Friday Follies...

Alright then...end of the week - start of the month. We're all good with this.
Yes, this year is in the home stretch, and it won't be long before we greet the NEW year and all the continuance of the BS we've enjoyed THIS year (I can hardly wait).
In the meanwhile, our Hoosierland weather will not exactly seem like December, with mostly sunny skies, temps reaching back up to around 50 degrees, and no rain to speak of (or snow for that matter).

Or, something with a bit more "octane"can work...

So, let's take a minute and get ourselves a nice warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa as we take a look at what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the runway is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 1 -
---It's Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day

(yeah, it's called making the font sizes LARGER)
---It's the Day Without Art

(I'd settle for a day without stupidity)
---It's Faux Fur Friday

(unless you're in Indiana)
---It's National Eat a Red Apple Day

(I'll stick to juice and cider, thank you)
It's National Pie Day

(it IS a wonderful day for pie)
---It's Rosa Parks Day

(and riding a bus was never the same since)
*** Next, and since we're at week's end (already?), let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
DECEMBER 2 -
---Saturday is National Fritters Day

(guess we could lump hush puppies in with this one?)
---It's National Mutt Day

(such a cool day they needed TWO of them)
---It's National Rhubarb Vodka Day

(are you effin kidding me? Rhubarb? YUCK!)
---It's National Special Education Day

(and we know who is in need of that, don't we?)
---It's Skywarn Recognition Day

(a little late for tornadoes, isn't it?)
DECEMBER 3 -
---Sunday is National Roof Over Your Head Day

(looks like under that bird's butt to me)
*** Next, time to see what this month offers, among other things...
---It's Awareness Month of Awareness Months Month

(don't tell me...a LIBERAL thought THIS one up, right?)
---It's National Tie Month

(well, bowties are cool)
It's also Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month, Safe Toys and Gifts Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, and National Human Rights Month.
Remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, NIPSCO might have shot themselves in the foot. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20171130/nipsco-hit-with-states-highest-fine

How about that? A fine for failing to keep accurate maps and records of its underground natural gas pipelines.
And, it's HEFTY fine to boot - $900,000.00 to be exact. The violations occurred between mid-2015 and early 2016, according to the company.
Guess that public meeting that's supposed to take place regarding that 20% rate hike might be more "fun" than first thought. The Indiana Utility Commission should take this fine into consideration.

Not so much, it would seem.

((Along with failing to keep accurate maps and records, NIPSCO failed to locate its pipelines in two days as required by its own pipeline safety procedures, according to the IURC's release. Besides the fine, NIPSCO must report “performance metrics applicable to locating its facilities,” implement a pipeline safety management system and encourage closer coordination with the Pipeline Safety Division.))
Well, you may be able to fis thes problems, but you can't seem to fix STUPID...can you?
*** Next, we sure don't need stories like this around the holidays. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171201/boy-2-taken-to-firehouse-dies-man-arrested
The story is pretty much self-explanatory.
---And another added to our FWCS superintendent? Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/20171201/fwcs-robinson-may-get-an-extension

Be interesting who they find to fill her shoes when she decides to step down ?
---This story is a head-shaker (imho), and perhaps you can see why:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/courts/20171201/charges-dropped-in-death-of-mother
Still a person of interest? Well, THAT'S good to know (if he decides to bug out of the state)
*** Next up, time to stop on by "Kitten Corner"...

Where'd the red and green dots go?

The kids were more in tune with the whole good behavior thing, which was well received by we mere humans.
Had to pull out the laser pointers a couple times, but that's fine. I like the way they always find it intriguing enough to chase after a point of light.

I iz all lasered out!

We ALL get a little exercise, I guess.
Always nice to have one (or both) of them come over for some rubbing or a head scratch, too.
*** Next, let's do our check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Um, my plate is EMPTY again...

Our outdoor pair of cuddlies were close by most all the day...as usual. I don't know what time they choose to park by the patio door, but I know it's BEFORE the sun decides to rise...well before, in fact.

Patience is a virtue, so I can wait.

While the days are still mild, the nights get cold enough for them to get out of the weather, which I know one of them does. I hope they both make use of the shelters...winter might convince them of doing so soon enough.
*** Last back to the hangar...we lost another celebrity.

Jim Nabors has passed away at the age of 87. Here's the story:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-gomer-pyle-star-dead-87/909603001/
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Nabors
Now, it seems that every story cites the "Gomer Pyle" gig, which is notable, and was a funny show in it's day.

But my recollection of Nabors goes back to the Andy Griffith days (Griffith sign Nabors after hearing him at a California tavern called The Horn).
A "one-shot" appearance led to becoming a regular, and later a spinoff show (Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. with Frank Sutton).

This show lasted 5 years before Nabors called it quits and pursued singing with live appearance and recordings. Most of the songs were romantic ballads, though he sang pop, gospel, and country songs as well.

He also appeared in every season premiere of The Carol Burnett Show, because Burnett considered him a "good-luck charm".

And I remember him in one other way - For more than 30 years, Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" with the Purdue All-American Marching Band before each Indianapolis 500. In March 2014, Nabors announced that the 2014 Indianapolis 500 would be his final appearance, saying that his health was limiting his ability to travel.
It never mattered to me how Nabors handled his personal life (it was personal, after all), so the whole same sex marriage and longtime companion thing didn't surprise me, or turn me off from the talent that Nabors displayed.

And the way he battled back from a near fatal case of Hep B (contracted in India) and a subsequent liver transplant was remarkable.
To me, he was much more than just a comedic marine, and we don't get to have his kind with us that often, and for that long.

I will always remember that marvelous baritone voice. A good legacy for sure.
Do have yourselves a nice weekend.

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