I can’t say I regret the end of 2025. This has been the most disturbing and disruptive year in my memory.
Moving and politics have taken their toll. We are very happy where we are in terms of location. I have hopes the political situation will improve.
Our goals are modest. We want to install raised vegetable beds in the back yard. We want to plant Boyne raspberries. Husband wants to improve his guitar skills. We are not traveling.
We plan to have best friend relocate here in the spring, and get a Cesky sibling for our pup. All these things are potentially exhausting, but change that is in our control is far more manageable than unexpected change.
What are your goals for the new year? Garden and travel plans?
Trail Baboon 
No big goals for 2026… I’ve never been a big goal/resolution gal. For a few years when YA was younger, we used to do negative resolutions. I had flash paper from the magic shop that used to be in the Mall of America. We would write a bad habit (or two – flash paper is fun) that we didn’t want to take with us into the new year, then we would light the paper. Pop, flash, gone!
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Great idea! I went to a gathering of women last week where we did that around a (container) bonfire in their back yard.
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After last year’s snow debacle when I was visiting Nonny, I’ve put off that trip until March or April.
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Finish writing my novel. Promote the 5-author monster novel I co-wrote that will be published in May (I think); play some bucket list golf courses (I hope); make my little corner of the world a better place in any small way I can; stay healthy (got an arthritic toe that needs some serious attention, I believe. 😦 ); maintain my sanity in 2026 America. You know, the usual. 😉
Chris in Owatonna
Happy New Year to all TBers!
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We’re attending a wedding this afternoon. I don’t expect to be there until midnight in the first place, and daughter expects us home anyway. The wedding is “semi-formal”. I plan on wearing sleeves.
We’re talking about some trips in 2026. Haven’t gotten anything locked in yet. Beyond that, as Chris says, make my little corner better. Be a nice person. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Getting mad takes too much energy on trivial things.
Continue to stand outside at night and just appreciate that.
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Semi-formal Sleeves! Was that specified in the invitation. We always need a new set of etiquette rules, and I think Baboons should start with semi-formal sleeves.
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Rise and Resolve, Baboons,
I gave up resolutions about 50 years ago since they never seemed to last long. I do have travel plans, though. Husband’s care is now in place enough that I can step away when I need a break. My trip to Sioux Falls early in December was my test run to determine how the caretakers in charge would do. They did just fine.
April: I am going to Savannah GA with a close friend to go to the garden tours. I have not been there for a decade. It is one of my favorite places to go, so it is time! My sister and bro-in-law will come stay with husband for 5 days while son and our hired caregiver will also be on the job.
September: Another trip to N. Ireland is in the works. The dates are now set, as is the place to stay. I will be gone for 10-14 days, depending on side trips and genealogy searches I add on to it. Caregiving schedules are still up in the air. The good news about this is that husband’s cousin, who sometimes assumes this role, may be unavailable during that time, BECAUSE his son is running for Governor of Iowa as a Dem and is currently leading in the polls. Cousin often drives him around or provides daycare for his sons. I hope, for Iowa’s sake, that this guy is elected.
My only goal is for my country, and similar to Chris’ sentiments–restore some of my own sanity in this mess.
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1. Health, I guess, over which I have not much control. I have 5 medical appointments over next two weeks for three issues.
2. Find a new home, or not, also over which I have no control.
3. Still would like to get back to playing with some art. Fall in emergency room has left numbness and tingling in my dominant hand, cannot feel very well. But will try if things settle. Faltering close vision could stymie that.
4. Do more actual meal cooking, which I started last week.
Clyde
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Our plans for this evening are the same as always-staying at home, a couple glasses of wine, and early to bed.
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Same as last year.
Lose weight
Exercise
Eat veggies
Stop watching #47
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Travel.
To Smithsonian Museums in DC.
Attend the Fairbanks Reunion in Dedham, Massachusetts. See the kids in Fishkill, NY
2 weeks of driving.
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No huge plans, I guess. I’ve signed up for a couple of classes, and I’m sure I’ll sign up for more.
I might go down to Rockford, IL to visit my aunt in April, but I’m not sure about it yet. Her tolerance for visitors is somewhat low due to her pain and limited physical abilities. She did invite me, but I will have to see. I’d like it if she’d move back to MN (she’s from Owatonna), but she declares she won’t leave the townhome she lives in. She’s so much like my mom (her sister). I feel the long-term caregiver in me yearning to help and make things easier for her, but she doesn’t want the help – very much like my mom. So, I will have to see.
I’d like to ride the Empire Builder (Amtrak) out to Portland, then rent a car and drive to see the redwoods and other sights on the west coast. There is no firm plan for that.
I don’t make resolutions anymore. I used to resolve to lose weight, but it’s ridiculous to keep making the same resolution every year. I like what Chris said about making his little corner of the world better, and I think I can do that too.
Happy New Year! May 2026 bring peace, hope, and joy to all.
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