Tuesday Tidbits...

Okay, so WHERE was the rain we were SUPPOSED to get yesterday?
We got clouds, and that was it. Not a drop of precipitation.
Weather Forecasters - the only NON-political career where you can be WRONG at least half of the time, and still pull in a decent paycheck...gotta love that.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us (no rain, right) sunny skies, temps reaching up a bit more than yesterday to around 80 degrees, and yes, NO rain coming our way.
So, what say we grab ourselves a refreshing drink to kick-start the day, as we see what else has been going on, hmm?
*** First out of the fire-pit is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 8 -
---It's National Dollar Day

(it's a 1786 kinda thing...look it up)
---It's National Frozen Custard Day

(better than ice cream OR frozen yogurt in my book)
---It's National Happiness Happens Day

(sometimes, it does "just" happen, too)
---It's National Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbors' Porch Day

(you have GOT to be frigging kidding me, right? And shouldn't it be ON TO rather than "into"?)
*** Next up, and since it is a Tuesday, let's look at ALL the FWPD calls that we SHOULD have heard about, but didn't because the media was too bust busting on president Trump for taking a (working) vacation...

SHOTS FIRED ((113)) / ARMED ROBBERY((53)) CALLS - 07/31 - 08/06
((23,113 - vandalism by gunfire))
=======================================
JUL 31 - 
17F094243 07/31/2017 03:36am 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 COLONIAL AVE S
17F094611 07/31/2017 09:47pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 7700 WOODBINE AVE
17F094613 07/31/2017 09:52pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 5300 ST JOE CENTER RD & RED OAK DR
17F094633 07/31/2017 10:11pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3700 TAYLOR ST & ARDMORE AVE
((NO armed robberies))
AUG 1 -
17F094706 08/01/2017 12:45am 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 FOSTER PKWY E  
17F094721 08/01/2017 01:39am 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 MOUNT VERNON PARK DR  
17F094730 08/01/2017 02:32am 113 SHOTS FIRED 900 COLUMBIA AVE & DEARBORN ST
17F094731 08/01/2017 02:37am 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 LILLIE ST & HAYDEN ST  
17F094826 08/01/2017 10:43am 113 SHOTS FIRED 1200 BARTHOLD ST
17F095158 08/01/2017 11:08pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 300 SUTTENFIELD AVE E & LAFAYETTE
17F095086 08/01/2017 08:02pm 58 SHOOTING         5800 TURTLE CREEK DR
((NO armed robberies))
AUG 2 -
17F095538 08/02/2017 08:59pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 COLISEUM BLVD W
17F095570 08/02/2017 10:13pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 WERLING DR
17F095389 08/02/2017 02:45pm 23,113         300 SUTTENFIELD AVE E
((NO armed robberies))
AUG 3 -
((NO SHOTS FIRED))
17F095826 08/03/2017 02:53pm 53 ARMED ROB 1900 QUIMBY VILLAGE ACCESS
AUG 4 -
17F096468 08/04/2017 11:10pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 WILLOWHURST DR
((NO armed robberies))
AUG 5 -
17F096523 08/05/2017 01:36am 113 SHOTS FIRED 6500 ASHBROOK DR
17F096571 08/05/2017 05:34am 113 SHOTS FIRED 00 MAIN ST E
17F096907 08/05/2017 10:13pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 5100 COVENTRY PKWY
17F096950 08/05/2017 11:44pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 WASHINGTON CENTER RD W
17F096372 08/04/2017 07:24pm 53 ARMED ROB 5600 SOUTHWAYNE AVE
AUG 6 -
17F096958 08/06/2017 12:09am 113 SHOTS FIRED 2200 MAPLECREST RD & GEORGETOWN LN
17F097031 08/06/2017 02:33am 113 SHOTS FIRED 1600 CASS ST
17F097034 08/06/2017 02:34am 113 SHOTS FIRED 5800 TURTLE CREEK DR  
17F097066 08/06/2017 05:10am 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 BOWSER AVE
17F097321 08/06/2017 10:18pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 2300 BOWSER AVE & HURD ST
17F097194 08/06/2017 04:00pm 23,113         600 FLORENCE AVE
17F097063 08/06/2017 04:54am 58 SHOOTING         2100 POINT WEST DR
((NO armed robberies))
=========================57
More than 45+ vandalism calls, 139 domestic calls, 30 burglaries, and  31 narcotics runs.
==========================
FIREWORKS CALLS 07/31 - 08/06
17F094622 07/31/2017 10:02pm 44FW 2200 ARDMORE AVE
17F095153 08/01/2017 11:03pm 44FW 1800 FOX POINT TRL
17F096008 08/03/2017 10:12pm 44FW 3200 HARRISON ST S
17F096474 08/04/2017 11:11pm 44FW 4700 MANISTEE DR**
17F096890 08/05/2017 09:31pm 44FW 4700 MANISTEE DR**
17F096900 08/05/2017 09:57pm 44FW 2900 WHITE OAK AVE
17F096904 08/05/2017 10:05pm 44FW 2700 NORDHOLME AVE
17F096916 08/05/2017 10:16pm 44FW 9800 DEREV CT
17F096960 08/06/2017 12:12am 44FW 3600 HARVEST PL
**(((THIS GUY AGAIN???))
Nice to know we STILL have some assholes out there.
*** Next, if you recall, yesterday I spoke about the TOXIC waste produced by all those illegal pot-growing sites in CA (and God knows where else that haven't been found yet), and now, something ELSE has come to light.

