Low Resolution

 From our 19th Century historian, Eudora Dickinson:

Have you made any resolutions for the new year? 

Do you plan to hit the gym?  Lose weight?  Quit smoking?  Drink less?  Read more?  Travel?

Did you know that the idea of making New Year's resolutions was first introduced by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request)?

On January 1, 1853, he resolved to spend more time with his family. 

The notion of abandoning a New Year's resolution was also pioneered by Dickinson -- on January 2, 1853 -- the day after he had spent the New Year's Day holiday with his family. 

His lack of resolution prompted him to write his poem "Unfulfilled to Observation" (below on the left).  His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem with the same opening line (below on the right). 
​

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
 
Unfulfilled to Observation –
Incomplete – to Eye –
Lost my Faith – in Resolutions
That didn’t Gratify –
 
Unto Me – my Goals extinguished –
To the Opposite –
Lost Horizons – I relinquished –
Within a Day – I Quit!
​

By Emily Dickinson:
 
Unfulfilled to Observation –
Incomplete – to Eye –
But to Faith – a Revolution
In Locality –

Unto Us – the Suns extinguish –
To our Opposite –
New Horizons – they embellish –
Fronting Us – with Night.
​

​Pictured at the right:  The White House released the Trumps' 2019 New Year's holiday card today. 

A press release also noted Donald Trump's New Year's resolutions:

* Deliver more tax-scams for the rich.
* Accept more emoluments.
* Golf more.
* Tweet more. 
 
Melania has just one resolution:  Be Best.