Today is the last day of 2025.

How was your year? What are your dreams for the next one?

In 2025, I accomplished a few simple goals I set for myself early on: to post on this blog at least once a month, to read at least one full-length book a month (I know, I know. I need to read lots more than that! I used to! Easing myself back into it…), and to get a new piece of writing published (the story in question won the story of the week award that week!).

I spent a few months as a camp counselor at SeaWorld San Diego, introducing kids to dolphins and other marine creatures and having a splash-tastic time. Afterwards, I started the zookeeping apprenticeship I’m currently doing in the Midwest, interacting with and learning about all kinds of special animals.

Next year, my second game from Choice of Games is coming out (Hero of Hoofbeat Hollow!). I’ll be on the hunt for a new wildlife-related job after my zoo apprenticeship ends. As usual, I have no idea where the road will take me. And that’s an exciting thought!

What are my goals for 2026? Here are some. I’m going to write more, because a new friend I met at the San Francisco International Airport and I pinkie promised each other that we both would (holding you to it, P.!). I’m also going to work on being kinder to myself.

My main aspiration, though, is to walk in the ways of this precious prayer:

As the motto of my birth state, Wisconsin, proclaims so proudly…FORWARD!

Have a happy New Year, everyone! 🎆