Friday Follies...

Welcome to another weekend, friends, such as it will be as it unfolds.
And please, remind me again that TODAY will be the first "official" day of FALL, because I'm not really feeling it.
(although our trees out front have already begun dropping leaves...they must be in a hurry or something).
Our Hoosierland weather for today will bring us some wonderful mid-summer conditions with the "hazy, hot, and humid" brigade leading the charge. We'll have mostly sunny skies, temps reaching to around 90 degrees (could be higher), lots of humidity, but no rain in the immediate forecast.
I hear the weekend will ease off a bit from this, before we warm back up.
(oh...joy)

So, let's pour ourselves a nice cup, glass, or mug of Friday Fortitude as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the fire-pit is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
(and be warned, we've got more than a few coming at 'ya)
SEPTEMBER 22 -
---It's American Business Women's Day

(bet the "gender-confused" crowd thinks this is sexist)
---it's the Autumnal Equinox

(that would be the aforementioned "fall")
---It's Car-Free Day

(not to be confused with car thieves "free-car" day)
---It's Dear Diary Day

(who needs a diary when you have a blog?)
---It's Hobbit Day

(great if you enjoy hairy feet and are short of stature)
---It's National Centenarian's Day

(God bless all of them that make it to that age)
---It's National Elephant Appreciation Day

(I used to appreciate them MORE until the leftards closed down Ringling Brothers)
---It's National Ice Cream Cone Day

(gonna melt real fast today, that's for sure)
---It's National Legwear Day

(does something like this even matter?)
---It's National White Chocolate Day

(hey, chocolate is STILL chocolate...and it's NOT racist...heh.)
*** Next, and we're not done yet, kids, because it's Friday and we have to let you all in on what you can observe over the following 48 hours (and we got a fair number of them, as well):
SEPTEMBER 23 -
---Saturday is Celebrate Bisexuality Day

((rolls eyes)) 'Nuff said there.
---It's National Checkers and Dogs In Politics Day

(I say give 'em a shot, they couldn't do much WORSE in D.C., right?)
---It's National Great American Pot Pie Day

(like there's any OTHER kind?)
---It's National Singles Day

(been there when it was much safer many years ago)
---It's National Snack Stick Day

(something to go with those baby bels?)
---It's Restless Legs Awareness Day

(Wifey knows about this...I'm just restless all over...LOL)
---It's Teal Talk Day

(yes, it's an oncological thing)
SEPTEMBER 24 -
---It's Gold Star Mother's Day

(yes, it's a military thing, and God bless THEM)
---It's National Cherries Jubilee Day

(finally, a dessert!)
---It's National Punctuation Day

(where little things mean a LOT, right?)
---It's Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving

(gonna have to look this bugger up)
Whew! And there you have it...plenty of things to do over the weekend (and a few things you probably don't give a rip about). Make sure you don't confuse the two. Oh, and be sure to observe responsibly...it's the law.
*** Next up, some stories just make me smile...like THIS one:

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170922/dog-walker-helps-police-catch-robbery-suspect
I'm sure Chris Martin can appreciate this.
A concerned citizen notices a man acting a bit "hinky" around where he lives.
Something about a grown man skulking about in bushes near the GE campus at midday...yeah, that would my attention as well, but where WE live, damn near anyone passing by gets my attention, and not necessarily in a good way.
Anyway, this man, one Harold William Jackson, listed as being "homeless" had apparently just robbed a Family Dollar and was hiding from the po-po.
The citizen, Eric Spicer remained observant, and kept his cool (seen here with his dog, Ava) . Jackson followed Spicer to his home and asked if he "could hide out". Talk about some nerve, huh?

You done good - you done REAL good.

Spicer talked the guy down from doing something VERY STUPID, and even managed to get Jackson to toss his "gun" on a nearby porch. It was then Spicer pulled HIS gun, and told Jackson to lie down spread egale until the cops arrived (several minutes later).

"...You have the right to sing the blues..."

The gun Jackson had (in his waistband) turned out to be a BB pistol, which was used in the commission of a Family Dollar robbery that had taken place a little earlier.
The cops came, arrested Jackson, and that was pretty much that.
What I wouldn't give to have neighbors like Eric Spicer back in OUR neighborhood...like we USED to have.
The city of Fort Wayne should be proud to have someone like him living here. I know I am, and I'd buy him a drink any time, because people like him don't come along every day.  
*** Next, and speaking of our "fair" city...the new BUDGET has come out. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20170922/18-city-budget-up-9-million

Them's a LOTTA Franklins, folks.

