Hot enough for ya?

It's kind of hard to catch him sitting still, but this is Alvin

It's in the 90 here again today. I guess we can call that a heat wave.

It's not exactly the most comfortable climate for me. Give me a little wind, a nip in the air, lots of sunshine and rain at night.

Today I opened the newspaper to some good news for a change.

One: The mayor of San Francsico started marrying gay and lesbian couples at 5 o'clock in the morning.
Among them two women, 84 and 87, who have been together for 55 years.
I'd say it's about time.
How absolutely wonderful!!!!

It's about time!!!

The second one: Dingdong Bush is proposing far-reaching new rules that would give people with disabilities greater access to many many many places of business, swimming pools, golf courses, theaters, hotels and retail stores.

It's about time!!!

It has always amazed me that somehow older buildings don't HAVE to provide access. Our bank downtown is in such an old building. A person with a wheelchair cannot get into that building unless someone carries him, chair and all, up the stairs.


So we just have to drive a few miles down the road to the other branch. Not really a big deal, but it's the principle. The Bank of America is big enough to be able to afford a ramp or two. You'd think!

Even places that try their best sometimes don't get it right. Take your handicap toilet stalls in stores and restaurants. I wonder if they ever build these room while actually sitting in a wheelchair, trying to get yourself on the pot. Most places don't have a clue as to doors opening inward or outward. Or where the grab bars go. Or where the tiled floors are so slick the person will slip and fall while trying to transfer onto the pot.

Oh Lord, don't get me going here!!!!

So our president is trying to tie up some lose ends. Making a trip to Europe, making nice with the Pope, with Queen E, it's funny, really...and pathetic.

But rewriting the federal standards for enforcement of the AWDA is a good move, I'll give him that.

I have often thought of starting a website that lists/rates businesses on their handicap accessibility. But where to start?

I would love to go on vacation one day and be able to look at a brochure and find information about rooms for the disabled.

You read any travel brochure and NOWHERE will you find any information about accessibility for handicapped people.

I have written/emailed MANY motels and hotels about their facilities. I have NEVER received an answer.

So, I won't be going to Myrtle Beach or The Florida coasts I guess!

On the other hand, I do know of a few places that DO make the effort.
Take Target. Especially their new stores. They not only have two well built and correctly designed handicap stalls, as well as a few wider stalls for larger persons (brilliant!!), they also have a family room, which is great for families with kids as well as people with disabilities.

The Georgia Aquarium tried their best too. But the granitefloor to their bathroom was so slick and the door so damn heavy, that Wheelie almost pulled himself out of his chair.
I wrote them, of course, and received a lovely answer. I was told they are looking into the problem and will take care of it.

We haven't been back, who can afford the gas and the tickets, but I was impressed.

The newer big box stores seem to have their shit together, WalMart and K Mart are okay too, as are most of the super markets, like Publix.

I always try and let the people that work there, or the management, know that I am impressed with their facilities.

When we just got here three years ago, we had to use the bathroom at a local BPgas station/convenient store here in Cartersville. I wasn't hopeful, but low and behold, their bathroom was amazing.
I made an effort to thank the manager of the store, he was kinda surprised, I think. *S*

When we drove from California to Georgia three years ago, I made reservations at Best Westerns along the way. Most of them had excellent handicap rooms with roll in showers. Only a few of them missed the boat completely.

But enough of that.

We have a new creature in our backyard. A tiny chipmunk has moved in under my hostas. He/she found a treasure trove under my bird feeder, and he dug him/herself a nice hole in the ground. We named him/her Alvin (of course!!)
The little shit even chased away the two mourning doves that always come down for breakfast.
He's cute though. :>)

We watched Boo-boo for an hour this morning while Bugs did her restaurant order. After that they went swimming at her boss's house.
She just called me, they had a ball. Boo LOVES the pool!!! So now grandma will have to find us a swim program for babies...SIGH...*lol*

We sold a few CDs this week, and a few of them were bought by a guy who is a concert pianist, Michael Fennelly. He will come to this area in September, and maybe we'll go and see him.
We've met some interesting folks through Ebay.

Anyway, no big news, just another Monday. Trying to finish my laundry, get ready for tomorrow.

Have a great week y'all!

SGMKJ!