We had already planned a sunny Saturday at the beach when we heard about Hands Across the Sand on the news. 

For fifteen minutes, between 12 and 12:15, people joined hands to protest offshore drilling.  It would have been neat to see an arial view of Florida at about 12:10.  Check out this map to see how many beaches statewide participated.

We’re among the lucky residents; the Gulf of Mexico we know is still pristine and oil-free…for how long?  We don’t know.  My mother didn’t think my last BP post was completely appropriate, but I’m angry and a little FU here and there isn’t the worst thing in the world.  I’m expressing myself, mom!  At least it was a well-deserved FU.  BP took chances they didn’t have to take.  They risked wildlife, livlihoods and lifestyles.  I am angry, and I am heartbroken over this oil spill.  I’ve lived 10 minutes away from Siesta Key Beach for over 15 years.  The sand wins awards regularly for being the whitest sand in the world.  It’s 99% quartz and blindingly white.  I took my sunglasses off yesterday to take a swim.  I felt like a bear fresh from hibernation seeing the sun for the first time; my left eye would not fully open!  For all of you land lovers living away from the shores, where this oil spill will inevidibly become yesterday’s news, this is what’s at risk – the whitest sand in the world turning black.