As I said in my Things to Accomplish/Bucket List, I’d love to own an English cottage–style house someday. When I think of lovely cottages, this home from the 1992 film adaptation of Howard’s End comes to mind. It’s the quintessential cottage (although maybe a tad large to be a true cottage) in look and character. Something with less square footage would be nice but a cottage needs a cozy fireplace and winding trees and greenery climbing the exterior.
I’ve had a bucket list since I was 16, only I usually refer to it as a Things to Accomplish list, which is certainly cheerier. Over the years, my list has evolved. I’ve marked through things I’ve done, deleted ones that are no longer priorities, and added new items. So, I thought I’d share a portion of my list as it stands now.
1. See the Great Wall of China.
2. See the Egyptian Pyramids. (November 2009)
3. Live in London.
4. Write a book…
5. …and have it published.
6. Read a 1,000-plus page book.
7. Learn to sew well.
8. Go to New York City. (November 2006)
9. Visit the Musée d’Orsay. (July 2002)
10. Pass the R.D. exam. (October 2005)
11. Visit a concentration camp.
12. Float in the Dead Sea.
13. See Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, England. (July 2002)
14. Attend a symphony. (2005 in San Francisco)
15. See Fiona Shaw perform in the theater.
Nicholas Le Provost and Harriet Walter in Much Ado About Nothing, 2002. Image courtesy of TheaterPro.com
16. See Harriet Walter perform in the theater. (July 2002 in London. She played Beatrice [my favorite Shakespearean character] in Much Ado About Nothing [my favorite Shakespearean comedy].)
17. See Kate Mulgrew perform in the theater. (June 2005 in San Francisco. She played Katharine Hepburn [one of my favorites!] in the one-woman show, Tea at Five.)
18. See Cherry Jones perform in the theater. (October 2010 in New York City. She played Kitty Warren in Mrs. Warren’s Profession.)
19. Skydive. (Summer 1999)
20. Go on safari in Kenya.
21. Go to Turkey. Visit Istanbul and Cappadocia.
22. Go to Peru and see Machu Picchu.
23. See a space shuttle launch.
24. Work as an illustrator.
25. Own an English cottage–style house.
26. Visit all seven continents.
27. Visit all 50 states.
28. See the salt fields of Bolivia.
Image of the salt fields courtesy of The New York Times
29. Study Spanish and gain some level of fluency.
30. Become fluent in French (or any language).
Blue Print 