This is in Denver, CO.

Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20170808/underground-us-drug-safe-haven-revealed

This one's in Canada.

A "safe haven" for heroin users has been uncovered in the USA...imagine that.
I touched on this briefly back in my 9 June 2017 post, and I still believe this is NOT a solution to the problem, but rather a "fostering" of the problem.
I'm becoming frustrated at all these "new approaches" that NEVER seem to really approach the problem of opioid abuse.
And now, we have proof that an "underground" safe haven for drug users exists.

Seattle is planning to open a shoot-up-salon.

MY question is "Only one?" I'll bet this is only the beginning in what will become a much larger can of worms.
Other cities were considering such locations to "aid" in the treatment of opioid abuse, and I;m sorry, but such clandestine locations are not the solution. Maybe those who prescribe such medications might want to consider better monitoring of patients or other alternatives to these addictive drugs.
*** Next up, our local capo of the Urban League (of less than extraordinary gentlemen) is leaving town (for Pittsburgh (where the air is brown, and the people are as smart as house plants, so the saying goes).

Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20170808/urban-league-ceo-leaving-post
To me, the Urban League was just another "good old (black) boy network" that did little to elevate blacks from their current state to a better way of living. It was more of an adjunct to the NAACP (imho), and served a few while denying the many.
I haven't seen the Urban League make an impact on black CRIME in Fort Wayne one damn bit.
In fact, in the last 12 years, it has RISEN...and become more violent.
When this agency (and others like it) makes a conscious decision to address crime and WANT to eradicate it (and not through taxpayer-funded giveaways), then crime will begin to decline.
*** Next, and speaking of black crime, we have this story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/courts/20170808/attempted-murder-trial-begins

3-time Loser!

The attempted murder trial of Willie L. Amos (who might be considered INFAMOUS, instead of "Famous") starts today.

A real WINNER, and damn tasty cookies!

Maybe he could have had a better life if HE decided to become a baker like the more Famous Amos...just sayin'.
Any bets that Willie-boy gets off with a wrist slap and lots of probation time for aggravated battery, rather than attempted murder?
We should all know how this city's judicial works by now...
*** Next up, another black criminal get an orange jumpsuit and flip flops. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170808/driver-injured-in-crash-after-brief-police-chase
How do I know he's black?

