New Year's Resolutions

Bah! Humbug!

res·o·lu·tion
noun \?re-z?-?lü-sh?n\
: a firm decision to do or not to do something
: the outcome, answer or solution to something
: the ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail
It's New Year's Eve and I resolve to make no resolutions. In this, I am resolute.

This doesn’t mean resolutions won’t occur. All things must resolve one way or another.

For instance, eventually my Christmas chocolate will run out. At that time (and not a moment before) I will give up chocolate until Valentine's Day. Of course, if I'm really successful, I'll make my Christmas stash last that long. That would be a happy resolution to the chocolate issue.

I am certainly not resolving to get more exercise. Every time I do, I injure myself. Better I just do more without any set plans. Likewise dieting. I love balanced, home-cooked whole foods and only resort to packaged foods when rushed or stressed. The word "diet" stresses me so best I stay away from it. Better for my cholesterol levels.

I could give up smoking, but first I'd have to start. I can't understand why anyone would start, given the information we have now... have had  since the nineteen-fifties... but I do know that nicotine is as addictive heroin. My sympathy and admiration to those who are giving up smoking. Or heroin. Or any addiction. (I don't count coffee.)

And no, I am not giving up coffee for the New Year, Lent or anything else. Yes, I drink coffee all day. Usually it's the same cup I poured first thing in the morning. Sometimes I have a second cup. Rarely a third. The only time I drink a lot of coffee is when I'm on the road. In that case, it's a safety issue. Other drivers on the road, and any one in the car, thank me for keeping my caffeine levels up on a long drive. When I start getting irritable, my children have been known to ask me to stop for coffee.

"But we're almost there," I say.

"And we want to arrive alive."