For as long as I can recall, I have always made at least one or two resolutions at the beginning of the new year. There’s something about a fresh start and clean slate that makes me feel as if all things are possible.

I am careful never to overreach, nor make promises that are unattainable or impractical. No going veggie or doing a 10k race for charity, for instance. I have my limits.

I do, however, try to come up with a couple of things that are realistic, achievable, and possibly even worthwhile. As a case in point, last year I resolved to make a better effort at reaching out to all three of my siblings and try to improve relations with each of them. I have achieved that. Our interactions with one another still can resemble a chess match with moves being carefully plotted out in advance, but I do think the effort has been worthwhile. I have had a handful of really nice conversations with each of them over the last year– in the case of one sister, at least three handfuls. Phone calls are always more meaningful than the all too easy text message or random email.

My goal for 2016 will be to further those interactions by having personal visits with at least two of those siblings, including one with whom I had been estranged until this year’s rapprochement. I won’t rest on laurels that are still somewhat shaky. It’s better to keep working at it.

My second resolution is to make more of an effort to get out and support organizations and groups in our local community here in Florida. We did a little of that last year by joining the art museum and the botanical garden society, but I’d like to improve on it by attending some community theater and music concerts too. Perhaps even — GASP — some volunteer work for a civic group wouldn’t hurt either.

Stay tuned, I’ll report honestly on all of this next year at this time.

In the meantime, there are countless other little matters for which I can easily make some promises. And as regular readers of this blog well know, a few of them might even be sincere.

I resolve for 2016…

To follow the golden rule and mention Donald Trump on this blog only if it’s medically necessary. 

Not to place 12 boxes of Entenmann’s doughnuts in the grocery cart when Gorgeous isn’t looking and then act like I never do that every single time we go shopping.

To try and curtail my habit of sending former colleagues pictures of myself at the beach on weekday mornings. 

To watch more of Conan O’Brien because I truly think he’s incredibly underrated. 

Not to just watch and read about tragedies in the news, but actually do something to help victims. You’d be surprised how a $5, $7, or $10 contribution can help so many people. I’m going to start today by sending a donation to help the flood victims in the Midwest. If you wish to join me, just click on this link.  

Not to giggle every time we pass the Badcock furniture store.

To read more fiction and less of the big fat biographies that take me weeks to complete.

To finally go visit our friends who live in Miami Beach, get to Tampa where an old high school classmate is, and eventually make our way to Key West to have a rum drink while wearing a straw hat. 

To eat more bran. Enough said.

To have five visits to the gym each week be the average instead of the three we seem to be doing presently. 

To finally remove the five CD’s that have been in the car’s radio for the last year and rotate them with some others. I bet even Steve Howe would question my sanity at listening to “Close To The Edge” on every single long drive we take.

I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and happy new year.

Until next time…