I’ve been meaning to launch a second career for a long time now, and every time I get a press release, I think, that’s it! That’s my calling!
No second career yet, but I did compile a blog post.
This one is for all you big dreamers and eternal optimists who get distracted by EVERY SINGLE IDEA (and will forget all of them by the time you get to the end of this blog post).
Happy reading!
1. Become a torcedor
I’ve never smoked a cigar, but there’s something very appealing about the idea of learning how to roll one. Maybe it’s the scent of tobacco leaves. Or maybe it’s the double-whammy snowstorm that just hit Minnesota that’s got me thinking about a beach vacation again. But at the Graycliff Hotel in the centuries-old city of Nassau, Bahamas, award-winning craftsman will teach you (or me) how to roll your own cigar (60 minutes for $75; add $10 for tour).
2. Learn how to blend wine
What happens when you mix art and science? Well, I don’t know. But if we went to the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook in Birmingham, AL, we could make our own wine blend, and tag it with a custom label. Who needs to invest in winery? ($92 for 90 minutes).
3. Become a bartender
I love me some cocktails. Or maybe it’s just the sugar in them. But after a drink or two, your wallet can take a beating, so perhaps a ladies’ weekend at the Viceroy Riviera Maya near Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is in order. We’ll learn how to make everything from mojitos to margaritas, which means we’ll know longer have to pay $12 per drink. Any takers?
4. Weave a coconut frond mat
To be honest, I don’t even know what a coconut frond mat is. But, I can’t knit so I thought weaving coconut leaves may be the way for me to go. At the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort in Kauai, HI, this skill is actually taught.
5. Paint on, my friend
Again, can’t draw, but given that Santa Fe, NM, is an arts and culture hub, I am thinking I may just uncover some of my hidden talents if I take a watercoloring class at the Inn on Alameda ($50/hour for individuals). Because drawing and watercoloring are totally separate skills, right?
6. Make a floral arrangement
One of these days, I am going to plant flowers around my home, and then attend a floral arrangement class at the Four Seasons in Paris, France (free of charge for hotel guests) to brighten up our long winters.
7. Become a forager
I love seafood, particularly oysters peppered with tobacco sauce. I’ve always wanted to join seafaring folks to learn how to harvest the ocean’s goods. At the costal Tides Inn in Irvington, VA, you can do just that through its Oyster Academy ($185 per person). Shuck on, folks.
8. Learn how to blow glass
I grew up watching glass be blown by mouth at Corning Glassworks so I am dying to make my own Christmas ornaments poolside at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL.
9. Become a sharpshooter
I had to add this one after watching my daughter go all Katniss at the 90-year-old Shooting School while we stayed at the Cloister on Sea Island in GA. Experienced shooters can check out their five-stand sporting clay field.
