Early January is the season of resolutions. Unfortunately, these new leafs always seem to be about elimination: This is the year I will finally lose ten pounds/clean out the attic/organize my desk/stop overloading my calendar so I can spend more time with my family/yadda yadda yadda. Well, I would like to suggest something radical: make 2011 the year that you take more on. I am so sick of hearing people whine about the government, the economy and their lives. OK, maybe things do suck. But here's the thing: There is no "they," people. "They" are you. So "they" are not going to fix the world.  …

Baby, it is cold, cold, cold outside — and I hate it. The Farmer's Almanac is predicting that this winter will be colder-than-normal for New England. Apparently, the choices are very cold and bitterly cold. Frankly, I wouldn't mind this so much except that their crystal meteorological ball also shows that we are not going to get that much snow. Now that really makes me mad. I just don't see the purpose of winter without snow. It's like cake without frosting, Abercrombie without Fitch, The Captain without Tennille (those of you who get this last reference need to update your IPod playlist). …

What is with you people? Where are you all rushing to? Is there a party somewhere? And if so, why am I not invited? Last weekend, I spent the afternoon finally tackling my front garden. Actually, I was doing the chores I should have done in the spring (which, come to think of it, puts me ahead for next spring – procrastination rules!). During the four hours I hoed, weeded, dug and cleared, no less than four cars zoomed up, over and out of my driveway at speeds that would make a Nascar mom proud. I understand that the half-circle shape of our driveway makes it a tempting place to U-turn if you…