New Year Goals

I am living pretty good being able to have a coffee latte at Cafe Adagio and time to read a book. After dealing with some health issues (in progress but all good) at the end of last year, it is time to think about the new year, 2026. I have some goals (not resolutions). Here is the list. We can see how successful I am in 12 months. Lord willing and the river don't rise.

Reading:
I like to read. I did pretty good last year. This year I want to read a book a week (minimum).
I have started this year with:
The Death of Expertise: the Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters by Tom Nichols. My serious thoughtful reading.
Surviving Your Doctor: A Roadmap When Cancer, Heart Disease or Other Serious Illness Strikes, by Frank Tori. This book's title was probably given by someone in marketing. It is not about surviving your doctor, but about surviving the medical system.
Hercule Poriot's Silent Night by Sophie Hannah. I am an Agatha Cristie fan. Miss Hannah carries on the stories.
Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision, by Ian Roberts. The older I am the more I am fascinated by artistic expression. Blessed be artists.
Mountains of the Mind, by Robert MacFarlane. I don't know what I think about this one yet.
Plus, I received several books as Christmas gifts:
The Complete Plant-based Cookbook, by America's Test Kitchen (thanks Carol);
Plantyou by Carligh Bodrug, and Fake Meat: Real Food for Vegan Appetites by Chandra Moskowitz (thanks Jason);
Forks over Knives by Del Sroufe (from me to me);
The Blue Zones: Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner (thanks Erin); I just finished this one. Highly recommend this book.
From this list one might correctly surmise that I have changed by eating.
Painting:
I am learning to paint with watercolor. I would like to get to the "decent amateur stage." This year I hope to:
Complete one or two tutorials each week.
Do more focused practice.
Paint plein air (outdoors) or from my own photos.
Stock Market:
Get over the "fear factor" and day or swing trade some stocks. I have tried this before with varying degrees of success, but most with a lot of stress. I don't need the stress.
Geology Project:
I hope to be diligent in working on a geo-project I have started. Discipline and persistence are needed.
Gardening:
Time to have a decent garden and compost pile.