Thoughts For Thursday...

So far, this week has seemed to blow on past. Wonder what's up with that?
Maybe it's because we're heading into a decent warm-up over the next week.
In any event, we'll have to work through the up and down temperatures in the Midwest.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies to start, clouds coming in by midday with a chance of showers later on after that, and a high of around 50 degrees, even though it's below freezing outside this morning.
So, let's chase away the cold with a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, as we look to this day and all that's been going on, hmm?
*** First out of the toaster is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"We are weighed down, every moment, by the conception and the sensation of Time. And there are but two means of escaping and forgetting this nightmare: pleasure and work. Pleasure consumes us. Work strengthens us. Let us choose." 
This was spoken by Charles Baudelaire (April 9, 1821 – August 31, 1867) well-known French poet who also produced notable work as an essayist, art critic, and pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe.
And yes, he has a WIKI. Here it is:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire
((His most famous work, Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil), expresses the changing nature of beauty in modern, industrializing Paris during the 19th century.))
Charles had a relatively short life, yet is considered one of the major innovators in French literature.
And apparently, he began a lifestyle during his course of studies (most likely in his late teens) that helped shorten his life.
((Baudelaire was erratic in his studies, at times diligent, at other times prone to "idleness". Later, he attended the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris, studying law, a popular course for those not yet decided on any particular career. He began to frequent prostitutes and may have contracted gonorrhea and syphilis during this period. At 21, he received a sizable inheritance but squandered much of it within a few years.))
Needless to say, his family tried to put what was left of his money into a trust.
Charles took part in the Revolutions of 1848, but two years later, was in poor health and largely in debt.

And, by 1859, his illnesses, his long term use of laudanum (tincture of opium), and his life of stress and poverty aged him markedly. He suffered a massive stroke in 1866 and paralysis followed. He spent the rest of his life in a semi-paralyzed state, in "maisons de santé" in Brussels and in Paris, where he died a year later.
If you're into poetry, his manner of writing is something you may find interesting, but I higly advise against his particular lifestyle.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 23 -
---It's National Chia Day

(I always thought that was around Christmas...lol)
---It's National Chip and Dip Day

(okay, now that will work)
---It's National Near Miss Day

(It's an asteroid thing)
---it's National Melba Toast Day

(not to be confused with Melba Moore)
---It's National Puppy Day

(sorry, already have two cats, but puppies are cute, too)
*** Next up, our "king" (da mayor) holds court and sings the blues. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Federal-cuts-will-be-felt-here--officials-say-18390240

So, president Trump's budget will impact on agencies and services HERE in the Summit City, huh?
THIS is precisely what takes place when a city stops depending on ITSELF and instead, depends upon "outside sources" for funding!. And this should come as no surprise to anyone.
((Under Trump’s proposal, budgets for 15 federal agencies would be slashed, including by 31 percent for the Environmental Protection Agency, 29 percent for the State Department and 21 percent for the Agriculture and Labor departments, and funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would be eliminated.

Funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would also be reduced by $6 billion, or 18 percent of its current funding levels.
Locally, the city of Fort Wayne would lose about $1.8 million in annual federal Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as $775,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding, Henry said. Additionally, Fort Wayne Community Schools would lose $1.4 million put toward teacher recruitment, retention and training.
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program funding is administered by HUD.))

Well, boo-frigging-hoo, snowflake. You want some government CHEESE to go with your WHINE???
Guess the entitlement gravy-train isn't going to stop here AS MUCH, and personally, I like it.
This could better EMPOWER people rather than make them all "wards of the state", as it were.
((“These programs support residents in our community of low- to moderate-income by helping them with housing needs, necessary infrastructure, social service needs and public facilities,” Henry said.))

You mean the people who have chosen to NOT WORK and yet have cable or satellite services, big screen televisions, smartphones, Internet access, newer vehicles and all the other amenities that are not associated with "poor" people?

You mean those who are on every government program created JUST so they don't have to lift a damn finger to do anything for themselves except to spend other people's money?
You mean the people who have too many kids that get free breakfast and lunch at our schools because what passes for a parent can't bother to make them a bowl of cereal or pack them a lunch with that EBT money?
You mean THOSE people?

Ben Franklin once said that if you want people to climb out of poverty, then make them UNCOMFORTABLE in it.
Might even get them WORKING again...what a novel concept.
It's called personal ACCOUNTABILITY, folks!
And perhaps, Fort Wayne might follow suit and get off of the federal teat it's been sucking on for too long.
Lord know such things are causing widespread problems in cities ALL over this country...and for way too long.
That needs to be corrected.
*** Next up, while England might have really strict GUN laws for it's residents, they might want to see about those KNIFE and VEHICLE laws.
Here's the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/world/4-killed--40-hurt-in-Parliament-attack-18394530

Four people killed and 40 injured, because some lunatic with a vehicle and a knife decided that he'd make some kind of "statement". Well, he won't be doing much else any longer...he's dead. Shot and killed by London police right outside Parliament.
((Islamic extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailant’s identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was “highly likely.” Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government’s emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change.))
Maybe letting all those so-called "refugees" into your country IS making an impact,  but not in a good way.
Remember, just a wee bit of isolationism can go a very long way.
*** Next, Let's leave the mayhem and stupidity behind us, as we swing by "Kitten Corner"...

"Daddy's jacket is SO comfy."

Our furry felines had two good days in a row (good for me, that is...lol).
Either they have found a routine we can all enjoy...OR, they have me trained to the point where what they do doesn't seem to bother me at all. For some reason, I'm thinking the latter.
They have a new "play-toy" though - the rubber bumpers on the door stops in the bathroom.

"I can't haz rubber bumper?"

For some odd reason, they like to pull them off, but the spring attached to the bumper makes this "boing" noise when they muck with it, so that gives them away. So far, no lost rubber bumpers (but I have spares...JUST in case.)
*** Last back to the coffee pot...it's nice to "get used" to certain things in life.

We find comfort in the familiar...a sense of contentment with things "as they are", but there comes those times when change is inevitable, even if it's unwelcome at that time.
We no longer live in the June and Ward Cleaver world, sad to say. Things can't seem to be resolved with discussion or even personal interaction. Technology has seen to that in no small measure. It has "removed the face" of much of humanity.
It's made it wonderfully impersonal, in fact.
So, what takes place is a marvelous amount of complacency when it comes to the human condition.

That sense of entitlement and indulgence supplants the "spirit" of mankind, and negates the reason for relying on ourselves and our own creativity and ingenuity to solve everyday situations.
We find new "solutions" in the embrace of government programs, to which many, who sought to avoid such nastiness in life, as being tasked with productivity and self-reliance, have taken to this like a duck to water.
That does little to advance humankind, says little about the evolutionary process, and only serves to line the pockets of those in power who want control over the many.

Even personal freedom and liberty...

Now, if our president wants to make big government smaller, and cut back on frivolous spending, I say "What the hell took so long?"
There's nothing wrong with carrying one's own weight in life. Mankind has been doing that since the model came out.
And when someone could not meet the challenge (through no fault of their own), there was something called CHARITY to take up the slack. That too, worked very well...and still does.

This nation was founded by and built upon those who made the effort to not just challenge themselves, but others, so that they also could make this country was it has become over time.
Thing is, what we are now is a far cry from what we used to be, but with the proper guidance, and less intervention from government control, regulations and such, we can rise up and all become more than we are now.
We can work together, achieve more, and prosper as we all should be doing.
It's just a thought, but a damn good one.

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