Humpday Happenings...

Here we are...middle of the week (already?).
Yep, time flies when the world seems to be going to hell in a hand-basket, doesn't it?
At least we have a good day for it.
Our Hoosierland weather has us enjoying another day much like yesterday, with highs today reaching into the upper 70s (okay, that's pushing it for "my" comfort zone).
Plenty of sun (not at the moment, however), a couple clouds here and there, and a slight breeze...all of this makes things easier to deal with.
I've got my morning coffee riding "shotgun" here, so you get your drink and we'll all see what has been going on elsewhere...fair enough?
*** First out of the ammo box is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization."
It always comes down to the little things in life...doesn't it?
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Semi-Colon Club...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
June 3 -

---Today is REPEAT DAY (that's repeat day)
I know the liberals are ALWAYS repeating themselves, and after all this time, are STILL saying nothing.
*** Next, we have the local front page "splash" about the recent string of Dollar Store robberies around Fort Wayne:

Armed robberies...again.

Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Armed-and-courteous-6977561
I just "love" the headline - "Armed And Courteous"...yeah, for the time being and with compliant people.
(nation of sheep, anyone?)

The map shows where the heists have taken place, and I have to say that although it doesn't appear to be a DIRECT "inside-job", someone definitely knows the time to hit the stores, and defeat the time-locks on the safes to make off with some decent money.
(and don't forget those NEWPORT CIGGIES)

De stash - watch the SE corners for "bargains".

While the perp description is fairly detailed, ONE (important) fact has been conveniently left OUT - THE ROBBERS ARE LIKELY BLACK.
I mean who the hell ELSE would have a penchant for quick cash AND Newports?
(uh, almost every minority male living in YOUR part of the city, Bob?)
BINGO! We have a winner.
The ciggies are probably being sold on the streets at "reduced" prices ($5 a pack) compared to $6 elsewhere.

"Dey only fo-fiddy now...fo mah college fund."

It's usually two men (sometimes one, with the other close by no doubt), the same type of handgun (which could even be a fake, because no one has been shot...so far), and they always target the stores around the same times (within an hour or so).
The story says the robbers are polite...yeah, like THAT will somehow "excuse" their behavior?
Like, it's part of being "poor"?
Obviously not THAT poor enough to not have a handgun (unless it's a cheap fake bought on eBay...lol)
Greg Lewis of the local Crimestoppers has the best explanation, and I've no reason to doubt what he says, because I'm thinking along similar lines.
The M.O.s of the robberies (and those participating) are damn near exactly the same.
Lewis states: “They know what they’re doing. They have a system,” he said.
“There are a lot of convenience stores out there, but they’re not touching those. Just these two.”
“Every time they do this, employees are quitting, stores are losing product and money,” 

Gets an "F", as in major FAIL

Lewis added. “If they keep doing this, stores are going to close. People are going to lose their jobs.”
Well, that's one way to describe the LOSS of businesses on the SOUTH side of town, even if a FEW of the robberies took place elsewhere.
Quality-of-Life policing...anyone?
Now, I can see TWO distinct and obvious things occurring with this rash of thefts:
1) Someone will decide to fight back
2) The robbers will get a bit complacent, a little stupid, and slip up somewhere.
Either way, this duo are destined for a fall.
Let's hope it occurs before an innocent gets hurt...or worse.
Moving on...
*** Next, in keeping with this "crime-theme", we have two JUVENILES critically injured, apparently from gunshot wounds.

Here's the story link from WANE:
http://wane.com/2015/06/02/two-minors-critically-hurt-after-shooting-on-cass-street/
This took place in the 1600 block of Cass St last evening around 2040 hrs.

That's the street behind G.I.Joe's Surplus on Wells St.
Looks like the crime IS spreading to the near NE side of town now...who'da thunk it?
Police initially received two calls for separate locations - one in the 1400 block, the other in the 1600 block of Cass.
This looks to be part of a drug deal "that went wrong"...like such deals ever go totally right?
If you don't get involved with such things, you don't wind up in hospital in critical condition...do you?
One victim was found in the backyard of a house in the 1400 block (helluva way to enjoy an otherwise pleasant night)
The other victim was found INSIDE a house in the 1600 block.
Police have not determined if either victim lived at either house.
When WILL these mooks learn?..
*** Next up, and rapidly changing gears here, remember when I showed the photos of the MOST recent plants we got at Walmart?

And they waited...for a "home"...

Well, we got a PLACE for them...after much brainstorming on my part.
It was hard to find an area we could see them from the house, and someplace out back was the primary focus.
So, yesterday, I measured out a spot, found it very suitable and waited for Wifey to come home, so I could run it by her.

"Hey, I wanna help, too...lemme finish these first."

And I had some other "auxiliary assistance"..naturally..
She really liked the spot I chose, and together, we planted the three former "orphans"..
Two of them are celosia and the "big purple" is called STROBIANTHES, which has it's own WIKI, found HERE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strobilanthes

Home at last...

Wow, it's a genus of about 350 DIFFERENT SPECIES...only got 349 to go...LOL
And, it's a FLOWERING plant?
Well, that'll be worth looking forward to.
Damn shame it's an ANNUAL, though.
Still, looks nice enough, and we even stuck some "sunburst" marigolds around it for contrast...pretty cool.
*** Last back to the footlocker...again we see how CRIME affects so many other aspects of life in a city, not to mention the PEOPLE directly as well as indirectly involved.

Some prefer the EASY way out of difficulties (whatever that entails to whatever level of violence that may come along)...or seek another level of "entertainment" as they take to robbery or drugs.
Whatever happened to just minding one's OWN business and keeping one's nose clean?
That used to be the "tagline" when I was growing up - never look for trouble, because it tends to find you FASTER that way.
We all have to deal with the ups and downs in life...that's how we learn shit, right?
HOW we deal with them tells others about us, and tells us about ourselves.
It has been said that "idle minds are the devil's playground" (Philippians 4:8), and this isn't some cliche` meant to roll one's eyes.
It's just the truth, and we have too many minds stuck in perpetual "idle" where we live in Fort Wayne.
Luckily, we're not part of that crowd...there is ALWAYS something to do, if you take the time to look around you.
Others prefer NOT to do such menial things...and that's their fault and their loss.
If those slackers would take some of that time they're pissing away (and will never get back) and turn to some USEFUL prospect...some PRODUCTIVE venture, they might surprise not only themselves, but a lot of others around them.
And that doesn't seem to be something anyone would mark in a loss column, does it?
Therein lies the lesson for today.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.