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Last year, at the suggestion of my granddaughter Aubrey, I completed 62 Outrageous Things for My 62nd Birthday. I wrote out 62 activities on slips of paper and every day, I randomly drew one out of the jar and did what was written. I enjoyed those activities so much that I decided to celebrate my 63rd birthday on January 9 with 63 curious things to do.
For 63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday, I’ve made a few modifications. I still randomly draw out an activity every day. If I can complete the activity on that day, wonderful. However, if I don’t have time, or the activity requires a lot of effort, I’m okay with working toward its completion as I can. My goal is to have all activities completed by January 9.
And last year I posted a birthday activities update once a week. This time, I’m shooting for twice a month updates. I schedule out my posts in advance for each month plus I’m working with more and more brands that require social media or blog posts. To get it all done I’m limiting the number of birthday updates.
On November 7 I drew my first activity. Here are highlights of the curious activities I’ve done!
63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday
I’m keeping a notebook this year, with a numbered list of the 63 activities and then a list showing which activities were drawn on which days. And I’m keeping track of the completion of each activity.
Although I’m not sharing details about every activity this year, I’ll list each one. I’m posting a good sampling of what I’m doing.
So here we go!
11/7/2020 Write out my name and list a favorite characteristic for each letter (completed)
11/8/2020 Write a poem and hide in a library book (completed)
I’m no poet, however I enjoyed creating a simple poem and then tucking it into a library book at my local public library.
Travel is the theme and I felt inspired to write about the regions my ancestors came from, according to my Ancestry DNA test results.
Here is the poem, titled Traveler:
My Irish feet dance down paths unknown
Scottish bagpipes wail and call me home
Cups of hot tea warms my soul
My gypsy heart longs to roam.
Northern lights draw my gaze
African savannas whisper “come explore me”
Germany’s forests shelter surprises
The world is calling, there’s much to see.
Of all the journeys I’ve undertaken
In travels far and wide
The one that opened doors to all others
Is the discovery of who I am, inside.
The poem found a home inside a travel book, which seemed appropriate!
11/09/2020 Draw with my left hand (completed)
I discovered during this curious activity that I can sketch with my left hand better than I can write with it. Sitting on my bed, I spied my cat Angel taking a nap. Her body contorted, as only cats can do, she nevertheless snoozed soundly.
Below is an actual photo of Angel…and the quick sketch that I did in my notebook with my non dominate hand.
11/10/2020 List 63 curious things I’m grateful for (completed)
11/11/2020 Take an online photography class (completed)
11/12/2020 Create a hot cocoa bar (completed)
This activity completed today! I enjoyed using pieces from the Decocrated Christmas box (post coming soon…use CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE1O to save $10 on a seasonal box or CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE to save $30 on a yearly subscription) and healthy hot chocolate mixes from Four Sigmatic. (Check out this POST for more info about this awesome company. You can order from this amazing company using this link. Use my code CINDYLAUDERDALEMOORE at checkout to save 10%)
I recently purchased a new cabinet to hold all my tea supplies and loose leaf herbs. This cabinet became the base for the cocoa…and hot tea…bar. I love the way it turned out!
11/13/2020 Make a vegan Indian recipe (completed – Vegan Curry)
11/14/2020 Send out newsletters to email lists for Beyond and Journey (in process)
11/15/2020 Create a black and white Christmas Vignette (completed)
Another fun activity, I created this vignette after enjoying my black and white fall one. I used an assortment of items, from Decocrated pieces to items I already had to Hobby Lobby finds.
This display makes me smile! I love all the buffalo plaid. Read more about how it came together HERE.
11/16/2020 Research and plan a night themed garden (completed)
11/17/2020 Create my own full moon ritual (completed)
11/18/2020 Contact a person I haven’t talked to since childhood (not completed yet)
11/19/2020 Try a food I consider disgusting (completed)
There are very few foods I consider disgusting, although as a plant based person, there are many I don’t eat now. The perfect opportunity presented itself, however. During lunch at an Asian restaurant, I tried seaweed salad.
I use powdered seaweed such as Atlantic sea dulse and spirulina in smoothies, but I’ve never eaten seaweed. I expected it to have a slimy texture and a fishy taste. It did not. I enjoyed the salad. Full disclosure, however. I did belch a couple of times later and there was the fishy taste! Ewww.
11/20/2020 Color a page in a coloring book using only one color (completed)
11/21/2020 Read a classic I’ve missed (in process)
I love the various movie adaptation of Emma. I realized recently that I never read the book by Jane Austen. I’m remedying that. I purchased a copy of the book and I’m loving it. As I read I can imagine the characters plus I love the extra details in the book. Check out my review of the latest film version of Emma.
11/22/2020 Buy a new to me plant (completed)
I’m a plant fiend, it’s true. They grow in my garden, thrive in containers on the porch and patio and brighten my indoor space. When I went looking for a new to me plant, I immediately settled on a bamboo plant. I’ve actually always wanted one, and now it graces my writing table in my studio.
11/23/2020 Buy moon jewelry (completed)
My symbol for 2021 is the moon. I found the perfect necklace on Amazon. This Edary boho layered necklace features a crescent moon AND a globe of the world. I’m excited to receive it. You can order one too by clicking photo below.
11/24/2020 Create a new holiday dish for Christmas (completed – vegan lasagna)
There are the first curious activities as I march toward my 63rd birthday. As usual, I’m having fun, learning new things and stepping beyond my comfort zone. I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate who I am.
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