To Make or Not To Make New Year's Writing Resolutions

There are two theories about New Year's resolutions. One is that they help an individual improve their health, skills, or make their lives more fulfilling in some way. The other is that making New Year's resolutions is just sitting one's self up for failure. The idea when making resolutions is to make them broad enough or high enough to push yourself beyond your limitations while creating a step-by-step plan to accomplish them by the end of the year.

I have ask myself the question: "Should I make New Year's resolutions for 2015?" If I do, then what resolutions should I make. I know one thing I need to do in 2015 is to follow my low phosphorus, low potassium, low protein diet a bit closer. I also need to improve my writing skills because I have grammar issues, which I do not  catch when I make a mistake.

I have two New Year's resolutions right there. A third resolution is to finish editing one novel and finish writing another so that I can edit it. I now have four resolutions and I am not sure I can accomplish those three things in 2015. As a member of writing.com, I can request reviews and ask that the reviewer's focus on the grammar issues. I may find out that I do not have as big a problem with grammar as I think I do.

I have other things that I want to do in 2015. I could make those resolutions as well, but I do not want to work on too many things at once because I will scatter my energy without accomplishing anything. Perhaps the best solution is to make two or three concrete resolution goals and then put the other things on a list and work on those when I accomplish one or more of my 2015 goals.

A Cold Day in December

It's a cold day in December,
I am wearing a light blue sweatshirt
and I have my mother's cape
wrapped
around my shoulders
to keep out the chill.

The cape
feels like her arms
bracing me
imparting her love
and encouragement
to my weary body.

When I wear Mama's cape
I hear her voice echoing
through my mind,
telling me I can do
anything I set my mind to.

It's a cold day in December,
I remember
Mama chanting
God's Most Great Name
as she prepared
to go to work.

On The Last Friday in December 2014

On the last Friday in December 2014 I did not get back to the house until around 2:00 pm. I enjoyed myself. I got a haircut. I drover all over Las Vegas or at least it seemed I did. I got to take a nap while I was waiting for my sister to pick up her meds at Walgreen's.

I sat in the truck
and dozed in the truck's warm cab
instead of writing.

On the Last Friday in December 2014 I wonder what the coming year will bring. I know it will bring joy. I know it will bring sadness. I do not know the circumstances that will cause either emotion. I also suspect the New Year will bring new worries and fears. I have to trust in God that everything will turn out for the best even if it does not turn out the way I think it should.

Look at the New Year
with joy, faith, and gratitude
place my trust in God.

Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25, 2014

It is Christmas Day
the weather in Las Vegas
is windy with a few clouds.

It is Christmas Day
at 11:56 am the temperature
was a cool 50 degrees
and descending.

It is Christmas Day
and Santa did not bring me
a pair of warm gloves
for my arthritic hands.

It is Christmas Day
my fingers are cold
and my hand are cold,
but my heart is warm.

It is Christmas Day
I am smiling
because I am writing.

It is Christmas Day
I am smiling
because I can intone
God's Most Great Name.

LG OLED TV Interview: The Future of TV

This video compares the difference between OLED TV and LED TV. Click on the video below to find out about OLED TV's complete and perfect picture quality.

Monday Morning Writing Thoughts

It's Monday again!
The beginning of another week of chilly temperatures.
The first  full day of winter.

It's Monday again!
There are nine days left  in 2014.
There are two days left  before I turn 68.
There are three days left until Christmas.
I don't have to buy Christmas presents.
I don't  have to sing Christmas songs.
I don't have decorate my apartment.
I can wish everyone Happy Holidays
because I don't celebrate Christmas.

It's Monday again!
I have to plan my writing week.
I have to post Facebook status updates.
I have to take out the trash.
I have to visit my sister in the hospital.
I have to make my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What else do I have to do?

It's Monday again!
I want to write a free verse poem
about my birthday and the New Year of 2015.

Four Days Until My Birthday

In four days, on December 24 at eleven minutes before midnight, I will turn 68 years young. This is my third birthday without my mother. I plan to remain home on December 24 because I do not like to drive in holiday traffic and deal with last minute Christmas shoppers. However, if my sister is still in Sunrise hospital on that  day I will change my plans and go to visit her.

This is the saddest time of the year,
With everyone wishing Christmas cheer,
By cussing you out because you took
The last parking place in the mall parking lot.

