So much for a less doozy-filled 2026.
Every December, our book club gets together to recommend the next year of books. We each bring 1-2 and do a mini "book report," and then get a certain number of playing cards to put on the books we'd most like to read.
(I cannot tell a lie - I stole that title from Carson Ellis's substack published one year ago yesterday. It still makes me laugh.)
Last year was a doozy and I'm still working on regaining focus, patience, and hope. To help with this process, I've decided to work on creative endeavors, one of which is this long-neglected blog. I'm not sure I will have marvelously interesting things to say most of the time... but that's never stopped me before.
I've also decided to revive ye olde quarterly goals. So! First quarter 2026, here we go:
Wishing you a less doozy-filled 2026!
Two weeks to go in this goal. Doing things is easy. Remembering to write them down is not so easy.
SUNDAY: sent the weekly round-up of activism-related activities to our local Dems group.
MONDAY: looooong work day. My jobs count as "something active" but I'm sure I squeezed something else in, too.
TUESDAY: city council meeting - as usual, part informative, part Parks and Recreation.
WEDNESDAY: attended a meeting to brainstorm ideas on homeless solutions around the county. It was an interesting group who had lots of energy, especially around a planned city effort to clean out various camps around town. I'm frustrated with the city's reactive approach but not sure what to do about it at this point. This group can help.
THURSDAY: attended a Women in Politics panel discussion where questions ranged from "how do you start a campaign?" to "what gender issues have you faced in local office?" OK, honestly I was co-host of the event, and I was petrified that turnout would be dismal like the last event, but we had a packed house and six amazing speakers. And? I got to put a Buffy quote on the whiteboard. Can't beat that with a stick.
This time, only a week-late weekly wrap-up of "something actives"... Really need to start documenting this daily! My brain ain't what it used to be.
SUNDAY: coordinated a poster for an upcoming Dems event and other Dems-related stuff.
MONDAY: probably got mad several times throughout the day. Staying enraged counts, right? Also put in a full day on my second job which definitely counts as "something active."
TUESDAY: did some Dems stuff, then decorated postcards for the Ides of Trump.
Here's a verrrrrrrry belated weekly wrap-up of "something actives"... Man, am I glad this is only a three-month goal.
SUNDAY: did some work for the Dems including emailing a list of upcoming activities to our mailing list. Small effort, but it counts.
MONDAY: I have no idea. I probably got really mad about all the weekend hubbub, signed some online petitions (for whatever that's worth), and then took a break. I really need a break right now.
TUESDAY: caught up on Daily Show episodes during my gym run. That totally counts. Also, attended a local non-profit roundup to see what other folks in the area are doing. These are really helpful because even though I'm not particularly interested in volunteering with, for example, the South Coast Preppers or the Bandon bus line (which, yes, is a nonprofit!), I can refer other people who may be interested.
WEDNESDAY: did not participate in the Day Without a Woman rally. I decided that it was geared toward the privileged and the unintended consequences were too great. (And also, I had to work. Oh, the irony.) But I did make a conscious effort to put my rallying efforts into tangible activities with actual goals. Time is too precious and standing on a corner every day/week/month loses its impact after a while. I think deciding how to focus your activism actions counts as activism. Don't you?
THURSDAY: attended our local seed community meeting (no big ag!) where the founders of Adaptive Seeds gave a presentation. So cool to hear their travel stories as well as their vision for bringing seed saving back!
FRIDAY: called my senators to remind them that amidst everything else they are fighting for, Planned Parenthood is a critical resource for women all across the country, particularly women of color. I shared my experience last year (it was the most comfortable, empathetic exam I've had in 20+ years of exams). I had to leave messages for both but at least I left my voice.
SATURDAY: attended a local Indivisible meeting and signed up to help with voter registration drives. Then, went to a tree-grafting workshop sponsored by our local seed community (no big ag!). And, ended the day supporting the arts at our local non-profit movie theater who hosted a Grease sing-a-long prefaced by a 40-minute live re-enactment from our local drag queens.
What's that, you say? It's week six, not week EIGHTY BAZILLION? It sure does feel like week EIGHTY BAZILLION.
Here's a belated weekly wrap-up of "something actives"...
SUNDAY: finished Snowden. (Team: Patriot.)
MONDAY: apparently agreed to a Board position with a local homeless non-profit. (Wasn't there a note to self somewhere to stop agreeing to stuff?)
TUESDAY: signed various online petitions, for whatever those are worth, and attended our local Democratic party meeting.
WEDNESDAY: encouraged my friend's young daughters to travel as much as they can. Travel promotes cultural competence, compassion and empathy towards others, and general appreciation of diversity. This country needs those things now more than ever.
THURSDAY: attended an advocacy day at the Capitol for affordable housing bills. It was a fascinating learning experience. I cannot fathom how our local legislators get anything done, and I'm sure it's a thousand times more crazy for national legislators.
