Humpday Happenings...

Now this works out well; middle of the week AND the middle of the month (already?)...I like when that takes place.
And, we're in for another one of those "days of repetition", so prepare yourselves.
Our Hoosierland weather will bring us partly sunny skies, temps climbing a bit higher today to around 86 degrees, and yes, another "chance" of rain (isolated showers) later in the afternoon or evening.
Like I said...repetition. Reminds me of an old record where the needle gets "stuck".

But I'm sure we can cure that with a nice refreshing drink to get the day started, as we see what else has been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the milk carton is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret. "
Wouldn't it be beneficial to everyone if such words touched more hearts, especially in light of recent events in Virginia?
People today act purely out of passion, without reason, without thought, and without knowledge or wisdom.
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at West Point Military College...
*** Next, it's time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 16 -
---It's National Airborne Day

(to all those brave souls that jump out of perfectly GOOD aircraft)
---It's National Roller Coaster Day

(we are talking about the amusement ride and NOT about life itself)
---It's National Rum Day

(okay, I can work with this one)
---It's National Tell a Joke Day

(always tell one - never become one)
---And, it's the 40th anniversary of the passing of "The King" - ELVIS.

Man, I can still remember where I was when the news hit. 
Weird, huh?
*** Next up,  some news briefs that are really trying to piss me off first thing in the morning:
---Diversity Preached On First Day
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/20170816/diversity-preached-on-1st-day

Can tolerance or gender-bending be far behind?
Let the kids be KIDS already, huh?
---Trump Shifts Blames to Both Sides
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20170816/trump-shifts-violence-blame-to-both-sides

He's just EXPOUNDING and making things crystal CLEAR for the fake news media who love to take words and twist them...even when they're not spoken.
Get over it and let the man do the job he was elected for.
---Meth lab busts are down 58% in Indiana
http://wane.com/2017/08/15/meth-lab-busts-down-more-than-50-in-indiana/

Guess heroin and crack are CHEAPER?
Also, meth busts are still high in urban areas (where pre-manufactured meth is arriving), while the rural ones are seeing the decline.
And none of these means there are fewer USERS out there.
---The MS-13 gang is at it again
http://wane.com/2017/08/15/ms-13-gang-bust-in-ohio-has-indiana-connection/

Yep, gang members found in Ohio...with ties to Indiana. Who would have known?
And, many of them are ILLEGAL aliens...couldn't have figured that one out.
The link has those arrested (so far)...only have a couple thousand more to go.
*** Next, The History Channel is having "Car Week" on, so I tuned in to this 3-part series "The Cars That made America".

It wasn't a bad series, and perhaps should have been called the CARMAKERS that made America. It focused on the "Big Three" - Ford, GM and Chrysler, and followed the behind the scenes drama that any large corporation would encounter.
No mention was made about all thee OTHER car companies that produced innovations in automobiles, and that's what was lacking (for me).
Still, the "in-fighting" between executives and engineers, along with labor strife, and sales that went from boom-to-bust made the series intriguing. Tonight will focus on where the future of cars is going. Should be worth a look-see.
*** Next up, time to stop on by "Kitten Corner"...

The "kids" were a bit on the raucous side yesterday, no doubt playing catch-up from being good the day before that.

But, as usual, they tire themselves out and that's when pictures can be taken.
(especially when they're sleeping in your lap)

To every YIN there is a YANG...even in the world of felines.
*** Next, let's take a minute to check out "Midnight and Company"...
Our furry twosome were here for "first eats", but later in the morning, Whiskers was strangely absent, so Midnight got to chow down all by himself.

He had been busy "guarding" our front lawn.
In the afternoon, they both were there, and stayed until sunset.

We think Whiskers spends the night on the patio, because when Wifey went out to look at the Perseids the other night (after 11PM), there she was, rubbing against Wifey's leg.
At least both of them know where to show up when it's mealtime.
*** Last back to the sugar bowl...did any of us ever envision the world as it is today?

Did we instead think (and dream) about how the world was SUPPOSED to be as we got older?
I know for a fact that what I "thought" and what we wound up with are pretty damn far apart. I also know that I had little to do with the manner in which things changed.
I have remained much the person I've always been, and I sure you all have as well.

But, we became a more permissive society, and not just HERE, but across the globe.
Was this done for the sake of diversity...or tolerance, or even equality?
I tend to have mixed feelings, because when we held a higher moral ground, we could at least sit the hell down and talk things out...and to a reasonable conclusion that didn't lead to violence and other aberrant behavior.
Can't say we do much of that today, can we?
Those numerous quotes from famous people of our past keep coming back to me, because THEY were right. They spoke the truth.

Yes, after centuries of discourse, what THEY said should be what still matters.
Perhaps we have to hit bottom before we can rise again, but these days, that barrel we find ourselves in is a lot deeper than times past. And we all need to remind ourselves of that.
Can we manage to make it back to the top and still retain our humanity.
Time will certainly tell, will it not?

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