diverse group of celebrities who shared their top picks for "must dos", here are 5 things that are on my list - in no particular order and with no specific emphasis. There are probably others more important, etc. What's on your list?

1. Travel to Germany with my family, especially my father
2. Teach my son to find various pictures in the clouds
3. Learn to knit
4. Live in the country with a small herd of beautiful white Charolais grazing on the countryside
5. Earn my master's degree