New Year’s Resolutions have been around for a long time. Four thousand years ago the Babylonians made this day a time to pay off all debts. The ancient Romans celebrated their god Janus, who looked both back and forward, the past and the future. He was charge of doors and the transitions between the stages of life and the shifts of eras.
When I was young I tried to make new year’s resolutions, but I had children, and then I had children and a job. I was busy. Eventually the children grew up, got married and have children – and jobs. Everyone is busy!
But now we are locked-down. That’s the new description of our life. I’m too old to have a job, so what do I do?
- I’m combing through my substantial collection of cookbooks and making new treats.
- Every month or so I vacuum the floors.
- We’re watching old TV shows. Midsommer Murders and All Creatures Great and Small (the old series.)
- We take naps.
The Whole Seed Catalog from Agastache to Zinnias – vegetables, too - I’m combing through the 500 pages of The Whole Seed Catalog. It’s tough to choose which seeds I’ll want for spring planting.
- I have a walking regime with my husband. Thousands of steps!
- I’m watching the birds in the garden. I’ve never paid attention to the birds.
- We’re zooming with all the children and their children and their children! 3 great-granddaughters! And we get to visit No. 1 son on the porch.
Prayer Shawl in process for the Charlemont Federated Church - I’m knitting a Prayer Shawl. And praying ‘we’ll all muddle through some how.”
- I’m having a good time. Most of the time.
Do you have any new year’s resolutions? Or are you just looking for things to do?
Cooking and gardening have been rediscovered in Covid times. Communities are getting stronger, people are spending more time outdoors, and lockdowns and travel restrictions have given the planet a healing break… There always a silver lining. All the best to you in the new year.
Tom – You are completely correct! It was hard to get the tools, plants and other equipment this year. Somebody else beat you to it and you just had to wait for the next shipment. Onward to a shining new year!
I rarely make resolutions, but I do sometimes trying to improve bad habits. I’m going to try much harder to get on that exercise bike, and cut back on some of the sweets. As for other activities, I’ve already been busy at those during the pandemic. I’m cooking much more, trying out new recipes, reading more books, crocheting and crafting up a storm, and of course gardening. I practice my piano, and do yoga. And I still run out of things to do!
Robin – So good to hear from you! As you saw, I am not a great proponent of New Year’s resolutions, but I do have NYD ritural of sorts. I try to do a little bit of the most important things I want to do over the year. Right now I am writing to friends, working on my blog, made a healthy breakfast – and washed the dishes. Later I will be exercising, reading my book, visiting (one way or another) and learning the tricks of doing crossword puzzles. A full day! I don’t have to everything every day, but the NYD ritual sets me on the road. Onward!