I recently saw "The Bucket List," a movie that portrays two men during the last weeks of their lives, doing the things they wanted to do before they died, or "kicked the bucket."
Thank God I am in good health (at least that's what Dr. Hicks says) so I am creating a list of things that I haven't been able to accomplish in my short 62 years.
I have a lot of special memories of my accomplishments, but it seems as if I am constantly adding items to my list. Thanks to the Air Force, I have been around the world, tossed snowballs in Alaska and swatted bugs in Southeast Asia, yet I still have the yearning to add more to my bucket list. I have worked in airport control towers, flown in military training jets, played golf with Arnold Palmer, danced with President Johnson's daughter, and even had lunch with Lucy Ball. I have seen a UFO, dated a future Playboy centerfold, and had at least one out-of-body experience.
I have recently increased my "things to do" listing by adding the following:
- Although I am a U.S. Navy veteran, I never learned to swim. Don't ask me how I got through four years as an old salt without getting my feet wet, but I did. I want to at least learn to float.
- I controlled aircraft for many years; now I want to repay the controllers who replaced me by getting my private pilot's license, fly a C172 and say the same stupid things in the microphone that I heard from the pilot's end.
- I would like to run for public office. Nothing too big. Maybe mayor or something. Look out Costi.
- Vote Republican. (Heck, that won't happen).
- Own a Vette, preferably a red one, 4-speed 1965 model.
- Meet the president, shake his hand and thank him.
- Go to Hollywood and be a tourist, wear the funny shorts, stupid hat and sunglasses.
- Get my book published. I gave up after sending off a couple hundred or so pages to publishers.
- Kiss Meg Ryan, my favorite actress. (Don't think that's gonna happen).
- Drink a glass of vodka in a downtown café in Moscow.
- I would like to swim (if I learn how) in the Pacific Ocean.
- Learn conversational Spanish. I have so many Hispanic friends.
- Walk along the Great Wall of China and finally get some good fried rice.
- Train my 11-year-old dog to always go outside. We're both getting much too old to keep this up.
- Volunteer for the Meals on Wheels organization.
- Win the lottery (at least a free ticket on the scratch offs).
- Finish college and finally get my degree.
- Play the flute (again).
- Go to my high school reunion (graduated in 1964 and haven't made it to one yet). It would be nice to see all of my friends who are bald and wrinkled (wishful thinking).
- Learn how to grow tomatoes. In Florida, I averaged one tomato per each plant.
- Get back to a 34-inch waist, or get into a 34; I think I was born with a 36-inch waist.
- Be Gov. Sanford's travel guide.
- Quit smoking. I quit three times yesterday.
- Be a part of Issabella's life again.
- Break 80. Golf or age.
Remember this: If you're not dreaming, you're not living. Until next time, see ya'll.
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