Dreams Take Flight
Many thanks to Tish Jett of A Femme d’un Certain Age who invited me to join this lovely blogger party. The theme of this month’s post is aspirations and dreams. You can see links to other bloggers in this gathering at Splenderosa.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to realize so many of my dreams. I dreamed of being a writer, and have created this blog, which not only is a wonderful outlet for the urge to write, but has put me in touch with so many wonderful women all over the world. Shortly after turning 50, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit Paris, and have been able visit four times so far, each time for a few days.
I still have many dreams and goals, most of which will probably be within reach in the next few years. We’ve started to talk about retirement, and perhaps moving to Napa. More travel beckons. And then there remains one big one.
As a very young child, I’d get up very early on Saturday mornings, and rush out to switch on our little black-and-white TV, then wait impatiently for it to warm up and the picture to appear. While I did enjoy Bugs Bunny and the Roadrunner, and Huckleberry Hound and all of the other Saturday cartoons from the early 60’s, my favorite show usually came on before the cartoon block.
By the time I was watching it, the television series Sky King was several years old and in re-runs. But the program kindled in me the desire to be a pilot, and fly my own plane. The idea of travel was alluring, but it was the actual flying itself that captured my imagination. Back then though, women were stewardesses not pilots, and my desire to fly was treated as something silly that I would grow out of.
By my senior year of high school (1974), things had started to change for women. I had a boss who encouraged me to apply to the Air Force Academy (he was an alum) which was just beginning to accept women. He offered to write me a letter of recommendation. Between that and my grades, I probably could have been admitted. But even my limited self-knowledge at that point in my life was enough to tell me that I would not do well in a military environment, especially one that was still mostly openly hostile to women. I could have taken ground school at the local community college, but could see no way to pay for the flight lessons, so filed the idea into the “someday, maybe” mental drawer.
If money were no object, I’d be signing up for flight school right now. But in the meantime, I’ve set myself an achievable goal: to take a ride in an open cockpit biplane.
This is going to be my 55th birthday present to myself. There are several companies in Southern California who offer these rides, and on most I’d be able to take my son along (he’s inherited my love of flying). This will probably happen in the Spring, and gives me something incredible to look forward to.
Have you recently achieved any big dreams? Any you’re getting close to, or working toward?
~
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A very exciting dream and waiting to hear about your 55th birthday and your ride in an open cockpit biplane. From what I have learned about you, you will make your dream come true!
Hot air balloons, airplanes, higher and higher:).
Wonderful, Pseu, and such a metaphor for your life, soaring, holding the broad perspective and taking those you love along for the ride.
What a marvelous dream! And you will make it happen – and you will tell us about it, I hope?
I would love to have a goal like that but I can’t think of anything I still want to do, I’m even tired of travelling now.
I think it’s pipe and slippers time for me.
I would love to have a goal like that but I can’t think of anything I still want to do, I’m even tired of travelling now.
I think it’s pipe and slippers time for me.
A big HUGE welcome to our party! I know how Tish adores you, and soon we all will. This is a completely wonderful post! Flying in an open cock-pit plane would be wonderful, I think. Perhaps, I should add that too. xx’s Come over & link up with us at the very very bottom of my post Marsha
Yes, you’re right, I was surprised. Not surprised you would do something thrilling, unexpected, but not precisely taking flight.
You are such a joy. I am so happy to call you a friend.
xoxoxo,
Tish
A wonderful dream — I’m glad you shared it! And I’m looking forward to the photos of your barnstorming ride. Pity it doesn’t cost 25 cents any more!
How exciting! What a wonderful birthday present to give to yourself and share with your son.
I love what Duchesse said.
My brothers loved Sky King, and air shows…we always went in Texas! I look forward to reading about your experience in the air! Great post!
It’s lovely that you’ve conceived of these dreams and achieved them–such a feeling of contentment to make sure one does the things that makes them happy. It’s a good reminder for me to do that more. I have done a lot of the things I really wanted to do, so now I must think of more!
xo Mary Jo
http://ON-PCH.com
It seems that some of us are dreaming about flying! I’m certainly with you!
