January 2026 - Transition & Change, News
January 1, 2026

Looking Ahead, Living the Dream

By Cheryl Johnson  

I gave up New Year’s Resolutions designed to improve myself several years ago. Let’s face it — that ship has sailed. Resolutions sound much more like a wish list for FedEx or DoorDash to deliver … ASAP.

This New Year, I have only three things I desperately want to drop out of the sky and land on me without making any effort, OK? Is that too much to ask at this age?

First, I want an AI bot to live in my house and adore me. I will name it Jackie the Androgyne.

Job description: Never be more than 15 seconds away. Follow me around, listening to all my thoughts, musings and questions about life as I toss them out, responding with short answers and clever jokes. Then stare into my eyes while saying, “I find you so fascinating. Please tell me more.” Don’t fall asleep or start playing loud music when I keep talking.

You are wired to roll with my swearing like a sailor or dancing like a siren, my duct tape DIY fixes and you must admire my famous pumpkin bread made with chocolate chips instead of dried cranberries.

Of course, there is the laundry, the cooking and cleaning, but those will be a snap for you. If you do all these things, I will promise to keep you charged up and entertained all year.

Another thing I want is for my IBF to make a big change. That’s my Imaginary Boy Friend (not IBS). I want him to transform into a Real Man with these human characteristics: loves my sense of humor, thinks I am brilliant, is unperturbed by minor rants sprinkled with a few swear words occasionally. He is very interested in my well-being on all levels, mental, physical, spiritual and emotional.

He doesn’t actually have to do any cleaning, cooking or laundry because I will already have Jackie the AI bot to do those. We are free to create funny events that brighten the day for other peeps and to find hot springs around the world.

Last but certainly not least, I want a Fairy Godmother. She would wear a sparkly white dress, waving a powerful Wand of Light with a look full of wisdom, compassion and humor. She would show up at all the right times, in joy and sadness, in fear and in celebration of life, bringing peace, understanding, hugs and occasionally a new car (as long as we’re talking manifestation).

I do understand that these three things could take a few days or weeks to materialize, so I am keeping myself in receiving mode. No pressure. And I’m so glad you asked. It helped me prioritize that To Do list I’ve been avoiding for a year!

Cheryl Johnson is a retirement coach in McKinleyville.

Email: caj1745@gmail.com.

Other News
Humboldt Walks to End Alzheimer’s
HSRC News
October 1, 2026
The ALZ Steppers, Humboldt Senior Resource Center’s team in the annual Humboldt County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, invites everyone to step up to help combat this dreadful disease. This year’s Walk is Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Adorni Center in Eureka, with opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. and the walk, either on...
Letters to the Editor, Opinion
October 1, 2026
To the Editor: My name is Caylx. I live with my sister, Corolla, in the home of Donna and Jim Clark in Eureka. My sister and I have serious objections to the last paragraph of “Pet Advice” [August Senior News, page 6]. I go out with Jim to get the paper every morning. While I don’t actually pick up the paper,...
A Redwood Coast Musical Extravaganza
News, October 2026 - Musical Humboldt
By Mark Larson 
October 1, 2026
Demonstrating admirable reinvention skills over the decades since its “Dixieland Jazz” start in 1990, this year’s 34th annual Redwood Coast Music Festival (RCMF) in Eureka now offers a wide spectrum of American roots music at eight different venues from Oct. 1-4. (See Lynn McKenna, “RCMF — 34 Years … ,” page ...
ASK THE DOCTOR: The Beethoven Dog Project
Columnists, Jennifer Heidmann's Column
BY JENNIFER HEIDMANN, M.D. 
October 1, 2026
Music is good for us. This is a little hard to study with the same rigor as, say, whether penicillin or another antibiotic is best for a specific infection, but music has been studied and the physiological benefits are measurable. Music can reduce stress, blood pressure, pain and anxiety. Sometimes music can ...