#36 There is Nothing Like a Good Book...

Reading, one of the greatest pleasures in life and it comes to no surprise that this would be ranked #1 on my list. Devouring 6000 pages in an array of books was not too difficult and I surpassed the goal midway into the year. Does this mean I can set aside the reading glasses and work on the numerous other goals that are waiting in the wings? No, even though it is done, I will not be deprived of my evening ritual of reading in bed. Could I possibly reach 16000 pages? Who cares, the goal is done, finished, kaput! I will keep reading but the recording has stopped as of right now.

So many books, so little time. By the way, does anyone have a good book to recommend? Sharing sixty titles or swapping sixty books would have been a fine complement to my ever growing list.

# 35-- 60,000 Feet and Not a Bust!!

I did it! The goal that was the initial inspiration for my "60" list has been accomplished. Last year as we were driving out to Arizona, I mentioned my desire to climb a "fourteener" in Colorado. Rob challenged me to not stop there but to climb 60,000 feet for my--sixtieth year. The rest is history, and I will now move on without climbing another step (staircases included) as I do believe my life has been destined to be confined to first floor dwellings.

The uphill adventures began in Costa Rica in January and continued in Arizona where every elevation was carefully calculated. At first the goal seemed impossible so after conferring with my referee (Rob) we concluded that since many of our hikes involved the ups and downs of mountain ranges, the elevation would be counted as such.

I am pleased to report that no adjustments were necessary because I managed to conquer it with pure total elevation gains (going up mountains).

The last eleven thousand feet were accumulated by spending nine days hiking in the glorious Colorado mountains. On the "fourteener" day, ten motivated women began the ascent to summit the high peak of Quandary--which registers at 14,265 feet. Despite our early conditioning to prepare for this trip, the high altitude rendered us to a step by step approach as the air became thinner and the mountain seemed to increase in size right before our eyes. We eventually reached the top proving it to be an exhilarating and exhausting event that will be lodged in our memory bank for at least the next sixty years.

Goal # 2--Climb 60,000 feet--has been successfully checked off the list. The combination of being on the top of the world (or at least 14,265 feet high) and the realization that anything can be overcome with determination, sturdy hiking poles, and my best buddies by my side is another gratifying moment to be recorded for the year.

# 34 Biking Sixty Miles Plus One

Today was the day to bike 60 miles with my best cycling buddy, husband Rob. He has been persistently pressing me to finish my list so the biking goal needed to be tackled soon. Numerous times we have made the attempt but the ever changing Wisconsin weather has not cooperated so today was the day. Mild temperatures and sunshine greeted us as I monitored the odometer to watch for that magical number. After riding twenty -two miles of rolling hills (the toughest part), we turned onto a bike trail but a mile later, Rob's derailer (I called it his rear gear) broke off his bike. No injuries to him but the bike was unsalvageble. What to do? Retreat and try another day or find some kind soul to give him a ride back to the house to borrow the neighbor's bike and proceed with this adventure. We opted for the latter and the rest of the ride was uneventful.

At mile 60 I stopped to savor that milestone, unfortunately, there was another mile to go to get to the car. Back on the bike for me because Rob was not going to pick me up. He has been a good sport so far but that would have pushed him over the edge.

It was a lovely sixty-one miles in one glorious day cycling the back roads of Wisconsin. Fortunately, only the goal (and Rob's bike) bit the dust and we didn't.

#33 A Party, Polio, and Pleasant Surprises

Generosity and compassion are the heart and soul of my dear friends. Sixty-five extraordinary people arrived to offer their help with my goal of raising $600. Not only did these friends show up in droves, but they came with checks in hand to donate a grand total of over a thousand dollars. Was I taken aback by these magnanimous gifts? No, because that is who they are--caring and passionate human beings. Was I dumbstruck by the amount raised? Absolutely.

When I wrote the original goal, I had not aligned myself with a charity that was near and dear to me until I read about the sixty cent (sixty being the magical number) cost of a polio vaccine that would protect a child for life from the crippling disease. Now with this fun-loving, partying group supporting Rotary International's campaign to eradicate polio along with the Gates Foundation matching the donation, over 4000 children will be inoculated.

One child at a time, one disease at a time, one step at a time. Amazing what can happen when you start the march. Thank you, benevolent friends; you have passed it forward.

# 32 Thankful

Thankful Appreciative Content Grateful Gratified Indebted Overwhelmed, Pleased Satisfied Relieved

Goal #46 states, Write 60 things I am thankful for, and unsurprisingly, this one has been completed. The year of gratitude began soon after the new year when the Packers delivered a Super Bowl victory. How can one not be more relieved especially if you are a fan or even a recent football convert such as yours truly (most likely only for the day--I tend to be a fickle fan)? I was not only thankful for the win since it made the men in my family ecstatic, but I was proud that we had a team representing Wisconsin in a dignified and respectable fashion. Thank you Donald, Aaron, Greg, and all the other players. Interestingly, the rest of my entries reflect an appreciative and hopeful year thus far, although, I feel like a bit of a Pollyanna (and ready to burst into song--"Everything's Coming Up Roses!"). Perhaps that was the purpose and therefore; mission accomplished!

# 31 Twitter

As my eldest son and I were chatting on the phone the other night I mentioned the blog and how thinking about composing thirty more entries by the end of the year was both time consuming and overwhelming. His no nonsense techie suggestion was to "tweet" my progress in 140 characters. Just writing the previous sentences would be over the limit and does that even include the spaces? I'm not sure I entirely understand how, why, or where the whole twitter business operates. With that said, I have overextended my tweeting capacity and will stop writing. Thanks, Aaron, for a new angle to my blogging dilemma. Short and sweet--I like the sound of that.

# 30 Half Way Done--almost.

Yes, June 30th has come and gone and I was too busy to stop and blog about my status at this critical half way mark. The taskmaster husband of mine has kept me focused when I have wanted to simply float through a day; he checks on me to make sure I am actively working, recording, or doing something pertaining to the list --and I thought I was obsessed with this project. I will have to say I have successfully completed twenty-five goals; or as the spreadsheet notes it, DONE! Since there will be no time to reflect or to ponder on what lies ahead for me, I will simply state the (yippee coyote) accomplishments as of today:

Read 6,000 pages

Write 60 things I wish I had done when I was younger

Send 60 invites for a party

Fly 6,000 miles

Run 60 miles

Do 60 push ups

Buy 60 postcards

Hot air balloon ride for 60 minutes

Bet $60 at Arlington racetrack

Turn 6 objects on a potter's wheel

Write 6 letters to Chris in Afghanistan

Skype children 60 times

Read 6 books published in 1951

Share 60 list with 6 people born in 1951

Recycle 60 basement items (or get rid of junk)

Identify 60 birds in Costa Rica

Brush the dogs 6 times

Spend 60 hours with my sisters

Do 60 sit ups

Make 60 mittens

Write 60 thankful things list

Knit a 60 inch scarf

Make a quilt with 60 squares

Write 60 letters

Research 60 birthday celebrations around the world

Whew! Enough said. Now on to the other thirty-five waiting in the wings to be checked off the list. Reflections will have to come later since, well, you know-- time is not on my side.