A community gathers in the yard

So, how was your weekend?

Get a little shopping done? Watch some college football? Maybe visit with the grandkids?

That’s nice. My weekend? Thanks for asking.

It was SPECTACULAR!

---

Estimates ranging from 10 to well over 15 friends attended Mike’s 65th and Bluegrass on Saturday at the Just Wright World Headquarters (in Transition) on the shores of Big Lake Henderson.

My wife, Deborah Kamlot-Wright and our friend Becky Beattie combined to create a festival scene in the front yard. It was relaxed, cozy, and had the feel of a family reunion where the cousins all like each other.

Some final words before returning this week to actual blog work.

— I’m all about the diversity of Citrus County and that’s what we had here. Recovery friends, community friends, political friends and friends I hadn’t met yet — Just Wright Citrus readers who were kind enough to stop by and say hi.

We also met a lovely couple who just moved to Citrus County from Connecticut and were invited to the open house by new friends they just met. I gave them my business card and asked that they check out the blog.

Another friend said he was going to start reading the blog. When I told him about the Facebook polite policy, he acknowledged that could pose a problem.

“On social media, I have no filter,” he said. “I’ve been banned several times.”

I gave the JWC business card to his wife.

— I tried all sorts of ways to invite people. The Facebook invite, texting friends, told folks about it if I saw them, and a few groups allowed me to announce it.

I made one personal invite to the Inverness City Council.  I attended the council meeting Tuesday and told them not only about the open house, but that we were moving right away as well. For 18 years, I’ve been the closest two-legged neighbor of Wallace Brooks Park and thought they might want to drop in before I leave.

Saturday was a busy day in the Depot District. ROCCS had a regatta in Wallace Brooks, there was a market in the Depot pavilion and a Liberty Park concert in the evening.

That’s probably why none of them made it.

Former city manager Frank DiGiovanni was there, as was retired parks director Pati Smith. And other old-guard Inverness folks, including Superintendent of Schools Sandra “Sam” Himmel and her twin sister Linda Van Allen.

From Crystal River, Mayor Joe (and Amy) Meek, and Councilman Ken Frink. No Sunshine violations were reported.

— Chicken King catered the event and knocked it out of the park. Just wanted to mention that. 

— Our move to the new Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson happened almost immediately. This is the final blog written at the original JWC desk. Hope the writing gets better at the new place.

— I finish up today with a little story that few people know. It’s another reason why this little house holds such a special place.

I’ve mentioned that Deb’s first impression of the house was that it had potential. Apparently, so did we but it didn’t seem that way at first.

Tried as I might, Deb would not date me. For five months beginning in February 2009, she fended off all my advances. Deb could not see what seemed so obvious (to me).

I eventually wore her down and we became friends. Then, on July 13, 2009, we had our first kiss. What we like to say is our last first kiss.

There is significance to that date. It was exactly one week after my third sobriety anniversary.

Fast forward several years. A friend asked if he could run his metal detector on the property and he showed me what he found. Mostly junk, but also a medallion from a 12-step program. 

A 3-year medallion. 

It wasn’t mine. I haven’t a clue how it got buried beneath the soil here. But it’s stayed in my pocket ever since as a daily reminder that Deb is my wife only because I have sobriety.

So many memories in our hearts as we eagerly look toward that new chapter.

Beginning today.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.