The Trail's Our Thing

I saw a post on Kim's blog (the letter "R") that she got from Girasoli's blog (the letter "G"), which came from someone else's blog. I thought it was very neat and ended up asking Girasoli to assign me a letter. I got the letter "N." I was relieved it wasn't "Z" or "X" but initially I was taken aback by my "N." For some reason I couldn't think of anything that started with "N," much less something important to me. I started Googling around, looking at dictionaries, lists of various things, and soon I had a list of 44 things that all were possible contenders for 10 things I love that start with an "N." Then my challenge became to narrow down to only 10! I had 15 finalists and then let it sit for a few days. Tonight it was suddenly easier to chose the 10.

Drum roll!

1. Nicolette This one is easy. Nicolette is the fourth member of our family, the sweet little black cat who has been with our family now for three years. We got her at the animal shelter; she has a French name, but this is the name she was given at the shelter. Nicky is the first cat I've ever had (I've always been a dog person), and I can't imagine a better cat. Here she is sitting among the presents under the Christmas tree.

2. Nativity scenes. I love Christmas decorations and I'm sentimental about them. We have two important ones in our living room at Christmas, both of which are special to me. The first is an elaborate set of Fontanini, a collectible that originated in Tuscany. We must have at least 50 figures (plus animals), and a couple of buildings and all sorts of accessories. Our second nativity set is from Provence: a handmade creche and handpainted santons ("little saints") that we started collecting when we lived there. I add another santon or two to our collection every year.

3. NCIS. This is our family's new favorite show. We are honestly addicted. In fact, Kelly and I are watching a re-run at this very minute. My favorite character? Well I love Gibbs, but also DiNuzzo, McGee, Ducky, Abby, Ziva... all of them actually.

4. Nephew and Nieces. I have one nephew and four nieces... all very special young people. We enjoy getting together with my family and I'm happy Kelly has grown up knowing her cousins. Here is the group with my dad at his 75th birthday celebration this past summer.

5. Newspapers. I read the local newspaper every morning while I drink my coffee. I love newspapers-- real newspapers! I do a case study on the newspaper industry in my business strategy class and the last two semesters I've taken my students on a field trip to our local paper. I feel sad about what's happening to newspapers-- how many will there be 10 years from now?

6. Napkins. I love a beautifully-set table, and the napkins are important. I have lots of cloth napkins, and Kelly knows how to fold them special ways. I also like to buy nice paper napkins. I usually bring several packages of paper napkins home from France.

7. North Carolina . I think this is my favorite US state. We've vacationed in North Carolina a lot, on the Outer Banks and also in the mountains not far from where we live. I love Asheville and the little towns and villages in the western mountains: Brevard, Cashiers, Highlands, Bryson City, Blowing Rock, Hendersonville. I'd really like to retire to one of these towns.

8. Netflix. I truly do love Netflix! We enjoy watching movies as a family and Netflix works really well for us. Right now I have 148 movies in my queue. I use a Harvard case on Netflix in my strategy class, and I love teaching this session. Here is an interesting fact from the Netflix website: "If you stacked every movie Netflix ships (on average, 2 million DVDs a day) in a single pile, the stack would be taller than Mt. Everest within a week."

9. Neuschwanstein Castle. My parents lived near this famous castle in the Bavarian Alps when I was born, so I grew up knowing about the incredible castles of King Ludwig II. It was such a thrill the first time I visited the castle (though quite a hike up the hill to get there before closing time), and I've been back now three or four times. The view of the castle from the Marienbrucke (seen below in April 2005) is so spectacular.

10. Nyons olives (and Salade Nicoise). I wanted to have something I love from Provence, and there really aren't many things that start with "N." (If someone thinks of others, let me know!) But I do love these wonderful olives from the Drôme, and I also love a Salade Nicoise in a hot summer day. We visited Nyons for the first time last March.

Other contenders for my "N" list: Neighborhood and neighbors, Notting Hill (the place and the Hugh Grant movie), Nashville, novels, nuts (especially cashews), noodles (spicy noodles from the Stir Fry Cafe), nature, Nova Scotia, nachos, New York City, notecards, and the Nutcracker Suite.

I also thought of several things that start with "N" that I definitely do NOT like. Here are a few: the NRA, negative and narrow-minded people, Nazis, the movie "Night of the Living Dead," and nail polish in colors like blue, green and black.