30 for 60

 It's been a long time (16 years, actually) since I started this blog. I turned 59 a week ago, and it feels like it's time for a new set of challenges to start before I turn 60.  This time, instead of a new thing a week, I am going to try to generate a list of 30 challenges to do over a two-year period from now till the end of my 60th year (December 10, 2025 - December 10, 2027). My list is still in formation, but as I did back in 2010, I'm thinking in terms of categories. 

Here's what I have so far:

Creative Challenges:

• Knit a pair mittens
• Make a dried flower wreath from flowers I grow myself
• Take an art class
• Take a non-ballet dance class series

The Intimidating Ones;

• Manage and help do a home improvement project (replacing our back fence)
• Paint a room
• (Re)learn how to change a tire, fix a bike flat and jump start my car
• Take a short course to learn to use spread sheets
• Try skating in hockey skates

Physical Activities:

• Skate a solo in a holiday show (December 13, 2025)
• Pass another skating test 
• Do an international multi-day hike
• Hike or bike the entire Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
• Take a canoe or kayak trip to an island in Lake Champlain

Just Because:

• Write the book I keep talking about focused on unconventional home co-ownership, In Search of the Missing Middle
• Do a sister weekend with my sisters, Katrinka and Donna
• Enter something in the county fair
• Take a sign language class
• Organize a volunteer meetup for my Cayuga Court neighbors

One Month Challenges

• Give up social media for a month
• Get up before 6 am every day
• At least 45 minutes of yoga daily

As with the Year of 52, the list is a living document, so I'm good with starting with these 22 and adding the rest (with possibly a subtraction or two) as things progress. A lot of the challenges on this list are also harder and will take longer than the challenges in the original blog; they might not all happen, but hopefully it will be a good two-year run!