I was stumbling around the Internet and decided to search for “lists,” thinking I might get a column idea. One that intrigued me was called “summer bucket list ideas.” It had indoor, outdoor and romantic suggestions. The list might be showing its age, although it says it was updated in April.

1. Go to a drive-in movie

I don’t think there has been a drive-in theatre in Saskatoon for 20 or 30 years. I met Sandy, my wife-to-be, in the fall of 1973, and we often went to drive-ins in the days when there were four in the city, as I recall. The Sundown was our favourite. A tornado hit the Sundown square-on in 1996, knocking down both screens and taking the roof off the concession building. The movie showing that night was Twister. Those were good times in the city. There were parties with friends, movies, cruising, pizza and nightclubs. We had some great nightclubs in downtown Saskatoon in those days. We loved the music in the 1960s and 1970s. It was always exciting when someone found a new band. I remember that being the case with ELO and Queen, for examples. And there were drive-in theatres.

2. Have a picnic in a field

I find this confusing. Ask a farmer if my wife and I can have a picnic in their canola? A picnic sounds great, but a park sounds like a better option for it.

3. Recreate your first date

Some of you might remember this story from a previous column. I must be in the vicinity of 2,000 columns in my career. How many were good is another story. Sandy and I met in a pizza place and our first date led us from a tavern at the Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon to the A & W on Eighth Street. The pub in the Cav is long gone, but the A & W is still there, albeit without car service. At the A & W that night, about Oct. 15, 1973, a group of my so-called friends lifted my MG over the curb and taped us into the car. I was OK with that but Sandy was mortified. “Who are those guys?” she asked. “I don’t know,” I replied before telling her that they were ex-friends. There is nothing like being taped into a car to start a relationship that has lasted 51 years. To relive that night, Sandy and I could go for Teen burgers, although I have ordered a lot of Mamas over the years. Maybe I could get someone to tape us into our car for old time’s sake.

4. Go to a beach

This reminds me of a time when Sandy and I went to a beach six or seven years ago. Specifically, we took our dog for a walk at Paradise Beach on a beautiful morning. It is also known as Bare A– Beach. On this particular morning, there was an old guy quite on a sandbar, standing with his back to us. He was clearly in all his glory. From the distance, we took a photo of his wrinkly old bum, edited it somewhat and used it in a paper with a column I wrote about the beach. It was alarming, I mean him, although the column was too.

5. Draw each other

It wouldn’t be flattering to my beautiful bride. She deserves much better than being drawn as a stick person. Sandy is good at drawing, but might portray me as the guy in the 1970s with the worst perm ever. Ever.

6. Roll down a sand dune

Who comes up with this stuff? Do you know how it must feel for a woman and/or man to have sand in their pants? I can only imagine.

7. Fly a kite

Sandy has told me this a few times over the years. I don’t blame her.

8. Play a game of volleyball with neighbours.

How could the author of this list miss pickleball?

9. Book a night in a fancy hotel

We can watch the national news at home. Besides, we sleep better in our own bed. (Speaking of news, I miss Lloyd Robertson.)

10.Do a Tic-toc dance in a public place

Seriously? I don’t even know what that is.

11. Take a trip to your old school

That would be a lot of driving for us. Sandy went to school in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and Regina before moving to Saskatoon for Grades 11-12. We met during her Grade 11 year. I went to Haultain for elementary school and Aden Bowman for high school. I would like to tour both someday. (Note: Haultain is now a French school.)

12. Go to a fair

We loved going to the exhibition back in the day. It has been a generational thing. We went, we took our sons and now we have grandchildren to take. It has gotten bigger over the years for sure. The quality of shows at the grandstand is one of the ways the Ex has evolved for the better. We went on rides, played games of chance and ate. Ex food is always a treat. There were no spud nuts in our day though. Carnies appear to have more teeth now.

*****

Here’s hoping everyone has a great summer. It’s not 1969, but let’s make it the Summer of Love.

-Cam Hutchinson