It’s great to be starting a new year. It’s fun to talk to people and find out what they’re planning to do this year. I’ve visited with quite a few people. It’s been interesting to discover what seems to be a trend in perception of our year just completed.

For some reason, quite a few people are glad to be done with 2023. It wasn’t that great of a year for them. There seemed to be a lot of health problems with some and just plain bad events with others.

But, on the other hand, I know of people who had good recoveries and good things happening. So, I’m not saying that 2023 was awful for everyone. But from what I’ve been hearing, there have been more than a few who are glad to have 2024 signal a new beginning. I think we can all hope for bigger and better things this year.

Have you ever heard of the game “Bigger or Better?” Sometimes teenage kids play it for church activities or for party games. It sounds like fun. It’s kind of a “distant cousin” to the old traditional scavenger hunt game.

The players break up into small groups and go door to door in assigned parts of the neighborhood. Typically they will start out with a quarter dollar coin. When someone answers the door, they ask: “Do you have something bigger or better than this quarter that you would be willing to trade for?”

Progressively, the players acquire bigger and better items as they play the game and swap each newly acquired item. The group with the biggest and/or best item at the end of a determined time period wins the game.

I’ve seen a large office desk be the winning item. (And I think the donor of the desk was happy to get it out of their garage.)

The new year is a good time to start the “bigger or better” habit of being physically active. Exercise is always a popular resolution – along with diets and healthy lifestyles.

They say that walking is the most basic way to be active and get exercise. Kids walking from door to door playing a game like “Bigger or Better” is probably better than sitting on the couch playing “Fortnite” or whatever video game it is that they like to play now.

I took a walk with Archer, the wonder Sheltie, last Sunday evening. Yes, it was kind of dark. And, yes, it was snowy. It was invigorating.

While walking, I practiced reciting the poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” Archer and I learned the “epic” poem together several months ago while on walks.

When I come to the part where it says, “and the Huskies howled,” I look down at Archer and attempt to get him to howl.

You’ve heard the old adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I may be dealing with the truth of that saying with Archer.

To get him to howl or bark on command is not on his list of priorities at this stage of his life. He’s going deaf, and going blind, and if he were going to a doggie “rest home,” he’d be in the dementia unit.

If, by chance, I go on foot up the mountain on a Sunday afternoon, it’s a “walk.” If it’s on another day of the week it’s a “hike.” Some of you will “get” the distinction.

Nature in Sanpete in the winter is beautiful. It is so quiet and peaceful. Even in town last Sunday evening, not a soul was around besides us. (That may be on account of that we’re the only stupid man and dog in town) But, that’s part of the beauty of Sanpete. It’s heavy on nature and light on people.

Squeaking through new snow can be fun. It’s a whole different experience than other times of the year. Wearing the right footwear makes a difference in how much fun will be had.

Dress warm if you venture out for a walk or a hike this time of year. Layer up. And, if you’re extra worried about the cold, get out before the sun goes down.

The temperature changes fast once the sun drops below the horizon. Coming home to a hot beverage is also a good idea.

January is sailing right along. We have the Martin Luther King three-day weekend upon us. Monday will be a holiday for government offices, banks, and the post office, etc. If you have the day off, consider taking a walk. Enjoy! — Merrill

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