Resolved...I might make...and even keep some resolutions this year

My wise and lovely friend Cynthia and I were trading notes over the holidays.  She suggested for good measure we make no resolutions this new year.

Generally, I don't...the same way I don't tend to go out New Year's Eve: first, making resolutions is like giving up chocolate for Lent - it's just going to plant the seed of yearning in your mind; second, waiting for New Year's to plan a change is the original procrastinator's dream (especially if there is no specific year attached...)

So I wouldn't qualify these as resolutions so much as intentions...and some might blossom into realities...

I am going to take more pictures...
I am going to spend more time with the delightful nieces and nephews I've been blessed with...


I am going to learn to use the new camera - and I am going to ask for help when I need it.  (MPB...Peter J.  - consider yourself warned)

Just for fun - and for salving my sanity - I am going to play more Scrabble...(Skip? Cynthia? Josee? Mark? We all good with that?)

I am going to walk more...up stairs at work and around the block with Master Shadow. 

I am going to make time to read things I want to read more frequently and with fewer interruptions.  Everything from Jeremy's postings (along with the fine links to The New York Times) to Dr. English's new book on Trudeau (Just watch me! or perhaps Just Read Me...) 

I am going to name more of the birds who hang out here to go with Tink the Woodpecker.  My mother always told me woodpeckers had voices like little bells...and when Tink started hanging out and chatting, I understood what she meant.  We'll see if he'll sit for a photo.

I am going to see more of my favourite people and simply delight in the pleasure of their company.

I am going to take more day trips with my Mother...who also fits into that category of favourite people who are good company and make good conversation.  It's not lost on me that not everyone is fortunate enough to come to a point where parents become trusted friends so I am going to take advantage of this good fortune. Also, I am going to get that woman to Montreal.

I am going to go visit Toronto more often...and I AM going to Louise's pub.

I might just be brave enough to make jam (or jelly this year...)  Jasmine will help, I know, and she won't even point and laugh.

I am going to learn to let go of the little things more often and with a flourish.

If the jam goes well, we'll discuss the banjo possibility.

I am going to take Mike's advice and concentrate more on the students who bring me joy rather than the occasional runyons who cause me grief.  There are many students who bring me joy...and I am going to tell them that more often.

A history course might be fun....

Squash might come up nicely around the rocks at the front...

The Sunday New York Times...at least every second Sunday.  Coffee from Cafe du Monde to go with it.

I am going to write more personal notes and letters.

I plan to continue believing in magic...and enjoying it when it happens.

I am going to keep talking to strangers - even if it's just in passing - and smiling at people to see what happens.  Usually, they smile back.  Often, it becomes contagious.

I am going to enjoy occasional Bejeweled Marathons...Trailer Park Boys...Two and Half Men and Saturdays at the pub without feeling guilty about the joy of leisure or laughter.  Both are good for the brain and the heart.

I am going to revel in the Year of the Tiger starting in February...because a Leo born in the Year of the Tiger will never get a better chance to teach the world to purr.

So there!