Hollis Baker’s Blog

One of the difficulties I have with a new year is the idea that I should make some resolutions. That is heady stuff. In fact it is so intimidating I have never been able to make a resolution, let alone a list of them. To do so would be tantamount to admitting I am not perfect. There seems to be plenty of reasons to believe I am not. In fact it has been discreetly pointed out many times that I just may fail the perfection mark by a wide margin.
This time of year most publications have an article on making resolutions. Newspapers and magazines are full of Cabbages and Kings who have drawn up dandy lists to try following during the coming year. Even the internet and television parade their polished and shinny versions of suggestions to make the new year better. I have a fellow blogger who has filled a page of neat suggestions of ways to change his and my life for the better. He speaks as if I didn’t have a clue how to do my own. Now I am appreciative of his help, but it still pangs me to be so introspective. So I decided to make a little survey of my fellow villagers on the subject of making New Year’s Resolutions.
To start a survey one needs to begin at the very center of our universe and that is at Liberty Hill Information Center, manned by Troy Joseph. He is the fellow who waves to everyone as they go by, whether they are a Democrat, Republican, Independent or none of the above. He said he never makes a list of resolutions. Said his dad told him, long ago, never make a promise you can’t keep nor one that doesn’t help someone else. Troy said, “And I have done that ever since and it always works”.
I stopped at Parkers Corner Market for a coke. I asked Majda Parker if she made a list of New Year’s Resolutions and she said, “I resolve to better serve our customers.” I felt that was an easy one for she has been doing that always. But it is good to know she is going to keep it up. Corinna, who works at the Market said she intends to stay healthy this year. Good idea.
I ran into Jimmy Oliver at Foundation Park. He was straighten up a leaning sign that had inadvertently gotten knocked over. He is not the care taker but sure works like one on our Park. I tipped my hat to his industriousness to duty and a clean orderly place for us all to play. I asked about my quest for resolutions and he said he always made a list but hated to check back on them as the year progressed. That is my kind of man.
Our Liberty Hill Public Library was open and I stopped in to chat with Mrs. Linda McClane, our librarian. We made some small talk until I broached to purpose of my mission. “No”, Mrs Linda said, “I never make a list of resolutions.” I knew again I had found, as Anne Shirley in Green Gables so often said, “a kindred sprit.” Keep up the task, Mrs Linda, for you are doing a great job without a list. On the other hand, Sandy Schultz, who works with Mrs Linda, said she always makes a full list of resolutions on several areas of her life. I didn’t ask how many her list contained. I did ask if she checked them later to see how she was progressing and she said she did, and often. Sandy is doing our city and Library a fine job. So there you are. Two approaches to life in a new year that are poles apart but both are successful.
I stopped by the Post Office to check my mail. I didn’t have any which was no surprise. I spoke to Mrs. Mary Guice about New Year’s Resolutions. Mary is the lady behind the counter that sports a lovely Louisiana accent. I love to hear her talk and never miss a opportunity to speak to her. She said she made a list ever year. I didn’t have the nerve to ask about keeping them, but I bet a good pair of alligator boots she does.
So there are the results of a carefully conducted scientific study on New Year’s Resolutions. I am not sure just what the study proved if anything. However it has brought me to the conviction I need make a New Year’s Resolution. Therefore I resolve next year to consider making a New Year’s Resolution.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 at 8:47 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.