Resolutions and Ice Storms

There are a lot of good New Year's resolutions in blogland this time of year. I enjoy reading them all. One I really found inspiring was Vivian's. Her word/theme for the year: resilient.

Within about 20 minutes of reading her post the power went out. We were in the middle of an ice storm.















Seeing that I had a map deadline I was slightly panicked. But I had her word in my head. Luckily I work in pen & ink and watercolor, so I didn't need electricity. I pulled my drawing board close to the nearest window and kept working by daylight. I was thankful for that word.















Later, as it grew dark, we lit candles and stoked up the woodstove. The only real annoyance to losing electricity around here is that we lose water, since we're on a well system with an electrical pump. But one thing I do enjoy is the peace that descends over the house. It always gets me thinking about the people who've lived here over the years. They lived longer without electricity than with, since the oldest part of the house was built almost 300 years ago. Talk about having to be resilient!



















And then the hubby and I had a good chuckle, imagining a conversation from colonial times that surely didn't take place:

"Caleb, go and harness up the horse now if you will, for I'm desirous of some Mexican take-out for supper."

"Of course, good Mother. Shall it be the Fajitas this evening, or the Vegetarian Burrito?"

Which reminded me to of my own word/theme for this year: laugh often!

List of Three

I've mastered the art of making lists:

• Books-I-want-to-read lists
• Idea lists
• Art and office supply lists
• Check-out-on-the-web lists
• Plants-to-try-in-the-garden lists
• Remind-the-kids-and-hubby lists
  
• What-to-cook-for-dinner lists
• Paint-colors-I-have-and-need lists
• And, of course, an endless variety of To-Do lists

I guess these lists give me the illusion of control-- or at least of making life seem more manageable. But lately I've been thinking that maybe they're not working as well as I'd like. They lead to a sense of failure if I don't accomplish enough every day (whatever "enough" may be.)

So for this year's New Years Resolution I'm going to start a daily List of Three. The three top items that I must get done every day. Whether it be a job deadline or planning a new illustration piece or doodling in my sketchbook. Because after the three are done I can go back to the other lists and just have fun, without that sense of feeling at loose ends by the end of the day. We'll see how it goes!

Here are some posts about resolutions that I've found inspiring (and yes, I'll admit-- I've started a list...):

• This and this at Read Write Believe
• This challenge at HipWriterMama
• And this post at The Happiness Project