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I’ve been gone — but I haven’t forgotten about my readers and I haven’t given up on writing.

A lot has happened since my last blog post in September of 2024. We added four more grandchildren to love on and sold the home my husband built on the family farm. We moved north an hour to be closer to friends, our children and the growing bevy of grands. We’re rekindling old friendships and making new ones. Remodeling our new-used home, and most recently, enjoyed a month in Florida with time in Tennessee on the way there and back.

Fun Fact: Did you know that spring flowers such as daffodils and crocuses represent new beginnings or rebirth?

For me, this spring includes new beginnings with my writing. I’ve started writing for a local newspaper. It’s a different kind of writing for me. A little less personal, a little more reflective, and (hopefully) something that resonates beyond just our immediate circle. I don’t expect to become the next Ann Landers, but a girl can dream.

This is also a good time to report that the new Scott, lovingly referred to as Scott 2.0, is a lot more impulsive than the original version. For those that don’t follow us on Facebook, he is doing very well since his transplant. I won’t lie; it’s been a long and grueling ride since his BMT transplant in August of 2022. He’s very close to being off all the medications associated to it and by looking at him you would never know he was once so sick. He’s put weight back on, so much so that his mother lovingly tells him he is getting fat. He’s far from being fat; but whatever you call it, he looks much better than the stick figure he became while he was battling Myelofibrosis.

On our way to Florida, we decided — somewhat suddenly — that we needed a Can-Am Spyder. With the help of an old friend, one was located in Tennessee and paid for that on the way home from Florida. Once we get it home and gear up with matching helmets, we have plenty of ideas for adding that to our already busy retirement schedule. I’m sure some people think we’re a little crazy, but when you’ve lived through what we have, your perspective shifts. We’ll let the financial advisor decide if it was a mistake.

As for this space…

I’m not walking away from it — but I am changing how I show up.

Going forward, this blog will be a little less about the day-to-day details and a little more about the stories and reflections behind them. You’ll still see glimpses of our life — just with a bit more distance. Think of it as the difference between living it in real time and looking back on it with a little perspective.

Additionally, from here on out, rather than following our lives, you’ll hear about the adventures of Nora and Thurston Fields.

Pool time has come to an end and it’s back to real life in our new location. Stay tuned! I’ll be sharing my first published column soon, and I hope you’ll stick with Nora (me) as this next chapter unfolds.