Fifty to Fifty

Yes, I turn 50 this year! Instead of having a big celebratorial bash, like I did for my fortieth (following the summer of chemo), I've decided to do fifty small things on the way to 50. My main reasons for it are that

• I don't want to spend the time, energy and money to create one event where I don't have the chance to talk to my friends and family, because I'm making sure that there is enough food, drink, and music for the event.
• I've already celebrated the concept of being alive at a major turning road in my life, after the cancer experience ten years ago.
• I want to have the chance to savor transitioning to the second half of my life.

So, unless someone is going to put on a surprise birthday party (which last happened when I turned 19) and don't expect since I'm the family party planner, (and how would they know who to invite anyhow) I will be celebrating in the following ways. If you want to join me on my trip to 50, let me know! Scheduling now! My sisters helped me start this process last week at the beach, so some things are already checked off.

1. Have lunch with my sisters and cousin Karl. ✔
2. Have a massage outside the regular scheduled one. (this might repeat) ✔ Thanks, Brigit!
3. Go to SpaWorld.
4. Do a birthday Sophie's Parlor radio show.
5. Buy a new grill.
6. Spend an afternoon reading a novel. ✔Read Sarah's Key in one afternoon.
7. Go to an art gallery opening.
8. Go to an Esperanza Spalding concert. ✔ Looking forward to it, Susan!
9. Have an amazing Academy 2011 Boston.
10. Draw a picture. Have a pirts experience with an official pirtniece! ✔
11. Have a family dinner.
12. Enjoy my gal pals.
13. Go to a Bowie Baysox game. (Don't even know if this is the right season.)
    
14. Play pool. Host a house concert for Franklin Taggart.
15. Get a pedicure.
16. Get a manicure.
17. Get a facial.
    
18. Get a new haircut.
19. Go to a tea. ✔ Check out Tea on the Tiber. Thanks to Anita N. for the invitation, Anita V-P and Daina B. for joining us! It was a LOVELY afternoon.
20. Have a meal with my siblings.✔ (We went to Komi. VERY yummy wine-paired dinner!)
21. Make up a new song.
22. Plant some perennial flowers. (These are my 50th celebratory flowers! I'll say forever.)
    
23. Enjoy 3x3 Katskili. ✔
24. Go fishing with two of my favorite boys.
25. Go kayaking.
26. Write some postcards.
27. Go to the Conowingo dam.
28. Visit the National Museum of the American Indian.
29. Buy some art.
30. See a movie. ✔ (Saw the Help.)
31. Go to a concert at the KenCen's Millennium Stage.
32. Participate in a drum circle.
33. Dance!
34. Read some poetry aloud.
35. Have a barbecue.
36. Learn something about history.
37. Eat sushi.
38. Bake a cake. (I've never done this.)
39. Go on a Haunted House tour. (Karen is joining me!)
40. Sing karaoke.
41. Take a hike.
42. Eat at Ben's Chili Bowl. (Karen has signed up!)
43. Go on a day-long road trip somewhere. (Karen is on the list.)
44. Drink champagne at the Lincoln Memorial at night.
45. Eat at Black Salt. (RSVPs: Karen)
46. Take a walk on the Appalachian Trail.
47. Call someone I haven't spoken to in a long time.
48. Commune with my ancestors.
49. Pray for my next fifty years.



Siblings at Komi




50. Laugh!

If you would like to join me on my adventures, just let me know! Here's to life!!!