Does your day need a remedy, a resolution, or a celebration? Try List Writing!
I’m enthused about lists right now. Have you ever thought about how neat lists are? They fall into a
category of their own. There are no rules for making a list. There is no
expectation to show it to anyone else. It can be long or short. It can take the
place of a diary. It can be enlightening. And anyone can make a list—school
children, busy mothers, thoughtful grandfathers. You don’t even have to write
it down if you don’t want to. You can make your list as dull or eloquent as you
like. You can make it straight to the point or add sub-lists. The benefits go
on and on.
I’ve mostly made lists in my life that are hum-drum and disappointing. Chores to do, Groceries to buy, Bills to pay. There have been a couple fun ones—places to visit on this trip and books to read would be among them, but what about giving lists an entirely new life? I think some have tried to do so by bullet journaling. I’m just going to call it list-making.
It’s like this: You know the thankful lists that some people faithfully write? Well, maybe you think it’s a good idea, but it looks daunting. You can change the rules a little, if you list. How about a list called Things that Make Me Smile or Things I’m not Sad About or even Things That Were Not Unpleasantly Normal?
How about making a list of things you did instead of things you need to do? Why not record the verses that impress you during the week or the answers to prayer you've experienced? What if you documented the laughter you shared with your child instead of the number of times you had to punish him?
Lists can bring clarity. Sometimes when you see the large number of positive things compared to the smaller list of negative things that happened in the day you realize it wasn’t as bad as you thought. Sometimes making lists can help make a decision—just seeing the pros and cons right in front of you. Sometimes lists are just for you to look back on and smile at.
I wish there were a few more lists started. How about a list of elderly or shut-ins that people could write letters to? Maybe a list of bridal shower and baby shower games? Or how about a list of names that people should never name their children?
But that’s enough about lists. Below you will find some of mine from the fairs I did with my dad recently. I got started writing lists and found I couldn’t stop. They aren't elegantly worded or correctly punctuated. There may be some spelling errors. Perhaps you'll end up with more questions than answers. So you don’t have to read them, but you may. And if they inspire someone to write lists of their own, that’s even better.
Statistics:
7 hours driven with the windows down because the air conditioner didn't work
810 gallons of gas burned
3,000 miles traveled
22 nights spent in hotels
4 shows
726 dip & cheeseball samples used
72 gallons of soup made
I’ve mostly made lists in my life that are hum-drum and disappointing. Chores to do, Groceries to buy, Bills to pay. There have been a couple fun ones—places to visit on this trip and books to read would be among them, but what about giving lists an entirely new life? I think some have tried to do so by bullet journaling. I’m just going to call it list-making.
It’s like this: You know the thankful lists that some people faithfully write? Well, maybe you think it’s a good idea, but it looks daunting. You can change the rules a little, if you list. How about a list called Things that Make Me Smile or Things I’m not Sad About or even Things That Were Not Unpleasantly Normal?
How about making a list of things you did instead of things you need to do? Why not record the verses that impress you during the week or the answers to prayer you've experienced? What if you documented the laughter you shared with your child instead of the number of times you had to punish him?
Lists can bring clarity. Sometimes when you see the large number of positive things compared to the smaller list of negative things that happened in the day you realize it wasn’t as bad as you thought. Sometimes making lists can help make a decision—just seeing the pros and cons right in front of you. Sometimes lists are just for you to look back on and smile at.
I wish there were a few more lists started. How about a list of elderly or shut-ins that people could write letters to? Maybe a list of bridal shower and baby shower games? Or how about a list of names that people should never name their children?
But that’s enough about lists. Below you will find some of mine from the fairs I did with my dad recently. I got started writing lists and found I couldn’t stop. They aren't elegantly worded or correctly punctuated. There may be some spelling errors. Perhaps you'll end up with more questions than answers. So you don’t have to read them, but you may. And if they inspire someone to write lists of their own, that’s even better.
