Humpday Happenings...

Welcome to the mid-week crisis we call Wednesday.
Hopefully the day will pan out well for everyone.
Even the weather looks like it will be more cooperative.
Our Hoosierland forecast for today brings us sunny skies, temps rising to around 80 degrees, and no rain in the offing.
That's not a bad deal in my book.

So, what say we all get that first refreshing drink of the day, while we see what else has been going on, hmm?
*** First off of the entertainment center is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her morals, her class struggle, her failing trade, her bureaucratic despotism, her stifling taxes, her consuming wars."
In many ways, we are following Rome's "example", and unless we change course, we will end up in the exact same way.
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey...
*** Next, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 18 -
---It's National Caviar Day

(it's only fish eggs...no big deal)
---It's National Hot Dog Day

(go grab a Coney and have at it)
---It's National Sour Candy Day

(I prefer Sweet-Tarts)
*** Next up, the FWHA (Fort Wayne Housing Authority) looks into the problems at the Astoria Apartments Here's he link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180711/fwha-to-check-units-at-astoria

You know, I mentioned this previously, but much of the reason for such problems is the PEOPLE living there.

Unless the buildings are THAT old where they are, in fact, falling the hell apart, there is no reason why the apartments should have such major issues. There ARE people out there who have NO idea HOW to manage the space (read household) they live in.
They will TRY and flush anything down the toilet, and will crank up the burners to "HIGH" on a stove thinking it cooks things faster, when in fact, it causes fires easier.
They will dry clothing over a lamp shade, leave doors open, let sinks, toilets, and yes, even tubs overflow, and not know how to properly use washing machines and dryers...the list goes on.

But it's all okay to these people...they have no vested interest in what they've been "given" because someone always comes along and provides them with MORE housing after they're done trashing their previous residence. They have NO clue as to what STEWARDSHIP means, or how to take care of anything in their lives. We can see where the kids get that from.

That's much of the reason we have housing "shortages"...it's contrived and meant to promote generational dependency upon the welfare system. And guess who foots the bill for ALL this? Grab a mirror.
*** Next, the Rhymin' Preacher (Rev. Bill McGill) is at it again with a piece in the editorial section of the Journal Gazette. It has to do with state AG Curtis Hill and the allegations against him.

Here's the link to the column:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20180718/until-investigations-through-hill-should-step-from-view

Now, this is almost as good as the daily crossword. See if YOU can spot all the rhymes contained in the article.
Of all things to use rhymes...I don't think I could go through life speaking or writing in such a way all the time. Must be fun around the house with Bill at the dinner table.
*** Next up, just how stressed are you?
Well, you COULD be living in the WRONG city.

Here's the lowdown:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-least-stressed-cities/22759/
This is a  pretty good compilation of the cities according to stress levels.

And would you believe it? Money is listed as the leading "cause" of stress.
You could have fooled the hell outta me on that one.
I look at the discarded liquor and beer bottles...the half-eaten food and their containers and bags on the lawn (almost daily) and see the blatant disrespect from those around us, and think THAT is stressful.
I hear gunshots and speeding in the ghettohood and think THAT is stressful, and I see hinky people walking about to all hours, and suspicious vehicles double parked to make a drug "transaction" and think...THAT is stressful.

Independence Square, Philadelphia

My birthplace (Philly) ranked 12th, while Ft Wayne ranked 101st.
Funny, I never had such problems back in Philly, and yet I have them in abundance here?
I suppose Philly is no longer as user-friendly as I remember it...chalk that up to 50+ years of democrat rule.

East side of Detroit. How "inviting".

As could be expected, DETROIT leads the field, followed by NEWARK, NJ (which is the Detroit of the east). No surprise there, right?

Toledo Edison Acme Power Plant blight.

Rounding out the top 5 are Cleveland, Birmingham, AL, and Toledo (holy Toledo!).
Now, I wonder WHAT (exactly) all these cities have IN COMMON???
I'll pause and let you all think on that, while I hum the JEOPARDY theme...LOL.
Cripes, a blind man could see this one...get me Stevie Wonder...quick!
*** Next, time once again to visit "Kitten Corner"...

I can be cute doing nothing at all.

The kids were a lot better yesterday...not near as much manic behavior, which wa fantastic.
Violet even curled up next to me last night. She didn't stay all night, but for a good while

I'm just a world-watching kinda cat.

Lord knows where Gallifrey went, but does take time to get his head rubbed, He's just so demonstrative.
She's the dainty one. Like I say, very unique "personalities".
*** Next up, lets do our daily check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...
Our furry twosome spent most of the day near the house.

Hang on...I'm getting there.

Midnight had to patrol for a bit, but was there for dinner.

Yes...I'm full. Feel free to pet me now.

Whiskers was nearby (she didn't wander far) and was there for all three meals.

I likes the food, water and affection I gets.

And with the fireworks crap finally winding down, they don't get agitated near as much as before.
That means a happy ending to the day, and we can all enjoy that.
*** Last back to the coffee table...stress is a nasty-ass thing. It WILL kill you.

It can also help educate you to be more vigilant in certain aspects of your life.
In today's world, there is NO way to completely eliminate stress...it's damn near everywhere.
And, when stress becomes that commonplace, it enters into the CHRONIC realm.
Chronic stress is a big part of PTSD, and that's why I firmly believe that people don't HAVE to be in a combat theater to suffer from this.
Police officers can develop it, firemen can have it, teachers can get it. Even factory workers, doctors, and airline pilots can have it. No one is immune...NO ONE.
Live long enough among the wrong people or in the wrong environment, and you might just develop PTSD in some small way.

Stress is caused (mostly) by EVENTS, and events are caused by PEOPLE, so, if we eliminate the "middle man", then PEOPLE cause stress, usually to others. You can also cause stress to yourself, but that's due to outside influences that trigger such reactions.

It's just part of life, but our management of stress is what we all need to focus on.
Sure, there are methods to minimize stress (that usually entail a peaceful setting). I prefer being among God's creation (wooded areas).

Ahh...that's much better.

But, any solution to stress involves being able to remove oneself FROM what is causing it.
There's the real trick. Easier said than done.
It's another case of what we allow is what will continue, and to many, the last thing they need is stress.
Trust me, I DO speak from experience on that one.

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