Thank You, Judge Walker

Today is a historic day.  US District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker has ruled that California's Prop 8, by denying gays and lesbians the same right to marry that heterosexuals enjoy, violates the United States Constitution.
When minority rights are put to a vote, time and time again these rights are denied.  Rights are usually given to minorities through actions in courts of law, or legislative bodies.  This case was no different, and tonight we celebrate another landmark in civil rights in this country.
Here's the complete ruling:

Thank you to the plaintiffs:  Kristin Perry, Sandra Stier, Paul Katami and Jeffrey Zarrillo; the lawyers:  Ted Olson and David Boies, and all those in California who have worked so hard for marriage equality in their state.  Thank you to all of you, across the sexuality spectrum, who truly believe in justice and equality for all humans.  Love is love is love.

Firefly AKA Junebug AKA D.K.

We have a new addition to the family.  For a short (undoubtedly too short) time, we have a kitten.  He arrived in our window well last Sunday night--we still don't know if his mom left him there, or if he wandered there on his own.  But he's cute, and needy, and abandoned, and well...cute, so we've taken him in for a while.  Finding a permanent home for him has not been difficult--we have one friend who has already spoken for him, and at least 3 others "in waiting" if that doesn't work out.  But for at least the next 4 weeks, he's all ours, and we couldn't be happier.  Well, I should say, the HUMANS here couldn't be happier.  The other cats are a different matter.  Neither of them know quite what to think; Charlie keeps his distance, and Kiki gets close, then backs off, as if to say, "Look.  You  made me a career woman, and I will not be taking care of this baby!"
Because he's only about 2 1/2 weeks old, needs to be bottle-fed every 3-4 hours (and until yesterday needed "help" with the pooping/peeing thing), and we thought maybe we should keep him until all of that is over.  At 6 weeks or so, he can get his first shots, and be ready to join another family.  But sloppily happily, we get to have him through all those adorable baby days, and we will be posting photos of him well past the time you beg us to stop.......

 
 I mean, how could we resist sharing this kitten cuteness??!!

I also want to say that here's yet another reason why I love Karen so much--without hesitation, she suggested taking care of this kitten.  Neither of us knew what was involved, and for the first couple of days we (kitten included) bumbled our way through feedings.  Then, as if a little lightbulb went off in his head, the kitten latched on to the bottle and sucked down its first full meal.  Since then, it's been fairly smooth sailing, AND he's slept through the night every night--something my "human kids" couldn't claim for months!!!  In another couple of days, we can begin to introduce kitten food, and I guess after that we'll be done with the bottle.  After that, it will be litter training, grooming, and...sniff...before we know it, our kitten will be ready to face the world.