Thoughts For Thursday...

We're winding down our week, and heading into some needed time off.
I don't know about you, but I didn't see a lick of rain yesterday (like we were promised).
Someone misplace it?
Our Hoosierland weather for today is another one of those carbon-copy days - partly cloudy skies, rising humidity, and a chance of late afternoons showers (hope they don't lose this batch...I might have to water the plants and flowers).

Temps are expected to reach back up to around 84 degrees, so, it will feel a bit more uncomfortable. Them's the breaks, kids.
Let's take a moment to get ourselves a nice drink of coffee, tea, or something perhaps a bit stronger to set the pace for the remainder of the day, as we see what's going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the glove compartment is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid."
This was spoken by someone we only have featured here once before, none other than Grover Cleveland, our 22nd and 24th president of the USofA (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908), and here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Cleveland
((Cleveland was the leader of the pro-business Bourbon Democrats who opposed high tariffs, Free Silver, inflation, imperialism, and subsidies to business, farmers, or veterans on libertarian philosophical grounds. His crusade for political reform and fiscal conservatism made him an icon for American conservatives of the era.

Cleveland won praise for his honesty, self-reliance, integrity, and commitment to the principles of classical liberalism. He fought political corruption, patronage, and bossism.
As a reformer Cleveland had such prestige that the like-minded wing of the Republican Party, called "Mugwumps", largely bolted the GOP presidential ticket and swung to his support in the 1884 election.))
Now, tell me you can find such a politician who can garner such favor by those on the other side of the aisle, and STILL promote such marvelously AMERICAN values...AND be a democrat at the same time.
The WIKI is a really good read, and demonstrates how such people can make a much more positive influence not only in D.C., but with the people.. Personally, I think he's underrated. After all, he WAS elected TWICE and in non-consecutive terms of office...that's gotta say something.
*** Next up, time once again for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 3 -
---It's National Georgia Day

(sorry, doesn't carry much weight here in Indiana)
---It's National Grab Some Nuts Day

(let the double entendres commence)
---It's National Watermelon Day

(Goodness, could I have some ethnic fun with THIS one)
*** Next, someone else finally did a story on the recent power outage.

And while it doesn't add much to the conversation, it still manages to say a LOT more to people like myself. Here's the story link:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/36025849/aep-not-sure-why-pettit-avenue-substation-failed
Well, aside from me relating the fun we had, that makes TWO news sources that covered this...and only two.

Pettit Avenue substation

Funny thing, still no REAL reason as to WHY things failed, other than the fact that this never seems to happen in those more "upscale" areas...why do you suppose THAT is?
*** Next up, the Lovely Mrs. Bobby G. became somewhat of a media darling yesterday.

She got herself all gussied up (yes, I use that term and know what it means) to go to that IPFW job-fair.
(somehow that song Lady In Red comes to mind...wonder why?)

Well, when she got there, she was interviewed by none other than Jeff Neumeyer from WPTA, and while watching yesterday's news at 5, saw her on television...that was kinda cool.
On the 6 o'clock news, they had edited the video, so we saw less of her (one on one), but they kept in the part where she was at one of the tables doing her networking thing. Here's the link to the story (and video):
http://www.wpta21.com/story/36040408/ipfw-job-fair-paired-companies-looking-to-hire-with-applicants-looking-for-a-career-upgrade
I thought it was good that they spelled her name right.
You would not know how often people transpose two of those four letters. How hard is it to spell "ancient France", anyway?

Now...about those handprints on the city's "Walk of Fame"...LOL.
*** Next, time to see "What on God's green earth has Bob bought on eBay now?"...

Well, in anticipation of an upcoming birthday, I managed to get a Doctor Who action figure.
It's the latest Peter Capaldi one where he wears the hoodie. And, it comes with the new "sonic" accessory also. The head sculpt alone is the best in the lot, and does look more like Capaldi than previous molds (nice to go out on an "up" note).
It's 5.5 inches tall and makes a nice addition to the 10th and 11th Doctor figures I already have.
The best part (as usual) was the price...UNDER $12 (shipping included)! Just TRY and find that figure anywhere on the planet (MIB) for anything under $20. I know...I tried, before I managed to snag this one (from Canada of all places).
The month is still young, and the birthday's still a'comin', so I have some time to see what else I can find.
*** Next up, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

Try as we might, we were unable to get the kids to watch "mommy" on TV...go figure.
I can't even get them to watch OTHER CATS on Animal Planet, or birds on Nat Geo.

Sometimes, we need to rest from all the napping.

They seem to prefer watching the inside of their eyelids, and who can blame them, hmm?
(must be a lot to see there)
*** Next, what say we stop by and check in on "Midnight and Company"...

Our intrepid duo were in fine form yesterday...and like clockwork, were right out on the patio when I unlocked the door to see who showed up for morning chow. We were two for two.
Midnight then left for his daily constitutional aka neighborhood patrol - love to have a "cat-cam" on him...just to see what HE sees on his outings.

"I iz posing like this for Momma Fargo."

Whiskers was content to stay put near the "Fortress", and why she doesn't get bored beats me.
I even get to see a couple birds on the ground eating, and as long as they don't get eaten in the process, all is well within the circle of life.
*** Last back to the passenger cabin...I'm always keen on saying that life is full of contrasts.

There is good news and bad, there are good experiences and bad ones, and there are good people you meet, as well as bad ones that you'd rather have taken a pass on encountering.
And through all of that (and more) there YOU are, smack dab in the middle of it.
To say that the world today moves at a frenetic pace would be an understatement.
Many days, it seems to move at warp-speed, which would amaze Einstein to no end.
Still, we all soldier on, not in spite of what goes on around us, but BECAUSE of it.
Since we are the ones who are paying attention, we have become attuned to what we can expect, and can adapt ourselves to many of the situations we come across. Others are not as fortunate, and suffer the fate of such inattention.

We must also be on guard for what I call life's "wild cards"; those things that come out of nowhere and want to disrupt our otherwise normal lives.

That's the kind of stuff that tosses conventionality out the nearest window, and muddles the balance of contrasting things we're living with.
The deal here is that we never face any obstacle alone. We have those who support us through whatever travail comes our way, and we have a higher authority to which we all answer.
To think for a minute that we are left alone to deal with any and all problems (or joys) is nonsense.
We were all created in a specific manner, and for a specific purpose.
And when we realize that, and know we never face anything by ourselves, the good things in our lives become better, and the bad things don't seem to matter as much.
I think I can continue dealing with such a premise. It's been working out just fine so far.

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