As a general rule of several years standing, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. There are two reasons for this. First, if a resolution is such a good idea then you should already be acting on it. Second, why set yourself up for a fall?

However, I believe I will break that general rule, as good as it was, this week and jot down a few promises to myself.

In the new year I resolve to help Lil’ Red (my wife) landscape the yard. Working in flowerbeds is her passion and I have been remiss in providing assistance. She has been patient with my varied interests over the years and to ensure this patience it would be a good idea to man a shovel.

Helping in the flowerbeds tops the list because Lil’ Red may read this column, or at least start reading it.

As noted, a good resolution is something you should be doing anyway, which leads to another promise . . . to start exercising and lose a few pounds. I made this promise a couple times during the past year and even lost about 10 pounds, but those pounds are back. It is either lose them again, or buy bigger pants.

In the coming year, I plan to get everything fixed that is broken around the house, starting with the small tractor equipped with a front end loader. Getting this fixed will help with the garden and beats the heck out of using a shovel and rake. But, a shovel and rake could help with the exercise and weight loss resolution. I sense a dilemma.

Another good New Year’s resolution is to finish projects that are in various stages of progress. Work on my hideaway above the garage has been ongoing for about nine years. I started installing quarter round trim after we got a new floor in the house and plan to complete that one day. How about this year? Lil’ Red would vote for this week.

The attic storage space could use some additional flooring, and shelves. I have the ability, but have not gotten around to that. The project would take a weekend. Consider it resolved.

There is a way to complete the unfinished, and planned, projects. We could hire a handyman to finish my garage hideaway, install quarter round and fix up the attic storage space. Lil’ Red has suggested a handyman. It could bolster the national economy, but not my economy, which is the reason her suggestion has not been acted upon.

Now I see my aversion to making New Year’s resolutions. They can quickly build up to a lot of work, but perhaps our 16-yearold son, Brady, can help out his poor old father.

I’m afraid that in the wisdom of his youth, Brady will quickly point out that these are not his resolutions.