LUCY BURDETTE: My gosh it’s been a busy week in my household! Aside from the book launch celebration for A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS and THE INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS, my John had a big birthday. He’s not usually the kind of guy to want a big fuss made over him, but this year was different. We’ve had a tradition the last ten years or so to invite some good friends for dinner, two others also celebrating birthdays.
So we did that. But then he wanted his brothers and our son invited to play a long weekend of golf. That mushroomed into an enormous party on the lawn with a tent and a band (actually the band was my idea.:) If you look carefully in the upstairs window, you'll see Tbone, who watched the entire party! Lottie found the pizza truck and hung out by their garbage all evening...
Lest you think that was enough, for his birthday adventure, in June he went on a hiking trip to the Dolomites with two other friends. Our friend Jay sent over this picture which I’ve placed next to a photo of my dad on one of his birthday trips. So funny to see them side by side.
All that to say, John’s a bucket list kind of guy. He wants to fit everything in and check the boxes. I guarantee I’ll be hearing this week about why we aren’t planning the next trip! I do enjoy a party, and also love to travel, but I don’t have a bucket list. I like to wait a bit and see what’s coming down the pike. How about you?
RHYS BOWEN: on my 50th birthday I wrote a bucket list.. I’m glad to say I’ve accomplished most of it! It ranging from learn watercolor to play the harp, see the pyramids, win an award. The only things not achieved are go on safari and have a clutter-free house—at least partially achieved as our house in Arizona is all new and hence clutter-free! I find when I travel now I prefer to return to places I love. I’ve no wish for long uncomfortable journeys. I’ll never do Bhutan or Ruanda. But I’m glad I have seen much of the world!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I am….not a bucket list fan. I have to say. It seems grim to me, somehow. And planning is so difficult, and wishing is so complicated. I think…things occur to me more spontaneously. There are places I’ve never been that I’d love to go…but I’m not consumed by that. (Or maybe this is all because I’m exhausted from book tour and almost cannot imagine getting on a plane again. Although..next week…) I'm going to Iceland in a few months, and other stuff in the works, but that just presented itself, I didn't seek it out. Lucy, I am in AWE of that party! I hope it was fun! Writing a book was on my “wishlist” and I am still constantly and totally happy about that.
HALLIE EPHRON: That party sounds fanTAStic, Lucy! Jerry and I hosted a few bashes including a Chinese banquet for our 30th(?) anniversary.
We had a virtual list of places we wanted to visit, and we hit most of them. Our last trips were birding trips to Panama and Alaska, both fantastic. I’d love to get to Texas and watch the wood stork migration, and maybe to Arches national park. We were looking forward to being able to travel “off-season” after he retired… moral: don’t wait!
Right now, my bucket list is filled with unearthing and culling and editing the miscellaneous unpublished personal essays I’ve produced since I started writing, and seeing if they make any kind of sense.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m not really a bucket list person, maybe because my goal posts and wants keep moving. As well, many of the wonderful trips and experiences I’ve had sort of fell into my lap - I wasn’t dreaming of a three-week safari when my father in law invited me and Ross to come along on his, and I never thought of spending time in Nantucket in February until my agent offered her summer house for a writing getaway. I think I’m going to stick with being open to spontaneous excursions and copacetic events, and see where that mindset continues to take me. One thing that’s nice - being an empty nester and, frankly, a widow, gives me a lot more flexibility that I used to have.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Not much of a bucket list person here, either. I would love to go back to Italy and France, see Spain, more of Germany, and Kim Hays books have made me want to visit Bern. Very Eurocentric, I know, but that’s what appeals to me. In reality, though, there are so many places I want to visit and revisit in the UK that it's really hard to find the time (and money!) to do much else.
Like Julia, I love the “things that fall into my lap.” I hadn’t planned a trip to LA this year, or San Diego, or Boston, but I’m delighted with the opportunities.
JENN McKINLAY: Happy Birthday, John!!! I have a mental bucket list of things I’d like to see and do such as see the Northern Lights or sample single malt Scotch whisky at the Kilchoman Distillery on Islay, but they’re more “yeah, that would be cool” not “I must do this before I die” sorts of things and I am constantly adding and subtracting so I mostly like to let the universe figure it out.
For example, I always wanted to hike Arches National Park, so when I was tapped to give a talk in Avon, Colorado I decided to drive up through Moab and stop at Arches on the way. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Seriously, everyone should go. I think putting it out there and letting the universe take the wheel is the best way for me.
Right now, my bucket list is filled with unearthing and culling and editing the miscellaneous unpublished personal essays I’ve produced since I started writing, and seeing if they make any kind of sense.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m not really a bucket list person, maybe because my goal posts and wants keep moving. As well, many of the wonderful trips and experiences I’ve had sort of fell into my lap - I wasn’t dreaming of a three-week safari when my father in law invited me and Ross to come along on his, and I never thought of spending time in Nantucket in February until my agent offered her summer house for a writing getaway. I think I’m going to stick with being open to spontaneous excursions and copacetic events, and see where that mindset continues to take me. One thing that’s nice - being an empty nester and, frankly, a widow, gives me a lot more flexibility that I used to have.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Not much of a bucket list person here, either. I would love to go back to Italy and France, see Spain, more of Germany, and Kim Hays books have made me want to visit Bern. Very Eurocentric, I know, but that’s what appeals to me. In reality, though, there are so many places I want to visit and revisit in the UK that it's really hard to find the time (and money!) to do much else.
Like Julia, I love the “things that fall into my lap.” I hadn’t planned a trip to LA this year, or San Diego, or Boston, but I’m delighted with the opportunities.
JENN McKINLAY: Happy Birthday, John!!! I have a mental bucket list of things I’d like to see and do such as see the Northern Lights or sample single malt Scotch whisky at the Kilchoman Distillery on Islay, but they’re more “yeah, that would be cool” not “I must do this before I die” sorts of things and I am constantly adding and subtracting so I mostly like to let the universe figure it out.
For example, I always wanted to hike Arches National Park, so when I was tapped to give a talk in Avon, Colorado I decided to drive up through Moab and stop at Arches on the way. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Seriously, everyone should go. I think putting it out there and letting the universe take the wheel is the best way for me.
How about you Reds, do you have a bucket list? Or a story about celebrating a birthday milestone?
And ps, this is me with our great pal Judy Singer who drove quite a ways last Wednesday to attend the book party--thanks Judy!
And ps, this is me with our great pal Judy Singer who drove quite a ways last Wednesday to attend the book party--thanks Judy!
