Kick The Bucket

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What are the top items on your anti-bucket list — those things you never, ever want to do, places you never want to visit, books you never want to read, etc.?

Being a positive person, I haven’t really considered things that I never want to do. However, with two minutes of indulgence, I was able to find several items for my list.

Activities

  • Base Jumping
  • Bungy Jumping
  • Driving a Racing Car
  • Flying A Plane

Books

  • Horror Books
  • Science Fiction Books
  • Science Manuals
  • The Hunger Games
  • War and Peace

Countries

  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan
  • Siberia

Films/TV

  • Sports Channel
  • War movies
  • Westerns

Music

  • Heavy metal
  • Opera
  • Symphony

Sports

  • Boxing
  • Hunting
  • Softball

All of the above are things that I am not interested in, do not like or in some cases cannot see myself doing, such as flying a plane. The more I think about it, an anti bucket list isn’t a bad idea. It allows me to know what I do and don’t like. I think I might keep it as a work in progress adding to it regularly.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/kick-the-bucket/

Lessons From Dogs

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When loved ones come home, run to meet them.

After you’ve been scolded, run right back and be friends.

When someone is having a bad day, sit by and nuzzle a little.

When your happy, dance around, and wag your whole body.

Delight in the healthy pleasures of a good walk.

Avoid snarling when a gentle growl will do.

 

Author unknown

Seen on a sign on Newfoundland waterfront.

 

151 - a Newfie 1

Love Me Please

Halifax Explosion

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As it’s been a while since our last free-write… set a timer for ten minutes. Write without pause (and no edits!) until you’re out of time.

On 6th December, 1917, the Norwegian ship IMO collided with the French monitions ship Mont Blanc starting a fire on the Mont Blanc. At 9.05 am the 2,653,115 kg of explosives detonated, setting off a tsunami and killing 1900 people. It also injured or left thousands more homeless.  It was the most powerful, non-atomic, man-made blast in history. The damage covered a massive area and affected 80% of the population.

In acknowledgment of the 97th anniversary of the explosion last Saturday, the Halifax ran memorial ceremonies throughout the city. We attended the one on the harbour. At 9.05 a canyon sounded from the Citadel signalling all the boats on the harbour to begin ringing their bells and blowing their horns. It was inspiring. We were at the Acadia, the only ship still on the harbour that was on the harbour back in 1917.

I was humbled to be a part of remembering an important part of Halifax’s history.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-7/

All Or Nothing

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“Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.” — Sylvia Plath

Which do you find more dangerous: wanting nothing, or wanting everything?

Is wanting everything or wanting nothing the better option. Will either make you a better person or successful?

Neither are helpful.

Wanting nothing and wanting everything are at each end of a continuum.

Nothing _______________________________________________________________Everything

Wanting nothing doesn’t allow you to take the first steps.

Wanting everything means you are taking steps in every direction and achieving very few things.

I believe the answer lies in the grey area. The area in between. The something. Wanting something and making a plan works. Aiming for something, a goal allows you to put steps in place be successful.

Nothing________________________Something ___________________________Everything

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/all-or-nothing/

Honorary Newfies

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Prior to becoming part of the 10th province of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949, Newfoundland was an independent Dominion. For this reason, Newfies, (the common name for people from Newfoundland) identify being Newfoundlanders first and then Canadian. Rum has played a major role in their history and today, they use it to  extended a welcome to its visitors.

The story goes that years ago Newfoundlanders traded salted cod with the Jamaicans for their rum barrel ends. They would then add water to them, creating their own rum. This brew was rough and remained nameless for years. Then one day an American naval officer was offered some after diner. He noticed that the other officer drank his shot quickly in one go. So he did too. Then, he let out an almighty screech that brought his captain running. Asking the question,

“What’s the screech about.” asked the Captain?

The officer replied stating “tis the rum.”

And that is how Newfoundland’s rum was named. Today, the name is the same, although now good quality Jamaican rum is used. It is this rum that is basis of the Screeching-In ceremony.  This ceremony helps tourists feel welcome  and makes them an honorary Newfy after participation.

The Screeching-In Ceremony takes four parts.

