New Year's Resolutions?

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

I decided to not do resolutions this year. Instead, I'm focusing on Experience, ie: I experience the joy of walking five days a week. However, just for fun, I thought a look at comments and New Year's Resolutions from the 1800s might be kind of fun.

Photo (c) Doris McCraw

 

From the Leadville Daily/Evening Chronicle of Aprile 21, 1894 we get the following short piece about what happens when you forget your resolutions.

"How many of the young men of this town would recognize their New Year resolutions were they to meet them face to face?"

On February 14, 1892 (Valentine's Day?) The Colorado Daily Chieftain" a Pueblo paper, printed this piece:

"Did some Good. 

Ginsling - It's all nonsense to say that New Year's resolutions do no good. I swore off myself last New Year's.

Lounger - You did, eh?

Ginsling - Yes, sir, and I stuck to it a full week -- saved twenty dollars. 

From the New York Weekly" 

That same publication printed the following on January 1, 1893, reprinted from the New York Herald.

"New Year Resolutions.

Oh, those New Year resolutions that we made with holy awe

How they melted like the snow ganks in a January thaw!

How the man who broke his meerschaum and vowed to smoke no more

Now smokes an old two cent pipe behind the cellar door."

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

From The Avalanche of April 18, 1894, we find the following comment:

"Husband -- One of your New Year's resolutions was that you would not quarrel with me for a year.

Wife -- Yes.

'Well, you are snapping at me half the time already'

'Yes.'

'I should like to know what's become of your good resolutions.'

'You would, eh? Well, I wanted mother to see them, and so I enclosed them in a letter to her, and gave it to you to mail. and she writes me that she never received it. That's what's become of them.'

The final look at resolutions is from the Yankee Blade:

"I hereby resolve to be good

Through all the glad New Year.

Be a tireless searcher for all kinds of "vircher,"

And do nothing my conscience to sere;

I grow better at once and seraphicer

And I wish that my language was graphier

To tell without base diminution

The strength of my great resolution.

Yes, I hereby resolve to be good.

I have made up my mind to do right;

You may bet your last copper that I'm going to act proper,

And shine like a star of the night,

Purge all diabolical animus,

Grow honest and good and magnanimous;

This resolve no power can share it--

Until I get ready to break it." 

And that is how they looked at resolutions in the 1800s. How many of you could relate? 

Until next time:  

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy 

Doris

I'd Rather be Writing

January is a favorite month of mine. The holidays - though enjoyable - are over, my house is back in order, and a brand new year awaits to accomplish goals. The weather is sometimes cold or rainy, allowing me to remain indoors without guilt or disappointment and giving me time to craft my latest WIP (work in progress).

This January is off to a slow start, though, at least where writing is concerned. I stepped into the role of unit educator at my job and took on doing the night shift schedule. Then a client sent me a manuscript for editing that should've arrived weeks before. I'm powering through that only to do taxes in early February, then another edit.

I did manage to get quite a bit of research done around the end of the year. My goal is to have more plot- and setting details worked out before I start writing this time. That will make drafting go faster when I finally get going.

I made one choice as part of a new year's resolution that is going to be a game changer. I signed up for Factor75 keto meal delivery. The food is fabulous, and not having to cook supper has freed up a ton of time.

There's also the fan factor. Book four of the Forging America series is the most requested story of all. I have no doubt that fans will nudge me until it gets written. LOL

What are your plans for 2023?