Friday Follies...

It seems we have somehow managed to make it to the end of another week.
(give yourselves a pat on the back - you deserve it)
It sure has been a crazy-ass week on this planet, and that's saying a lot.
(you didn't have to go far to FIND that crazy, either).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly sunny skies, and temps climbing back up to more summer-like conditions, with a high of around 80 degrees. Not seeing any rain around for the time being.

I think it's about time we get ourselves a nice cup or glass of Friday Fortitude as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the starting gate is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature (but be warned...we got a LONG list of stuff happening):
SEPTEMBER 15 -
---It's Greenpeace Day

(oh puh-lease...it's the weekend. Just go away)
---It's National Tackle Kids Cancer Day

(children should never have to deal with this...ever)
---It's National Cheese Toast Day

(tasty, but not to be confused with grilled cheese sandwiches)
---It's National Creme De Menthe Day

(guess you can't make a Grasshopper without it)
---It's National Double Cheeseburger Day

(okay, NOW we're on the right page in my book)
---It's National Felt Hat Day

(that cat looks SO pleased about it, too)
---It's National Linguine Day

(ANY day is good for that)
---It's National Online Learning Day

(just make sure what you learn is truthful)
---It's National POW/MIA Recognition Day

(there are still too many who are missing)
---It's National Tradesmen Day

(wouldn't have much built if we didn't have them around)
Told you that was a lot of stuff
*** Next, and since it is week's end, let's take a look at what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
SEPTEMBER 16 -
---Saturday is Boys and Girls Club Day For Kids

(wonder how the young and recently-transgendered are handling THIS?)
---It's Mayflower Day

(if you recall the pilgrims, it's self-explanatory)
---It's National Cinnamon Raisin-Bread Day

(even better when you toast it)
---It's National Cleanup Day

(that could be every day in OUR neighborhood)
---It's National Gymnastics Day

(sorry, that bus left MY terminal YEARS ago)
---It's National Play-Doh Day

(honestly, white library paste tasted much better...lol)
---It's National Step-Family Day

(sorry, not a participant)
---It's National Working Parents Day

(BTW, selling drugs, stolen goods, or your body is not a good career choice)
---It's Puppy Mill Awareness Day

(I'm aware of it, okay?)
---It's Responsible Dog Ownership Day

(we don't "own" them per se...I hate when they say that)
SEPTEMBER 17 -
---Sunday is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

(I think they tossed in the "citizenship" thing in lieu of immigrants...stop the PC crap)
---It's National Apple Dumpling Day

(any relation to the apple dumpling GANG?)
---It's National Monte Cristo Day

(think toasted ham and cheese - one of my "go-to" sandwiches)
---It's Wife Appreciation Day

(we appreciate them more than they probably know)
And there you have it...If you can't find ANYTHING to observe (here), then ladies and gentlemen...you ain't TRYING hard enough. That's on you. Please remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next , we start the weekend in Fort Wayne with a BANG (or several). Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/09/15/fwpd-shooting-leaves-1-dead-1-hurt/
Yeah, we officially PASSED the magic number I predicted and are now at TWENTY-SIX (that's 26) HOMICIDES for the year...plenty of time to reach 30 or more...right?
This took place around 2330 hrs last night in the 3300 block of Winter St (typical ghettohood hotspot on the SE side).
One man was found dead in a grassy area near an alley, and another showed up at hospital (private transport) minutes later with a gunshot wound. Police believe these are related incidents.
(( Its unclear what led to the shooting. Police do not know if both men were shot by the same person (or persons) or if they might have shot each other. It’s also unclear if the two men know each other.))

My take (based on years of observation), it's most likely they shot one another (no mention of cars leaving the area immediately afterwards or individuals running from the scene).
They probably KNOW one another - they all seem to down here...love that "community-primate-tribal-unity thing" they have.
And, most importantly, they are both BLACK (any bets to the contrary?).
No suspect or other information is available for now. Be surprised if it's not drug, gang, or woman-related.
*** Next up, let's stop by "Kitten Corner"...

I'm just watching daddy taking pictures

After some early day running about, the kids settled back in to a nice nap-filled day, with some lounging nestled in between the meals and the naps. No doubt allowing their cuteness to take center stage.

Yep, daddy's got that camera again

I've no problem with that, even if Gallifrey chooses to climb onto (and all over) me as I watched Casablanca last evening,  Violet just finds a comfy spot and nods out for a bit.
 *** Next, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

I claim this patio table.

Well, today is the last day for the antibiotics for our ebony-furred buddy, and you can tell he's feeling much better. Both he and Whiskers are at the patio door each morning for first eats. They both hung around for the better part of the day, but at "last call"(around 2000 hrs), Midnight was M.I.A.

Okay...he's NOT in here.

Whiskers got her food, but no Midnight, even after I shook my keys and rattled the food bowl (dinner call usually bring him running).
The good news, he was back outside THIS morning, meowing for grub.
Guess he WAS hungry after missing his treats last night. Hopefully, not tonight.
*** Last back to the finish line...another homicide in Fort Wayne makes the news.

Roll the dice and let's play...

And, it's usually the same class of people involved (and please don't insult my intelligence by using the "poverty card" here...it's got nothing to do with this)..

So, why does nothing seem to get done regarding any form of lowering the homicide stats?
We have as many police on our streets as we USED to have about 20 years ago, with more on the way, so boots on the ground shouldn't be an issue. And the laws are still in place to prevent crimes like these, although I would argue that MANY of the smaller crimes that take place are rarely enforced (noise laws, trespassing, parking, littering, and such). Hell, police used to issue citations for people walking IN the damn street (back in the 80s and 90s)...don't see much of that going on.

I think what is occurring is more ignorance of the Broken Window Theory.
Our city seems (metaphorically) more intent on keeping those INTACT windows clean, rather than repair all the windows that have become broken over the years, and then touting such "progress" as something to be lauded.
I'm not quite there as far as being "convinced".

The city has permitted too much to go on for too long, as it pursues a revitalized ballpark, downtown and now, riverfront, to the exclusion of addressing the problems of the (now) entire south part of town...not a good idea (in theory or implementation).

a growing "trend" ALL over

Neighborhoods down here are still slipping into the 10th layer of Hades daily, with the usual people shooting, stabbing, raping, burglarizing and robbing, with these crimes being the most prevalent barometer as to societal "evolution".
If anything, our part of Fort Wayne is in backward-moving trend, and has been so for almost as long as Wifey and I have lived down here.
There NEEDS to be a definitive paradigm shift as far as how to IMPROVE the south side of the city, and what's been done so far has not produced the results many were expecting.
Take the damn blinders off, see the truth and decide once and for all to DO SOMETHING to change the status quo.

Or, you (the city) can continue with what you thought was working...which has been nothing.
Choices can be hard, but the end result when making GOOD choices is better than what has been allowed to date.
Have yourselves a very good weekend.

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