1. Drinking something from Newfoundland – Screech Rum

2. Eating something from Newfoundland – Bolonge

3. Saying something from Newfoundland – Too weird to remember.

4. Kissing something from Newfoundland – a frozen cod. Yeah.

009 Michelle post ceremony 1

To join with tradition, my husband and I were Screeched-In recently. It was fun. We have now joined nearly 200,000 visitors who can now call themselves, Newfies. Screeched-In at Trapper Johns, St Jon’s Newfoundland. If you ever go to Newfoundland join the fun.

004 - Schreeching Certificate

Dream Day

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You’re given unlimited funds to plan one day full of any and all luxuries you normally can’t afford. Tell us about your extravagant day with as much detail as possible.

I have been given access to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But only for one day, so how will I spend it.  I would wake up in a house on a private beach and begin my day by an early morning swim. Then a walk on the beach to a champagne brunch attended by my extended family. We enjoy the following brunch menu.

Brunch Menu

Chicken

Ham and cheese croissants

Bacon

Eggs Benedict

Waffles, maple syrup and ice-cream

Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries

Organic Muesli

Organic Greek yoghurt

French champagne

At the completion of brunch, a stretch Hummer will pick us up for a day at the day spa. After dropping the others off, my husband and kids will go shopping for a new outfit.  But feeling so good after being pampered all day deserves to be shown off. I think a fancy six course dinner for two at a top restaurant with matching wines is in order. Special foods and wines to help celebrate my dream day.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/feeling-fancy/

Keep It Simple

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Today, write a post about the topic of your choice — using only one-syllable words.

Life was not meant to be easy. But why is it so hard to keep it simple. How do we start?  The answer may be to break it down. To stamp out the big words.

1. Write what you want to say. Use any number of syllables.

2. There will be many words with one syllable ignore them.

3. Circle the words that need to be cut down. Even three to two makes it simpler. Write a list of options and pick the best.

I wrote the first draft of my book in this style. The shorter the better. The easier it is to read. Stamp out big words. Keep it simple and see the power.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/one-at-a-time/

Lessons From My Blog

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What’s the most important (or interesting, or unexpected) thing about blogging you know today that you didn’t know a month ago?

Blogging is a never-ending journey. This is my 150th post. And I am excited there is always something new to learn or do.  So what are some of the things I have learnt recently?

1. Working out what my audience wants is tricky and seems to vary.

2. Connecting with others is the key.  I don’t expect others to stop by my site without me reaching out to them. This  is only half the journey and doesn’t work.

3. I make sure that my writing is clear and not open to interpretation. I use the KIS principle, keep it simple.

4. Writing daily makes it easier. I stopped for a few days and I lost momentum.  Now it takes me longer to write my posts until I get back into a system.

5. The more I blog, the more I want to blog. I love that you can sit at your computer anywhere in the world, share people’s lives and they can share mine.

6. The more I blog, the more I realise the power of the internet and the role of my voice online.

7. Finding viewers is hard but working my blog helps keep them. I appreciate everyone who stops by and visits my blog.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/recently-acquired/

Following Your Gut

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When’s the last time you followed your instinct despite not being sure it was the right thing to do? Did it end up being the right call?

I cannot tell you when I started relying on my gut. It is what I do. I am naturally intuitive and regularly just know things before they happen. My family has learnt to go with it, even though it often seems strange.

Over the years, I have chosen to hone this skill. I can’t tell you how I started but if you are interested,begin by learning to listen to your thoughts and instincts. Don’t judge. Some gut instincts will seem far-fetched at first. The more you trust yourself however, the more you can go with them.

I use my gut instinct in my counselling. It is surprising how often even the most outrageous statement is exactly on point and what the person needs to hear. Although I may not have known all the facts when, by following my gut, I have been able to respond in the right way.

Listen and its amazing what you can hear.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/gut-feeling/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sydney 2000 Flame

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Show us something that is lost, but not forgotten.

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

The Sydney Olympics ended 14 years ago, however the Australian Olympic spirit lives on. This cauldron once adorned the stadium. It has been mounted on legs and now forms a beautiful sculpture  in Cathy Freeman Park.

Every four years during the Olympics, our flame is re-lit.  I love watching it. These photos were taken during the 2012 London Olympics. It still has the water attached, which is turned on periodically during hot summer days as a place for the children to cool off.

Sydney 2000 has gone but is definitely not forgotten.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/gone-but-not-forgotten/