EDITOR’S
LETTER
14 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE January/February 2020
Marcy Shortuse
Editor-in-Chief
So now it’s 2020; who would
believe it. I remember when the
year 2000 was looming before
us, and we all thought the
computer grid would go down. To think that was 20 years ago seems ludicrous, and 20 years from now
we will look back and think about how archaic these times were. It’s just the way it goes, and is the way
it always has.
Do you think we will begin to change our ways in this new decade? Will we learn any lessons from
our massive consumption of plastics, from our excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers that run into
our water, from the fact we use fossil fuels like there’s no tomorrow? Some people think Florida will
turn into a giant golf course soon, and while I think that’s a bit extreme it sometimes seems like a real
threat.
Maybe this year we will start getting back to the basics. Maybe we will back away from yelling at each
other on our computers and start making real change in our communities. We will start doing more
activities together as a family, or with friends. We will start realizing what useless blue matter is beginning
to develop in our brains from our eternal quest for knowledge, acceptance and superfi cial relationships
that only live in the electronic realm.
Maybe this year we should all try to develop a new hobby or interest outside our homes. We’ve given
a few options in this edition of our magazine, from horseback riding to visiting Warm Mineral Springs,
to volunteering in our community with groups like the Woman’s Club (one person can make more of a
difference than you think), or to upgrading our homes to a more energy-sustainable standard.
It could happen ... we can change.
Right?
First, though, we have to realize there’s actually a problem.
I hope you get some time to yourself at the beginning of this new year to relax after the holidays, to
enjoy your friends and family, and to formulate a plan for yourself to think about what’s really important
to you. Put the phone straight to voicemail and turn off the social media notifi cations. The things on that
screen aren’t as important as what is going on in the moment around you. Walk the dog, read a book,
take the boat out ... pretend for a minute there are no computers all around, beckoning to you with that
enticing dopamine rush.
Maybe we should try to make this decade as exciting as the 1920s. Perhaps we should live our lives
like we’re bootleggers running moonshine from Tennessee to New York, and gather in dark, quiet
corners with our trusted friends and enjoy ourselves like there’s no tomorrow. These are crazy times in
many ways, and sometimes it seems like everything keeps getting worse instead of better ... let’s spice it
up with some joy and revelry, mixed with respect for each other and a camaraderie that we haven’t felt
in a long, long time.
Let’s just be kind to each other.
Happy New Year!