Bucket List – Tales of a Family

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

One favorite pair of shoes, for a woman, can never have just one favorite pair, has been my old grey hiking boots. They have taken me on quite a few adventures while traveling around the countryside. I have been to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and Bent’s Old Fort in Southeastern Colorado. I have walked along dusty horse trails around my home with my pups.

I walked along the land of my grandpa’s old ranch, knowing all the while my steps covered the ground that he once walked. I stepped alongside the old train tracks and wondered how many times my mama had taken the old coal buckets and picked up the black chunks that had fallen off the train cars at the bend in the track.

I slipped on my shoes before sliding into old Ruby and heading for the mountains and trekking along trails that seemed to reach into the sky. I have strolled along quiet main streets, peering into shops or buying a cup of Joe to take on the road. I have walked along quiet streets of old ghost towns and marveled at old hotels and churches.

I have worn them while visiting grandbabies and viewing the newest members of the farm. I held little hands and walked to pens to witness the arrival of baby goats or laugh as I watched Princess Laya scurry towards an open kitchen door, hoping to steal food from the dog’s bowl. I wore them the day I saw Ember for the first time. The soft grey mare warmed my heart as I watched the wild Mustang scout her new home.

My old boots have carried me to many places as I enjoyed all that Colorado has to offer. And as the weather begins to warm, I can’t wait to pull them out, lace them up once again, and discover new places to explore.

Daily writing prompt

How do you want to retire?

View all responses

As retirement looms closer than ever, I look forward to the day when I slow down and enjoy each new day doing the things I love to do. I want to spend more time with those I hold dear, and I want to travel, relax, and write.

In this crazy hectic time in which we live, I want to be able to slow down and spend time with my loved ones. I long to attend my grandkids’ sporting events. I wish to spend more time playing with them and be present for those memorable moments. In addition, I would like to spend time with dear friends while relaxing at a favorite pub, cafe, or winery or watching a favorite movie.

Of course, I would love to explore my world, especially in Colorado. I have started a bucket list of places I want to visit in my state. It has so many beautiful and unique places to explore. In fact, I started my bucket list at the start of summer vacation. Two weeks ago, I visited two locations on my list, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Kiowa County and Bent’s Old Fort in Otero County. And I look forward to seeing more places this summer.

Although I enjoy teaching, once school begins, days of relaxation come to a screaming halt! My job consumes more hours than I care to admit! With lesson and unit plans, grading, researching, and so much more, my days blend together with ongoing work and responsibilities. And once again, my content area has shifted, so I must develop new lesson plans and ideas to meet Colorado State Standards. Thankfully, I have a jump start on my responsibilities and lessons planned into October. But I still have three more quarters to focus on this year. Since I still have so much work for this upcoming year, I want to start going into my building once a week to prepare for the new year’s lessons.

And, of course, I want to continue to write and then write some more! I would also love to find time for some creative writing workshops or classes to hone my skills. But I know I will continue researching, writing, and adding to my blog. Writing has provided a sense of adventure for me. It is one fun-loving activity that has kept me engaged and sane in this wild and hectic world in which we live.

Photo by Claud Richmond on Unsplash