Statistics:
7 hours driven with the windows down because the air conditioner didn't work
810 gallons of gas burned
3,000 miles traveled
22 nights spent in hotels
4 shows
726 dip & cheeseball samples used
72 gallons of soup made
Louisiana
Arkansas
Missouri
Kansas
Iowa
Minnesota
South Dakota
Things People Left at our Booth:
A flag that says "Trump 2020" plus some words I won't repeat
1 Firestone jacket
1 XL sweatshirt that said "Alcohol first, Relatives later"
2 New Testaments
1 child's blow-up toy ball
1 notepad
3 yardsticks
1 flyswatter
1 cloth bag
Things People Gave Us:
1 broom
1 Artic thermos
2 yardsticks
1 cloth carry bag with Minnesota State University on it
1 free supper at Denny's
1 jar of honey
1 bag of kettle corn
1 paper fan
Things Carried Out of the Hotel in One Trip by One Person (me):
1 backpack
1 blanket
1 purse
1 orange tree
2 pieces of luggage
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Dairy Queen
Popeyes
Grizzlies
371 Diner
The Barn
Perkins
Applebee's
Pizza Hut
Denny's
Famous Dave's BBQ
Things I Bought or Traded Soup For:
Infused Honey
Larry's Peeler (yes, I know, a sucker born every minute and all. But you should have heard all the people that had owned a peeler for years and loved it.)
1 Orange Tree
1 bar of chocolate
3 bags of coffee (not for me, just to be clear)
1 bag of tea
1 tin of Watkins Cinnamon
From Wal-Mart (they don't let you trade for things):
1 soft blanket
1 jacket
1 pair of tennis shoes
Entertainment at the Fair We Did Not Attend:
Concert by Florida Georgia Line
Concert by Maddie & Tae
Concert by Josh Turner
State Fair Rodeo
Attractions We Visited:
1 soft blanket
1 jacket
1 pair of tennis shoes
Entertainment at the Fair We Did Not Attend:
Concert by Florida Georgia Line
Concert by Maddie & Tae
Concert by Josh Turner
State Fair Rodeo
Attractions We Visited:
Model Train Museum
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Attractions I'll Have to Go Back to Visit:
Laura Ingalls Wilder Home
Betsy & Tacy Home
Charles Lindbergh Home & Museum
Jesse James' Birthplace
George Washington Carver National Museum
Things That Made Me Smile:
All the old vehicles that drove by on their way to and from the antique car show
The teenage guy that thought the sleeping vendor was dead and freaked out
Getting to watch piglets being born
The stunning starry sky in Rural South Dakota
Dogs
Little kids that play peek-a-boo while their moms shop
Teenagers raised in the country that have learned respect
The people that asked where I was from, particularly the blind lady that asked if I really had an accent or if I was just putting it on
The cats in the apartment window by our booth in Little Falls
The delicious sweet breads and muffins at the continental breakfast at LivInn
The 13 year old boy hanging out with his buddies that bought a dip
That the organizers of the South Dakota Fair put the Republican booth right beside the Democrat booth. Were they purposefully trying to start something?
The disc golf tournament in a park we drove through
The mist over the Mississippi River on a Minnesota morning
The group of teenagers that were tired of shopping so they found an empty place near our booth and arm wrestled instead
The college guy that happened by when we were cleaning up at the end of the day and was delighted to take a couple left-over dip samples home with him
Hearing from friends after they read my blog. I know I'm a terrible long-distance communicator, but I do think of all of you & I'm thrilled when you message just to say hi!
A CCC project being revived by the Iroquois youth/congregation
The girl who thought we were selling pretzels and complained she couldn't tell a difference from one to the other. Her friend corrected her and informed her she was supposed to use the pretzel to sample the dip.
That the guy who made announcements over the loudspeaker in Owatonna ended every announcement with "that is all" said in a very monotone voice
The old-fashioned "ring for service" bell at the Iowa hotel's front desk
Things I Learned:
That rocks have to be gathered out of the fields every year in Northern locations because when it freezes they are pushed out of the ground. How have I never learned this?
People like to feel like Sherlock. But please ask what the most popular dip or soup is. Just because the basket is empty does nor mean it is a best seller.
It is possible to go for 11 hours without food, restroom, and only one bottle of water because you're so busy
That people in Minnesota don't often have porches, at least not where I was
If you don't eat all day you do have room for dessert at a restaurant
How rented tents are put up and taken down on concrete (they have to drill holes) And that people who do it for a job only take fifteen minutes or so to put up a 20x20 tent from start to finish
That if you need a windowsill for the tree you impulse bought on which to sit and get sun in the hotel room, an ironing board set up a foot or two from the floor works well
How bus stops work on a busy interstate
Seeing people out for a good time and yet so unfulfilled can take away any desire you may have to partake in so-called "good time"
What a potato digger looks like
You can work a 12-14 hour day on four hours of sleep
That people tend to be more respectful of the daily national anthem than of the daily opening prayer
Things That Made Me Roll My Eyes:
The guy that asked if the cups with ice were to wash your hands after sampling dips (they were cups for dips that we hadn't put out yet)
Dad's don't outgrow dad jokes
The fact that a guy started an arts and crafts show on the same days in a nearby town because he was offended at Little Falls officials
Things That Annoyed Me:
When people sample dips in large amounts for a long time and don't buy anything
Flies
A non-working air conditioner
That they've come up with three methods for using a credit card, but as a cashier I'd be happy if there was one that I could depend on to work every time
That some hotels have suspended room service since Covid & you now have to ask for fresh towels or washcloths whenever you need them
Port-a-pots
Falling down the steps. Ok, it was early and dark and I was tired & thought I was at the bottom step. I wasn't.
