Thinking about turning 50 this coming fall

I've been thinking that I'd like to do something special when I turn 50. I've been pretty dormant in my 40's compared to my 20's and 30's. I feel as if I've been in a cocoon. Yeah, that's it. 20's and 30's was my caterpillar stage. 40's feels like a chrysalis. I'd like to become the butterfly that I am meant to be in my 50's. Isn't that beautiful?

I came across an article in Huffington Post about turning 50 and how to celebrate as I was surfing looking for ideas. Here is a quote.
I've thought about this a lot. There really isn't one big thing I want to do, like a party. Instead of a birthday I'm going to have a birthyear! And I'm going to do 50 things that will make me happy, starting on my 50th Birthday, and go straight through until my 51st. It's not a bucket list, but it's things--many of which include family and friends--that I know will bring me joy and will let me celebrate this wonderful birthday, for which I am grateful, for longer than one day.

Isn't that a great idea!


Here is a draft to my own list:
1. Go up in a glider
2. Go back to Val-David for crative writing week
3. Go back to New York
4. Camp at Sandbacks with Best friend, Susy (I don't camp).
5. Walk up Mount Royal in Montreal
6. Go back to Toronto
7. Visit Quebec city
8. Publish Chapbook of poetry
9. Finish draft of youth novel
10. Finish Draft of adult novel
11. Record a second album of original music
12. Start writing a memoir
13. Letting my hair go its natural colour, whatever that may be now.
14. Revamp my new look with cool glasses.
15. Keep swimming my age in pool laps. I love swimming here.

16. Kayak Lake Huron (North Channel)
17.

a walk in the woods on December 30th

I love going for walks in the woods. A 2 hour walk in the fresh air is as good as swimming laps. Walking like this everyday during winter break is a fine way to say farewell to 2011 and welcome in 2012!
Health, love and prosperity!
xoox

My own 10 commandments

1. Be Queenbeabea.
2. Sit and smile.(Or act the way you want to feel.)
3. Be here now. (Let got of the past. Don't worry about tomorrow.)
4. Take care of my mind. (Be choosy about what I read, watch, listen to.)
5. Take care of my body. (Eat and drink right. Be physical everyday. Get enough rest)
6. Give proofs of love. (Copied from The Happiness Project)
7. Have fun everyday.
8. Do what needs to be done, now if possible.
9. Be thankful everyday.
10. Before I speak, can my message make through the 3 following doors:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

Specialized Vita Women's bike 2011

I've had the same Minelli Mojave Hybrid bike that I bought at the Natex bike store at the Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany back in 1992. It has served me well. I used to commute to Afcent School from my flat on Kerkstraat, Brunssum, The Netherlands and to cycle from village to village in South Limburg. Since returning to Canada, I've used it to cycle around the village here and outings in Ottawa and Montreal. It has a saddlebags and a front basket for shopping. I still love it but it's a bit heavy.

I did some research and I decided to buy a Specialized Vita hybrid bike. It is light and fast enough for me, a youthful 48 year old woman who likes to kayak, swim and cycle for fitness but mostly for fun.



I had the bike shop add a computer on it so I can tell how far, how long and how fast I ride. It's a great motivational factor.

I'm looking forward to cycling around the Kamouraska area this summer.
Love my bikes.

If I ever buy another bike, I'm thinking about getting really slow and clunky, something like the Eletra Asterdam.

REading A big storm knocked it over by Laurie Colwin/Colwyn

I decided to read this book which I purchased at the big used book faire put on by the Gatineau libraries every year.
I'm reading and analyzing it as I take a bit of a break from writing my novel. She passed away in 1992. I looked her up. She was 48, my age, when she passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. It could happen. Gosh. I had better get off my butt and do things. Is it time for a bucket list?

Walk in Cotswold with Susy
Walk the Amalfi coast with Susy
Publish a novel
Publish a collection of short stories for kids
Publish a kids novel
Visit monarch sanctuaries?
Spend more time with family and friends
Kayak more
Get back into songwriting
Record and album of some of my favourite original songs
Visit Cornwall England
Visit Scotland and Ireland
Volunteer with whale biologists on North Coast of St-Lawrence

When I'm writing my novel, I feel as engaged and as enthralled with its characters and setting as when I read a novel by Maeve Binchy or Rosamund Pilcher, mes auteurs fétiches.

I have to work on the novel's plot. I might try the index card idea.

dumping stuff here so that I don't forget or clog up my desktop

tell a story
connect a tribe
lead a movement
make a change
1. who exactly are you upsetting? If you are not upsetting anyone, you are not changing the status quo.
2.Who are you connecting?
3. Who are you leading?

challenge what is?
Be curious about who others are? People want to be missed?
Being a leader gives you charisma.
Leaders commit to the cause.

Who said all that?
Sir Robinson?
I can't remember.

dumping stuff here so that I don't forget or clog up my desktop

tell a story
connect a tribe
lead a movement
make a change
1. who exactly are you upsetting? If you are not upsetting anyone, you are not changing the status quo.
2.Who are you connecting?
3. Who are you leading?

challenge what is?
Be curious about who others are? People want to be missed?
Being a leader gives you charisma.
Leaders commit to the cause.

Who said all that?
Sir Robinson?
I can't remember.

My first charango

Easter Saturday

Stayed up last night writing my novel. I'm just shy of 9000 words. I wrote over 2000 words yesterday. J and I went shopping and I made notes in a spiral notebook for when I'd get back to my computer.

I registered for a week long writing workshop in Val-David in August. I'm looking forward to it.

I love the picture of the 2 ladies riding around. That's Susy and me in a few years. I'll insert the punchline in a few days when I've given Susy her birthday card.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2oRhltFf_c