Sixty-six ways to wait on Milton

Mike note: We’re diverting today from too much hurricane talk. Can't help the timing. Please stay safe and smart, friends.

A quick story:
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Josh Wooten, the chamber president/CEO, and I have been friends for years. He knew me well during my drinking life. He knows me well today.

We were on the phone a few weeks ago talking about my Mike’s 66th and Buddy Bandana Paw-ty, which we’ll reschedule once life returns to normal.

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“You know,” he said, “I never saw you at 66.”

Meaning he never thought I’d make it past 65.

Reminds me of early sobriety. It was Day 2, I was shaking from alcohol withdrawal (that’s just as much fun as it sounds) and attended a 12-step meeting in Crystal River. Several months later a woman told me that when I walked in the room that day, she said to a friend, “I don’t know that guy’s story, but he’ll be dead in a week.”

Well, guess what? I ain’t dead yet. 

It's Oct. 9 and I'm 66, reasonably happy and healthy. I get to spend my birthday awaiting a hurricane, and then tell you something about it. That’ll be a first.

I own a business that adds value to the community, even during a crisis. I wasn’t sure in my youth what I had in mind at 66, but it wasn’t that.

As Just Wright Citrus has grown, a spark of service is growing in me. I’m discovering peace in the process. Even my “business” side isn’t very business-like; I’m happy to pay the rent and feast on Beefaroni Supreme. Just Wright Citrus stays on mission and the community takes care of the details.

In the last year especially, my attitude and outlook on life have improved significantly.

A lot of that boils down to faith. I don’t want to be a pulpit pounder here, but I’ve made it a priority to read the Bible daily and seek spiritual guidance when it’s available.

I also have one or two very close non-Christian friends whose love and support are invaluable.

What’s my point? Good question. It does seem like I’m rambling, right? Must be an old guy thing.

The community is nervous right now. Our Tampa Bay neighbors are staring at their world about to shatter. When Hurricane Milton hits Wednesday night, in whatever form that is, we will once again pray for the best while facing reality as it comes.

Everybody and their sister worked overtime since Sunday, getting as much Helene storm debris off the roads before Milton’s winds sweep in. I took a drive around the county Tuesday. Most people were winding down preparations.

I’m seeing responsible adults and strong leaders do their thing. Seems like it’s been one challenge after another around here the last few months, but no one is caving. In fact, we’re only getting more resilient.

This place is awesome.

I cannot express enough thanks to the Citrus County community. I can’t believe I’ve reached this age and contributing in a positive way. You can’t possibly comprehend the feeling when someone I've never met comes up to me out of the blue to say he/she reads the blog. I feel like a cub reporter again.

How in the heck did this happen? Why do I feel younger today than 20 years ago? I’m a little creaky in the joints, and my marathons (!) are behind me, but each day is an adventure. Interest in life remains sharp.

Last year, Mike’s 65th was a bluegrass party in the old yard. This year, Mike’s 66th will be spent hunkered down at New Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson, where my job is to stay safe and post what I can. And, yeah, I’ll miss Buddy. A lot.

The plan is to keep blogging Wednesday and beyond so long as I have juice for the phone and internet to post. Guess we’ll just see how that goes.

I am so grateful for Citrus County. I’m grateful for 66 trips around the sun.

Now. Let’s kick Milton’s butt.

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