25 November 2016

Black Friday Follies...
We're starting off this first major shopping day of the season with some "wet" out there...
Guess we could say the sky is crying...more about the "why" in a bit.
Our Hoosierland weather for our annual Black friday will be mostly cloudy for our area, some off and on light rain mainly to the north of town, and a high of around 41 degrees.
Got more rain coming in tonight.
Now, let's get a nice hot drink poured and parked as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the bedroom is the answer to Wednesday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do."
This is attributable to one Victor Hugo (26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885), who was a French poet, author and dramatist of the Romantic movement. Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Hugo
If the name comes to mind, it's most likely due to either The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Les Miserables.
Though a committed royalist when he was young, Hugo's views changed as the decades passed, and he became a passionate supporter of republicanism.
Thankfully, much of his life is known and chronicled, and the WIKI does a good job of that. It's a long read, but worth the time.
*** Next up, it's time for the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 25 -
---Today is National Parfait Day
(dessert? count me in)
---It's Blase`Day
(yawn...can't be bothered.)
---It's Shopping Reminder Day
(DUH - as IF, right?)
---It's National Day of Listening
(wonder if that applies to the LEFTARDS out there?),
---it's National Native American Heritage Day
(paying homage to THE Americans.)
---It's Buy Nothing Day
(think Wifey and I have this covered)
---It's Black Friday
(for those not paying attention to the last observance above)
---It's National Flossing Day 
(woe to those who don't)
---It's Maize Day
(yeah, kinda corny, I know)
`---It's You'rewelcomegiving Day
(makes as much sense as Kwanzaa)
*** Since it is week's end, let's see what the next 48 hours brings...
NOVEMBER 26 -
---Saturday is National Cake Day
(NOW, we're talking!)
---It's Small Business Saturday 
(shop local that is)
NOVEMBER 27 -
---Sunday is Craft Jerky Day
(I thought jerky day was every day down here?)
---It's National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
(another dessert? Fine by me)
*** Next up, a very sad day for Fort Wayne and the world of ice hockey.
Beloved broadcaster Bob Chase passed away yesterday around 2:40 A.M. He was 90.
Here's one of many stories about man who was on the air as long as I've been ALIVE:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/Fort-Wayne-legend-Bob-Chase-has-passed
And this from the J-G:
http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/professional/komets/Komets--city-lose-a-legend-16503761
I've heard my ahre of hockey announcers over the years, and I can truthfully say that Bob Was one of THE best...wish we had him in Philly when the Flyers took the Stanley Cup in the mid-70s.
He will be sorely missed, but God got himself a GREAT play-by-play announcer.
---Now, if THAT'S not enough, Hoosier native Florence Henderson has also passed away. She was 82.
Here's one story from the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/25/arts/television/florence-henderson-brady-bunch-dies.html?_r=0
I didn't know she was from Indiana until today.
*** Next up, let's get our daily dose of STUPID out of the way that took place over the holiday.
---This story proves once again what I always say about this city:
"You can change the name of something, but you can't change the people connected to it".
http://wane.com/2016/11/24/one-seriously-hurt-in-thanksgiving-shooting/
This took place around 0300 hrs on Thanksgiving morning at a nightclub called The Hub (formerly Piere's).
A man was shot in the parking lot and is in critical condition. No arrests have been made.
---This story takes place on the SE side (where else?):
http://wane.com/2016/11/24/woman-find-man-dead-inside-her-home/
A woman in the 3900 block of Lillie St (major ghetto area) found a dead man in her house.
Police were initially called on a report of a stolen vehicle.
Not much else is known at this time.
(my guess is that he wasn't there for Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce)
*** Next, Wifey and are planning to take the cats to the vet for their required checkup.
That's about as close to shopping as we are going to get today.
But, I have a good feeling that these two fluffballs will be spoiled come Christmas.
1000 hrs - We got back from the vet...and BOTH cats got a clean bill of health.
Gallifrey (left) and Violet (right)
Wifey named the female VIOLET and I named the male GALLIFREY, so now it's official..
Their weight is good (within several ounces of each other), no signs of any fever (indicating infection), and the "cough" that Violet gets 2-3 times a day may just be residual effects of her upper respiratory infection (per the vet). No eye problems with Gallifrey, and no sign of prior ringworm (skin-fungal thing).
WFW - World Feline Wrestling
Not bad for growing kittens (who are still finding out how large this house is...lol).
The best part is that the visit would only cost $42 bucks...IF we had to pay. The ACSPCA takes care of this first trip, and I didn't think they covered the whole expense...very cool.
We're gonna be REAL good for Christmas.
Now, all we have to do is start looking for Christmas gifts for these two.
A proper scratching post is definitely on the short-list.
*** Last back to the pet carrier...it was a humble Thanksgiving yesterday for us...
We had our share of "empty chairs" about the table (as well as empty spaces near the table), and you can't help but remember back to when those seats were occupied.
As a result, I tend to view such things as more like a celebration of the times we shared.
We usually look at yesterday's holiday as a way to thank God for all he provides us with (present tense), like the food on our table, or the roof over our head...or a person to say "I care" or "I love you" when you need it most.
But maybe a part of yesterday resides in our giving thanks for all those great times we enjoyed with those who are no longer with us to share the day.
We came to keep the lonelies away...
I think the spirit and true meaning of Thanksgiving is more than a food-filled table, a parade, some football, and yes, even the number of chairs at our table.
The other souls that have touched ours in myriad ways in life are what I am thankful for.
Would we be so fortunate to have everyone acknowledge something similar.
Have yourselves a good weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

2 comments:

CWMartin said...

Yes, one great Bob gone... Unlike so many, I never had the chance to make a "human interest" Chase story, but I know there are a million of them out there. I've listened to him do a playoff game while in Cartersville, GA once, so I know all about the reach the man had. And the stories I've read today just make the legend greater, more amazing... and more human. There is a heart shaped hole in FTW today.


The Hub: Someday we will realize that the location or the clientele targeted is a tiny part of the problem. The majority of the problem is a generation brought up (or not brought up at all, more to the point) to ACT that way. You could put the same crowd in a church, give CeCe Winans a mike, and one of these idiots would pull a gun. Until these kids are taught RESPECT for life, it don't matter where you drive them to congregate. (Notwithstanding, these proprietors need to think about what they want to accomplish, too. Too many are just irresponsible if they can make money on it.

Applause on the names! Any deep meaning on "Violet"?

I can remember Thanksgivings that were just me and Marie Callender. I never dreamed how quickly Thanksgivings that I knew would fall apart once Mom passed. I'm glad we've been able to do it with KC and Jessica the last couple of years. It's not a big ordeal like her family (they had to rent out the grade school in Butler), but it does the job.

Bob G. said...

Chris:
---And that's one hole that will be TOO hard to fill, that's for sure.
---That's it PRECISELY...the PEOPLE and the manner in which they are NOT brought up to respect one another, settle differences without resorting to a "final solution" and the ability to critically THINK things out before acting impulsively out of emotion alone.
That's why things never seem to change for the better where WE live.
---Well, you KNOW my "reasoning" behind the name I chose. As for why Wifey picked violet? She tells me "none at all".
Women, huh? LOL.
---I passed Marie by this year...opted for the family-size ON-COR sliced turkey & gravy...heh.
(pretty good, too)
We'll never get to renting ANYTHING out for our gatherings, but if we were to add all the spirits of those who are not seated, it could well fill a Legion hall.
It's all in HOW we choose to remember such times, my friend.

Thank you much for taking the time to stop by and comment today.

Have a great weekend & all of you stay safe up there, brother.