Sunday, March 23, 2014

Making History

On Friday 3/21/14, shortly around 5 PM, Michigan became the 18th state in the country to legalize same sex marriage. A Federal Judge revealed his ruling that overturned the ban on same sex marriage, which had stood since 2004. On Saturday morning, several county clerk's offices around the state, opened their offices to accept applications for marriage licenses, and by 8:10am, the first legally same sex couple was married in the state of Michigan. In total, there were over 150 same sex marriage ceremonies performed yesterday. This is definitely history in the making! This is a photo taken a few weeks ago during the trial, at the federal courthouse, in downtown Detroit. There were picketers outside the courthouse each day that the trial was in progress. The trial started out as an equal rights trial for same sex parents and their children, to be recognized as a family, be entitled to health insurance as a family, etc. As of 5 pm yesterday, a stay was issued on the ruling, and now there is a halt to same sex marriages until a judge hears an appeal later this week. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Beauty of Old

Recently, I had a chance to visit the oldest Conservatory in the USA, which unknown to me at the time was right in my backyard. Ok, not literally in my backyard, but about 10 miles away in Downtown Detroit. I was looking for something to do with my Mom on yet another unbelievably cold day, so I decided to take her for a ride around Belle Isle. Belle Isle is an island park which is connected to the city, by way of a 19 arch bridge that spans across the Detroit River. We were driving around the vast island park, and came upon the Conservatory. I was happy to find somewhere warm and indoors to take my Mom. We went inside, and it was absolutely beautiful! The Conservatory contains exotic plants and flowers from all over the world. There were not as many flowers because of the time of year, but what we did see was beautiful! Here is a photo of the outside of the Conservatory, and I will post more of the inside soon. Enjoy!