Today is Dream Day, read our post to get started making your dream happen.
Tomorrow is Love Note Day - slip one in a pocket, pack it in a lunch, or write one . . . here's a how-to!

Today is World Dream Day . . . take a look at the site that celebrates our dreams and you'll find more ways to take action.

Finding a way to make it happen.

Dreams of course come in all sizes. Most start with just a whisper or a passing thought. Some come and go. But when there's something that won't let go, don't ignore it!

It might seem impossible, but it doesn't have to be.

I like to read, and I read a lot of how-to books, and the message that runs through almost every one of them is the same: start.

Whatever it is that you're dreaming of, get started. Because taking action is where your dream will begin to take shape. Research, reading, and thinking are helpful, but taking some sort of action is the best way to get things going.

It's all in the doing.

One of my dreams has been to create a format where I can share my enthusiasm for hobbies, passions, and pastimes, because I believe they have the power to lift us from boredom, sadness, and loneliness; introduce us to new people and places; to discover new talents; and inspire a more creative and interesting life. My dream became Assembly of Grand Pursuits . . . it's a dream that continues to change, grow, and evolve.

I started to make progress with this website after reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. One illustration is where things changed for me. He talks about writing a blog. It was an overwhelming and daunting concept for me, and his illustration simplified the process: you get results by doing—one step at a time. And then over time, you have creating something. It's the same whether you want to make something, go somewhere, or learn something.

Plot your course, break it into smaller tasks, and tackle them one by one, day by day. It's deceptively simple, and it works.

Much like savings, or taking a course: with each class or deposit, little by little, step by step, you create and build something. It also generates new ideas and new thoughts. But it only happens when you get going, get your hands dirty, and get out. So let's get going. It may not be easy, but from my experience, I can say, it's worth it.

Last week I walked into a hobby shop to talk with the staff about kits and model making. I'd been thinking about it for a week or two, but kept finding ways to put it off.  It's still hard for me to pick-up the phone, to walk into a shop, to start a conversation. But once I do it, it's exhilarating.

I learned about kits and models for airplanes, trains, sailboats, motorboats, dollhouses, helicopters, and drones! I learned dollhouse kits are popular with men who want to build them for their kids (girls and boys) and that they are available as two-story Victorians and log cabins. I learned you can get a boat building kit for the Titanic, the USS Constitution, or a Maine lobster boat. I learned you can build a radio-controlled model plane that can tow a glider plane into the air where it can be released to follow thermal wind currents for lifts and spirals.

It was all so interesting, I wished I had done it sooner.

And blog posts? Same thing. I start and stop, worrying if I can make it interesting. Is it too short? Too long? Will I find a good image to go with it? But once I begin, the ideas bubble up.

Ideas that I would never have considered if I hadn't  . . . started.

We'd love to hear how you get started and what you're working on. Leave a comment!

Today is Cheeseburger Day. There's a great burger joint in Falmouth, Maine, called Harmon's Lunch. Thin burger, steamed rolls, grilled onion, ketchup and mustard optional. Can't beat it.

This coming week we'll see the end of summer and beginning of fall. A good way to celebrate would be to take inspiration from Car Free Day on the 22nd and get outside, or Miniature Golf Day on the 21st before they button up for the season (at least here in the northeast!).

Follow our calendar day by day, or jump ahead.
Here are links to a few of our favorite pursuits of the week:
World Dream Day - find a way to make yours happen
Talk Like a Pirate Day - and a site for all things pirate: movies, history, navigation, biographies, and more!

Whether you bake or not, there's great truth in that sentence.

Struggles. We all have them. Finding a way out, or at least some relief, can sometimes be the biggest challenge of all.

Ruth Reichl's new book "My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life," due out later this month is a response to losing her long-time job as food editor at Gourmet magazine which closed after a 69-year run. It's a story of loss and finding a way back. Get the cake recipe here and read the full article about Reichl in The New York Times here. 

I get it. My go-to recipe is oatmeal cookies . . . I like them with raisins, nuts, and chocolate chips. My husband prefers the classic oatmeal raisin.

