Friday Follies - Christmas Eve Edition...
Well, boys and girls, it appears that we're almost there.
We've pretty much made it through the hustle and bustle of the holidays for this year.
And most of us are none the worse for wear.
We braved insane drivers, crowded stores, more crowded parking lots, foul weather, and whatever else was tossed at us...and came out pretty much intact.
Yet, while we were all getting ready for Christmas, some people just had to go and louse things up by getting busy being "naughty"...
Sorry, you're only getting COAL for Christmas in YOUR stockings, you bad criminals.
(( Two wounded during home invasion
Two men were shot while invading a home Thursday night on Fort Wayne’s south side. One of the men was in critical condition, police said.
Police said dispatchers received a 911 call about 8:40 p.m. from a home in the 800 block of Home Avenue after an attempted invasion went awry.
There was a struggle with an occupant of the home, who fired shots at the men, according to Liza Thomas, Fort Wayne Police Department spokeswoman. Police said the men fled the home on foot to the east.
Police later learned two men arrived at a hospital with gunshot wounds. One of them was in critical condition late Thursday. Police did not know the condition of the other man.
Police said there were several people in the home at the time, including at least four children, but no one else was injured.
No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.
The shooting occurred three blocks from Fairfield Elementary. ))
And we have an update on the speeder that was stopped by a utility pole:
(( Chase-crash victim awaited drug trial - Dominic Adams The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – Authorities have identified a man who died after leading police on a chase, driving through a utility pole and slamming into a tree Wednesday.
Dr. E. Jon Brandenberger, Allen County coroner, said Payton Randle II, 38, of Fort Wayne, died from blunt-force trauma at the crash scene on Tillman Road between Hessen Cassel Road and South Anthony Boulevard.
Randle was to stand trial Jan. 13 on felony charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of marijuana, hash oil or hashish, according to Allen Superior Court records.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Department did not release information on a male passenger who was taken by ambulance to a hospital in critical condition.
An Allen County sheriff’s officer tried to stop a silver Infiniti sedan about 5 p.m. Wednesday for driving more than 90 mph on Interstate 469.
Police said Randle accelerated to speeds of more than 100 mph on I-469, before exiting west on Tillman Road.
When the chase entered a residential area along Tillman, police backed off because the reason for the pursuit didn’t involve a felony offense, Allen County Sheriff Ken Fries said.
Fries estimated Randle was driving more than 100 mph when he hit the utility pole – leaving the pole hanging several feet above the ground, suspended by wires attached to adjacent utility poles. Randle’s car then hit a tree on the north side of Tillman Road.
Fries said deputies spoke with the passenger in the hospital, but they have not released his identity, updated condition or other information.
After officers had dropped back a distance, Randle tried to get in the right westbound lane of Tillman to pass a minivan. The van also moved to the right lane, Fries said, after seeing police lights approaching.
When the van started changing lanes, the car being chased sideswiped it and left the road. The van had a flat tire and other damage, but no one in it was injured, Fries said.
Randle’s is the 21st traffic death in Allen County in 2010, Brandenberger said. The crash is under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Fatal Accident Crash Team, the coroner’s office and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. ))
Some folks really know how to spoil a holiday, don't they?
Well, they're NOT going to spoil it for US, right?

We've got lots to get done today (as Santa's "helpers"...)


If you have any last-minute shopping to get done...by ALL means, get out there EARLY.

(and shame on you for waiting so long)
And make sure the kids leave out the milk and cookies for Santa.
After all, delivering all those gifts all over the world IS hard work.
Now, I'm sure some traditions might involve reading Christmas stories to your children, or perhaps your parents read to you when you were growing up.
We on the SOUTH side of Fort Wayne have found our own prose to while away the time before Santa arrives.
Allow me to share it with all of you.

The Ghetto Night Before Christmas

'Twas da night befo' Christmas & all in the hood,
Not a homie was stirring cuz it was all good;
The tube socks was hung on the window sill
And we all had smiles up on our grill.

Mookie and BeBe was snug in the crib -
In the back bedroom, cuz that's how we live.
And Mom’s in her do-rag and me with my nine,
Had just gotten busy cuz girlfriend is fine.

All of a sudden a lowrider rolled by,
Bumpin' phat beats cuz the system's fly;
I bounced to the window at a quarter pas'
'Bout ready to pop a cap in somebody's ass!

Well anyway.... I yelled to my lady, Yo peep this!
She said, "Stop frontin' & just mind yo' bidness."
I said, for real doe, "come check dis out,"
We weren't even buggin', no worries, no doubt.

Cuz bumpin' an thumpin' from around da way
Was Santa, 8 reindeer and a sleigh;
Da beats was kickin', da ride was phat,
I said, "Yo red Dawg, you all that!"

He threw up a sign and yelled to his boyz,
"Ay yo, give it up, let's make some noise!"
To the top of the projects & across the strip mall,
We gots ta go, I got a booty call!"

He pulled up his ride on the top a da roof,
And sippin' on a 40, he busted a move;
I yelled up to Santa, "Yo ain't got no stack!"
He said, "Damn homie, deese projects is wack!"

"But don't worry black, cuz I gots da skillz -
I learnt back when I hadda pay da billz."
Out from his bag he pulled 3 small tings
A credit card, a knife, and a bobby pin.

He slid down the fire escape smoove as a cat,
And busted the window wit' a b-ball bat.
I said, "Whassup, Santa? Whyd’ya bust my place?"
He said, "You best get on up out my face!"

His threads was all leatha, his chains was all gold,
His sneaks was Puma and they was 5 years old;
He dropped down the duffle, Bull’s logo on the side.
Santa broke out da loot and my mouf popped open wide.

A wink of his eye and a shine off his gold toof,
He cabbage patched his way back onto the roof;
He jumped in his hooptie wit' rims made of chrome,
To tap that big booty waitin' at home.

And all I heard as he cruised outta sight,
Was a loud and hearty..... "SOUUTTTH SIIIIDE!!!!!!!"

*** Lastly today, may the blessings of the holiday season resonate throughout your homes and hearts this weekend...and for always.
And may we all be a little more grateful for that which we have received in life, because there are those that don't even have that much.
May we all be of a giving heart to those in need, and willing to spread the meaning of the season to those who need to hear.
Let us all rejoice for the gift we were given, celebrate not only the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, but celebrate a renewal in our faith and in our lives.
And may HIS love and grace be our guide for today, as well as for always.

* * * * *
From our house to all of yours...

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
(Because we're NOT afraid to say it, that's why...so there.)
Remember those who can't be home at Christmas...pray for their safe return.


Remember the police and firefighters who have to work during Christmas - may they be protected from harm.



Be well, make a difference to someone, and as always...
Stay safe out there, America.

((The LAST shopping day before Christmas))