I don’t have a “Bucket List”. My life has changed so much over the last year and a half, that anything I would have had on the list is now either absolutely impossible, unimportant or no longer desirable. I now understand that life throws us curve balls and the only measure of our worth is how we make those curve balls turn into RBIs. Checking off items on a list of “things to do before I die” doesn’t work for me any more. I am much more productive if I make a list of “things I am thankful for” . I do, however, have a (?)uckit list - those things I choose not to worry about.

Having said that, I am making a list of things I want to do this winter. In my past life, my ex and I parked a motor home in South West Florida for the winter. I spent much of the winter in Florida, walking the beach every morning and enjoying the warmth and sunshine in the afternoon. Dinner was prepared on the grill and enjoyed on the patio. Not any more. So, what shall I do to entertain myself this winter?

I discussed this with one of my children the other night. I want to ice skate. I haven’t skated since high school and our town builds a lovely little outdoor rink every winter. I will buy myself a pair of skates and ask my son or a friend to take me skating. Hmmmm, there’s an idea for a date! Take the blind lady skating!

I also want to go sledding. I used to do that when the children were young and I had enough vision to drive to the hill and haul them up the slope. I know a few friends with enough sense of adventure that they would love to go with me.

I want to try a Zip Line. That may have to happen before the snow, or next Spring. I am not sure where to go to attempt this. Have any of you tried this and do you have any tips or suggestions?

Driving is taken care of. My brother has offered to take me out to my Dad’s farm and navigate for me while I drive his truck through the fields.

Parachuting and getting a tattoo are still under consideration.

I want to fire a gun. Don’t ask me why, I have never even touched a firearm before and I will never have one in my home, but there is some macabre lure to the idea of firing a gun. My son referred me to a news article from Iowa. Apparently, in Iowa, it is legal for a blind person to open carry a firearm. (It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a blind fold on but a blind person may obtain a gun permit!!). This legislation has created some controversy, with disability rights activists and some gun enthusiasts arguing that people with disabilities should have the same rights as people without disabilities. I am not going to opine about this. Suffice it to say I will not apply for a gun permit here, nor in Iowa. I will, however, go to the shooting range and fire a gun.