Thoughts For Thursday...

Winding down to the end of the week...we're nearly there.
And it will again feel more like summer than fall.
I will say that yesterday wasn't too bad until the afternoon. Then it got a little hot.
Our Hoosierland weather for today bring us mostly sunny skies, temps climbing to around 82 degrees, and mild breezes. It's still pretty comfortable at night.
Now, let's all get that morning drink poured and parked close by, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the pillow is the answer to yesterday's  WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it - would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have." 

This was spoken by another newbie, one Ralph S. Marston, Jr. I don't have a birthdate on him.
He doesn't have a WIKI, but neither do any of us, right?
Still, you don't need that to produce words of wisdom, right?
Here's a link that tells more about him:
http://greatday.com/ralph/personal.html
Now, I'm not into everyone who claims to be a motivational speaker. In essence, we ALL are to some degree, given the proper venue, aren't we?
To me, it all depends on WHAT motivates the speaker, and in some cases, it's not the almighty dollar.
But, you can read up for yourselves and make your own call.
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
OCTOBER 6 -
---Today is NATIONAL MAD HATTER DAY

(people need a special day to act silly?)
---It's also NATIONAL GERMAN AMERICAN DAY

(celebrates the German families that founded Germantown in Philadelphia - 1683)
---And, it's NATIONAL NOODLE DAY

(another way of using unleavened dough)
*** Next up, a hit-and-run driver gets nabbed by the FWPD. Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2016/10/04/pedestrian-struck-in-hit-and-run-accident/

Can you imagine that? A 39-year old woman is busted for a MISDEMEANOR when she strikes a child with her vehicle. This took place n the 4300 block of Marquette Drive around 1900 hrs. Tuesday.
Kneisha Lovette McLellan of Fort Wayne is charged with misdemeanor Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering A Person, court records show.
What WPTA adds is that she was cited for no financial responsibility, and arrested for leaving the scene of a crash and driving while suspended with prior convictions.
And with the priors all she gets is a misdemeanor.
It seems suspending her license didn't do a damn bit of good. The child is listed in serious condition and Kneisha is going to be back on the street soon enough.
Not fair at all.
*** Next, TRAA speaks out on a possible merger with the FWFD. Here's that story:
http://wane.com/2016/10/05/traas-parent-company-comes-in-overnight-after-news-of-possible-ambulance-changes/
The parent company of the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority is based in TEXAS...didn't know that. Thought they were all local (well, the employees are).

The president of the contractor said this:
“We expect the Fire Department to beat us on scene 100% of the time,” Paramedics Plus President Ron Schwartz said.”They are designed to be the first responders. They respond to 8,000 calls a year. We respond to 40,000 calls a year.”

But the fire department doesn't have ALL the resources that the ambulance authority does, and in some cases, having TRAA on scene FIRST might make the difference between life and death. And that's not taking anything away from the paramedics onboard the engines in our city. They are JUST as well-trained as the ambulance personnel.
It's a thin line here, to be sure.
*** Next, another chapter in "The Hobo Chronicles"...
It was a day that started out with eating and napping...pretty routine.

"You're getting better, pal."

Then, it was time to try this "selfie" thing again.
Well, the first try wasn't that bad.

"THERE 'ya go...now, can I go nap?"

But the Second try...THAT was "the money shot".

And with that, it was once again time for our adventurous feline to chill out next to some snapdragons.
*** Last back to the linen closet...I spoke about those special moments yesterday.
And we all know that having the ability to capture them is like freezing a second in time.

Since time is ever moving forward, we have to hold on to what has meaning, all the while watching for that NEXT moment to preserve.
There was a time (long ago, in a galaxy far, far away) that I used to always carry a camera with me. Those were the rail-fanning days.

It was a time when I traveled about to various east coast cities for the publishing house I worked for, mostly taking trains to those cities.

It was also a time when we still had numerous engines and cars on the main lines, as well as a lot of inter-urban rail lines serving smaller cities, each unique to it's use.
Such days are gone, and politicos want to reinvent the wheel with high-speed lines and such.
Thing is, the slower speed lines were fantastic (and relatively cheap). And you got to where you needed to go well enough.
But we let them all slip from our fingers, never to be recovered again, save for whatever photos (or slides) I managed to get of them in their heyday. Now, I said all THAT to say THIS...

Each of us is unique in the entire universe, and as such, our LIVES are just as unique, even if we don't believe so.
When we pause to take the time to look around us, see past all the "bad" in the world, and view the wonder that IS life (and the ability to just live it), we see SO much more, and as a result, can appreciate the gift we've all been given.
That's enough "preachy stuff" for the day.

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