Bubba, Rain and Pride

Bubba

I posted a few days ago about community pride, focusing on a story of an ("alleged") animal abuse case on a 10 month old lab named Bubba. Well, here's an update. Bubba was released from the trauma center where he was taken in Miami. Bubba is doing very well, although still on several medications and recovering from rib fractures. Reports are that he is interacting well with people and maintaining a sweet disposition. He is being fostered by the Sheriff's officer who responded to the scene and rescued him. Bubba is going to have a "meet and greet" with the public later this week. Thoughts are that the positive attention, love he is receiving, and will continue to receive by such an event, will help him on his recovery. Bubba will be adopted out to a loving home when the time is right.

Rain

"Paula" is making her presence known to us in South Florida this week. Kinda came outta the blue... the weather down here for the past 10 days or so was spectacular, and the forecast was also good. Then, poof, soaking downpours. By the time she makes the turn to head our way, she'll be a tropical storm, which means just another rain event in South Florida, no big deal. What was way more annoying was yesterday I had to report for jury duty in Key West. Although the new courthouse seems VERY lavish (um... the entire ladies room, including bathroom stalls, is done in solid granite, seriously...) the planners and people in charge didn't plan for parking. For real, there appears to a parking lot of EIGHT spaces for the entire building, three of which are handicapped for ADA. Obviously that's ridiculous, a travesty in my opinion. There's not enough parking for anyone, be it those needing a handicap spot, or not. So, jurors park in the "overflow" lot. Anyone been to Key West? Guess where the "overflow lot" is... down at the docks where the Coast Guard ships are moored! So, yesterday morning, I was treated to a 15 minute soaking from Truman Annex to the multi, multi million dollar new courthouse for jury duty. I did my civic duty. However, I'm annoyed because my tax dollars went for granite bathroom stalls and no parking. Someone designated with the simple task of putting soap in a dispenser cannot do their job, and someone else cannot seem to keep water stocked in a vending machine either. I'm even more annoyed that we couldn't buy water when we weren't allowed to bring in our own water in eco-friendly re-usable bottles. I suppose none of this would have been so magnified if I wasn't literally soaked through and through after a 15 minute hoof through flooded streets and constant downpour. Thanks county government. Another winning project.

Pride

And, to end on a positive note... Monday was National Coming Out Day. Our beautiful neighboring island of Key West made a big push to get the word out that if you're over 18, being bullied, discriminated, or otherwise not accepted, to come to Key West where you will be embraced with open arms. I hope the outreach centers in Key West achieved their goals of getting the word out, and that people listened. We're proud to be part of the "One Human Family." Here we embrace diversity, and the freedom to be who you are, not what someone else thinks you should be. Some day, may clear heads prevail all over.

There ya go. I'm done for today. Time for a run. Enjoy your day wherever you may be!