"Living the 10W-40 Life"

I wish I could take credit for the title of this post, but the honors goes to one of the many status updates on the FB regarding the oil spill that is ripping through the Gulf of Mexico as we speak. Others include...

Oil. Mind consuming.

This oil spill is not gonna be good for our area. Our beautiful beaches and water will be gross, and a lot of businesses and jobs will suffer as well. I pray that a miracle happens.

This oil spill is coming and we can't do anything about it. Devastating. And this is just the beginning...

Worried worried worried, don't know what's going to happen to our jobs and lives due to this oil spill!

...and of course the ever-so-honest...

I would like to thank BP for ruining my summer.

I have never been savvy with politics and I can't really say that current events are my forte (unless broadcast via E! news) but this oil crisis has really left me with a heavy heart. The majority of our friends here work in either tourism, fishing, or on the water in some capacity. After having them over to watch the fight on Saturday (boooooo Mayweather) I learned first-hand what a crisis like this will do to the Emerald Coast's environment, economy, and livelihood. One word: Devastation.

I've never been one to put up an umbrella before it rains (well, mostly) but things are not looking so good for the Florida Panhandle. Seeing something like this happen to your home can really light a fire under your back side. It really makes you want to get out there and actually DO something for once instead of just chatting about it in your sewing circle. Get out there, get your hands dirty, and actually make a difference! Come on now, who's with me!?! (I feel like I should be holding a picket sign right now.) (Or may maybe a bullhorn?) I digress.

Nick will be attending the FWB City Council meeting tomorrow that will discuss a Citizens Response Team. I am anxious to find out what locals like myself can do to assist with the oil spill cleanup. In the meantime I will be thinking happy thoughts and hoping that my weekly lunches in the sand at SRB will not be interrupted (and that the beaches will stay as beautiful as they were the day I snapped this photo).