Thoughts For Thursday...

Well, the rain FINALLY got here (for us). Only been forecasted for the last TWO days (with nothing showing up). And, it's cooler outside to boot. If there was one thing the weatherfolks got right (so far) this week, it was the temps. Aside from that, not much else.
Our Hoosierland weather for today finds us with scattered rain (may have a thunderstorm mixed in) and a high today of around 55 degrees. Don't believe we'll see much sun, but we might.
Now, with that dispensed with, let's all get a cup of our favorite morning drink parked close-at-hand, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the hat rack is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."

This was spoken by Emanuel James "Jim" Rohn (17 September 1930 - 5 December 2009) who was an American author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rohn
Rohn grew up as an only child and worked on the family farm in Idaho (after being born in Yakima, Washington).

He started his professional career as a Sears stock clerk (didn't we all in days past?), and it was there that a friend invited him to a lecture by entrepreneur John  Earl Shoaff (not related to Fort Wayne but Pennsylvania).
From there, Rohn became part of a direct selling business (AbundaVita), and rose to a vie president position with Nutri-Bio (another direct marketing company) when it expanded into Canada.
Later on, he became a speaker for Rotary clubs and for Standard Oil (1970s).
Rohn mentored Mark R. Hughes (founder of Herbalife), and Tony Robbins in the late 70s.
Rohn was the recipient of the 1985 National Speakers Association award for excellence in speaking, and was the author of 17 different written, audio and video media.
Not bad for one of those unsung people whose words live long after them.
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
April 28 -
---Today is NATIONAL BLUEBERRY PIE DAY

(now THAT is a definite keeper)
---It's also NATIONAL BRAVEHEARTS DAY

(This has to deal with pediatric cancer, so put the movie away)
---And, it's NATIONAL GREAT POETRY READING DAY

(and there's plenty of it to choose from)
---It's WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY

(for all those killed or injured on the job)
---And, it's NATIONAL TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS TO WORK DAY

(just be careful what restroom they use, kapeesh?)
*** Next, a followup story about the dead woman found in her apartment back on Monday in the 7900 block of Decatur Rd (that no one really mention UNTIL the Lillie St. homicide surfaced).

Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2016/04/27/family-speaks-out-after-a-womans-body-was-found-inside-her-apartment/

There are some serious questions that need to be asked, and I would start by making the "long-time boyfriend" of the 52 year old woman a person of interest (he is in jail on a Walgreens robbery charge).
The woman was found badly decomposed in a closet at the apartment, so I would tend to rule out any "natural" causes (unless it was an O.D.). I mean someone at the place must have smelled something.
Jacqueline Vanduyn's family is looking for answers, and God knows there are plenty of questions at this point. Since Vanduyn went to a methadone clinic, one can conclude she had addiction issues.
Police are keeping a tight lid on the investigation at this time.
*** Next up, the headline of this story HAS to make you laugh, and for the OBVIOUS reason.
(sounds exactly like a democrat ploy)
http://wane.com/2016/04/27/residents-showing-up-early-often-to-vote/
That's a phrase I haven't heard since....

I KNEW I heard it somewhere...

The early voters are showing up OFTEN??? How many times are they voting, anyway?
I think someone at WANE should THINK before they TYPE...just a thought.
*** Next, another headline that looks like the work of Captain Obvious:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/Test-shows-students-have-work-to-do-12783729
TESTS SHOW STUDENTS HAVE WORK TO DO

Doesn't look like SHE'S failing.

(um, don't they ALWAYS?) Isn't that what tests are FOR...to determine the APTITUDE and knowledge of subject matter? That what they used to do when WE went to school.
When did any of that change?
Oh, I get it...ONLY about 25% of 12th graders are proficient in math, and 37% in reading.

Helps when they ALL show the hell up, too.

What about the REST? Who's holding THEM Accountable, because it's certainly NOT the fault of the school systems? They're all teaching the same stuff to EVERYONE, right?

What a NOVEL concept.

Must be a problem with the STUDENTS then...(there 'ya go).
Guess that "common core" really does suck. Or the parents need to take some responsibility.
I think it's both.
*** Next, (sighs)...more issues with all the technology in our cars these days, and this one is pretty important. Here's the story link:
http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-04-27/ford-recalls-202k-pickups-suvs-cars-to-fix-transmissions

Imagine that...you're cruising along at highway speeds, and that transmission "decides" to DOWNSHIFT to FIRST gear...not really good for the engine and definitely NOT good for your mental state.
There is a problem with a speed SENSOR (like we need it anyway?).
This recall affects over 202K vehicles from pickups to the Mustang.
Oh, and THESE recalls relate to the 2011 and 2012 models.
And they're just finding this out NOW? After FOUR YEARS?
Talk about a "WTF???" moment.

Be nice if they could figure this crap out BEFORE people have been driving them for years.
Let's just go back to automotive basics and lose the electronic garbage.
*** Next up, I decided to mow the back yard (again) in lieu of the impending rain, and I'm glad I did. When you fertilize the lawn and it rains (like it did last week), it does grow faster...lol.

Not a large yard, but a SINCERE one.

And, of course, I had a bit of an "audience" (of one) supervising my mowing.

Looks good, Bob...need more seeds here.

I don't mind...makes me want to do better, and there's nothing wrong with that, right?
*** Last back to the compost pile...I admit there are days when I get up, read the paper, or watch the news and I get damn good and scared about the world in general and our area in particular.

We're NOT this bad off...yet.

And who wouldn't? It's only normal to feel some trepidation with the way things are going these days. I mean, all you have to do is look at the national political scene to get a sense of this "sideshow mentality" that certain candidates have displayed in this recent election cycle.

Unfortunately the front-runners of both parties have a LOT to be held accountable for, and they are the ones with the loudest voices, and the most caustic rhetoric.
Why not TRY and devote HALF the time you have from brow-beating to the REAL issues that this nation faces? Let's TRY something along those lines.
Time is too precious a commodity to waste on bullying your opponent, unless your stand on those real issues can't hold a drop of water.

That would explain a lot of what we're hearing.
Much the same could be said for our lives...wasting time, that is.
All of us are in this place at this time for a REASON, and we'd best get used to that.
I'd hate to think that our "reason" would be to avoid the truth and instead divert attention to things that should not matter near as much as more pressing problems and issues.

Reason is the well from which so much more of who we are can be drawn.
And, if reason is to become a point at which people can rally, then by all means..."Come, let us reason together".
Abraham Lincoln said that: "a house divided against itself cannot stand", and he wasn't just speaking to our government.
Think about it. It also applies to each and every home in this nation.
And, perhaps more importantly, it applies to EVERY one of US.

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