A certain vending machine that blatantly stole my money
The smell of hog barns
Things That Made Me Sad:
The hopelessness in the faces of so many people
Children that are being raised in homes where they are insecure
The shooting at the Minnesota State Fair
All the people living against the proper order God instituted in the beginning
The poor innocent deaf woman who tried Blazin' Saddles and was literally weeping from the habanero in it. I was so glad I at least had a small bottle of water to give her!
The guy that walked out of the restaurant because he didn't think he got the service he deserved
The family in Owatonna who had a teenage son that had been in a car wreck several months ago. He was in a wheelchair and had suffered brain damage. His mother said he no longer knew what foods he liked, and it was different from before the wreck, so he had to try everything. "It's been hard," she said. "This is my sister," the boy said, showing me a picture in his wallet, "she's beautiful."
Questions That Remain Unanswered:
Why do the lights of most wind chargers in an area blink on and off together, but sometimes there are two or three that are timed differently?
Why do some roads have a solid rumble strip down the middle and one with intervals on the side? I know why they have rumble strips both places, I'm just wondering why different types.
Why was a field we passed planted alternating every few rows between two different crops?
Why doesn't the South have as many flowers on the roadsides as the Northwest?
Why did someone put up a small wind charger that barely stuck over the trees? Kansas-sized trees, not southern-sized trees.
Things I Am Thankful For Now More Than Ever:
God's Church
Modesty
Peace
Worshipping With God's People on Sunday
Getting to spend time with my dad
The beautiful singing of God's people
That we can listen to church over the phone
That the shows we were at did well
Attractions I'll Have to Go Back to Visit:
Laura Ingalls Wilder Home
Betsy & Tacy Home
Charles Lindbergh Home & Museum
Jesse James' Birthplace
George Washington Carver National Museum
Things That Made Me Smile:
All the old vehicles that drove by on their way to and from the antique car show
The teenage guy that thought the sleeping vendor was dead and freaked out
Getting to watch piglets being born
The stunning starry sky in Rural South Dakota
Dogs
Little kids that play peek-a-boo while their moms shop
Teenagers raised in the country that have learned respect
The people that asked where I was from, particularly the blind lady that asked if I really had an accent or if I was just putting it on
The cats in the apartment window by our booth in Little Falls
The delicious sweet breads and muffins at the continental breakfast at LivInn
The 13 year old boy hanging out with his buddies that bought a dip
That the organizers of the South Dakota Fair put the Republican booth right beside the Democrat booth. Were they purposefully trying to start something?
The disc golf tournament in a park we drove through
The mist over the Mississippi River on a Minnesota morning
The group of teenagers that were tired of shopping so they found an empty place near our booth and arm wrestled instead
The college guy that happened by when we were cleaning up at the end of the day and was delighted to take a couple left-over dip samples home with him
Hearing from friends after they read my blog. I know I'm a terrible long-distance communicator, but I do think of all of you & I'm thrilled when you message just to say hi!
A CCC project being revived by the Iroquois youth/congregation
The girl who thought we were selling pretzels and complained she couldn't tell a difference from one to the other. Her friend corrected her and informed her she was supposed to use the pretzel to sample the dip.
That the guy who made announcements over the loudspeaker in Owatonna ended every announcement with "that is all" said in a very monotone voice
The old-fashioned "ring for service" bell at the Iowa hotel's front desk
Things I Learned:
That rocks have to be gathered out of the fields every year in Northern locations because when it freezes they are pushed out of the ground. How have I never learned this?
People like to feel like Sherlock. But please ask what the most popular dip or soup is. Just because the basket is empty does nor mean it is a best seller.