Yes, our reigning monarch, King Henry (the last) has decreed that ye olde budget must rise to the tune of $9 MILLION BUCKS!
Sorry, but does that tune sound a bit off-key?  

Well, the money IS being spent for public safety and neighborhood street/infrastructure improvements .To quote his highness:

It's (still) GOOD to be king

((  “In our opinion, this budget positions us as a leader in economic development opportunities, for job growth and to continue to make us a point of destination for those who visit our city,” Henry said. “And more than anything, it will improve the quality of life in our community.”))
CRIPES,  he used those TWO hackneyed phrases AGAIN...ARRGGHHH!!!  
Get a new speech writer, for God's SAKE!   Il;m tired of hearing the SAME...OLD...THING.
(mainly because neither applies to OUR part of the city, which has been ignored for decades,...and it shows).    

I so wanna give that man a "Gibbs Head Slap" SO bad!
Maybe someone else will so we can make the needle skip on his record and not have to hear the same song over and over and over.
*** Next,  I had said the people across the side street moved out, but somehow, the kids were there by themselves yesterday late afternoon and evening, and of course, had to play on the trash that as left behind .

The pickup got most of it, but the guys on the truck didn't seem to be all that caring with other items, like mattresses (which is common when mooks move out).

I will say the missed trash attracted the attention of "Trikey-boy" on the next street over.
He rummaged through the mess, and took a few things

Then, the kids came by and messed about...typical ghetto behavior (a new playground?).
And here we thought the basketball court was closed...maybe not,

I should call Solid Waste and tell them about the missed item (and the basketball hoop)...lol. The kids will find a nice EMPTY driveway at the garage. That would be worth it.
*** Next up, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids took much of day as many cats usually do...by napping.
They did find a couple bugs that managed to follow Wifey and I into the house. That's good to see. INSIDE. I much prefer them outside (where they belong).

I hate to have bugs anywhere inside the "Fortress"...
And so do out cats.
*** Next, let's take a minute to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

In all this recent heat, our twosome were there for breakfast as usual, but Midnight missed the midday eats (too bust sleeping in a shady place or on patrol around the area).

He did return for "last call" and got fed well enough. Whiskers is never far away.
Even gave them both some treats for the hell of it, before it was time to come inside.
*** Last back to the sweatbox...Fort Wayne is a city in "flux".

We got yer "point of destination"...

It's not hard to see it, if you're paying attention.
Another budget INCREASE for the city to address issues that SHOULD have been taken care of years ago.
Add in some "handshakes" for city contracts going to vendors donating to our current mayor's campaign funding (probably over the last two terms).
Toss in some increasing crime as well as this uptick in opioid abuse, and it's hard to see how w're moving forward as Indiana's 2nd largest city.
People might point to the downtown area, the Landing, and Riverfront projects as being "forward-moving", but it's just some "feel good" tactics designed to allow our city to "keep up with the Joneses" (cities of similar sizes).
Sorry...I can't really feel THAT good when my part of town has been left to the wolves for the last couple decades.
Other parts of town are starting to see what WE saw 20 years ago (here) regarding a downturn is societal and business evolution. And if time is any barometer of prophecy (it is, and a damn good one), then we can easily predict what will happen in those other parts of the city.
Fighting crime (and those committing it) IS a form of warfare (by definition, if nothing else), and we're either in it to win it, or we meander through the whole "negotiation"  BS forest.
Some things (and people) are often non-negotiable, and therefore require that "big stick" T.R. spoke to in times past.
Sometimes, a good "smack across the ass" (as my folks said) cures a lot of bad behavior tendencies.
Sometimes, it's takes "natural justice". (ask Frank Castle)
This city is supposedly doing the best it can (under the circumstances), but I personally feel it's falling short of the goal, which is to make ALL parts of the city prosper, and revenue-productive. THAT is how a city truly thrives.
And you don't have to be an economist or sociologist to see the obvious in this regard.
That is something to think about...isn't it?
Do have yourselves a very good weekend.

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