New Year's resolutions
While some may flinch when asked about their New Year's resolutions, it remains a seductive subject. One year comes to an end, and a new one begins: a fresh start; lessons learned; promises to keep. It is that flicker of expectations, of transformations, of fulfilling our better selves, that adds a poignant pause to the New Year celebration. We have survived the disappointments and struggles of this year, and brass ring in hand, are now presented with a chance to go round again.
Ray Kellman, Chilmark, musician and retired photographer
To tell you the truth, I figured it out a few days ago. My wife was in a really bad car accident and the car was totaled. She was fine, but it was a really bad accident, and she could have died. My resolution is to drive more safely. On this Island, it is so easy to zone out, and get casual about it. This year I want to really make sure I pay closer attention when I drive.
Photo by Susan Safford
Allen Whiting, West Tisbury, painter
Stop drinking. Stop smoking. Lose weight. Get healthy. Count my pennies. Pay my insurance. Live well.
No, seriously, what is my New Year's Resolution? Maybe to do the things I'm bad at a little better, or to paint better. That's it. Allen Whiting wants to have more sex, paint better, and not care about what anyone else thinks.
Photo by CK Wolfson
Dickie Brown, Edgartown, farmer
Time means nothing to me. I don't make resolutions. I'm not going to keep them anyway. You can fool other people, but you can't fool yourself.
Tom Osmers, West Tisbury, shellfish constable
I want to try and survive until September, and get the heck away from the internal combustion engine. I'm sick of it, and I think it's a deadly machine. We all should try and find new ways to get around. My plan is to get a small wooden sailboat. I found a little sloop I can salvage. She sank, and the engine is completely frozen, but I can take the hull and re-build it from there. I want to make that my transportation from now on.
Photo by CK Wolson
Daisy Kimberly, West Tisbury, owner of Alley Cat
I don't make resolutions, but I do have hopes and prayers. They are both general and specific. It depends on the state of the world. I guess, just to improve, to make progress on all levels. Politics has finally caught up with my prayers.
Photo by CK Wolfson
Gerry Yukevich, Vineyard Haven, doctor
I love to make resolutions, but every year I have greater hopes that the things I want to do will get done. I think the secret is to take one thing at a time and keep it on a daily basis. You have to use whatever talent God gives you, and make the most of it. My resolution is to keep vigilant on those things. I've learned a lot through my study of the viola. Every day a little time spent keeping the goal in sight keeps progress happening.
Enos Ray, West Tisbury, artist
To get rid of my chronic Lyme. I have had it for 14 years now. When I got it the first time, the doctor put me on five days of tetracycline, and I didn't think about it again until I had a bad tooth, and when I went to go on antibiotics for that, my leg swelled up to three times its size. Everyone on this Island should take the Western Blot Test to see if they have Lyme Disease. I want to get rid of my Lyme and get healthy again.
Photo by CK Wolfson
Nat Benjamin, Vineyard Haven, wooden boat builder
Actually, I have made some New Year's resolutions, but I'm not cast into a strict schedule. There are usually things like spending more time on projects that would otherwise get neglected, both at home with the family and at work. I'm certainly pleased about our country's resolution to have elected Barack Obama. It's a huge sea change, and one I'm very hopeful about.
Spa Tharpe, Aquinnah, surfer, builder
Focus more on being present in the here and now.
Photo by Ralph Stewart
Rebecca Gilbert, Chilmark, owner of Native Earth Teaching Farm
I haven't quite figured it out yet. I am still busy analyzing last year. I guess, in terms of our farm, I want to do more community gardening. For a personal resolution, I guess I would like to keep my house cleaner, but don't tell anyone in case I can't make it work. I have been reading about feng-shui, and that has been helpful, especially the idea of if you don't like it, need it or want it, get rid of it.
Wilde Whitcomb, Aquinnah, chef
That is a good question. An important one. Mine would be to live each day more fully. You know the saying, "Live every day like it is your last?" I want to live like that, and be more pro-active in my own life. I want to go to sleep thinking I lived that day as well as I could...I lived last year to the fullest, and this year I want to keep the ball rolling.
Photo by Ralph Stewart
Nina Thayer, West Tisbury, nursing supervisor at Martha's Vineyard Hospital
If I had to pick one, I would say it would be to be more green.
Lynn Whiting, West Tisbury, educator
I never make New Year's resolutions, because I never keep them. I get a few weeks in, and then forget. I guess my resolution this year would be to live every day like it is New Year's day. It's silly to put so much pressure on one day. Instead, I am going to try and look at each day as a fresh start and new beginning.
Tim Lasker, Chilmark, operating officer of Eco-MV
To take a picture of every full moon this year.
Freelance writer Katy Plasse contributed to this story.
