C O M M E N TA R Y
TIME TO
START ANEW
SO STARTS A NEW YEAR. I DO
not know if you are into resolutions
and such, but the fact is, a new year
does represent a new start if you so desire.
It may have to do with diet, work, learning
something new, or it may just be a time to
look around and be thankful for what you
see and what you have in life.
We live in what I consider the very best
area anywhere. I know there are other places,
where you can point to specific reasons to
be there; but looking around right here,
you see what great lifestyles this area
offers. The Tampa Bay communities
offer many activities, culture, educational
opportunities, golfing, swimming, boating,
and the list goes on. And, then, there is the
transportation.
We have one of the best airports in the
world. I used to fly almost every weekend,
and I remember being able to leave Tampa
International on Saturday morning and be
in San Diego for lunch. You can get almost
anywhere easily, whether it be by car
(good Interstates), plane or train.
sixteen or so blocks?” I did so, and began
to realize that because of the city’s
tremendous growth, there were things I
had not noticed, especially through a car
window. The best thing was that, if a shop
window caught my eye, I could stop for a
moment and go in. It was an educational
walk on a beautiful day and, without
thinking about it, I got some pretty good
exercise in the process.
As we start this new year, I would
suggest that we all stop for a moment
and just look around. Forget about the
negatives the news stations like to throw
our way, and appreciate what we have
and all that is happening around here.
Oh, and you might also give a wave to a
cop, and say “hi” to someone you pass on
the street or in the hallway. It’s funny
how that works … it’s contagious, and it
makes the area we live in just a little bit
better for everyone.
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen
I remember when my wife Penny and I
would fly out West to go skiing. One year,
we hit several days of whiteouts on the
mountain. It seemed that the only folks
we met on the runs were from Florida. I
think we all had the same thought in
mind, that being to go with the elements
and defrost at the end of the week, when
we returned home.
I enjoy leaving the area; yet, each time
we come back, it reinforces how much we
love living where we do. Although, I am
guilty at times of not appreciating it
enough.
When my wife and I were dating, we
spent many a Sunday afternoon walking
the sandy beaches of Ft. DeSoto Park at
sunset. Yet, I would not attempt to figure
out how many years it has been since we
last did that.
I had an appointment in downtown
St. Petersburg recently; and while I was
preplanning how I would handle the
parking, it occurred to me that it was
a beautiful day, “so why not walk the
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144 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015