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The holidays are over, all the goodies have been eaten or given as gifts, holiday decorations are put away, and once again home has some semblance of order and calm. For many, though, something is missing from all this zen: chocolate.

It is not very impressive, even after several glances. It is 80 feet long and 60 feet wide, barely a tenth of an acre. As farm ponds go, it can only be called diminutive. But it is my favorite body of water, created when I bought the land and a derelict cabin 20 years ago, and it never ceases to surprise.

I am sitting at my kitchen table and strewn before me are the empty coffins of separated pistachio shells mixed with broken fingernails that used to reside at the tips of my fingers. I look despondently at the measuring cup only a quarter full of pistachios and the heaping bowl of pistachios next to it whose shells have yet to be removed.

The most important day of the year rests in February. It's not a day honoring a president or the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It's not National Science Day or even Valentine's Day.

My parents had a few basic behavioral expectations of their children when in the company of adults, most particularly, ladies. When it came to bad manners, there was no faster path to an old-fashioned butt whippin' than spouting off some rude comment within the earshot of a proper lady or gentleman.

This month's words are "Month of love." Let's stay positive. Love thy neighbor during these winter months. Go outside and enjoy sliding, skiing, and snowshoeing when the weather allows. If the ice is safe, go skating.

This month's words are "It's a new year." Let's start off on the right foot. Make sure your vehicles are registered and inspected. Make sure you have your insurance card in your vehicles. Make sure your vehicles are safe.

It is 2025 and Cundy's Harbor Library is welcoming both a new year and a new board. If you came to the Cundy's Harbor Fire Department Auxiliary craft fair, you may have had the opportunity to chat with several board members.

As the new year begins, many of us are setting resolutions to simplify our routines, eat healthier, and manage our busy schedules. With winter in full swing and daylight hours still precious, having easy, nutritious meals on hand can be a lifesaver.

Now that the holidays are pretty much in the rearview mirror, it's time to look at the year ahead. A new year is an opportunity for a reset, a time to ponder changes in our habits to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Each year I make resolutions at the beginning of January that I promise myself I won't break, no matter what.