Well, another year in the rearview window. As we head into 2020 it’s time to put things into perspective – to remember what’s really important in life, things that should take priority. Here is a bucket list of must-do things for the coming year.
First and foremost, eat more hot dogs.
Hot dogs are nature’s most perfect food. Where else can you bite into a steamed, fresh roll smothered with tangy mustard, layered with crisp onions, fresh cole slaw, chili and a Nathan’s dog. Life’s too short. Eat more hot dogs.
Sing in the shower, even if you can’t sing. Everybody sounds good in a shower. Sing an old Elvis tune or maybe something from the Beatle’s, something that will cheer you up. Sing loud and sing often. It’s a great way to start a day.
Catch a lightning bug. How long has it been? Forty years? Fifty? This summer, about the third week in June, go out in the backyard – barehanded, no net – and track down a lightning bug. Grab it quickly, but carefully. We want to catch and release lightning bugs. As the critter senses its freedom and flickers off into the darkness, remember how it was when you were 8 and catching lightning bugs. It was fun then. It still is.
Wear Happy Socks every day. No more gray or navy, ho-hum socks. Wear bright green ones with orange cantaloupes, or white ones with red Santa Clauses. Wear fun colors. It will bring smiles to other faces when they see them. And it will make your day brighter, too.
Take that vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Hawaii, maybe, or Alaska. Go to the Bahamas or New Mexico. Maybe Vermont in October or Aspen in January. Nobody ever reaches old age and says, “I took too many trips. I should had stayed home more often.”
Concede more putts. When your partner is staring down a 3 ½ footer, tell him, “That’s good. Pick it up.” This is the ultimate in kindness. It should have been mentioned in the bible somewhere, along with The Golden Rule.
Finally, take in a sunset on the Eastern Shore. Perch on a picnic table at Cape Charles and watch that big red ball of flames melt into the Chesapeake Bay. Watch until it’s vanished, then breathe in a big gulp of the salty air. Make sure to listen for the call of gulls as they return from a long day of fishing. And tomorrow, you go fishing, too.