Humpday Happenings...

Middle of the week...finally.
So far, Spring has been mostly kind to us here in the Midwest.
If you found yesterday to your liking, then today won't be far from that mark.
Our Hoosierland weather will see us enjoying similar temps to yesterday, with a high again up around 60 degrees. Nice squirrel-feeding weather...lol.
We will see more clouds though, with rain moving in later this evening and overnight.
The breezes will be a lot less than yesterday (it was kinda gusty).
Now, let's all get that morning beverage poured as we take a look at what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the coffee pot is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"What light is to the eyes - what air is to the lungs - what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man." 

How many people in today's world would appear to have lost their souls?
I think this quote strikes at the root cause of many of our problems, because fewer people tend to not fully understand what REAL liberty is. So, who said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Illinois before the Civil War...
*** Next up, we bring you our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
March 23 -
---Today is NATIONAL CHIA DAY

(you just know we had to have one of these)
---It's also NATIONAL CHIP AND DIP DAY.

(didn't mention a "specific" chip OR dip, did they?
---And, it's NATIONAL NEAR MISS DAY

(I guess this one could also apply to all the criminal shooters in Fort Wayne?)
---It's also NATIONAL MELBA TOAST DAY

(Never to be confused with either Melba Moore or French toast)
---And, it's NATIONAL PUPPY DAY

(like kids, we hate to see them grow up)
*** Next, and since the morning paper happens to be M.I.A. at the moment (let's not start this sh*t again), I'm going to shift my stories around a bit, so bear with me.
---I went and did it yesterday - I ordered us a NEW FRIDGE online (there is a first time for everything).
It was easy enough, and the delivery is slated for 29 March.

Frigidaire 18 cu. ft. top freezer - nice.

If everything goes without a hitch, I will say that such purchases when made through the Internet are worth it. I don't plan to make a habit of it, however.
I usually prefer to walk in a store, know what I want, and if I have any questions, I seek out a salesperson. Pretty straight forward, right? Hey, I'm old-fashioned, what can I say?
This is a new experience for me, and I'm not expecting any screw-ups. We shall see.
*** Next, it was one of those days yesterday, and let me preface this a bit...

You know I get to see a LOT of strange stuff (kinda like Han Solo, only I don't have to travel from one side of the galaxy to the other to do so).
Much of it happens right outside our "Fortress", which does make it so much easier to chronicle.
Anyway, yesterday morning, I see this red Sunfire pull up ACROSS our driveway.

Street looked BLOCKED to me.

Now, he was also facing the WRONG WAY (westbound on the eastbound side of the street).
So, I went out and told him "You need to move. I have someone leaving for work soon, and blocking my driveway's not gonna work."
The (black) male told me he was waiting for someone to change a tire. I said: "You're gonna have to wait someplace else. This is my driveway and you need to move that car.".
Well, he did...to the next house up the street's curb, and sure enough, someone DID come along to help change a flat...by BLOCKING THE STREET (double parking).
See, THIS is what these people DO around here...it's another case of being or feeling "entitled"...to do what they want, where they want, whenever they want.
Sorry, that won't cut it for me.
We have Yeoman's just ONE block away and they could FIX his damn flat, and NOT have to block off a street, or drive on people's property to do so. Nah, that makes sense.
---But we were not done with the weirdos around here.
A little after 1630 hrs, I see this white pickup and trailer parked damn near in front of our house.

Wonder what was up with this ?

Well, I'm not expecting anyone, and those stopping by the house across the street use the driveway, so WTF is this all about? I open our door (after getting a picture and the license plate number), and see a hammer and pry-bar on our top step. Then, a Hispanic male with a shaved head comes around from the side of our house.
I say to him: "So, what's the problem?"
To which he answers in lousy English: "I think I have the wrong address...sorry."
I answer: "Yeah, I think you DO. Don't forget your tools." 
He gets the tools and then leaves...sort of. He goes down the street, manages to turn around in another driveway, then comes back UP the street into the next block. He again turns around and comes back DOWN the street and makes a right onto Pettit (westbound). Did not see him after that. I did notice a second person in that truck, too.
Now, I MAY have thwarted a potential break-in. I can't say, but the situation DID seem pretty hinky to me.
And, should I see this guy around here again, I may call the police on his ass. If I see him around OUR house (specifically), I may have to confront him. A little "detainment" never hurt anyone, even if it is while looking down the barrel of a gun.

They're NOT returning library books.

We already have our fair share of "scrappers" and other assorted "suspicious" people around here, and I don't know this guy from Adam, nor was his truck emblazoned with ANY sort of business logo or such.
It's all just a bit too weird for my liking.
I mean, you don't know WHERE you're supposed to be?
And, you have a hammer and pry-bar (tools of a burglar) in plain sight?
You'd best know whose house you could be messing with, because I might have to let "Mr Deadly Force" off the leash on your suspicious ass.
Word to the wise time, perhaps.
*** Next up, and speaking to the Brussels terror attacks.

It doesn't surprise me this sort of thing was going to happen again.
I'm just glad it didn't occur here in the USA.
But, it's not like anyplace in Europe hasn't set themselves up for such an attack over the years.
What they find now, is that they have to play "catch-up" with dealing with such things.
They've allowed too many of the wrong people into their nations over the last few decades, and this is the inevitable result of this lack of vision when it comes to dealing with terrorism.
After all, that's the point of these cowardly attacks...to TERRORIZE people - get them to change their manner of living. Therein lies the "victory" these extremists seek.

People need to realize that this particular style of "warfare" has a few advantages over straight up military combat.
It's hard to spot the enemy. It's also hard to spot the devices used in the attacks. Many times, common household items can be utilized to create an effective explosive.
And yes, with all the technology we have concerning electronic devices, it's even easier to produce a crude yet effective delivery and detonation system. Remember the flap over cell phones and digital watches being used?
Think of these actions as probably the highest form of guerrilla warfare.

The suspected perps to the Brussels bombings.

It takes it's toll, not in huge losses like the Normandy Invasion, but in smaller incremens, a more "personal" aspect to such tactics.
Let's just hope we in America are up to the task to defeat these Islamic terrorists before they strike.
*** Last back to the  waffle iron...We, as Americans, are a free people.

We are also a people who enjoy liberty, even if many of us don't understand what that entails.
I suppose the schools don't focus THAT much on such things, because we're too busy trying to be "diverse" and embrace things that have no real impact on AMERICAN values and principles.
How's about we teach those who come HERE about US and OUR culture, rather than adopt portions of theirs?
To me, that SHOULD be the focal point for ANY other people that decide to come HERE.
Liberty is something a lot of people in the world THINK they have, but their governments choose otherwise for them, and there is the great deception.
Such nations will deny liberty to their own people., and cite that it's in their best interest and that the state can take better care of them, than they can themselves.
Freedom is included in the mix, as well, and is mainly the first such casualty in such  (along with the truth).
I will admit there are days when I think our OWN freedom and liberty hangs by a few threads, and I pray to God that never comes to pass.
Other nations try to emulate us, and some have come close, but WE have stood taller, longer, and with better resolve to fight against the forces that would seek to wrest such things from our grasp.
We cling tight to our beliefs, our values and our principles, because that's what we in THIS country do.
And, it's those beliefs that many find offensive.
That's on them...not us.
While we all can do better, and become better, we should never lose sight of what it has taken to reach this point in history, so we may proceed into a future with promise, and not trepidation.

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