2013 – I won’t even Attempt to make a resolution…lose some weight, exercise more… as I have the excuses already lined up and waiting for a cause.

Why spend all that time and energy when I know any minute now, someone will invent a pill for that, and then won’t I feel silly?!

So, my resolutions, or shall we call them ideas for joyful living (?), or Rules to live by (no, too strict…no rules), maybe just thoughts and notions?

Anyway, here we go…

Thought #1:

Visit more small, charming villages that have lots of character and plenty of cafes…old men with berets; very polite, well-dressed children skipping (noiselessly) down the street…ok, it Doesn’t have to be out of Central Casting…but something like this:

Summer afternoon in Ceret, France

Notion #2   Spend as much time as possible with friends and family.   It’s sacred, fun, warm and life-affirming…it is on the list now, and stays there!

Dinosaur feet, thanks to brother, on beach in San Sebastian, Spain…yes, fun and life-affirming!

Thought #3    Find an alternative to watching TV news.   FOUND:

Cable car to the top of the world…Pic du Midi, Pyrenees, France

Imperative #4    Send clear signals…

Sign on Le Petit Train Jaune, French Pyrenees

Thought #5  Get enough sleep…

Poor A.L. has become part of the scenery in lobby of 5- star hotel in San Sebastian, Spain

Thought #6    Stick with something that works…

2 Chevaux

Citroen 2 Chevaux…made to last!

And rule to live by #7  (rule just seems appropriate here)   Always order the creme brûlée…

This is NOT to say don’t try something new…rather, when faced with choosing between tried and true vs. shiny newcomer…choose the creme brûlée

Ok, this is Crema Catalana, but you get the point.

Crema Catalana

So, I will end my resolutions thoughts, ideas, proposals with #7…a designer friend of mine once told me there is actually more symmetry in odd numbers…go figure…and also, because it is sweet, as I intend 2013 to be.