EDITOR’S
LETTER
Nelipot.
This is a word for people who go barefoot most of the time,
who feel as though shoes are a prison. While it isn’t officially
recognized as a word by Webster’s or Merriam’s, if you
Google it there are several sites that will immediately give you the
reference. It almost sounds like a derogatory term, but it shouldn’t
be.
Many people believe that walking barefoot on the earth is vitally
important to a human’s well being. Some call it “earthing.” They
say it allows the soles of your feet – where there are more than
7,000 nerve endings that correspond to every organ and system
within your body – to receive the energy of the earth, the place
from whence we came.
You don’t realize how good it feels to walk on the beach if
you’ve not been there in a while. Next time you go, make sure
you look down at the sand and think about how many types of
life went into making it possible. It’s a pretty crazy thought, for sure.
Here on the island we’re in the height of season, so you can be
sure there will be a lot of beach walking going on. A lot of happy
people in a beautiful place ... it’s nice. When I look down on the
street from my office I can see a look of relaxation on the faces of
the people below; I compare it to how faces look back up in
Chicago right now and I see one major difference (other than the
fact we’re not frozen) – peace. Even the gruffest of souls mellows
out a little bit while they’re here (at least some do), it’s impossible
to escape the good vibes.
These are the months that bring the Woman’s Club Fair and the
bike parade, the Easter Bunny and hunt at the Community Center,
the Strawberry Festival, concerts on the lawn and Saturday mornings
shopping at Boca Bargains. These months also bring the Lighthouse
United Methodist pancake breakfasts ... I dream of the grits
there, they’re amazing.
All of our friends are here, the gossip is lively and the Hudson’s
checkout line is long. There are cars honking and wedding parties
flooding the streets, dogs are barking and business deals are being
made at the dog park – just another happy season in Boca Grande.
Be consciously kind to each other, because sometimes that’s
what it takes, and never forget to be kind to yourself.
Marcy Shortuse
Editor-in-Chief
14 GASPARILLA ISLAND March/April 2019
Soft sky above, sharp stones
underfoot and the clouds
caressed with reflected light.
The lacy waves are a drumbeat
that echo my heart, the breeze
blows the tension right out of
my bones and all the while the
birds arc above, masters of the
salty updrafts.
– Angela Abraham