Pithy blog in your Christmas card

These things always start with the best intentions.

How, one might wonder, could I possibly screw up the annual Just Wright Citrus Christmas card?

Oh my. Several ways.

See, every year since I was a lad I’ve enjoyed sending Christmas cards. Special messages, little innuendos to close friends, and the ability to spread the Christmas message.

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Um…wait a minute. I only enjoyed the planning of such an activity. I never actually did it.

Thanksgiving rolls around and I PROMISE myself I’ll send out Christmas cards. Then it’s Dec. 1. Then a week later. Now I’m scrambling. Next thing, Rudolph is doing his thing on TV and the season is in full swing. Another year of regrets.

This year, I wanted Just Wright Citrus cards. That’d be cool. Instead of a generic Santa, friends would receive a cute JWC Christmas theme with a pithy mini blog about Citrus County elves.

Well, a funny thing happened. Thanksgiving was late this year. You heard that, right? I had plans to ask a friend the week following Thanksgiving to design my Christmas card. You know what came RIGHT AFTER Thanksgiving weekend? Yup. December. Another great idea shot to heck by outside forces.

So, I present the next best thing: The Christmas card blog. Works just the same, except I can’t give you all a Publix card.

On the cover is yours truly with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who I found wandering the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce mixer Thursday night at the Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort in Crystal River.

(Interesting that Santa didn’t ask if I’ve been a good boy this year. He said — I’m deadly serious — “Where’s Bunny?” Looks like it’s coal and Nylabones for this household.)

Inside the blog card is this inspiring message:

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope your holidays are as joyful as the warm December sun.

Mike”

Hmmm.

Look. I’m just really happy, you know. Just Wright Citrus is celebrating its third Christmas, and we are roaring into 2025. This blog truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Here’s just one aspect of this “job” that’s just so cool: I’ve always been a lax dresser at work (save for my first few sober years when I happily wore a tie four days a week), but this having no boss thing means I can wear a Santa sweatshirt to the County Commission and a Chamber mixer. Cuz I feel like it. And if I want to wear it again in July, I can (don’t tempt me). The point is, being totally on my own carries a lot of freedom.

I have you to thank for that. Actually, I have readers to thank for all of this.

Been having quite a few conversations with folks in recent weeks about Just Wright Citrus and the influence it has in the community. Some people say that’s me, I say it’s readers who contribute to the conversation.

None of this makes any difference without that conversation. I have plenty of opinions, but what good are they without mixing with others? It’s the clean, balanced, no-name-calling conversation that moves the needle. All I do is keep it focused and legitimate. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Citrus County. Have a very merry Christmas.

Speaking of that…

You may have heard that our governor is giving state workers Monday off along with the traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which falls on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Well, I am outraged at such government abuse. I’m also inspired. So, no Just Wright Citrus blog until Boxing Day. I’ll be popping up on Facebook here and there.

Hope your holidays are as joyful as the warm December sun. 

Mike

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