Almost two years ago, my mom was diagnosed with dementia. It was the first time I had ever experienced something like that so close to home and it was scary and confusing and heartbreaking to see someone I love so much change so drastically. To see her struggling and not know how to help her beyond just being there for her.
I would like to start off this month’s article with a heartfelt thank you to the citizens of Wakulla County. I am honored to have been elected to serve another term as Sheriff of Wakulla County and am truly humbled by the level of support that the community showed me. Serving as the Wakulla County Sheriff for the past eight years has been a privilege, and I am excited and honored to be able to continue in this position.
“Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It’s up to you to choose which you will be.” -Havery Mackay
Healthy decision-making can be difficult. It impacts our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I’m talking about the choice to think for yourself. The choice to be happy or miserable. The choice to believe whatever you want to believe. Or the choice to have any perspective you want on life.
Many Americans, through circumstances beyond their control, find themselves needing to retire earlier than anticipated. Whatever the circumstances, it’s difficult not to feel wrongfooted and hurried by the situation. However, it’s important to get yourself back on track as soon as possible. Here are some things to consider as you make the transition:
By Elizabeth Smith. Originally published in the January 1969 issue of the Magnolia Monthly.
Fort Stansbury was under the command of Lt. Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock from October 1842 until January 13, 1843. He was a general when this photo was taken in 1850.
Fort Stansbury (or Stansberry) can be found on maps of Leon County made in the 1840’s but its life was short, and few but dedicated archeologists have found its location. After Wakulla County was formed out of the southern half of Leon County in 1843, the fort’s location was put on Wakulla County maps, but by then it was already going out of existence. The fort, which was apparently started in 1840, was a hastily erected log enclosure and used to help subdue the southern Creek, or Seminole, Indians during the Second Seminole War.
A pair of damselflies who dropped in for a visit with the author. (PHOTO BY ERIK LOVESTRAND)
By ERIK LOVESTRAND
One thing about nature that you can be sure of is, you ain’t seen nothin yet. Just around that next corner is something that you have never seen before in your life. It doesn’t matter if you are the most seasoned, highly educated naturalist on the planet. There are oodles of delightful discoveries that you have yet to make. Sometimes you happen upon them in your roaming about. Other times they just come to you. That was the case with the two damselflies pictured with this article.
Hi, you all. Is it hot enough for you? It is for the fish too. If you don’t get there early you missed the bite. When that water warms up they are upriver in a hole. When you find a hole, drift through it. If you start catching drop anchor. Live bait, minnows or shrimp work best, but gigs or cut bait will still get you some fish. If you don’t want to go up river head offshore to deeper waters and catch reef fish. You need a permit, but it’s free from FWC.com.
The Tallahassee-based VR Systems company, which was in charge of state election websites that crashed during last week’s primary elections, issued a statement last week taking responsibility for the problems and vowing the clean up the issues before the presidential election in November.
Contact us to advertise in one of our Quality Publications. THE WAKULLA SUN (our Weekly Newspaper), WAKULLA NEIGHBOR (our FREE Monthly publication going to ALL Homes in Wakulla County) and GULF COAST BREEZE (our Annual Visitors Guide to Wakulla County).