This week between Christmas and New Year’s might be my favorite time of the year. All the crazy preparations of Christmas are behind us. The New Year looms fresh ahead with no foreseeable problems of its own. There is plenty of time to get the tax documents sorted, seed orders made, and the hope of downtime ahead.

All this, if, we get a proper winter. I’m certainly not complaining. The weather has been wonderful. It does however, keep me outside most days. I’ve been turning in weeds and debris, liming, fertilizing and just plain enjoying myself.

For the first time in decades, I neglected to order spring bulbs this fall. I may have learned my lesson last year when I lost all self-discipline. I ordered so many, I had to resort to planting some into pots in the middle of January, for Pete’s sake.

Now I’m trying to remember what’s in those pots so I can get them into the ground before it’s too cold. Being a smarty pants has been my downfall. I smugly thought I would get to it sooner.

My perennial beds were in such disrepair that I pestered son Reuben to weed whack everything. I’m not raking up the leaves but rather covering up everything with compost. Hopefully, I’ll be able to sort it out in the spring. I’ve given my relatively new vegetable garden all my attention for the last couple of years.

I must say, it is beginning to pay off. I am growing plenty of food for family and friends. It’s been so mild that I still have beets to be picked as well as the cold weather-resistant greens and roots.

I’m saddened this week by the death of Marie’s mother, Ellie Keohane. She died in her Chilmark home on Sunday surrounded by her 10 children. She has clipped articles of interest for this column for years and gave them to me encased in plastic.

For several years she joined us gardening on Saturdays. She would lay completely down in a path and move herself along on her elbows. There was not a weed left in sight when she was done. We would send her on her way with an armload of onions.

On the way out, she would surreptitiously help herself to several good-sized rocks. She needed them for a stone edging for her driveway. Despite her eight-plus decades, nothing could stop her. Consider me a great admirer.

Why would otherwise sensible people bother making New Year’s resolutions? I’m resolved to never do it again. I can’t manage a day doing what I “should.”

Almost 30 years ago I received a calendar called Appalachia. It had daily reminders. I am closing with the entries of January 1986.

1. Work and pray for peace.

2. Reflect on the past year. How can I simplify?

3. Keep records of energy uses and expenses.

4. Close off unused rooms.

5. Read a biography of a person of color. (George Washington Carver Day)

6. Write up a budget with family members.

7. Curb alcohol intake.

8. Sprinkle ashes on icy walks and driveways.

9. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

10. Use more herbal medicine remedies.

11. Go to an art museum.

12. Offer to sit with an ill relative.

13. Turn off the lights when not in use.

14. Ventilate your house.

15. Educate your family on minority rights. (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

16. Fight discriminatory attitudes.

17. Sprout beans for salads.

18. Set aside family exercise time.

19. Save electricity.

20. Cook soup.

21. Order seeds.

22. Barter.

23. Plan summer garden.

24. Count calories.

25. Cross-country ski.

26. Get in touch with your inner resources.

27. Protest U.S. military budget. (Viet Nam Cease Fire Day)

28. Pay bills on time.

29. Visit a hospital.

30. Redecorate a room.

31. Use dental floss.

That’s all I’ve got! Happy, healthy 2015!