Ten on Tuesday . . .

I had this post already going on to be ready for today - but I can't post it without first sharing with you some words I posted on Facebook yesterday, Monday, June 13, 2016:

All day long in the wake of the unbelievable loss of life in Orlando, I have seen post after post about guns. I do not believe that more guns is an effective response to this senseless loss of life. There is NO reason for any civilian living here in the U.S. to have a military-style assault rifle. The only use for this type of weapon is to kill as many humans as possible in as short a time as possible. 

My heart hurts for so many gone. So many young lives taken in this violent and horrific manner - and so many more still in hospital from the devastation of an assault rifle and the fact that it's EASY to get one . . . 

Should you wish to contact your Senators about this issue, here is a link.

This post engendered excellent and civil discourse among a number of my friends - not all of whom agree with me.  I am thankful that we were able to talk about this issue.  I don't know what the answer is - but I believe that we must start somewhere and I'm going to write to both senators from Illinois about it.

Onward . . .

Today's Ten on Tuesday email advises the following topic for this week:  10 Things on This Summer's Bucket List My List of the Things I've Always Wanted to Do 

First, let me say that I find the term "bucket list" to be offensive/icky.  It's like you have this list of all the stuff you want to accomplish - and then you croak.  It's morbid.  I've always just called it my List of Things I've Always Wanted to Do.  This list changes for me regularly, and it's had all manner of things on it over the years - from buying myself some good jewelry to traveling to getting a tattoo.  :-D

Because I am so very lucky, I have been able to accomplish many of the things I've always wanted to do thus far in my life.  Yes, I have some good jewelry that I bought for myself (since neither of my husbands was ever particularly interested in getting me something truly lasting). And yes I have been to some beautiful and amazing places (like Morocco, Egypt, Scotland and Northern Ireland). And yes, I have a tattoo.  More than one, actually ;-)

It has been awhile since I've really looked at my list (it's in my head most of the time), but I think it's time to get it down on the page again.  Makes it more concrete - and more achievable.  In addition, I haven't ever put time limits on my list in any of its formats- mostly these are just things I've always wanted to do . . .

1. Visit Mt. Rushmore
2. Be a more than adequate bagpiper (um . . . practice . . . )
3. Go to Russia
4. Go to Sweden
5. Have a strong, healthy body
6. Visit the Corn Palace (guess I'm going to have to plan a trip to South Dakota, huh?)
7. Go to Hawaii
8. Work  (and maybe live) in a living history museum like Colonial Williamsburg
9. To be in a strong, healthy relationship with a man I love who thinks I'm all that and a bag of chips  
10. To be happy in my life

As for this summer of 2016 . . . it's just a regular list  :-)

1. Get successfully through my shoulder surgery
2. Heal well and quickly
3. Become the Queen of PT and regain full mobility in my right shoulder
4. Delete 12 pounds from my frame by September 1st
5. Enjoy time spent with friends and family
6. Set aside enough time to physically take care of myself - i.e., cook more, walk more, sleep more, create more, love more, laugh more . . .
7. Spend some quality time in my hammock in the shade
8. Finish The Big Easy Gansey sweater
9. Listen to all of Outlander on Audible
10. Get started listening to Dragonfly in Amber on Audible

Do you have a list?