Things I’d like to do in 2026

I’m not big into resolutions, but here are some things I’d like to do in 2026. Many of these are getting back to old interests I’ve moved away from for one reason or another.

Sketch more.

To make it fun, maybe a little sketch in Charlie’s lunchbox every day? Or more art time together?

Keep stretching.

I feel better when I stretch daily, but I haven’t made it a habit.

Engage with mathematics again.

I plan on spending some time with Byrne’s Euclid first, then perhaps Number Theory Through Inquiry.

Bake more bread.

Getting a sourdough starter going again. Started that yesterday! Also got a Jim Lahey no-knead recipe started.

I’d like to make regular boules for dinner, plus sourdough pizza.

Cinnamon bread (sweet yeast bread).

I really enjoyed making this a couple years ago, but haven’t made it recently.

This is a great Charlie activity.

Cook more beans.

They are delicious and a good source of fiber. First, take stock of what Rancho Gordo beans we have on-hand, then place another order.

Tonight I might make some chicken, black eyed pea, and wild rice soup.

Learn how more mechanical machines work.

I have an okay understanding of how certain kinds of engines work, but I’d like to get a more intuitive understanding of them. Perhaps I’ll start with some of Bartosz Ciechanowski’s work.

I’m very interested in analog computing and mechanical calculators.

Read more non-fiction.

I noticed that the books I think about and reference most each year are non-fiction. I’ve been defaulting to fiction, but I think this year I should switch more into non-fiction.

First up: The Living Great Lakes by Jerry Dennis, then The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef.

Carve a trough/dough bowl.

I have wood set aside for this, I just need to start. I should approach it as a multi-month project that I work on in short stints rather than trying to do the whole thing in a weekend. My life isn’t compatible with spending full days in the workshop right now.

Get my SLR back out and start taking photos again.

Maybe start by grabbing the camera for woods walks with Charlie?

First step: Putting the batteries on the charger.

I know that adding more means that I’ll have to do less of something else. I’d mostly like to scroll less social media and spend less time looking at screens outside of work.

Wishing you all a good 2026.