CONK!
What a difference a year makes. In my personal orbit, as well as the writing orbit.
The end of 2022 found me and my husband Lynn sick with COVID, behind on everything including the payments on our California rental, and emotionally and financially drained. While we could not envision the details to get to the change, we knew we needed change—and quickly.
The end of 2023 we are both healthy—Lynn has even put on weight; something that has not happened since 2010, when he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. By a series of gifts, Lynn’s new work in our new state, and bureaucratic decisions that I had nothing to do with, but worked out in our favor, we are almost debt free. And we are current on rent in a much more spacious and lovely home in Alabama. All-in-all, we are paying half the cost that we paid in California.
Despite the stress of spinning plates, packing an entire home, and moving across the country, I am blessed to have been productive on this site, RedState, and my newest outlet, 1819 News. My California coverage here and with the team at RedState, not only left significant craters in Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to ascend to the presidency, but it was satisfying to see the efforts to reward failure in elevating Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su to Secretary of Labor crash and burn, thanks in large part to our coverage over at RedState and the power of the independent professional and small business community.
The interviews, American stories, Feel-Good Friday offerings, and personal and investigative deep dives, along with the pop culture and celebrity inside baseball seems to have captured your attention and been well received. I also had opportunity to introduce you to some of my favorite writers and changemakers through guest columns from Jim Thompson, Carol Roth, and Kira Davis. The beauty of this platform is that you get to spotlight subjects, topics, and perspectives sometimes missed by other outlets, or where those outlets cannot afford to give it the space or time.
Exciting things are afoot for In My Orbit in 2024, and I hope you’ll stay along for the ride! I cannot wait for the opportunity to give them words and voice.
Below is a small review of the personal, political, and cultural happenings and headlines from 2023. Thank you, subscribers, for all your support this year. Happy New Year!
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