Thoughts For O'Thursday...

Sure'in it be a grand day.

Welcome to the ONE day of the year where everyone can be IRISH. (and no, being "green with envy" does not count, but wearing woodland camo DOES).
The weekend is nearing at long last, and we're seeing milder conditions outside this morning.
Our Hoosierland weather will not be AS windy as yesterday (thank God)...just quite BREEZY instead.
The main difference is that you can wear a HAT without needing a chin-strap. Expect partly cloudy skies and a high to reach the 57 degree mark. Yes, there is a chance of some showers during the day. (can't we save that for April?)
Now, what say we get a nice cup or glass of our favorite morning drink (Irish cream in my coffee, please) poured and set about seeing what's going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the bathroom is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"The moment you give up your principles, and your values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period."

This was spoken by Oriana Fallaci (29 June1929 - 15 September 2006) and she was an Italian journalist, author and political interviewer.
And yes, she does have a WIKI to be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriana_Fallaci
I found her quite by accident, and I also found her "story"  quite interesting.
She became famous for her coverage of war and revolution, as well qs her many interviews with world leaders throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Her book INTERVIEW WITH HISTORY chronicles those interviews with everyone from Kissinger to Indira Gandhi.
She also interviewed Lech Walesa and Gadaffi.
Her father was part of the resistance movement against Mussolini, and as a youth, she joined the anti-fascist resistance movement, receiving a certificate of valor from the Italian Army.
The reason we in America haven't heard about her is that she was not connected with any publications IN America, but was connected to several in Europe (as could be expected, mostly Italian).
She did lecture at the University of Chicago, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, but this was after she had retired from journalism.
After 9/11, she wrote three books critical of Islamic extremists and Islam in general. She also warned that Europe was too tolerant with Muslims. In an interview in 2005, she was quoted as calling Europe "Eurabia".
It's a good read and she did win more than a few awards for her career. I just wish we in THIS country heard more about her.
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens TODAY, Bob?" feature:
March 17 - 
---Today is NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY

(what, no Guinness or Harp ale???)
---And yes, it's also ST. PATRICK'S DAY

And if any of you need a reminder as to WHY it's celebrated with such "zeal", here's the WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day
Well then, there 'ya go, right?
*** Next up, the son of a legend passes away.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35828841
Frank Sinatra Jr. dies at the age of 72 right before a concert in Florida.
Here's his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra,_Jr.

I will say he did sound a lot like his dad, but he will most likely be remembered for his appearances on the comedy show Family Guy.
*** And while we're on the rather macabre subject of passing away, it appears that Keith Emerson's cause of death was ruled a suicide. Here's that story:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/16/keith-emerson-death-suicide-emerson-lake-and-palmer

That's damn sad to hear that.
The coroner in L.A. confirmed that Emerson shot himself and that there were sings of a heart condition.
Moving on...
*** The Fort Wayne fallout from the proposed annexation up north is gaining momentum, at least by the looks of THIS story:
http://wane.com/2016/03/16/property-owner-ready-to-fight-proposed-annex/

Personally, and although I don't have a dog in this hunt, I am behind this man 100% because of something we used to call PRINCIPLES.
Think about it...you take the time, effort and money to LEAVE the city and create an idyllic place to live and raise a family, and then the city wants to come along and deny you things that you have come to embrace in your "new" lifestyle. (like a shooting range and area to hunt ON your own property).
Jeff Fuze thinks that's more government "overreach"...and he's damn right.
I'm hoping this is only the tip of the iceberg on this annexation.
The city (and our reigning "monarch") needs to stop taking from others to fill "his" treasury.
(talk about a real Prince John - Sheriff of Nottingham moment)

"Welcome to Sherwood"

Makes me want to watch the Errol Flynn movie all over again.
*** Next up, what happens when you try to get TWO-way traffic down a residential street that was never designed for such things? 
I'm glad you asked, because I have the answer.

"trespass much???"

You drive onto other people's property...like OURS, for example.
Yeah, this really pisses me off to no end.
Maplegrove  is one of those streets that should be made one-way only, but the city can't be bothered with that - too busy annexing and "revitalizing the downtown and riverfront".

NOT a drainage-ditch.

They COULD put in a sidewalk (as there is "technically" a 5-foot easement from the street (which keeps getting wider for some strange reason). People around here don;t adhere to boundaries as it is, so what can you expect?
They "cheat" on corners, hopping curbs and breaking the concrete which the curbs are made of, and every access to the alleys is replete with "rounded edges" from people taking a shorter cut into or out from them (again on other people's property).
And we won't even get into the state OF the alleys themselves (like driving on a damn washboard). 
We've SO many potholes and ruts cut into them, because too many people use them as "alternate routes".
(must be all the dumbass people down here driving about without have a valid license)
So, yeah, I can get on board with defending the stance of Mr Fuze...a LOT.
*** Next, we're closer to getting a new fridge...got it pared down to one selection.

A pretty good-looking unit.

It's an 18 cubic foot Frigidaire and Best Buys has the better price (Sears came in a close second).
It's a bit larger than our current unit (17 c.f.).
It's not EXACTLY what I would want, but it beats what we have. You still have to blow about $500 (and change) to get a decent refrigerator these days.
My choice is also based on "ease of repair" should it ever need it, because many of the larger units tend to have more moving parts, and when you have that, there are more things to 'go wrong'.
It's much like a car...the more you add to a vehicle (bells and whistles), the more than can fail...pretty simple to figure out. As to when I'll be ordering one for us (online), maybe today, tomorrow, or early next week. 
I want to be sure there are no "hidden fees", and no problems with delivery and removal of the old unit (I'll have to stow the foods into bins until the units get swapped out, and I don't want to lose any frozen things. 
I hate paying for food twice that I only get to eat once...don't you?
*** Last back to the kitchen...as is typical for all you "long-term" readers (that would be all FIVE of you...LOL), I like to sign off on St. Patty'sDay with a few of the many blessings that are associated with this day and the Celtic people.

Guinness is a REAL blessing on many days.

In today's world, a blessing, when it can be found, is truly that - a BLESSING.

"I haz Guinness AND shamrock".

And Lord knows we can always use one more, right?
So here goes...

.

May you always have

Walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

*   *   *   *   *   

May those who love us, love us

And those who don't love us,

May God turn their hearts

And if he can't turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles

So we will know them by their limping!
*   *   *   *   *   

And there you have it. Something there for everyone.

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