Best wishes for your flying adventure!
karin
You revealed a whole new side of you for us!
I hope your dream comes true, and why shouldn´t it!
What an inspiring post – i have started designing clothes again which i am loving – 45 was a big birthday for me and starting the blog was part of my decision to diversify my working hours and this feels like the very natural progression xx
http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
@The Style Crone I’m so excited at the prospect! I know my son will love it too, and so much of my enjoyment will be seeing HIS enjoyment.
@LPC Can a trip into space (or at least one of those “weightless” flights be far behind?
@Duchesse Thank you, and what a lovely way of looking at it.
@Patti @ NotDeadYet Style You bet I will…pictures and everything!
@Susan Tiner It really is exciting! I loved Duchesse’s comment too.
@Bourbon&Pearls Being a homebody is OK too, especially when the home is as lovely as yours.
@Pam @ over50feeling40 So nice to know I’m not the only one who remembers that show! Thank you.
@Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle It’s a good feeling to know we’ve achieved some of our important dreams. And it’s fun to have some to look forward to. I love your new street style blog too!
@Splenderosa Thank you so much for your gracious welcome. I so enjoyed reading your story about 50-yard-line at the Longhorn game. Thank you again for allowing me to participate!
@Tish Jett Now you’re making me blush. And cry a little bit, the good kind. xoxoxoxoxo
@metscan Mette, I’ve been talking about doing this for so long, and now I’m determined to make it happen!
@fashion and frank Designing clothes, what a great thing! You have a wonderful fashion sense and I know you’ll do well.
@Rubi Thank you! And you…living your dream now too?
@Frugal Scholar Two months…heaven! I’ll check out that program, thank you.
@Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell Because it reminds you of work? Or because you know about design flaws?!?
😀 I hope you are very much enjoying your retirement; you’ve earned it!
@RoseAG Rafting down the Colorado river sounds like great fun. Seeing the Grand Canyon is another of my dreams.
@LaPouyette Thank you so much!
What a wonderfully brave dream. I love a girl who just goes for it. Welcome to the group. Mona
Just the thought of piloting an airplane stresses me out! My dream is two months in Europe–I achieved my previous dream of one month last summer.
You and your son might have some fun watching the old Reading Rainbow, where the host gets a flying lesson. he’s giddy with happiness.
I worked most all my working career at an aircraft manufacturer and I had no desire to fly.
My biggest dream was to retire and be able to do all the things I have wanted to do for years. Now, I am retired and free to do what I want when I want–my dream fulfilled.
Good luck to you on your planned flight, it should be wonderful for you.
You dream sounds like my nightmare! Heights are not for me.
A few years ago I rafted down the Colorado river. That’s something I’d dreamed of doing.
Such an inspired dream…to learn to fly would be beyond my imagination….and bravery I suspect…. When you do take that flight with your son in the biplane…it will be worth the waiting….and keep us posted…xv
Formidable, aussi! Listen, my mother (who is 90 and unstoppable) woke up on her 56th birthday and told my Dad, “Right – I’m gonna go see the world, dear. . . .”, packed up my brother’s old Boy Scout backpack and took off for the next 9 months. She got her pilots license at 78. She still flys. Still kicks ass. I just stay out of her way. So go out there and get your dream. Today is not a dress rehearsal for tomorrow.
Your note about Sky King amazed me: according to my parents that was my favorite early childhood TV as well. (I had a student named Sky King a couple years ago, and wondered if his parents had been fans, too!) I love your birthday dream — it sounds brilliant. I can’t imagine not setting new goals as well as realizing old dreams.
Dreams do come true I guess…. 🙂
@Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. Thank you, and thanks for the kind welcome!
@vicki archer I will definitely post about it when it happens!
@Anonymous Wow. Your mother sounds like an *amazing* woman. I could only hope to be that intrepid at 78.
@Pearl How funny; I’m always amazed when I find other people who remember that show. I can’t imagine a life without dreams either.
@Odusee Catalogues In some form at least, I think they do if we persevere and keep an open mind.