My “to-do” lists are created in all seriousness, with all-serious intentions.
But creating a list is not always the same as fulfilling it.
This was yesterday’s list:
Get gas in the car.O.K., so I forgot. Will get it tomorrow.Mail that bill.Forgot.Remember to take a cooler bag with ice packs for perishable purchases.Forgot the cooler.Stop at the drugstore for allergy meds and eyedrops.Sent Bill (short for “William.”)Shoe store for comfort sandals.No time.Haircut.Managed that.Gym for a mild workout.Too tired.Stop at the real grocery store for real food.Sent Bill.Stop at the produce market for fun things that taste good like local peaches and tomatoes.Managed that.Don’t forget to put all that in the cooler bag.No cooler bag. Drove home fast.Take pictures along the way.Nope. Taking time would make the peaches go bad.Visit with people you meet.Of course.
Somehow I did not feel particularly productive on this day.
But after all the groceries (peaches and tomatoes) were put away, I took a little walk.
No list.
Just a walk.
And how about this all-in-one list of fulfilled to-do’s?
- A 30 minute walk added EXERCISE.
- Thirty minutes in sunshine for VITAMIN D3.
- Thirty minutes of fresh air in beautiful rural Virginia!
- STOP-AND-GO PHOTO OPS for next blog post.
- And, I pulled at least 5 weeds and thinned one zinnia bed in the front garden.
Love a 30 minute walk! And sometimes, if the weather is particularly nice: 45 minutes!
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Not to worry.We all forget things.
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Over all not a bad list, but you seemed to have missed one item, “Make a list of lists I need to make.”
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You mean it’s OK to just cross stuff out on an to-do list? Wait a minute, I’ve got to go find that honey-do list……….
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Sounds very productive. Sometimes I add things I’ve already done to my to do list so I can cross them off. Makes me feel optimistic.
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Excellent! Way to go! Thank you very much for one of the last tips, too. When I’m feeling unproductive, I’m going to count the weeds I pull!!! You are brilliant!
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Looks like a pretty productive day to me! And five weeds, too? Overachiever. 😉
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I’m not in Virginia anymore…..
Down here in Texas hot!
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Good priorities. 🙂
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Smiled throughout. I agree with you – a walk cures all forgetfulness, in which we don’t care what we forgot, we just enjoy smelling the roses (and the zinnias…) 🙂
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Agreed! 🙂
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Hi Rita, I am especially forgettable when the list is too long…..
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Hahaha! Your mind works in mysterious ways Andrew! But I do find lists all over the house. Maybe one of them is “the list of lists I need to make.” 🙂
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No Al…. I just love to cross things off. Makes me feel organized. 🙂 Try it when you find the honey-do list…….
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Now there’s a great idea Kate! As it is I only feel organized when I cross things off. Adding things I’ve already done would make me feel optimistic too. A win/win! 🙂 Thanks!
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Hahaha! Thanks for noticing my newest self-pat on the back scheme. I count the weeds I pull. It really does make me feel productive and I hope it works for you too. 🙂
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You make me laugh Patti with the “overachiever” label for pulling 5 weeds. Think of how it might feel to pull 20 weeds! I am now motivated. 🙂
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Come back! We have had 2 absolutely gorgeous days and down in the 50’s at night. Imagine that for summer in Virginia!
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🙂 I like the ones where I send Bill to accomplish the errand! 🙂
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and you get to tick it off.
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Yep. Frustration seems to disappear with the first step in a walk…. gotta get out and do that more often. 🙂
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And then you can do mine! Have a lovely day!
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Much easier now with the summertime weather, for sure. I just raced home from my walk before the thunderstorm hit – but ohhh, the smell of summertime rain. Glorious!
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OK, my sister of choice. A To Do list is just a list of things that could be done. But hey you managed exercise, a walk in the sunshine, gardening and photo taking. And you also took the time to appreciate the lovely area in which you live. I think you qualify for being let off the To Do List.
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Now I call that a turnaround! Great day, Dor. 🙂
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Glorious is just the right word for a beautiful summer day like today in Virginia when I can smell the newly cut grass and revel in a gentle breeze.
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I do love being your “sister of choice” Judith! Thank you. 🙂
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That walk turned into the “great escape.” Happy Day to you too Eliza and thanks. 🙂
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Ahhhh. Did I tell you that I lived for a year in Fredericksburg? Fell in love with the area and the state – that was many many years ago.
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Sounds productive–especially the photos part.
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Well, my friend, I think you accomplished A LOT! The walk on a glorious summer day trumps everything. 🙂
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Wish you lived here!
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Only the little walk was really productive. “Such is life.” 🙂
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Hope to visit again one of these days. 💚
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Be sure to look me up! 🙂
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