Friday Follies...

And don't be a dick - go see my movie!

Well, let's see...we have a royal weeding taking place in the UK , the Indy 500 qualifying, the Komets are working their way through the hockey playoffs, and the movie Deadpool 2 starts in theaters today (while Avengers - Infinity War continues to break every box office record there is)...not a bad start to a weekend, is it?
I think there should be cake...lol.

Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly sunny skies to start off with, but clouds will be on the increase as we have some rain moving in later on today (and into the night).
Temps will be comfortable (for me, especially) with a high of around 70 degrees (and light breezes). Yes, that should do quite nicely, thank you.

Now, let's take a minute to get a glass, cup, or mug of some Friday Fortitude poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the cupboard is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 18 -
---It's NASCAR DAY

(they could have waited until the weekend...sheesh)
---It's National Bike To Work Day

(sorry, I'm retired here...no biking allowed)
---It's National Cheese Souffle Day

(Where's Clara Oswald when you need her?)
---It's National Defense Transportation Day

(guess our defense has to get around somehow)
---It's National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

(odd how HIV is on the RISE in Indiana)
---It's National No Dirty Dishes Day

(yeah, not a problem around here)
---It's National Pizza Party Day

(hell, that could be ANY day for me)
---It's National Visit Your Relatives Day

(sure, which cemetery should I start with?)
*** Next, and because it IS the end of the week, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
MAY 19 -
---Saturday is Armed Forces Day

(that's EVERY branch of the armed forces, folks)
---It's National Devil 's Food Cake Day

(yes...gotta have cake. Might happen a day early.)
---It's National Learn to Swim Day

(we're practically land-locked...so, why?)
---It's National May Ray Day

(must be a reason to the rhyme)
MAY 20 -
---Sunday is Be a Millionaire Day

(That means I need to eat at least TEN $100,000 candy bars?)
---It's National Pick Strawberries Day

(does picking them off the grocery shelf count?)
---It's National Quiche Lorraine Day

(hey, it's got BACON in it)
---It's National Dog Rescue Day

(wouldn't go over well here with the cats, but it's a good deal)
---It's National Take Your Parents to the Playground Day

(gonna be hard to do, as they're rather deceased)
And there we go then...plenty to do, just as long as you all observe responsibly.
*** Next up, ;let's start another Fort Wayne weekend  off with a BANG (or several) with THIS story:
http://www.wane.com/news/crime/1-person-shot-at-southeast-side-apartment-complex/1186538675

Yep, ANOTHER shooting on the city's (where the hell else?) SOUTHEAST SIDE.
This took place at the "Arbors" apartment complex, located at 7915 Decatur Rd around 2330 hrs.

One man was taken to hospital in serious condition.
As can be expected, no suspect information or motive is available.
*** Next, a related story about the recent uptick in violence in the Summit City:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38218667/police-investigate-rash-of-violence-hitting-fort-wayne-streets

What I find a bit disturbing is that police say that it "seems" that none of all these shootings appear "related".
Okay, so maybe the people involved don't know one from another, but let me postulate a possible answer here.
Suppose there is a group of thugs, driving (or running) around looking for a crime of opportunity, or just want to shoot at some people for "kicks".
That WOULD make these shootings RELATED, albeit indirectly, would it not?
There has to be some commonality attached to the sudden increase in shootings, and this might well be the best possibility.
Just a little something to think about, folks.
*** Next up, time our weekly O'Reilly column:
https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Is-He-Crazy/687993403904859703.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=staff_column

As usual, I think Bill has it spot on.
I wouldn't call president Trump a "loose cannon", but I would concur that he IS unpredictable (pissing off the liberals very well), and in that, it's a breath of fresh air coming out of D.C. these days, isn't it? Keep 'em ALL guessing.
*** Next, time to drop by our "Kitten Corner"...

"I'm TRYING to stay awake..."

The kids were in fine form yesterday, and spent a lot of time watching the world go by outside.
Gallifrey loves to climb into a chair when I'm watching TV (on the sofa). Sometimes, he also jumps UP on me (usually when I want to see something of note), and does the "head tilt" to get a long rub.

Now, it's MY turn to sit here.

Violet is a lot more calmer, as she takes her time getting on the sofa and then curls up between my legs (until some loud noise outside startles her).
All in all, it's not a bad arrangement, and we all get time with one another.
*** Next up, let's do our check in with "Midnight and Company"...

"Hey, you missed a spot over here."

Our furry twosome spent a large part of the day nearby the "Fortress", but Midnight did do one of his patrols (this was after I did some lawn work out front, where he "supervised" from the sidewalk).
Whiskers found it easier to stick a bit closer all day (to get food naturally), and be there whenever I went outside.

"You bet'cha. Nice and shady here."

Hey, as long as they're both safe and keep staying here for safety, food and water, they're always welcome.
*** Last back to the counter top...I've always lived a relatively simple life.

And that works out very well. Perhaps it's because such a life was par for the course growing up.
My parents were the exact same way, and stuff like that tends to "rub off".
I've never dabbled with wealth or power, and although I might bemoan the fact that I have neither, it''s just random bluster. We ALL do that, don't we?
We long for what others might have, only to find that such things come with pricetags we'd rather not be indentured to pay off.

A simple life doesn't seek all the glitz and glamour, but instead promotes a sense of self, as in self WORTH, self, RELIANCE, and self SUFFICIENCY. It also allows one to be more attuned to what is going on around them.
We're not Mennonites, or Amish, or those who "live off the land" sorta people...we're just aware of our means, and always try to be good stewards of that which we are allowed to have.

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, so when you decide that "simpler is better", you appreciate life more, and thereby develop contentment.
Not a bad recipe for living. It could be better, but on the other side, it could always be worse.
And it sure as anything beats shooting one another.
There's something you can take to the bank.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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