Thoughts For Thursday...

We're fast closing in on another weekend, and all that comes with it.
Seemed like yesterday was Monday...must be a timey-wimey thing.
Our Hoosierland weather for today won't seem too far removed from yesterday, with mostly sunny skies, temps climbing to around 84 degrees, and ince again...no rain to speak of (until we get to later on tonight).

So what say we all pause a bit to get that morning drink poured and parked close by, as we see what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the cutlery drawer is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"There are some who invoke separation of church and state - to try to get the government out of the business of morality - but this is antithetical to what the founders wanted. The founders wanted to keep theology out of government so that government could focus on the proper business of morality."
This was spoken by someone I thought I had featured here before...but have not.
It's Dinesh D'Sousa (born April 25, 1961) who is an Indian American political commentator, author and filmmaker. And here is his very own WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinesh_D%27Souza
((Born in Bombay, D'Souza came to the United States as an exchange student and graduated from Dartmouth College. He became a naturalized citizen in 1991. He is the author of several New York Times best-selling books, including titles on Christian apologetics.))
Although his life has been fairly clean, there was a bit of a detour, like when he was ((indicted on charges of making illegal contributions to a 2012 United States Senate campaign, a felony under U.S. law. On May 20, 2014, D'Souza pleaded guilty in Federal Court to one charge of using a "straw donor" to make an illegal political campaign donation. On September 23, he was sentenced to eight months in a halfway house near his home in San Diego, five years probation, and a $30,000 fine.))
Funny, all those hinky campaign contributions to DEMOCRATS never seem to garner any headlines...wonder why?
At least he's paid his debt, which is more than the left seems to do, in spite of all the damage they do to our country.
I find his political views interesting, because he takes his cue from the American Revolution, even citing liberalism (as it pertains to "human nature being intrinsically good". A liberal dose of THAT wouldn't hurt our nation.
He also believes that the "culture-left" caused 9/11, and his reasoning seems to be sound.
His religious views appear to be that of a Christian, in that he has often spoken out against atheism, non-belief, and secularism.
The WIKI is a good read. and worth a few minutes.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
Now, since I effed up yesterday, let's back up 24 hours and see what we should have observed  on:
AUGUST 9 -
---It WAS National Book Lovers Day

(literature was never greater)
---It WAS National Rice Pudding Day

(gonna need a raincheck until we go grocery shopping)
---It' WAS National VEEP Day

(sure, why not?)
Now, we can move into TODAY and what we can look forward to:
AUGUST 10 -
---It's National Connecticut Day

(guess we're doing this for ALL 50 states)
---It's National Lazy Day

(seemed that was yesterday for me when I forgot the observances)
---It's National Shapewear Day

(and a lovely shape she has)
---It's National S'mores Day

(sorry, never got into those)
( think I got this straightened the hell out)
*** Next, The crew was back out working along our street (still), but I think they're finally getting close to completion.

Why they never seem to just get the job(s) done in a more timely fashion is something I'll never figure out.

I mean, a mechanic never tears down an engine, and then lets it sit for a few weeks until he "gets back around" to fixing what's broken, and  then, after waiting another few weeks, finds time to put the damn thing back together...right?

That would not fly in the world of consumerism, would it?
And a lot of service shops would go out of business in a heartbeat.

(note to city - stay with the job until it's FINISHED).
*** Next up, a guilty verdict gets handed down. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/courts/20170810/jury-finds-man-guilty-of-attempted-murder
Looks like Willie Amos just got a bit MORE infamous.
A SECOND attempted murder conviction.
((He was convicted in 1995 of shooting a teen nine times in the back, arm and neck and was sentenced to 45 years. He was released after about 20 years.))
And, apparently, he didn't learn a DAMN THING while in jail...did he?
((While the jury convicted him of attempted murder and the drug charge, Judge John Surbeck convicted him of the gun charge. The jury wasn't aware of that charge. Deputy Prosecutor Tasha Lee repeated during closing arguments that Amos had told York, “I'm gonna kill you.” Lee said Amos shot York with “a big-ass gun with big-ass bullets on the left side of her body,” where the heart is, then kicked her in he face and stomped on her head.))

Yeah, I'd say that warrants a return visit back to jail...this time, keep him there.
We've enough of HIS kind on our streets that go UNpunished as it is.
*** Next, this story is one that's been a long time coming. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20170810/state-plans-to-award-anti-violence-grants

Our own AG is taking steps to address crime in cities withing Indiana...and about damn time.
((The Ten Point Coalition uses community members, in some cases reformed gang members, to de-escalate neighborhood tension. That can help stop the cycle of violence and retaliation.
Hill says the grants will be “seed” money that could be used to help replicate the program in places like Gary or Fort Wayne.
But he said the money wasn't an open-ended entitlement. Communities would also have to invest their own resources.))

And if OUR city had "invested" in such things, rather than build up the damn downtown, riverfront and put in a new ballpark, OUR crime would have been on the decline, instead of on the rise (as it's been for well over 20+ years).
*** Next up, time to drop by "Kitten Corner"...

After all the running is over...

The kids had a few bouts of the crazies, but nothing lasting that long.
I really want to get them into a routine where they don't feel the "need" to chase each other about...especially when they have ALL those toys to busy them.

It's time for serious napping...

I guess I want them acting more like our former cats, but I know that'll never happen., Each cat has it's OWN "personality", and knowing that should be compensation enough when it comes to adopting the furry kids.
*** Next, let's take a visit with "Midnight and Company"...

Our fuzzy friends were right where they should have been yesterday morning...waiting by the patio steps for food.

I iz posing for Momma Fargo again.

After that, they both disappeared for a spell, and Whiskers coming around early for more food. Midnight came by late afternoon (finally) and got his grub. They both stayed until dusk, and then went wherever they go.
Whiskers seems to hang out close by, though. Guess Midnight likes to be alone when sleeping.
*** Last back to the china cabinet...are we as thankful as we should be?

I know that I am thankful for every day, and a great many things that occur within each one.
I suppose that when we realize that we, as humans, can't control everything in our lives (nor should we want to...that would be tedious and confusing to no end), we open ourselves up to a greater power, and thereby a greater potential within us.
Our thankfulness is in direct proportion to our happiness. I firmly believe that.
Show me an unhappy person, and I'll show you someone who is not that thankful.

Taking time to give thanks where it's needed doesn't take long, doesn't cost much, and doesn;t take away from who you are or where you're headed.
But we really need to spend some time giving thanks...for so much.

Sure, the world isn't perfect and neither are we, but just the notion of appreciating that which we have and who we've become should provide the impetus for thankfulness.
And maybe, if more people in the world, took a little time to see that for themselves, this old planet would revolve in a much better manner. It always about making the conscious effort to make the right choice.

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