Thoughts For Thursday...

Hard to believe that June is almost over already. Wonder how long before stores start putting up Christmas decorations? LOL! With the way retail is these days, they never seem to begin early enough.
We did get by with no rain yesterday. Can't be that sure about today, though.
Our Hoosierland weather brings us more of that warm-up, with temps reaching back up into the upper 80s, mostly cloudy skies, and a slightly windy day.
There will be a chance of a scattered shower all day (more tonight). Do plan accordingly.

I've already got my coffee nearby, so you go get something for yourselves, and together, we'll take a look at what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First off of the counter-top is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
This was spoken by someone I only featured ONCE here (and I checked), although he's been quoted here more than a few times. That's none other than John Adams (October 30 [O.S. October 19] 1735 – July 4, 1826), who was also an American patriot who served as the second President of the United States (1797–1801) and the first Vice President (1789–97).

Adams birthplace - Braintree (Quincy), Mass.

He was a lawyer, diplomat, statesman, political theorist, and, as a Founding Father, a leader of the movement for American independence from Great Britain. He was also a dedicated diarist and correspondent, particularly with his wife and closest adviser Abigail.
And here (again) is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams

Now, as can be expected, it is rather long, but full of information about Washington's successor to the presidency. And, Adams was the first president to occupy what would be known as The White House. You will also learn about the "Quasi-War", the XYZ Affair and The Alien and Sedition Acts. And you'll find that Adams NEVER owned a slave, nor believed in using slave labor.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JUNE 29 -
---It's National Almond Buttercrunch Day

(I'm partial to almonds, so that's a keeper)
---It's National Bomb Pop Day

(amazing they still make these)
---It's National Camera Day

(that's ANY day for me..love taking pictures, and love not having to spend $$$ developing them)
---It's National Handshake Day

(many contracts were sealed in this manner throughout history)
*** Next, an update on that drug bust along Michigan Ave that netter FIFTEEN arrests.
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170629/4-face-felony-counts-after-drug-raid
Four of that group that were busted face felony charges.

McGuire   Cavinder                    Patton   Twilley

They are Edward Earl McGuire, 57, and Jennifer A. Cavinder, 44, who live at the house located at 1119 (1119 1/2) Michigan Ave. near Broadway and Taylor Street.
Thomas Burke Patton, 52, from Detroit, and Stephanie Twilley, are the other two facing the felony charges.
((In the house, police found one sandwich bag containing 50 small 1-inch-by-1-inch bags labeled “420,” each containing crack cocaine, along with a digital scale with white powder residue on it, three charred spoons, one crack pipe, numerous plastic bags and one stolen .40-caliber Beretta 69D handgun with extended magazine and 15 rounds.))
Never heard of a Beretta "69D" pistol.

Beretta .40 model 96D

Maybe they mean 96D? Dyslexia, anyone?
A nice haul . Now, let's see if we can KEEP them in jail for a long time, hmm?
*** Next up, we have another death investigation.

Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170629/man-found-slain-in-home-on-masterson
Another instance of finding out things like this days AFTER it happens.
A man was found dead in a house located at 432 W. Masterson Ave., just east of Fairfield.

The victim was ID'ed as Breon Lamar Scott, 28, of Fort Wayne. The coroner said the cause of death was a gunshot, but the MANNER has yet to be determined. IF it's ruled a homicide, then it may be the city's 14th one of the year (depending on how the coroner rules on the two that were also found dead in another house on the SE side).
Now, if that name Breon Lamar Scott sounds familiar, you can thank me. His name appears in my blog post from 1 August 2012 (see, it pays to follow things here, they do become connected, sooner or later).

Back then, Scott was busted for lying in wait and shooting at a specific vehicle in an alley near Pontiac St.
Unfortunately, the source article was pulled, so that link doesn't work any longer.
But, Scott has a nice history with the po-po...years of driving our streets w/o a license. several drug charges and receiving stolen property. Also has some citations from New Haven.
I for one, am glad he's off our streets. Now, about the other several hundred that also need to go away...
*** Next, time to get away from all the nasty out there and visit "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids were playing nice yesterday, both with us and with each other.
There are so many times that you WANT to get a picture of them, but they don't hold still long enough.

That's why a lot of photos here feature them napping. THEN, they hold still...lol.
You almost wish you had a head-cam to follow them around and catch the fun...
*** Next up, let's step outside and look for those "Tales of Midnight"...

Good old reliable "fuzzy-buddy" was there yesterday morning, and stayed for part of the day.
He returned later on for afternoon food, and later when it started to get dark.
He stays on the patio whenever kids are out running and screaming (good thing, too).

One thing you have to say...his routine is well thought out (and profitable from a food standpoint).
And, he makes a much better "neighbor" than most everyone else around here, even if he is transient.
*** Last back to the breakfast nook...what has happened to the values that people like John Adams used to have?

What has happened to our values in general?
All I seem to see these days are people at odds with one another, and for the dumbest of reasons.
We've got a nation of angry-ass people, and I know, because I also suffer from this "affliction".
I'm pretty angry...a lot of the time (more than I would prefer), and I don;' think I should HAVE to be like this. I'm sure you feel likewise.
I'm usually angry at the way people act, which appears counter to what used to pass for normalcy in our society.

Okay, so maybe I don't get THIS angry...

Many are angry and don't even know WHY they're angry or WHAT they're angry at.

Maggie "gets it".

At least I can define the causes for my anger, and I can find methods to diffuse it that DON'T involve killing my fellow man, or destroying property that doesn't belong to me.
Watching or reading the news, you'd clearly see otherwise.
Everyone has rights, given by God and provided by our founding documents, but the main provision for ALL of these rights lies in the knowledge that each person's right end where another person's rights begin...and vice versa.
THAT is what many people can't wrap their primate brains around, and they really need to start doing that.

I'm very keen on knowing rights from privileges, and this is also something many people can't (or won't) figure the hell out.
Privileges are given and/or taken away based on your merit, character, and ability to demonstrate an adherence to basic human guidelines in our society. Go against them and you're asking for a hard road to travel.
And face it, life is often challenging enough, without seeking out more things to divert one's attention from whatever task is at hand, right? Life is too short to waste on nonsense like selective tolerance, or PCBS, or anything that runs counter to what makes that life worth living.
Just a little something to think about.

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