My buddy Pete raises the issue of the top 10 things to do/see before you die.  He asks his readers how many of the 10 they’ve seen.  I’ll offer a different list — things I’ve already seen myself.  These are in no particular order and just off the top of my head.  Some of them have passed into memory, and cannot be seen again.

1.  The Pieta, in St. Peters, Rome.

2.  The tomb of Napoleon.

3.  Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey.

4.  Giant Redwoods, northwestern coast of California.

5.  Red salmon and Rainbow trout in a cold creek, eastern sierras.

6.  Even a bad football game, if watched with my Dad and either of my grandpas.

7.  Bald eagle taking a dump while taking flight, Mt. Lassen.

8.  Mir-streaming icon of the Mother of God, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

9.  My family, any time they happen to be smiling. 

10.  Thanksgiving dinner, and something to be thankful for. 

And a bonus item:

11.  My parents, with my nephew, and their joy.