It is possible to go for 11 hours without food, restroom, and only one bottle of water because you're so busy
That people in Minnesota don't often have porches, at least not where I was
If you don't eat all day you do have room for dessert at a restaurant
How rented tents are put up and taken down on concrete (they have to drill holes) And that people who do it for a job only take fifteen minutes or so to put up a 20x20 tent from start to finish
That if you need a windowsill for the tree you impulse bought on which to sit and get sun in the hotel room, an ironing board set up a foot or two from the floor works well
How bus stops work on a busy interstate
Seeing people out for a good time and yet so unfulfilled can take away any desire you may have to partake in so-called "good time"
What a potato digger looks like
You can work a 12-14 hour day on four hours of sleep
That people tend to be more respectful of the daily national anthem than of the daily opening prayer
Things That Made Me Roll My Eyes:
The guy that asked if the cups with ice were to wash your hands after sampling dips (they were cups for dips that we hadn't put out yet)
Dad's don't outgrow dad jokes
The fact that a guy started an arts and crafts show on the same days in a nearby town because he was offended at Little Falls officials
Things That Annoyed Me:
When people sample dips in large amounts for a long time and don't buy anything
Flies
A non-working air conditioner
That they've come up with three methods for using a credit card, but as a cashier I'd be happy if there was one that I could depend on to work every time
That some hotels have suspended room service since Covid & you now have to ask for fresh towels or washcloths whenever you need them
Port-a-pots
Falling down the steps. Ok, it was early and dark and I was tired & thought I was at the bottom step. I wasn't.
A certain vending machine that blatantly stole my money
The smell of hog barns
Things That Made Me Sad:
The hopelessness in the faces of so many people
Children that are being raised in homes where they are insecure
The shooting at the Minnesota State Fair
All the people living against the proper order God instituted in the beginning
The poor innocent deaf woman who tried Blazin' Saddles and was literally weeping from the habanero in it. I was so glad I at least had a small bottle of water to give her!
The guy that walked out of the restaurant because he didn't think he got the service he deserved
The family in Owatonna who had a teenage son that had been in a car wreck several months ago. He was in a wheelchair and had suffered brain damage. His mother said he no longer knew what foods he liked, and it was different from before the wreck, so he had to try everything. "It's been hard," she said. "This is my sister," the boy said, showing me a picture in his wallet, "she's beautiful."
Questions That Remain Unanswered:
Why do the lights of most wind chargers in an area blink on and off together, but sometimes there are two or three that are timed differently?
Why do some roads have a solid rumble strip down the middle and one with intervals on the side? I know why they have rumble strips both places, I'm just wondering why different types.
Why was a field we passed planted alternating every few rows between two different crops?
Why doesn't the South have as many flowers on the roadsides as the Northwest?
Why did someone put up a small wind charger that barely stuck over the trees? Kansas-sized trees, not southern-sized trees.
Things I Am Thankful For Now More Than Ever:
God's Church
Modesty
Peace
Worshipping With God's People on Sunday
Getting to spend time with my dad
The beautiful singing of God's people
That we can listen to church over the phone
That the shows we were at did well
That I could be a friendly face for the lady from the Republican booth in Owatonna. She came rushing over to me and shared how scared she was after being verbally attacked by someone that didn't share her views. "You looked like a friendly face, and I was shaking!"
That I got to taste the Minnesota & South Dakota cultures
That someone in Iroquois was willing to mix up dip & cheeseball samples for us
That I was mostly unhurt after aforementioned early hour step descending incident
That the son and grandson of the elderly man attending the South Dakota State Fair managed to get his rented electric cart turned before it ran full speed into our table full of soup samples. Seriously, I know the carts are brilliant for people who aren't able to walk long distances, but the place that rents them out should make potential customers run an obstacle course first to make sure they are able operators.
That our box truck has a lift gate
That I live in the South
That there are still parents- young parents- doing a good job with raising their children
Home
That someone in Iroquois was willing to mix up dip & cheeseball samples for us
That I was mostly unhurt after aforementioned early hour step descending incident
That the son and grandson of the elderly man attending the South Dakota State Fair managed to get his rented electric cart turned before it ran full speed into our table full of soup samples. Seriously, I know the carts are brilliant for people who aren't able to walk long distances, but the place that rents them out should make potential customers run an obstacle course first to make sure they are able operators.
That our box truck has a lift gate
That I live in the South
That there are still parents- young parents- doing a good job with raising their children
Home
Three Cheers for LISTS!!!!!😀 Thank you..ENJOYED your lists!
ReplyDeleteGreat lists! Enjoyed another glimpse in your time spent helping your Dad!!
ReplyDelete