The trio… Reading, wRiting and Running!

I love New Year’s Resolutions!

They amaze and inspire me… I’m just not as fond of making and keeping any myself. They’re such hard work! Every time I‘ve tried to meet them, I fail! I never make it beyond the first month, week or even day.

The past year I’ve enjoyed taking a stab at several of Vocal’s Official Challenges. When I read this one, a shudder went through me.

No way! That’s one challenge I’ll give wide berth!

And I’ve done just that! I've barely managed to force myself to read many of my Vocal Buddies’ incredible entries. Sorry! There’s just too much risk of my near perpetually manic state becoming depressed! The entire world Vocal Community has dreamt up incredible feats and projects. And… unlike me, I’m confident that they will succeed!

However — half a month down the track —I’m shocked to find myself here… at the ‘Eleventh Hour’ writing something for this challenge. That’s what comes of letting my mind wander while plodding up hills to improve my fitness level.

Please don’t expect to be dazzled! I cannot foist the blame for my tardy start onto my daughter. On New Year’s Day, she addressed ‘the elephant in the room’ as we ambled along on with our dog at dusk…

So, has anyone made any New Year’s resolutions?

Stunned, shocked silence!

No,

my son disinterestedly replied. End of conversation.

Thinking, thinking, thinking… mental cogs slowly grinding.

Um… get fit… read more books… write more?

I was slightly embarrassed to realise it was the first time this year that the thought had flitted through my mind.

Why don’t you write a children’s book about Jasper? You could even publish it!

That’s my ever-helpful daughter!

A fortnight down the track and here we are… writing an entry with only four hours until the challenge closes. Yes, I know… every other Vocalite could whip five entries up in that time! Not me… slow running, thinking, writing Me!

You may have noticed I specified that I want to read more books. Before I got hooked on Vocal in October 2023, I had a rule which I enforced nightly. I limited myself to two hours reading before bedtime… that, or a midnight curfew… dependent on my current novel. Since becoming addicted to reading, writing and commenting on Vocal, I’m sorry to admit my TBR pile of books has grown alarmingly.

In fact, I’m ashamed to say, it took me three months to read my birthday gift! Ruth Shaw’s Bookshop Dogs was a delightful read — a mere 269 pages, doggie photos and loads of white space — I love New Zealand, dogs and bookshops! However, before beginning my nightly Read-a-thon, I couldn’t resist taking a quick peek into Vocal's 'Pandora's Box'. Curiosity would take me down a million rabbit holes until it was too late, or I was too weary to dip into that wonderful book resting on my bed head.

How things had changed! Nearing the close of the year I decided to enforce a new reading rule. I would spend a minimum of half an hour reading a book nightly. Did I succeed? I must confess, too often, just one look at Vocal and Goodbye Book! Obviously self-control should be added to my 2025 list.

So, my first 2025 Resolution is to commit a minimum of 30 minutes per day, reading books. I know it doesn’t sound half as impressive as my Vocal buddy Rachel Deeming! I will not be tackling the entire works of Dickens nor any other worthy works. I shall resume my custom of devouring relaxing, escapism novels… fantasy; mystery; suspense; sci-fi… you get the picture.

Surprise! Writing snagged a spot on my trio of New Year’s Resolutions! Apologies Vocalites… just when you heaved a sigh of relief. Yes, I aim to continue publishing zany stories this year. You do realise that I don’t force you to read them. I have enough fun writing them, so it’s okay if they get zero Reads and Likes. Also, the seed sown by my darling daughter might just germinate and even grow to maturity.

Maybe I will have a crack at writing the whacky tale of my first baby, Jasper… a black Labrador! It’s shades of a tame Marley & Me. However, even if I just write his tale for my own enjoyment, it will be worth the effort. Daughter Dear has suggested trying to write it as a children’s book or even an Early Reader. With a picture book there is the small issue of illustrations! Have I mentioned my lack of artistic skill? Unfortunately, I’m no John Cox!

There’s very little hope of me illustrating any book! My son has developed impressive skills in digital artwork. He’s illustrated many of the characters in his sister’s and his own fantasy novels, yet to be published. Unfortunately, his areas of expertise are people and cities… not dogs! We shall see. Anyway, if anything comes of this hair brained, out of touch with reality scheme, I will only be up for Self-Publishing it. Surely my family will buy a copy!

My third Resolution for this year is to up the ante on my physical fitness status. Happily, I’ve already attacked this goal. Daily walks with my irresistible puppy Huddy have sometimes become twice daily… not that he remembers! Also, it’s been early when I’ve crawled out of my cosy bed on both Saturdays this year. 7am has seen me grace two different parkruns with my running shoes. Yes, I’m still chasing That Elusive 100th parkrun.

My weekly ladies’ exercise class was shocked by my return. One trainer cheekily quipped:

How many times are you going to come this year? Four!

My Exercise Physiologist thought he was mean… but I thought it was hilariously accurate. I aim to prove him wrong. To date in 2025, I’ve attended three! To top things off, Darling Daughter has just registered us as a team — Huddy’s Girl’s — to participate in The March Charge to End Cancer. The aim is for us to walk, jog or run 86 km in the month of March. Don’t worry, grey beard Hudson, our beloved Labrador hasn’t been struck down with cancer. He’s our head trainer… we find it almost impossible to deprive him of his walks.

Conveniently for us, March also hosts the Peak2Park 4 and 10 km run from a scenic escarpment to a man-made lake. This run is pleasantly downhill alongside parklands etc. I’ve done it a couple of times before, so I’m confident this old body should survive the event. Plus, it's an excellent way to clock up some kilometres as a safety margin… in case I get struck down by some mystery illness or injury. So, with all that exercise, surely, I'll tone up and better yet, lose a few kilos or five!

With the timer ticking down... only 111 minutes remaining until the challenge closes, I’ll finish up.

2025 — belatedly — here I come!

Reading, wRiting and Running. Even I can remember that!

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Written for the Happy New Year, New Projects Challenge.