Bucket Lists

Hi everyone, Sailor here.  Today I want to talk about your “bucket list” – which is a term I’m not that crazy about.  I prefer your “treat list”.  Along with starring in a feature film and having a standing rib roast for dinner once a week, my list includes catching that turtle that keeps sunning itself at the edge of the lake.   Now that would be a treat!   I’ve tried a couple of dozen times, got my nose all the way up to the thing (as you can see), but it flipped into the water and disappeared.  At least I’m trying,  I don’t walk around the lake thinking “someday when I’m not so busy I’ll try to catch that turtle”.

Too many times I’ve heard my Dorothy talking with somebody who “wants to _________ (fill in the blank) …tour Europe, go to Victoria Falls, see the Mona Lisa, visit the Peterhof Palace … one day”.  One day when they have more time off, one day when they don’t have to replace the furnace or repair the roof, one day when there are no weddings, graduations or new grandchildren to celebrate.  And then something terrible happens,  it doesn’t matter what, and that day has come and gone.  They either no longer have the ability to travel or they don’t have anyone to travel with anymore – the long hoped for dream is lost.  

I think there’s a term in Latin, “carpe  dog ‘em”  or “carpe diem” or something, that sounds kind of like it should mean eat a fish every day, but which actually means “seize the day”.   I’m doing it.  I’m seizing every single chance I get to go for a walk, earn a treat, chew on a bone, enjoy a massage or chase that turtle.  You won’t find me turning down a trip to the dog park because I don’t want to take the time off of work! 

Are you putting off a long dreamed of vacation because  you’re waiting for the right time? Well, the right time is now, because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring and “he who hesitates gets lost”  or “is lost” or something.  What I’m trying to say is … chase that turtle NOW!  Savor that belly scratch NOW!  See the Mona Lisa NOW!

There are so many unfortunate stories of people who were going to see the world when … only they waited a bit too long.  You just can’t wait for all the right pieces to fall in place at once, you have to make it happen, plan for it to happen, don’t let it NOT happen.  Because time gets away from everybody.

By the way, I’ve just heard that air fares are likely to go up next summer, so if you’re thinking of a European River cruise this summer or next.  Go now!  There are great deals out there and air fare isn’t going to get any more palatable. 

 

It’s time for my massage, turtle hunting is hard work.  'Til next time, keep your nose to the wind and four paws on deck!

Dorothy Flannery is president of Top Sail Journeys.  If you would like to learn more about European river cruises, check out her sites at http://cruisethedanube.com and http://cruisetherhine.com