Secret Life of Bloggers Blog Party Post

I have not posted one of these in awhile. I got sick and wasn't photographing as much as usual. Now that my year is complete I think I will still do blog party posts but will probably not have a photo from every day. I am extremely excited that I was a finalist in the Art of Photography Botanical Contest (@9.50)!

I've got a new buddy.

We had a really odd night of snow. The snow fell in tiny, Styrofoam like balls that were so light you could blow it off surfaces. 

 My first attempt at sushi. I thought about writing a how to post but I only took a few photos with my phone. We just made California rolls but I thought it was safer not to use raw fish the first time.

 My neighborhood is under involuntary construction. It has been horrible. They start at 6:30 in the morning and don't stop until dark. Endless jack hammering, grinding, and vibrating along with massive holes and piles of mud.  

Gazela now has her tarp on for the winter.

Andy and I finally got out to a Gazela event. Hopefully we will get out to more this season.  

I'm going crazy being stuck inside so much. We've been having warm enough days but the wind has been bad and everything has been wet and muddy.

New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year again for New Year's Resolutions. I have been seeing a lot of New Year's resolutions from friends, family and strangers. While I am a firm believer in self improvement I couldn't help to get a little discouraged at the resolutions I have been seeing. In fact, I've only really seen one resolution: It's a variation on losing weight.   



On one hand, losing weight is hard and it's not wrong to want a healthier version of yourself. But on the other hand, the only thing we resolve to work for is to be a smaller version of ourselves? It's depressing to think about. I am appalled that people think it is of utmost importance to change their outsides without giving much thought to their insides.

Whatever happened to more noble resolutions such as resolving to volunteer more or vowing to stop fighting with the in-laws? To give more, to complain less? To make amends for wrongdoings? To get more done?

Or any of the virtues that Ben Franklin pursued: 

1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. 

Seriously guys, balance is important. :) Next year I want to see resolutions that read "In 2016 I will lose weight AND read more!" "Lose weight and finally build that tool shed I've been promising my wife." "Become the first man on Mars and lose a lot of weight."

Maybe I am thinking too much into this as according to Forbes, only 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals anyway.  If you are one of the 92%, you might find that you have a higher success rate if you learn just how to write a good New Year's Resolution. The Forbes article states that you should make your resolutions tangible and achievable.

Here is a great example from The American Magazine from 1917 to get you started:
 

All joking aside I am one of those crazy New Year's Resolution people. I love planning what I am going to do with my new year and love hearing what everyone else wants to do. This year it's my goal to foster more community among bloggers. I hope to do some guest posts on other blogs and to have other bloggers featured here. I'd even like to meet some of you in person. I've been avoiding events for awhile but I hope to get out to a few this year. I also hope to cook more historical recipes.  

What are some of your resolutions this year?