Friday Follies...

Had ourselves a decent soaking yesterday, didn't we?
That's sure to make things grow. Got me some small tomatoes turning red (finally).
And we're not quite finished with the rain...not yet.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, temps climbing to around 81 degrees and a good chance of some leftover showers through the day, with PLENTY of humidity sticking (no pun intended) around. Take the umbrella and drive accordingly.

Let's make our ancestors proud.

Now, what say we all get that cup, glass or mug of Friday Fortitude poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on...hmm?
*** First off of the saturated lawn is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 17 -
---It's Black Cat Appreciation Day

(I didn't know that "Midnight" was moonlighting as a model)
---It's National Love My Feet Day

(well, they do get me around well enough)
---It's National Non Profit Day

(that's kinda like our family...lol)
---It's National Thrift Shop Day
(the ultimate recycling)
---It's National Massachusetts Day

(remember when the lights all went down there?)
*** Next, and since the end of the week has arrived, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours:
AUGUST 18 - 
---Saturday is National Fajita Day

(I think I'll have burritos instead)
---It's National Ice Cream pie Day

(isn't that a lot like an ice cream cake?)
---It's National Mail Order Catalog Day

(I miss those phone book thick ones from the major stores we once had)
---It's also World Honey Bee Day...if you're interested.

(I'm gonna pass on those)
AUGUST 19 -
---Sunday is National Aviation Day

(a good day to just go PLANE crazy...lol)
---It's National Soft Ice Cream Day

(ahh, now we're talking here)
---It's also International Bow Day

(don't really care about that)
*** Next, singing icon Aretha Franklin passed away.Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38898596/queen-of-soul-aretha-franklin-has-died

And, here is her WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
I was never a big fan of hers, although some of her songs I really did enjoy (mostly her earlier tunes).

And of course RESPECT was a favorite, simply because those who need to SHOW some never seem to do that, but EXPECT it from others.
Loads of irony attached to that number.
*** Next up, another robbery at the Bluffton Rd Subway/Shell station.
Here's the lowdown:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/man-on-the-loose-after-robbing-gas-station-and-motel/1376703322
This took place around 1810 hrs in the 4900 block of Bluffton Rd.

I will bet you good money that the perp was black. The last time this place was hit was by two black men (in that minvan).
And the Winchester Woods Apts are right close by (full of government-sponsired people) Try looking there, first.
*** Next, a man is shot and then struck by a vehicle on the east side.

Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180817/man-shot-hit-by-car-in-parking-lot
This took place around 1315 hrs at the Coliseum Inn Motel located at 1020 N. Coliseum Blvd.

Apparently, a fight broke out, shots were fired and the man was struck by a car trying to flee the scene.He is in hospital in fair condition. No arrests have been made
*** Next up, we have a dumbass shooting at people along Main St. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180817/pellet-gun-blamed-for-2-hurt-on-main

((Around 7 p.m. Tuesday, a man standing outside Henry's bar fell after he was hit in the head. Police found a metal piece resembling a pellet near the scene, according to a police report.
On Aug. 9, a pellet struck a woman around 6 p.m. in front of the SCAN office at West Main and Fairfield Avenue. Police found her bleeding heavily from the bridge area of her nose and inside her nose. She was taken to the hospital by her sister.))

Wifey and I talked about this after the Henry's Restaurant incident, and I said that it was most likely done from someplace high but near enough to effect injury to people on the ground.
Lo, and behold, the WestBerry Apt building (a block south) fits the bill perfectly.
Witnesses to the two incidents say they saw juveniles in a 10th floor window on the north side of the apartment building. BINGO!
Most likely a pellet rifle was used, as that would achieve the desired velocity and accuracy of the projectile.
A pellet pistol would lack the accuracy at that range.

The major difference between BB weapons and pellet weapons, is that a pellet pistol or rifle has a barrel with rifling, which puts a spin on the pellet (like a real firearm), adding to speed and accuracy.
A BB pistol or rifle has a smooth bore barrel. Here's a story/video from WPTA showing a demo of a .177 caliber pneumatic pellet rifle.
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38904173/update-police-say-man-shot-by-pellet-gun-not-only-victim-in-fort-wayne
And now you know a lot more than most..
Let's hope these punks are caught and soon...and then prosecuted out the ass.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids were trying to not let the sound of the rain bother them, and that wa achieved through the power of...(wait for it)...napping!
I have to agree that the sound of rain is soothing. Makes me drowsy hearing it.

Violet and Gallifrey did have a good time even after the naps, because it was feeding time...or play time.
And then there's "cozy up the the humans" time, where they both get plenty of affection
*** Next up, let's do our final check in for the week with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

"Hey, it's dry under HERE, too."

Our furry (and not too damp) twosome spent a good part of the day near the house. Well, Whiskers did anyway.

"I think she might be on to something."

Midnight had to go on patrol (late for another lunch), but he was back for dinner, and yes, we did get the hand held treats time in before it started to rain (again). A few droplets doesn;t deter these two from the treats, I can tell you.
*** We also got a very nice photo of "Boots" from Animal Care and Control.
I requested a picture as a way to remember this little guy.

It saddens me that he couldn't get the same chance as other cats get to have a long life, but I believe that there is a special part of heaven that just received another angel.
*** Last back to the outhouse...Glenn Beck had a good tribute to our own Charly Butcher, and there's a nice obit in today's J'G.
Beck stated that Charly "was he type of person I'd like to be", and when all is said and done, and we take our final bow in this life, that's a really wonderful legacy.
In fact, each of our lives is about just that...legacy. What we leave behind.
It's not about things, as they can be replaced. It is about people, however.
It's about the effect we have upon others, and how THEIR lives are subsequently affected by every one of us.
The thing is, did we live a life in such a way that others might one day say "He/she was a good person", (and they honesty were) or maybe "He/she always tried to do what was right." Again, we call upon ourselves to (hopefully) make as many of the right choices in our life, and not just for ourselves, but for others around us.

Life is difficult, and yet wondrous., It is challenging and yet fulfilling, and it consists of every emotion we are capable of feeling.
We gain much in our lives; this journey we find ourselves traveling, and yet we lose almost as much as we have gained.

In the end, we trust that we'll have more in the plus column than in the minus one, but that's really not for us to tally.
It's for all those we leave behind to do, as a testimony as to how well we lived.
Therein lies the lesson for today, my friends.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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