Sunday, March 1, 2015

Birthday Month


Margaret Finnegan had a great idea. During February, her birthday month, she would do 50 good deeds. Not only did she think it up, she followed through, posting her results on Facebook.

I'd like to imitate Margaret but I'm not as nice as she is, so I've come up with something else for my birthday month in March. I'm going to have a minimum of one adventure each week and I'll tell you about my adventures here. I'm allowed to do this instead of good deeds because I'm older than Margaret, and by god, some adventure is in order.

For my current purposes, an adventure is something I haven't done before or somewhere I haven't been before, preferably inexpensive or free and not too far away. I've got Elizabeth Pomeroy's wonderful Lost and Found as my guide, and I'd be glad to have your suggestions, too.

I'll try to do some good deeds while I'm at it.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

One adventure each week! Shouldn't we all do it? :-)

Jean Spitzer said...

A terrific idea!

I nominate the ruins of Llano del Rio. I visited there many years ago, when I was a student writing a pepper on utopian communities. There is now a town, Llano, California.

Also, happy birthday and birthday month! Happy adventures.

Jean Spitzer said...

Paper, though pepper sounds more interesting.

Dina said...

Good luck with your plan. Happy birthday in advance.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes, José, and two good deeds a day!

I looked it up on the map, Jean. Not much there (I love that about it). It's close as the crow flies. I might go if I can get there via the Angeles Crest and avoid the freeway.

Thank you, Dina!

Anonymous said...

Fun stuff! Happy Birthmonth, P.

Nathalie H.D. said...

My birthday is in March too. Perhaps I should join the meme? I'd rather go for an adventure a week than for a good deed a day. I don't think I'm capable of the latter.

Happy birthday in advance, I love your photo.

Speedway said...

Happy Birthmonth, Petrea, especially since we also share the same date. Adventures begin every time we open a book or step outside our door. You might do something as small as going to a familiar place, but take the bus when you go. You will see people you'd never otherwise meet. Also, go to your local masters swim club. There are two very near you, one at Caltech and another at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. I found the info here: http://www.usms.org/placswim/mapsearch.php?action=f2&dist=25&address=&city=pasadena&state=CA&units=mi

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you, Hiker.

Nathalie, let me know about your adventures and take your camera!

Speedway, thanks. I won't go swimming because I'm a freak in the cold, but I will definitely take the train or the bus.

William Kendall said...

Have fun doing this, Petrea!

Bellis said...

I'm already looking forward to reading about your adventures. I lost my copy of "Lost and Found" last year and haven't found it yet - that'll teach me to lend out books. It's a wonderful source of places to explore, so I may need to buy another copy.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you, William!

Bellis, you've probably been to all the places I plan to go. Yes, buy another copy of the book!

Bellis said...

I've been meaning to visit all the old Spanish and Mexican adobe, as there are still quite a few of them. We picked up a very useful little booklet at the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas that has many of them listed. It's called the Passport to History. Another place I want to see is where Ramona grew up, or rather where the author had chosen as the setting for her book. It's in the Santa Clara valley and opens at weekends.

Bellis said...

Darn, I missed Helen Hunt Jackson's visit. http://www.ranchocamulos.org/

Ms M said...

Happy birth-month, Petrea! And great idea to go for adventures! I'm looking forward to reading about them....

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Nothing is more fun then finding a new trail, site etc. I live for that sort of thing. There is something to see if you visit Llano (I posted on it) But I would suggest the nearby Devil's Punch Bowl -- which is exquisite and doable.

irinapictures said...

Happy birthmonth! And happy adventures, I am sure they will be very well illustrated.

Ann Erdman said...

Margaret inspired me to do a good deed every day in February, which inspired Merrilee Fellows to fill in for me during the couple of weeks when I was sick. It had a ripple effect!

You being inspired to have great adventures and report them to us is, well, inspired! You may inspire others to do the same. And so the ripple continues outward.

Petrea Burchard said...

I already have an adventure planned for this week. Maybe two! I'll let you know. It looks like we won't have internet service until Thursday, so I have some free time!

Bellis said...

Fascinating to find out about LLano del Rio: I was so close to it when I used to visit the Devil's Punch Bowl. Time for another excursion to the high desert.

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

Book Dragon said...

Great idea and Happy Birthday! I'm also making a list for my birthday. 50 things during my 50th year. Hadn't thought to blog about them but I should

The Ranch looked peaceful. Looking forward to the rest of your adventures

Petrea Burchard said...

A quiet day at the ranch today, though the employees were busy. I wonder if I'd like a job stuffing olives. I'd probably just eat them.

Shell Sherree said...

Excellent ~ and the best adventures are often the most inexpensive or free. Happy birthday month, dear Petrea!!