We all probably have a list of certain things we’d like to accomplish: places to go, people to meet, things to do before we shuffle off our mortal coil.

Maybe it’s written down somewhere; perhaps we simply carry it around in our head.

I’ve been pondering my mental list of late.

As I write this, it’s Friday and we are going to be whisked away to the Big Apple for the "My Kind of Town" the next day. I don’t quite know what to expect, but I do think it’s be an unforgettable experience for all of us.

As Linda Horn said, &uot;Being in a studio audience for a TV show is one more thing I can scratch off my ‘to-do’ list.&uot;

Me, too.

Taking a flight lesson was one of the things on my own list; I’ve done that and lived to tell about my experience in a &uot;VW Beetle with wings.&uot;

I’ve traveled to London and Paris, seen Mount Rushmore and sung live on the radio.

I’ve made a few television commercials and seen my byline on a few hundred stories.

So, yes, I’ve been blessed to be able to mentally scratch off a few more items on my to-do list.

But there are always other things on my list. Here are a few:

* Dining at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower in Paris with my husband and gazing out at the City of Lights on a clear, starry night.

* Taking fencing lessons. Sure, I’m kind of a klutz, but I sure do love those swashblucker movies.

* Traveling to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

* Taking dance lessons with my husband, though getting him to do so just might be a miracle.

*Writing a Great Southern Novel.

*Starting a no-kill animal sanctuary near my home.

*Writing and illustrating a children’s book featuring my cats and dogs.

*Taking a Caribbean cruise with my whole family.

*Visiting Rapid City, S.D. and the Black Hills after being away for 17 years.

*Losing all my extra weight and buying a designer outfit – just once.

* Seeing the marquee at the Ritz get renovated and rejuvenated.

* Having my mom’s house renovated from top to bottom.

So, what’s on your to-do list?

n n n

Several people have asked me about my mom and father-in-law recently. Mama is doing well; she had a fabulous two weeks spent with family members in Tennessee earlier this summer.

She’s also thrilled to be a great-grandmother. My niece, Heather, is a wonderful mom to little Abbigail Nicole (Abbi for short), who is an absolute doll – a headful of dark hair, big, deep blue eyes and a perfect Gerber baby pout. Of course, we are not prejudiced in any way…

Mr. A.C., my dad-in-law, has improved greatly health-wise after two hospital stays earlier this year. We greatly appreciate all your kind thoughts and prayers.

Angie Long is the lifestyles reporter for the Greenville Advocate

and can be reached at 383-9302, ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate. com