It's in the gathering of ingredients, mixing, baking, and then sharing my baked goods that I find relief. And my go-to recipe is Quaker Oats Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (though I do prefer to leave out the cinnamon). 

If you're interested in giving it a go, the recipe is printed under the lid . . . you can lift the lid in the store without breaking the seal, check the ingredients, grab what you need, and go home and bake. Brilliant packaging.

Relief is not confined to the kitchen. You might prefer setting out on a bicycle, or knitting, treasure hunting, or baking a chocolate cake or a batch of cookies. Relief is found in the doing.

Focus on one thing or mix it up, but whatever you do, find the power of pursuits.

And if you want the recipe for Mexican Hot-Chocolate Cookies pictured above, here it is!

Today is Make Your Bed Day.
If you're wondering whether or not it's worth it, listen to Admiral McRaven's reasons why it's a good idea. It's a short and amusing video.

And yes, I do make my bed. It started when my grandparents moved from Chicago to live downstairs from us in a new two-family home on the east coast. One day my sister and I came home from school to find our beds with new sheets, pillows, and blankets. It was particularly noticeable because at that point we NEVER made our beds. What a wonderful surprise. I was so smitten with the new look of my bed (and my Grandmother's sweet gift) I was proud to make it every day.

Even today, when I change the sheets, I think of my Grandmother . . . thanks Grandma!

Do you make your bed? Tell us why in the comments below.

Here's your calendar for the week ahead. What will you do this week?

Follow our calendar day by day, or jump ahead.
Here are links to a few of our favorite pursuits this week:
ROALD DAHL DAY - Visit your local library and revisit or discover these Dahlicious stories!
DOT DAY - Discover ways to make your mark!

1) It's a banner year for acorns. The squirrels and chipmunks are scurrying about as though they are at an all-you-can-eat buffet that's closing in ten minutes.

They're frantic. Darting about with stuffed cheeks (really, one chipmunk had an acorn bulge, right cheek), they're busy, busy, stashing their bounty, getting ready for that cold and snowy winter that's been forecast.

Who needs a forecast? Just keep an eye on "Rocky" and "Alvin" out in the backyard.

2) Found money, good karma. Yesterday I found a quarter and slipped it into my sneaker. Whether it's a quarter (found 7 one day!), or just a penny, I always stop and pick it up—good karma for the finances.

What do you notice when you walk? Let us know, post your thoughts in the comments below.

*This column is an offshoot of a story I wrote from observations made while walking my dog Agatha. She was a short-legged, droopy-eyed, big-eared, scent-sniffing basset hound. Agatha liked to sniff. And stop. And stop and sniff again. I spent a lot of time waiting, and while I waited I noticed things.

I still like starting my day with a walk, and thanks to Agatha, I'm still noticing things.

 JUST A HOBBY.  When I saw this sticker, I fell in love. But I also felt a slight sting. Sure, there are times we engage in pastimes that will never become more than "just a hobby" while others will become life-long ventures. But pursuing new interests (big and small) are an important part of leading an engaged and interesting life.

Sometimes putting the "just" in front of "a hobby" diminishes the importance of what we do and why we do it.

As we build the Assembly of Grand Pursuits website and magazine, it's important to stop and review why this project and this work is important. The answer that came to me most recently was: refuge and reward.

We all have different reasons for starting new projects, holding fast to one interest for years, and/or venturing into new territory. It could be that this thing you do brings you a sense of calm, is endlessly interesting, or maybe life has taken an unexpected turn and you need a distraction. Perhaps you're feeling stuck, or if you're like me, you like trying new things.

It all serves a purpose.

Our hobbies, passions, and pastimes can offer a much needed change of pace or scenery, present us with new learning opportunities, or the chance to meet with friends (new and old). And very often it's a great way to relieve stress and anxiety.

Refuge and reward.

So if something catches your attention, go with it. Do it for an hour, a day, a week, or forever. But remember, no matter what it is, big or small, it's not "just" a hobby. After all, it may just become a grand pursuit!

We're here to share stories, experience, inspiration, and ideas.

If you're interested in sharing your hobby, passion, or pastime, we'd love to hear about it!