Monday Musings...

Welcome back to another excursion into the last full week of April - a month I will not soon forget, but sure as hell WANT to.
(more about that in a bit)
And, I think we're finally done with the snow (I put our shovels away already), but never discount the possibility of it happening. Remember,m the "climate" is ALWAYS "changing".
(it's what it does, people)
Speaking of which, our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly to mostly cloudy skies (colorful sunrise), temps again trying to reach 70 degrees,, and an increasing chance of rain later this afternoon into evening.

So, let's get this show on the road with a nice refreshing drink, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the starting gate is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
APRIL 23 -
---It's National Cherry Cheesecake Day

(never met a cheesecake I DIDN'T like)
---It's National Lost Dog Awareness Day

(do lost cats count?)
---It's National Picnic Day

(can't remember the last time I went on one, but I think it wa in high school)
---It's National Take A Chance Day

(I did when I moved to Indiana...'nuff said)
---It's National Talk Like Shakespeare Day

(sorry, don't feel much like "forsoothing")
*** Next up...let's put all the stupid-ass crime and political crap aside (it'll still be there tomorrow anyway), and instead talk about this past weekend, because I find that when you're extremely pissed OR depressed (or even a combination of the two), somehow, writing about it alleviates some of the pent up anxiety. So here goes...

After a wonderfully uneventful run to the grocery store (and gas station), Wifey loads up and heads out to go down to Vincennes.
A couple hours later, I get a call from AAA asking about where the car is.
I tell them MY car's in the garage...they must mean Wifey's car and WHY are they calling HERE?
Seems she had a flat tire (second one with these NEW tires...WTF is up with this crap?) She told me the pressure warning came on and that the tire went flat pretty fast (no blowout, thank God). So,  AAA got in touch with here and a tow truck was being dispatched to her location (just within the Terre Haute city limits along I-69).

Anyway, she gets that tire REPLACED (could not just plug it, as interior damage was severe. Whatever she ran over (she didn't feel anything) cut into the belt of the tire, trashing it. So, a NEW tire was slapped on (more costs we don't really need).
Funny, these tires are good for 30K miles (or until you drive along the INDIANA INTERSTATE...which ever comes first, I guess).
She finally got to Vincennes okay, but someone is going to pay for that tire (aside from us).
I just pray that her drive back north is nowhere near AS eventful as her trip down. I just wish her a safe return back home.
*** By then, the mail had come, and in it was...(wait for it)...ANOTHER SUBPOENA...just like the FIRST one (oin that green paper form).

Says the same stuff with the same CONTACT INFORMATION...which I have tried several times (in vain via phone AND email, obviously) with NO reply from the person on the damn form.
I was talking to a friend of ours at the grocery about this, and the after I described the event and told him I was subpoenaed, he said "What the hell for?" Funny, I told him I thought the same thing? Weird how two people can come up with the same conclusion, isn't it?
*** I've also been riding the emotional roller-coaster over the absence of Whiskers...to much like what happened with Hobo  almost TWO years ago.

You really develop a bond with these critters that come into your life (and heart) and want only to have a meal, some water, a little love, someplace safe to rest at night.
*** And that brings me to our "Kitten Corner"...
Our indoor cats wee pretty well-behaved while Wifey's away.

Watching for Whiskers.

They spend a lot of day resting about, and when they are awake, are not AS rambunctious as usual. They must know how I;m feeling, and that's fine by me.

It's not that I don't want to bother with Violet or Gallifrey, because I do whenever they come over to me...it's just my mind is elsewhere thinking about other cats (and one or two in particular).
*** Now, we take some time to check in with "Midnight and Company"....

He's been staying REAL close by the house since Whiskers went missing. If he does wander off, it's NOT for long and not that far, which makes me breathe easier.
But today happens to be a very special day for Midnight...

It's been a whole YEAR...already?

It's been ONE YEAR since he came into our lives (and onto our patio).
And, it's been great having him about ever since.
When Wifey gets back, we are planning a bit of a celebration with small cupcakes (that we know he likes).

We missed you...a LOT.

Now, around 2010 hrs last night, I happened to look out the patio door, and saw a cat under the patio chair.
Turns out it was...WHISKERS! Imagine THAT!
Well, suffice it to say, I was overwhelmed with joy (which doesn't happen all that much in THIS neighborhood these days).
I went out and hugged her and got her a dish of food (which she gobbled up). And Midnight even acted more animated that he's been the last few days. He got some treats, too.
Talk about an answer to prayer (yes, I said prayer!)
Hopefully, she will remain nearby the house and not take to wandering off. I've got enough to keep me emotionally-busy.
*** Last back to the finish line...there are days when it really bothers me to care so much for the outdoor cats.

I think these people REALLY like us.

But, I admit it's ALSO so much better than being one of those animal abusers you hear tell about (all too often).
Having grown up with a knowledge and respect for pets made a huge difference in how I view animals in general (domesticated ones, anyway).
Can't do much for all the wild critters...that's not my "job", but caring for the lonely or lost certainly is.
If we were fortunate enough to live outside the urban areas with a nice parcel of land, I'd welcome any and all strays into our care. Hell, I'd even get a small out-building to house them, but since this IS the city, we have to take care not to "overextend" ourselves.
We do what we can for who we can, and expect nothing in return.
For we know those we choose to care for will return our kindness with their own, for as long as they can.
Can't ask for more than that...can you?

Be well, make a difference to someone (no matter how many legs they have) and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.