There are no quiet years.

2024 was my second year working for the Associated Press and it was a whirlwind of blue-eyed cicadas, bird rescues, lowrider bikes, a trip to Ohio to watch the total solar eclipse with my family, a surprise visit from a black swallowtail caterpillar who spent 10 days in a cocoon in my house before taking flight, and a trip to Massachusetts with my mom to spread my sister’s ashes.

There were also long days and long hours at the Democratic National Convention and a stressful Presidential Election.

And, of course, a lot of sports, including a ton of baseball between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. None of the city’s teams did very well last season and so far this season, and the White Sox, Bears and Blackhawks fired their coaches. There’s always next year…

2025 seems like a big number, but I’m ready to focus on stories that are important to me. Cheers to a new year.