2025 End of Year Evaluation

[studio1009]

My traditional annual review:
The U.S. is barely hanging onto its Constitution. This is much worse than I thought it would be a year ago. The less we talk about Elon Musk and DOGE the better, but vandalism began on day one. The courts are still functioning, at least. The legislative branch gave up reining in the executive branch. The President TORE DOWN PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE!!! and most of the Republicans thought that was OK. Not to mention roving gangs of federal law enforcement abducting people from the streets and sending them to foreign prisons BY MISTAKE! Oh, but they are illegal. How the hell do you know if you don't give them the DUE PROCESS of a hearing? The president calls up the Russian leader for advice on foreign policy. However, the resistance is active, both grassroots and elected. MAGA America FAFO. Hope they remember in November and that voting still works then.

Personally, I have the privilege to be insulated from the nonsense other than to be outraged on a daily basis. My social security checks and Medicare are unaffected so far. But, friends have lost jobs because of DOGE.

But for things under my control, these were my
Goals for 2025

1. Painting:
2. ASL:
3. Health:
4. Reading

5. Political Action

Progress
Painting: I was too depressed to do serious art.  I painted cheery postcards and sent them to friends. Some plein air. The only major work was my holiday card watercolor.
ASL: Despite being functionally deaf, I failed to make learning ASL a priority this year. I did some video lessons and fingerspelling practice but I am no where near fluent. 
Health: Health was good.  Weight gain due to immobility with surgery, but I'm confident I will recover.
Reading:  I read or reread 12 novels and novellas including The Silmarillion.  See my post of 2026 Books for details.  Two more than last year, I believe
Political Action: I began calling and writing my state and national legislators. Joined a resistance group. Wrote postcards and attended rallies. Used social media to correct misinformation. 

Goals for 2026

1. Learn ASL – Continue LifePrint, include husband, find a IRL group to practice with regularly.

2. Watercolor – Complete one small painting each month, plus holiday card

3. Declutter Basement – This is priority. I’m old. I want to use the space. I don’t want to leave this mess to my children. 

4. Political Action – This year, we need to save our Democratic Republic from the Project 2025 fascists.  I am a Patriot and I'm not afraid who knows.  (See notes on Declutter Basement)