So 2014, huh? The Chinese calendar says this is the year of the green horse. Hmmm... I spent a lot of time on the farm, at rodeos and horse shows growing up, can't say as I've seen that shade before. Maybe it's a horse that was raised on green tea? Otherwise, I'm at a loss ...

Wow - where did 2013 go? It had to be the quickest year of my life, for sure.

It seems like only yesterday we were having temperatures in the 80s, and the day before that the spring flowers were still in bloom. But Old Man Winter finally showed up here in North Idaho, and that means we get to look forward to next spring and green grass.

But before that, we have to get through January. And you know what that means - yep, time for resolutions.

The classic resolutions include eating less, working out more, losing weight, quitting smoking and consuming less alcohol.

Great goals, for sure. And they're popular because attaining any such goal will improve your health and pep up your self-esteem, since you took control of the situation.

Here's some tips on making a new habit stick, courtesy of psychotherapist Rachel Shattock Dawson, via allaboutyou.com:

1. Set a date to complete just one change and work toward it.

2. Focus on the change for at least one month. Think, talk and read about it a lot.

3. Make it real. Write down your resolution and read it to yourself daily. Go public - tell friends and family about it.

4. Be positive about it: This is something to make your life better. If you have negative thoughts, stop and switch back into positive thinking immediately.

5. Visualize success. Close your eyes and see the new you who's made the change. What will be your reward for achieving your goal?

All that being said, here's a few resolutions I have:

* I resolve to spend not a second of my time twerking, or for that matter even discovering what twerking is.

* I resolve to make fun of as many reality shows as possible. Heck, this really isn't much of a resolution, since they pretty much put many of these shows out there to face ridicule. Still, it's fun to laugh and point fingers, especially since these reality stars are raking in millions and pretty much don't care what any of us really think about them.

* I resolve not to bang my head against the wall when I have to once again go to the bank, cancel my debit cards and procure new ones due to security breaches at stores and restaurants I use them at. We had to do this twice in 2013 - hopefully someone will come up with a foolproof way to secure our financial info, but I'm not holding my breath ...

* I resolve to gracefully age a year older. I'm not sure how I'll accomplish this, but when the ol' birthday comes around in mid-August, I plan to face it head on, and vow to not conveniently forget how old I really am.

As far as 2014 predictions, all I can say is I hope the year moves slower than last, but again, I have no real plan for such.

I just plan to enjoy it as it comes. Even if it rains from mid-February through May. Somehow, some way, I want to enjoy it.

I know! With all that rain, I resolve to make green tea for this year's horses ...

A resolute Jerry Hitchcock could possibly be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, via email at [email protected] or on Twitter at HitchTheWriter.