Monday Musings...

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS. It's just about two months too late out there this morning, isn't it? Those on and off snow showers did add up a bit.
But, never fear, this may be all gone by this time tomorrow, and if not, then DEFINITELY by Friday afternoon.
Yep, it's Indiana, where weather is the most difficult thing to predict.
And speaking of that, our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with mostly cloudy skies, no breezes (that I could feel), and a high of around the upper 30s (sure to melt some of this snow).
Remember, it could ALWAYS be worse, so drive as if your life depended on it...because it DOES.
Do NOT be like the numerous idiots that think just because there's not a FOOT of snow on the roads, they can drive like it's clean and clear...it's that black ice and other assorted slick spots plus bad driving habits which equal a clusterf$ck on our highways.
Now, with that safety tip aside, let's all get a nice hot cup of our favorite morning drink as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the hardware store is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
February 15 -
---Today is NATIONAL GUMDROP DAY

(don't see as many of them around as we did when WE were kids. I still like them.
---And, it's SINGLES AWARENESS DAY

(like they need a special DAY to remind them of being SINGLE? WTH is wrong with that picture?)
And what an acronym - S.A.D. Here's a WIKI to read:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_Awareness_Day
---It's also PRESIDENT'S DAY

(which means all the leftard politicos get another day off. Hell THEY should be the ONLY ones working, if you ask me. It's not like they "embrace" what America stands for anyway, right?)
*** Next up, unless you've been stuck in a cave watching the shadows on the back walls, you already know that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia passed away over the weekend from a heart attack. He was 79.

I'm okay with being conservative.

And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonin_Scalia

Suffice it to say he was the ONE justice who STRONGLY believed in the things that made this country great.
He valued RELIGION and the CONSTITUTION - two of the cornerstones of America, regardless of what others might WANT you to believe.
He was appointed during the Reagan years, and his moral compass was always pointed in the right direction.
He got his law degree from Harvard (before it actually became a leftard wingnut bastion of higher learning).
You can read the WIKI for yourselves and come to know a lot more of one of THE most important justices of OUR time.
Yeah, I'd put him up there with Louis Brandeis, William Rehnquist, or Charles Evans Hughes.
This has opened a political can o' worms in D.C. and Obummer already has a "short list" which includes Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch (both of whom we DO NOT NEED on the bench of the "Supremes").
Let's just say we might be witnesses to some interesting HISTORY in the making.
*** Next up, the Lovely Mrs. Bobby G. took the opportunity to drive down to Vincennes to visit her Dad for Valentine's day, so the cat and I were playing "Bachelor Pad" once again.

That's one nice sunrise.

I just get concerned with her driving back today...and it's not her driving I worry about - it's the assholes who always seem to believe they're the best damn drivers on the road, and display such "talent" by causing multi-vehicle insurance claims in the process.
I used to drive in weather like this while on the job...not fun, but it IS a learning experience.
(especially if you prefer your knuckles a bit on the WHITE side, if you get my drift).
I think with the exception of those EXTREME natural occurrences, I've driven in damn near every kind of weather.
That's not to say I'll jump at the chance to do it again. Let's just I will if I HAVE to.
*** Next up,  Indiana has made another list (rather high up, in fact), but it's NOT the type of list you WANT to be high on...we're FIFTH in CHILD ABUSE.

Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Indiana-ranks-5th-for-child-abuse-11476793
Yeah, all that DRUG use still has all those consequences attached to it, doesn't it?
That's why we're pursuing needle-exchange programs...sure,THAT will definitely keep kids from being abused by their drug-addicted parent.
Who thinks this shit up, anyway?

My big concern is not the drugs IN the state, but the amount of drugs that manage to GET INTO OUR STATE.
Mexico is a leading "supplier" these days, of both pot and smack...and now we're also seeing blue crystal meth coming from there as well.
So, perhaps we can actually assign the blame for child abuse in Indiana where it RIGHTFULLY belongs...
SOUTH OF THE BORDER.
(what a novel, idea, Bob)
And while we're at it, let's ease up on all the prescript pain-killers. That's not helping any member of any family as much as it should.

We've gotten into this whole realm of OVER-MEDICATING America, and we're reaping the whirlwind as a result...at ALL age levels.
Not the best way for any society to proceed, is it?
*** Next, Since Wifey was away...we had some critters stop by to get fed.
It's so hard getting a picture of the squirrel I call "Zippy"...for the OBVIOUS reason...lol.

That's a bit of a stretch...

As for "Patches", well, he's got a routine of sorts.

Fast service, good food - 3 stars.

And he likes to dine later in the afternoons. NO waiting for a "table".
*** Last back to the outhouse...It's been said of late this this country is at a crossroads.

(I prefer to look at it as at least a "five-points" intersection).

Uh...could use a bit of help here...

And depending on the road that's taken, we could either have a future with FEWER problems, or one with a lot MORE (and severe) problems.
There is no road that can taken which would allow a problem-free environment.
Sorry, but that's just the way life works.
If there is no challenge, there is no growth, no progress, and no achievements to be made.
That is what some think is meant by UTOPIA...not really, but let those people wallow in their contrived fantasy.
Actually, the mythical SHANGRI-LA would be more akin to that "perfect" society (found in the 1937 novel Lost Horizon, written by British author James Hilton).
Our life is MEANT to challenge us, and yes, even being a CHRISTIAN is meant to challenge us.
(what's that about the whole "faith without WORKS" gig, right?)
Today, too many are content to let "the other person" take up whatever challenge comes along, and I suppose that may be all well and good, except that THOSE who do take the challenge reap whatever reward comes along, and not those sitting idly by on their collective asses watching it unfold.
Living constitutes DOING, and doing nothing gets you just that...bupkiss!
So whenever something comes along in life to challenge,you, be up to the task-at-hand. You may not succeed at first, but the attempt alone can (and will) be a learning experience.
And with knowledge will come wisdom. That puts you ahead of others in that regard.

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