Friday (the 13th) Follies...
Wow, on top of everything else, we have another one of THESE days?
We will have some heat out there, which should make anything that is coming down the pike at us all that much more "fun"...yeah, right.
I guess there ARE worse ways to start the weekend (and they better stay away from us).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies, temps rising to a nicely sweltering 90 degrees, and increasing humidity.
I don't like simmering in my own perspiration...and neither do any of you.
If you have anything to do, get it done early, before it gets really hot out there.

Now, let's get that hydration gig going with 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:
JULY 13 -
---It's National Beans and Franks Day

( I like the beans separate with the franks on a bun)
---It's National Delaware Day

(well, it IS our FIRST state)
---It's National French Fry Day

(they go with most everything, too)
*** Next, and since we made it to week's end, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
JULY 14 -
---Saturday is Collector Car Appreciation Day

(I guess I fit that criteria by NOW with the Firebird)
---It's National Grand Marnier Day

(an orange-flavored liqueur thing)
---It's National Mac and Cheese Day

(we do this often enough, and homemade as well)
---It's National Nude Day

(it'll be HOT enough, that's for sure...lol)
---It's National Tape Measure Day

(remember to measure twice...and cut once)
JULY 15 -
---Sunday is National Give Something Away Day

(how about advice...the price is right, too)
---It's National Ice Cream Day

(brain freeze awaits)
---It's National I Love Horses Day

(doesn't everyone?)
---It's National Pet Fire Safety Day

(don't let your dog or cat play with matches...simple, huh?)
---It's National Tapioca Pudding Day

(might have to get me some of that)
And there you go...lots of things to occupy your time. Just remember to ALWAYS observe responsibly.
*** Next up, you just KNOW we couldn't begin the weekend in Fort Wayne without a BANG.

Police responded to a shots fired call in the 1400 block of McKinnie Av, near Holton Av just after 0230 hrs.
They found a man on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. Medics took the man to a hospital in serious condition. No witnesses, no suspects, no motive, no hits, no runs, and no errors.
(end of the inning?)
*** Next, is there a recycling problem in our future? Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/07/12/will-fort-waynes-curbside-recycling-program-be-affected-by-chinas-ban-on-accepting-plastics-for-recycling/

Maybe a switch back to GLASS for bottles?

Gee, no wonder China makes so many plastic items...they get everyone's recycling.
But with them not taking any more, what shall we do?
How about not make so MUCH plastic stuff...or maybe WE should USE our OWN recycling.

There are plenty of ways to make this NOT a problem here in the USA. All we have to do is THINK.
*** Next up, a good column by Kevin Leininger regarding CIVILITY. Here's the lowdown:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/07/12/kevin-leininger-now-that-harassment-is-an-equal-opportunity-offender-maybe-both-sides-can-rediscover-civility/

Gee, how many times have I mentioned (here) that a return to civility is something we ALL could benefit from?
*** Next, an arrest has been made (finally) in  Northside High's assistant coach's death:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20180712/WEB/180719963
For the original story (and mugshots), check back to my archive post from 2 June 2017.

Now, make the charges STICK, and lock this piece of human crap for a LONG time.
That's one thing we can always use more of...FEWER CRIMINALS on our streets!
*** Next up, Horizon Christian Academy has it's voucher waiver denied)
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/20180712/horizon-academy-has-waiver-rejected

A shame for the school, but the voucher program (imho) has created more problems than it has solved.

And, to see a Christian school take the fall here...that's not right, but I believe the school was originally a charter school.
Makes you wonder if the future of (all) education is headed in the right direction...or off the nearest cliff, doesn't it?
*** Next, time to dump the chaos, and stop on by "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids were nicely behaved, with hardly a murmur from either of them. They spent a lot of the day napping and chasing one another. Lord knows how that fascinates them.
He was laying on the floor and she was laying next to him, smacking him with her paw repeatedly...LOL.

Again, no idea how that's fun, but it led to another chase through the house.
A source of amusement...that's our cats.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

Aw, geez, not another picture.

You can tell that warmer weather is not conducive to seeing a lot of the cats. They find their spots and then ride out the heat.

I iz hiding really well here.

Midnight did his daily patrol (and came back for lunch), while Whiskers spent time hiding in the Nam grass.
She's got a nice little area right alongside the house, and you can't see her from the patio at all.
You really have to look hard...she's got her natural camouflage going on...heh.

Do I look like Midnight to you?

Midnight likes to park under the patio table (where there is ample shade most of the day)...that's when he's not playing dead up against the entry door to the garage.
To each their own and whatever works for them.
*** Last back to the sun-baked lawn...This Sunday we will have a bit of a celebratory "fest", and deservedly so.

This is because our community cat Whiskers will have been residing here at the "Fortress" for ONE YEAR.

Her first visit.

It was back on 15 July last year when we first saw her poke her head through the patio gate. Why she chose to come here is anyone's guess, but I have a feeling that Midnight had something to do with it. She seemed to follow him about.
I can't recall seeing her in the area before that, but that didn't stop us from feeding here.
Well, the next thing you know, she's become a part of our "extended" family, and we look forward rto seeing here every morning at the patio door, stretching and awaiting her breakfast.
We also begin the Three Rivers Festival in our city, and it's the 50TH anniversary of that gig.

Now, way back on 10 July 2011 or 16 July 2012 (check my archive posts for a laugh) I began a southeast side version of that.
I called it the THREE GHETTO FESTIVAL, and apparently, it's been a "rousing success".
(then again, it all depends on how you define success)

I went back and read the posts, and it's still pretty funny...and all too timely.
You wish things would change down here...you hope things can change for the better, and you pray that things don't get worse.

That's part of the mantra you employ to stave off the insanity.
A shame that  those in power to do something about all this can't seem to act accordingly to make our part of town as productive as it once was. But, there is always tomorrow, isn't there?
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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