I recently read Nora Ephron’s last book of essays I remember Nothing, followed by her sister Delia’s book Sister Mother Husband Dog, also a very well-written book of essays including one about Nora and Delia’s experiences of grief following her death. Nora’s book included two lists: What I’ll Miss and What I won’t Miss, which inspired me to the following lists.
I like
Reading
Exploring
Playing the piano (currently Bach, Brahms and Beethoven)
Coffee and cake at Silo’s
My favourite TV shows (currently Mad as Hell; Sea Change; Squinters; Chef’s Table; Gardening Australia)
Running
My day off
Helping others
Friday lunches at Café Ink next to the library
The library
Travel
Books/writer’s festivals
Cuddles with the girls
Fires in our fireplace
Baths
Talking to friends
Art galleries
Mangoes
Good food/ making good food
Inspiring architecture
Friday nights when Gardening Australia is on
Chocolate
Meeting interesting and kind people
Cleaning
Spring
Helping in the girls’ classes
Seeing movies
Gardening
My iPhone
My grandmother’s Aynsley tea set of a cornflower-blue bird pattern on fine bone china
Flowers/open gardens/gardens/florists
Riding my bike with the girls
Summer Pudding
Beautiful clothes
Intimacy
Menstruating
Sleeping in
Holidays
Steve
Family
Concerts/dance/plays
A hammock under a tree
Fun
Writing these monthly pieces once they’re done.
I don’t like
Rushing
Regrets
Difficult staffing situations
Not feeling in control
Not feeling that I’m doing a good job
Feeling too cold
Tantrums
Fights
Conflict
Ugly or poky buildings
Clutter
Wasting food
Poverty
Inequality
Apathy
Violence or abuse
Protracted grey skies
Technology that I can’t work out
People who can’t hear me
Being asked the same questions about my life/family/opinions every time I see someone
Feeling hungry
Working long hours
Doing work that doesn’t feel worthwhile
Self-centred people
Feeling shy
Priviledge
Injustice
The Coalition
Ideologically rather than evidence-based policy
Punctures
Long winters
Not having enough time to myself
Having too much time to myself
Feeling that I should spend time and money removing leg hair but not believing in it
Feeling isolated
Feeling tired
Feeling broke
Social constraints
Inaction on climate change
Busy roads
Cars
Sinking feelings
Awkward situations
Sarcasm
Negativity.
