I'm getting older. Hopefully I'm getting wiser.
In honor of the 36th anniversary of my entrance to this terrestrial sphere...36 Lessons I've learned. (in no particular order of importance)
1. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
2. Anything done well takes effort. And sometimes sweat, blood, tears, and pain. But, it's worth it. (see #1)
3. There can be too much dark in chocolate. As attests the 95% cacao bar in my fridge. (it's been there for months)
4. 75% cacao is about the perfect ratio of light to dark.
5. It is possible to acquire a taste for other wines besides the "girly" wine Moscato. A monthly wine membership is a helpful vehicle towards that end.
6. Life dreams emerge, change and grow or fade as time passes.
7. Poetry is worth reading.
8. Clip-in bicycle shoes are both a blessing and a curse.
9. Laugh out Loud. It's good for the soul.
10. There's no place like home.
11. Home is where your people are.
12. Loving someone well requires self-knowledge and them-knowledge.
13. Running in a torrential downpour is a blast!
14. Parenting preteens is awkward.
15. Learning Spanish makes my brain hurt. Moy bien?
16. Drinking wine makes my skin flush. Cheeks. Décolletage. You can always tell when I've been nipping the cooking sherry.
17. Friendship pops up in unexpected places.
18. It is better to give than to receive. Less disappointment.
19. Technology is grand, but there's nothing like a thick spiral bound notebook and ink pen for dreams and plans and goals and lists and schedules.
20. A good camera makes all the difference.
21. A good lens makes that much more of a difference.
22. Sometimes meat can taste good with fruit. Hello, Chicken Mole!
23. If there is a beautiful pair of tall boots at the second hand store that look like they have never been worn-there might be a reason for that. Take it from the person who couldn't get her great buy completely on (or off) without assistance...
24. There is nothing (nothing!) funnier than I Love Lucy reruns. Good, clean humor.
25. You can't go wrong with a little black dress-or 5.
26. No matter how much I might want that peasant blouse to look nice on me-it never will.
27. Freshly grated parmesan is a far superior product to the powdery stuff sold in the aisle by the pasta. It is worth the splurge. Every time.
28. Dust if you must-and only if you must.
29. Sometimes a book is not worth finishing. It's okay to not finish it.
30. Always cook with an apron on.
31. You can teach a dog new tricks. (see # 15)
32. I don't like to be surprised.
33. Don't ever buy a brand new car.
34. Intangibles are far more valuable in the long run than the tangibles. Invest time and money and effort in them.
35. Pick your battles.
36. Learn from the past. Live in the present. Have boundless hope for the future.
Happy October 15!
