I wrote the post below on March 9, 2023, and it remained on the homepage of my website for more than three years. That’s a really bad website management practice.
Here’s what I wrote:
In addition to my continued work writing for community newspapers, a little more than six months ago, I embarked on a new project, publishing the Giant Sequoia News — the only publication dedicated entirely to providing news and information about the treasured giant sequoia trees of California’s Sierra Nevada and the perils they face.
The newsletter, delivered by email, started out as weekly and recently expanded to twice a week.
In addition to the newsletter, I provide related news and feature articles to print and online publications.
You can check it out here: giantsequoias.substack.com
You can still find the Giant Sequoia News Substack, but I am no longer updating it.
What I didn’t share here previously, and among the reasons I’ve gone so long without updating here, is that in December 2023, my dear husband of 37 years died suddenly and unexpectedly.
I kept writing, both local news and Giant Sequoia news, because it seemed normal for me to write, even when my life was not normal.
Last October, I let readers know I was not planning to continue the Substack, although it is still active and occasionally picks up a free subscriber. I refunded payments made by paid subscribers.
I still care about Giant Sequoias, but it’s a difficult beat, particularly with the many changes in federal operations.
I’m thinking about getting back into journalism, but I want a beat that’s closer to home, with sources who are allowed to talk to reporters.