17 for 2017

Last year, I chickened out of the 16 for 2016. However, this year I won’t get away with excuses. This challenge is strongly inspired by a fellow Irish blogger. The good lady of Murtagh’s Meadow sets a massive example. I will attempt to throw my slant on the challenge… never forgetting the most needed fundamental truths of Faith, family and fun!

1 – One e-book, one short story publication – The Lucky Thirteen on Amazon and the other platforms. Time to invest in the future. Time to create the potential of an added pension income. Am I being over optimistic?

2 – Identify and record 2 additional Irish butterfly species (my own records, not new species)

3 – Have at least three beach braais’ – yes, beach braai’s! Let the South African in me find room to move a little, again! Now that we’re living at the coast I need to get with it!!

4 – At least four events – I’d like to see Bob Dylan. Yes… why not? There are a few more great acts already scheduled to visit Dublin in 2017. Let’s get to see some of them before they push-off to the gig of no return!

5 – At least five fishing expeditions with the grand-kids… at least five! (Yes, I’m trying my best to set SMART objectives.) Don’t get me wrong, an expedition could be as long as 30 minutes… or as short as two days!

6 – Get my blood sugar mmol/l count average to about this number. Long term… meaning I’ll basically have reversed my T2D – after 10 years of up’s and downs and popping pills! (Needless to say, I’ll never trust a doctor’s word again!)

7 – We have seven children between the two of us – all grown up and big now. I’ll endeavour to share my message of LCHF with each and every one. Why? Because I don’t want them to find out ten years after being diagnosed with a lifestyle disease that it was likely preventable!!

8 – Submit at least eight mammal sightings to Biodiversity Ireland – we’re well on the way, we’ve spotted grey seals and dolphins on a few occasions since 01 Jan… good omens! (That is, I promise, a wild grey seal… )

9 – Three times three. Just an idea. Three fish caught… and three additional beach braais. Mmmm… the combinations are tempting!

10 – Dare I ask to visit ten new beaches? Yes, I dare! Promise… I’ll have photos to prove the point!

11 – Cricket teams are composed of eleven players… OK, plus the 12^th man. This season, Senior Son is first team captain at the club. An immensely chuffed pair of parents aim to see at least eleven of his games! Go on son… show them!! (Sorry, that’s a bit of Saffer pride creeping out… again!)

12 – Sharing 12 diabetes related posts! Mind you… I dream of helping others combat this insidious and mostly preventable illness. Yes, I’m willing to speak, write about and share my layman’s experience. After all, I have something to say, I’m well on the way to eating myself healthy! What did that Greek old-timer graybeard have to say about food and medicine?

13 – Another 13 short stories completed – ready for publication?

14 – Interesting… 14 what? Easy – by the middle of 2017 we’ll be blessed with 14 grand-kids! That means I need to be praying for 14 little darlings. A really happy thought…

15 – Following in MM’s wake… I’ll submit at least 15 sightings to Biodiversity Ireland… no, apart from the eight mammals.

16 – Mmmmm… doing number 17 gave me an idea! Last holoween we held onto a handful of pumpkin seeds… so, let me see if we can grow our own gourds to carve… more fun!

17 – Seventeen pots – yes, plant 17 pots with anything that grows well and adds colour, beauty and a bit of wildlife habitat!