All right, that poem needs a little work. I am not in the mood to write parodies tonight. I am feeling sad. I am feeling lonely. I am in the Bah Humbug mood because it is December and the New Year of 2015 is approaching. I have not accomplished all the goals I set for 2014 and I am not looking forward to reevaluating my goals for a New Year.

winter wind blowing

scattering sadness and cold

I'm looking forward to spring

Wishing you a Magical Christmas

Click on the video below to see Wishing you a Magical Christmas by KLM Nederland.

Writing on a Chilly Autumn Evening: A poem

A chilly evening
the cold penetrates my bones
shivers up my spine.

I checked the temperature on one of the local new websites. At 6:56 pm Pacific Standard Time  the temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit, but it feels like 45 degrees. I look at the temperature on the air conditioner and it reads 61 degrees. Since the air conditioner is not on the temperature in this apartment must be above 61 degrees.

Desert temperatures
descend into mid forties
as night progresses.

Saturday afternoon: A Poem

Saturday afternoon
and the living is not easy
there is a chill in the air.

Saturday afternoon
the sunsets early in late autumn
temperatures drop,
I check the blankets
wondering if they will be
warm enough to keep out
night's chill.

Saturday afternoon
I have enough soup left
to eat on Sunday;
I need to go to the store
on Monday.

Twenty Day and Counting

Twenty days remain in 2014,
only twenty days to achieve the goals
I set on January 1, 2014.

Twenty days to review
my writing successes and failures;
to set new goals for 2015.

Twenty days to decide
new goals for a New Year
or keep the goals
that I did not achieve
in 2014.

Twenty days and counting
down to a New Year,
a new normal,
or a new me.

Twenty long days,
twenty short days,
to decide
where I go from here.

Tuesday Poem

Another Tuesday
invigorating morning
listening to birds.

Another Tuesday
afternoon at the doctor
prescription refilled.

Another Tuesday
purchased some whole bean coffee
a special December treat.

On the First Sunday in December 2014

On the first Sunday of December 2014
another day draws to an end
as the sunset
behind the western mountains
and a long autumn night begins.

On the first Sunday of December 2014
stress was tide
flowing across my mind
rising and falling
as the day progressed
and action
ebbed and flowed.

On the first Sunday of December 2014
I intone a prayer
and move forward
as best I can
knowing that tomorrow
brings more worry
and relief from worry
as the day progresses.

On the first Sunday of December 2014
I take a deep breath
and place everything
in God's hands.

On the First Friday of December 2014

On the first Friday of December 2014
clouds cover the late autumn sky
chilling the air
and arousing longings
for spring.

On the first Friday of December 2014
I contemplate the coming week
and look forward
to meeting a new optometrist
on Wednesday.

On the first Friday of December 2014
I listen
to my neighbor's music
and smile
because it helps brighten
my melancholy
December mood.

Okinawa’s Underwater Paradise

In this episode, Dive master Emma discovers amazing underwater beauty in Okinawa's emerald sea. Watch as Emma swims with the beautiful and majestic manta rays of Ishigaki. Click on the video below to see if everyone in the party accepts Emma's challenge to dive.

Midweek Reflections: A Poem

On Wednesday
the week is half gone
and there are only two days
until the weekend.

On Wednesday
look at the accomplishments
of Sunday,
of Monday,
of T uesday
before planning the rest of the week.

On Wednesday
do something out of the ordinary,
 do something to increase your energy
for that down hill slide
that  takes you
past Thursday,
past Friday,
past Saturday
and into a new week.

It is Wednesday
and time for
Midweek Reflect ions.

Give presence

This is the time of year to put aside other distractions and connect with those we love. It is time to give presence rather then simply presents. It is time to connect with family and friends. Check out the video below about giving presence.

An Evening Rain: A Poem

Sunrise Avenue
glistens under the street lights
an autumn rain shower.

Chilly dark evening
with clouds and a gentle rain
Las Vegas  tonight.

I Am a Winner

I completed the NaNoWriMo challenge with 51,108 words and an unfinished novel. I realized yesterday, as I way writing on Day 30 Chapter 30 that I did not have a complete novel. I need to complete at least two more chapters before Mark of the Blue Wolf is completed. Once it is finished, I have to start the rewrite.I will complete the novel by December 31 and begin the rewrite in January of 2015.