When I wrote the Editor’s Note for our latest print edition — what was it, two weeks ago, three, an eternity? — the world was dealing with an unprecedented medical and financial crisis. We’re still deep in that crisis today, of course, but now another plague has reared its ugly head — the plague of racism and police brutality, yielding frightening scenes of cities on fire.
It is difficult to find the right words for a time like this. In that intro from two weeks (two eons?) ago, I asked readers to choose a word for what they were feeling — scared? frustrated? content? — and for myself, chose “unsettled.”
That hardly seems adequate for the confusing welter of emotions conjured up by this moment.
And yet, now as then, I also feel proud.
I’m proud of this issue, whose theme (planned months in advance, but more relevant than we ever could have imagined) is “Health & Happiness.”
I’m proud that we were able to provide useful information on ways to find both — and bring you some good reading along the way.
If you haven’t already received a hard copy, page through the digital edition. Many of the stories have already been published here on dupontregistrytampabay.com, and I urge you to check them out.
• Joe Bardi’s sometimes hilarious, sometimes pissed-off Quarantine Diaries: Confessions of a First-Time Stay-At-Home Dad.
• Eye-opening reports from Julie Garisto and Catherine Mitseas on medical marijuana and yoga practice (and thanks for the mocktails, too, Catherine).
• Stories by Megan Padilla and Cindy Cockburn that offer hope for the future of travel.
• Resie Waechter’s latest invigorating report on the fitness scene.
• Howard Walker’s revved-up auto column.
• Eric Snider’s Shelter Upgrades stories, in which he covers everything from home audio to home office design to swimming pools, from bike sales to golf.
• A visit to a striking historic home on Snell Isle.
• An interview with Don Strollo of RV One Superstores on the importance of giving back.
I’m struck as I look over the stories in this issue at how many of them center on strong marital partnerships: Joe and his wife Heidi Kurpiela; Jennifer and Chris Hargiss of Your CBD Store; the Zest Zone essential oils entrepreneurs Ilene Metnick and Alli Baldwin; the world citizens Daniel Fernandez and Lauren Davenport, whose latest travel saga made international news (and offers a hopeful example of people helping people).
One thing that all of these couples seem to have found is a sense of balance, a way to live and work together as couples without losing their individuality. Balance is a condition to be cherished these days, I’d say, a sure route to health and happiness.
But if balanced is not what you’re feeling at the moment, I empathize — and hope that this edition of dRTB provides you at least some temporary shelter from an unsettled world.