Well, with a first name like "Devarious", it becomes self-explanatory, does it not?
A FWPD officer saw a car speeding early Monday morning around  0053 hrs and gave chase.
The driver of the speeding vehicle (Devarious Coats, 26) sped off and lost control of the car in the 1200 block of Maumee Ave, where he struck a sign and hydrant. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, but was upgraded to serious. Charges are pending.
*** Next, that escapee from Paulding County was found...under his parents house crawl-space, dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170808/escaped-inmate-kills-self-at-parents-home

Dead by the officer's gun - karma is a bitch.

Paulding County is looking to change it's prisoner transport policies (good for them).
At least the perp was shot with the officer's service pistol, which was taken from the corrections officer when the prisoner overpowered him a few days ago, so I'd call that a WIN for law-enforcement.
*** Next, and definitely changing gears, Wifey and I had the very nice opportunity to have a visit from Chris (Martin) and Laurie.
They stopped down for some conversation, and to partake in a freshly-baked pan of brownies (we don't make 'em small at our house...lol). Chris also got his belated birthday gifts.
They did want to see our cats, but Midnight and Whiskers took off like they had been shot when  Chris and Laurie walked past our garden gate...it was odd to see them react that way.

A flashing Hello Kitty glass?

Inside the house, both Violet and Gallifrey also became scarce, but as the afternoon wore on, Violet came out to visit. Gallifrey, male cat that he is, was acting like a wuss instead of a puss...heh.
He hid the entire time, and when Chris and Laurie were here last, both cats came out and played around (they were smaller and new to our house).
I can't explain their behavior, other than to say they're overly particular, and they should learn to grow out of that. Our friends are also THEIR friends, kapeesh?

All good things must end...for the time being.

Our time with Laurie and Chris flew by (as it always does) and it's so cool to talk about SO many things...like a lightning round of conversation. They are planning some trips this week (they're both on vacation), and those chronicles should prove very worthwhile to read about. I'm looking forward to that.
*** Next up,  let's see what's bugging the twosome at "Kitten Corner"...

Which toy to play with?

As I said, they were both playing the "shy game" yesterday, but before and after our visit, they had no problem with doing what they do best (when not hiding from our friends)...napping. and playing.

A pre-visit nap (before he went M.I.A.)

I did have to admonish them for acting shy yesterday, and maybe they'll come back around.
*** Next, time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

First meal of the day

The furry duo were right on time for food, and spent much of the day staying close to the house (except when an impromptu excursion beckoned...lol). It wasn't long after OUR friends left, that they came back for (what else?) more food.

Last meal of the day

It's odd that they tend to bond with certain people. I mean our friends have a dog, and that shouldn't matter (when it comes to befriending a feline as we have, but with cats, such things apparently do...go figure.
*** Last back to the smokehouse...we can always learn a lot about ourselves from our pets.

This is also true.

I honestly believe that.
But, one question I'd love to find the answer to is "What do THEY learn from US?"
What messages do we send to them?
Well, if you're an observer of humanity (as I have been for decades), you can see for yourself the messages we, as humans, send to each other, and then you can do the math from there.
Sure animals are mostly predatory by nature, and have their own "pecking order", as it were, but mankind is supposed to be more evolved than that, right?

Cats learning to drive...what's next?

And yet, every day, we see people acting just like the less-evolved species..acting the predator.
The robberies, rapes, murders, assaults...all of these (and more) prove that some portion of humanity is not ready to roam about with those of us who have made the decision to NOT act in such a reprehensibly savage manner.
THAT is where we differ from animals...conscious choice over instinct.

Awareness of these make us human

It's something seemingly as simple as this that places us (supposedly) at the top of the evolutionary totem pole.

Yet, some of us in society cannot, or will not choose the proper path to take.
They seek power at any price, they succumb to their desires, rather than see to their needs, and are rarely willing to undertake anything coming close to working to achieve their misplaced goals.
Now, that's pretty damn predatory, is you ask me.
I'd much prefer to see more people helping each other, instead of people helping themselves to each other's stuff.
I'm not asking for a perfect world...just one where regular people don't have to be looking over their shoulders every other minute, to see if some predator is coming.
That should not be too much to ask...should it?

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