To say that we are humbled by the many, many responses we got after our announcement that this was the last issue of the Gypsy Journal would be an understatement. All day long yesterday I answered emails and texts and Facebook messages, and read comments on the blog from so many people thanking us for all the years we published the paper, thanking us for our advice, thanking us for our rallies, and thanking us for being the inspiration they needed to follow their own dreams. I can’t tell you how much you all touched both of our hearts.
We said in our announcement that we were closing down the paper and that we would be processing refunds for the unused portions of people’s subscriptions, but about 80% of the ones we have heard from so far have told us not to send them any refund. Some said to pool the money together and treat ourselves to a great dinner or something. That’s very nice of you.
As I said before, this was not an easy decision to come to, and it has also been bittersweet. This will be the first time in well over 30 years that I have not been involved in some form of newspaper publishing.
But while we are no longer publishing the Gypsy Journal, we are not retiring. We will never be able to do that. We are just taking a new direction. I will continue doing the daily blog and I have a lot of books left to write. I have been turning out four books a year on average, but maybe with the extra time I can up that number to five or even six. Or, I may spend part of that time fishing or flying kites.
Several people have asked me if having more time available means that Bad Nick may show up once in a while. I’m not making any promises, but who knows? Anything’s possible.
Right now, I’m into my next book. On August 30 I began working on Badge Bunny and finished it October 13. Yesterday I started Big Lake Snowdaze, book #13 in the Big Lake mystery series. I didn’t have a lot of time, but still managed to get down about 2,000 words. I plan to have it out in mid-December.
But no writing for me today. I have an appointment at the VA clinic in Daytona Beach this afternoon. Since we haven’t been out much lately, we will take advantage of the opportunity while we are over there to do a bit of shopping for some things we can’t find here. And did I hear somebody say Chinese buffet? Oh, was that me? I guess it was!
We want to get home early enough to avoid any kids that may be out trick-or-treating. I don’t know how much people really do that anymore, but many years ago I had a couple of little ones in their costumes run right across the street in front of me. I wasn’t going very fast and managed to stop in plenty of time, but it still scared me more than any ghost or goblin who might be out there.
Last year we didn’t have one person come to the door on Halloween, but we bought a bag of candy just in case. Of course, we made sure it was a candy that we like ourselves. We wouldn’t want it to go to waste, would we?
A lot of you do your online shopping by clicking this Amazon link or the Amazon Search box at the top right sidebar of this blog. We appreciate that, because when you purchase an item on Amazon any time of the year from one of our links, we earn a small commission, which helps us offset the cost of publishing the blog.
Thought For The Day – I’ll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Nick and Miss Terry,
Thanks for the memories. We have enjoyed your many articles of travels,
advice,and helpful RV information. Also had a hoot at all the rallies. Hope
to see you down the road sometime. We have read the journal since 2000
something, if any subscription left just eat it up.
Gene & Cheri Holcomb
It has been wonderful to follow you around all these years. We too do NOT need any refund of our subscription. Have fun now and be sure to keep the blog. We feel like you are family and we like to keep up with what you are doing. Connie and Peter Bradish
I would like to express my support and understanding on your decision to terminate publishing the Gypsy Journal. We are into our fourth year of full-time RVing and have been avid followers of your publications and blog since before we started our journey in this lifestyle. We have learned so much from you and from John & Kathy Huggins. Thank you so much. As for my subscription, I don’t think I had any time left on it but if I do please do not send any refund. We have received far more than we have given. Thanks again. I will continue to support your writing by reading your blog and purchasing your books just as fast as they come out. They have become like family to me.
Good idea. Keep the balance of my subscription and have a Chinese buffet (or at least part of one) one me! 🙂
Happy trails to you and Miss Terry.
We will miss reading the Gypsy Journals, but also understand that life changes. You can keep any remaining money on the subscription and enjoy! Will still continue reading your blog.
Dan & Jenny Sheppard
Congratulations on starting yet another new adventure. You inspired us to follow our dream and now that we’ve hung up the keys, we are so glad we did. Thanks for all you’ve done for the RV world. We love your blog and your books. Keep writing! Use the refund money for some fun – you deserve it!
I think that knowing when to close something down, knowing when its season is over and it’s time for something new, is a sign of wisdom. I’m proud of you for knowing when to fold ’em. You’ve always been a shining light of travel inspiration and practical advice. Jim and I have great memories of your Gypsy Journal rallies, we’re so glad to know you and Terry. We’ll see you in Florida. Please come visit us in Fort Lauderdale sometime.
Congratulations on your decision to utilize your time and energies to your best advantage. We were only subscribers for a few years, but enjoyed the depth of information that you always had in the Gypsy Journal and would pass on our issues to others at our campground.
While the newspaper was great, it is following your and Miss Terry’s daily adventures (yes, even the “hum drum” ones, because that is part of life and you are such a good writer that you make even those seem interesting) in the blog and reading your books what I enjoy most. I have read all of your fiction books (except Badge Bunny, which I plan to start tomorrow after I finish my current book) and have most of your non-fiction ones in my personal library for when we hit the road again.
Enjoy this change. Keep loving your beautiful wife. Keep writing what makes you happy for as long as it makes you happy. God Bless.
Pete and I are so glad to have met you and certainly understand the desire to settle down a bit more. We will enjoy your books and wish you the best in the years to come. Enjoy your “retirement”, we find it wonderful except the days fill up so fast I’m not sure how we ever had time to work.
I asked Bixby on my note 8 what I should wear for Halloween. She told me my Birthday suit would be fine. Gary and I had a good laugh. Bixby is new and learning.
Thanks for the years of dedication Nick. We have enjoyed the Gypsy Journal for many years. We enjoyed the few of your rallies that we were able to attend. Thanks for the memories. If we have any refund coming, don’t bother, please keep it. We will continue to enjoy your blogs.
Bernie & Carole Patton