Coupla years ago I was all bent out of shape because everything had gone to hell in a handbaske...again. As usual, I was at fault for the greatest part. I was whining to myself about having to start all over yet again. A friend gently reminded me that life is nothing but a series of starting overs and that I still had a lot of things going for me.
Sounds like you are digging the best parts out of what went south. Good for you, nothing wrong with getting a little more time to play with wood and other natural materials.
Isn't Sadie and her crowd in the St Louis area? At least you got some like minded folks to play primitive with!
Good luck with the changes, sometimes you just gotta stand back, give it a good honest look over, and start re-tillering! Make a shooter out of your life, that's all you are asked to do anyway.