Monday Musings...

Welcome to the first FULL week of the month of August. It wasn't that bad a weekend either. Had some very comfortable temps out there. Even the "locals" managed to behave themselves for the most part (no small feat).
But, our city did have a few bumps in the road  and we'll look to those shortly.

Our Hoosierland weather for today sees us with increasingly cloudy skies as the day goes on, with a good chance of showers in the afternoon. Temps are expected to reach to around 75 degrees with some light breezes.
Doesn't seem too bad as Mondays go, even if we have a rainy day of it (there's gotta be a song in there somewhere).
So, let's get the day started with a nice refreshing drink, as we see what else has been going on., shall we?
*** First out of the sleeping bag is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 7 -
---it's Purple Heart Day

(remember those injured while serving our country)
---It's National Lighthouse Day

(I've actually been to Barnegat lighthouse in NJ many years ago...very cool)
---It's National Raspberries and Cream Day

(accept no substitutes)
*** Next up, Fort Wayne just had to have a shooting over the weekend.

Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/08/06/woman-shot-in-leg-in-apartment-complex-incident/
This took place at the West Winds Apartments located in the 2400 block of Point West Drive around 0500 hrs Sunday morning.

Police were told someone knocked on the door and then begang shooting into the apartment.
A woman was taken to hospital in serious condition with a non life-threatening wound to her leg.
As usual, police don't know who pulled the trigger and have no suspects.
*** Next, more monkey shines with a brief police chase. Here's that story:
http://wane.com/2017/08/06/stolen-vehicle-leads-to-police-pursuit-crash/

Loser #1

((New Haven police responded to a stolen vehicle at a the Speedway gas station in the 100 block of Lincoln Hwy E. around 9:00 p.m.
According to a release from the New Haven Police Department, the vehicle thieves pulled up to the gas station in a stolen 2007 Chevy Impala. Someone from the Impala then took a 2007 Toyota Avalon. 
Police spotted the Impala near the intersection of Maplecrest Road and Lake Ave. in Fort Wayne. 
The driver, 18-year-old Jamal Johnson, refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit before crashing into a vehicle and house in the 1300 block of Reed Road.
The driver fled but was found with the assistance of a K9 officer.
The Avalon was not found by police.))
I guess that's one way prove that you did okay in school...wind up in jail (if he's even out of school, that is).
I suppose pumping gas at dusk (or late) might become a thing of the past, if perps like this have anything to say about it.
*** Next up, another barricade situation nets one. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170805/man-barricades-self-in-home-after-chase

Loser #2

This took place around 1500 hrs Friday at a house located at 4435 Warsaw St (not that far from the "Fortress").
Initially starting as a traffic stop, the driver bailed and ran to the house where police had to use teargas to get his sorry ass out, and he was taken into custody, after a brief foot chase.
A woman and two children were also in the house at the time, but were able to leave the house unharmed.
Elijah Swopshire was booked in the Allen County Jail on an existing warrant and additional charges for resisting.
Seems like the Gangs and Violent Crimes unit is doing their job.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
*** Next, it seems that a lot of this marijuana being grown isn't as good as we're led to believe by the pot-smoking crowd. Here's the story:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-marijuana-environment-idUSKBN1AM0C3
Imagine that...(illegal) pot growing is causing TOXIC waste...who'da thunk that?

There goes the environmental saviors and their tree-hugging mantra...right out the window.
In some way, I look at this as a wonderful form or karma.
All this pollution...for some weed.
This is taking place in forested areas not supervised (mainly in California), and it makes me wonder how many OTHER states this it taking place? I do know pot was found growing wild along the Appalachian Trail through Pennsy (years ago).
Where are all those "save-the-world" pundits when you need them (off smoking pot , I'd wager).
*** Next up, looks like the Mayo Clinic might have some good news for some of us. Here's the story:
http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2017/07/11/coffee-leads-to-longer-life-and-better-health-study-says.html

Now, this story JUST appeared in today's J-G,. and why it was "on the shelf" for almost a month baffles me. Does good news take that long to come to light these days?
But still  it's nice to know that COFFEE is more beneficial than we were led to believe.

It can help we, who partake in it to live longer and have better health.
I wonder what's next...global COOLING? LOL.
*** Next, time to stop by and see to our "Kitten Corner".....

We had a relatively good weekend with the kids...except for those brief times when they just HAD to dash about the house, flying from room to room.
Luckily, they DO run out of steam (kinda like what I do halfway through mowing the lawn), and then take to napping.
Then there's feeding time, to which BOTH cats now stand on their hind legs when I hold the bowls over them.
Violet took a little longer, but she does it now, just like Gallifrey has done for months.

Thing is, it's impossible to get a picture when holding two cat bowls of food...need Wifey to help out there.
*** Next up, let's look in on "Midnight and Company"...
The furry duo were not without some adventures over the weekend.

"Okay, I'm ready to move out"...

After they eat, Midnight leads them off on the "neighborhood patrol", which has become a daily routine.

"Hey, the cord needs to be put AWAY."

He did "supervise" my mowing of the side lawn yesterday.
Whiskers is the mouser of the two, and she caused us to find Mommy Mouse (all four inches of her), who was hiding behind the patio steps. Sorry, no pictures of that.

"We're off for another adventure".

I managed to chase her out (when the cats were out and about), and reset the pavers so that getting behind them was no longer possible. I hope this dissuades her from staying around, and producing any more offspring for the cats to play with.
*** Last back to the camping stove...there are many things that can occupy one's time.

And so many of them are not something that would cause the authorities to come a'knockin' at your door.
I've stressed the up side of having hobbies here often enough, and yet, we always see people who choose to do things that are simply counter-productive.
Take gardening, for example...

Here's one site that gives 13 reasons why it's GOOD for you:
http://gardeninggonewild.com/?p=27941

They don't mention that you get to make friends with squirrels or even community cats, but that's an added bonus...lol.
It is hard to have BOTH of them come around, however, for the obvious reasons.

That's just one example. There's an almost infinite number of ways to pass one's time that's NOT connected to criminal activity, and yet, some people choose to take the wrong path.
Hobbies are an "equal opportunity activity"...no bias involved, No "isms" attached to them.

And many time, they don't even cost anything...except your TIME, and since time is such a precious commodity, it's well spent and has a very good return on that "investment".
If only more people would take the time they waste, and put it to better use, they might find a part of life they had been missing. Life is meant to be lived, and properly utilizing your time, through enjoyable pursuits (rather than illegal or dangerous ones), is a damn fine way of making your part of the world a much nicer place to spend that time.

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