Friday Follies...

We end this week with the onset of more rain, but that won't be coming along until later in the day
The weekend doesn't look much like a sun-fest, so do plan your activities accordingly.
Just be happy we're not in Hawaii...with 20 inches of rain and mudslides (wonder how their active volcano is taking to all that?).
Our Hooiserland weather brings us increasingly cloudy skies, temps reaching to around 76 degrees, and yes, rain moves in by tonight.

Just don't drink from the fountain.

So, time to get that mug, glass or cup of Friday Fortitude poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the night stand is our 'What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 24 -
---It's National Maryland Day

(not a bad state to visit or drive through = VERY effective state police)
---It's National Peach Pie Day

(never a big fan of those)
---It's National Waffle Day

(now this I can get into)
*** Next up, and since the end of the week has arrived, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
AUGUST 25 -
---Saturday is National Banana Split Day

(we're talking dessert and not the kid's program characters)
---It's National Kiss and Make Up Day

(only if you did something that warrants it)
---It's National Park Service Founders Day

(and we do have some beautiful national parks)
---It's National Second Hand Wardrobe Day

(a very good way to recycle)
---It's National Whiskey Sour Day

(not a bad way to end any day)
AUGUST 26 -
---Sunday is National Cherry Popsicle Day

(still turning lips and tongues red)
---It's National Dog Day

(bet'cha Scrappy will like this)
---It's National Webmistress Day

(sounds a bit macabre and ominous, doesn't it?)
---It's National Women's Equality Day

(I've no problem with that, and never will)
And there you go...plenty of things to keep one out of trouble.
Just be sure to ALWAYS observe responsibly.
*** Next, as usual these days in Ft. Wayne, we start the weekend off with a "BANG!":
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38953603/two-critically-injured-in-friday-morning-shooting

This took place at The Rock bar, located in the 1900 block of Broadway (near Taylor and the Electric Works) around 0145 hrs this morning.
Two men were found suffering gunshot wounds and taken to hospital in serious condition. They've been downgraded to critical.

Police were able to get a description of a suspect in the shooting, 29-year-old Aaron Suggs. He was located in an adjacent parking lot and taken into custody. He was initially charged with two counts of aggravated battery.
*** Next up, from our "This can't be good" Department comes this from Kevin Leininger:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/08/23/looming-45-million-ask-from-electric-works-complicates-rural-areas-bid-for-4-25-million/

Lemme see...$45 MIL versus $4.5 MIL...hmm...
Electric Works versus Woodburn rural development.
This might be a case of not wanting to make mud pies for fear of getting one's hand a bit soiled.

That's what happens when you get too many pokers in the damn fire...doesn't it? Never enough moolah to spread around, and priorities can easily become "misplaced". Can some tax INCREASE be that far behind? I wonder.
*** Next, it would appear that Kroger plans to phase out plastic bags. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38945675/kroger-to-phase-out-plastic-bags-at-all-stores

This is both good news, bad news time for me.
Good news - I prefer paper to plastic. I can put more stuff in paper bags, which means fewer hauls from the car to the house.

Plus, I reuse the paper bags for our trash.
Bad news - I do like the plastic bags for policing the litter pans, and placing other wet items into the trash. And weren't we told a while back (decades perhaps) that the plastic used FOR the bags was supposed to be biodegradable? What happened to that deal? Someone change the formula or their minds on this?
Why can't plastic bags be recycled anyway? They could be made into plastic straws, and those straws could be made back into bags...
Circle of life kinda stuff...right? People need to start using that hat rack on top of their shoulders.
*** Next up,  here's a story that should bug the hell out of you:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38947342/health-officials-see-rise-in-number-of-mosquitoes-carrying-west-nile-virus

It seems that 25% of tested mosquitoes have west Nile virus in Allen County.
My question to that is: "How do I get JUST the ones that are NOT carrying that virus to bite me?" How about getting those overpaid biologists and scientists to start earning that degree by finding a permanent way to eradicate those mosquitoes? Personally, I can't think of any positive impact they have upon anything (except the companies that manufacture all the repellent stuff that rarely works).

Then again, which countries have the highest incidence of MALARIA on the planet? It sure ain't the USofA. Yeah, maybe those other places need to be looked at first.
*** Next, time to stop on by our "Kitten Corner"...

Time to watch the inside of the eyelids.

I had the back door screen open to let the cool air in, and the cats were loving that.
Plenty to see and sniff.
The remainder of the day was one of peaceful bliss, with neither one being manic at all.

I'll just lick her head while she's sleeping.

They've been taking turns with that new activity tent, and the glitter ball that was taken down by "Mr Destructo" was being batted about the house. She prefers to cozy up ON the tent rather than inside it. Go figure.
*** Next up, let's do our Friday check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...
Our furry twosome spent the day doing whet they do best.

Where did he go NOW?

He was on patrol in the late morning (missed his lunch again) and she was either napping among the plants or on the patio.
And, as the sun got low in the sky, I pulled out the treats bag and fed them.
I can get both of them to sit up now.

I'm back, and holding down the lawn

I have no idea what to tackle next, but I can assure you it's got NOTHING to do with credit cards and phones....LOL.
*** Last back to the laundry room...it would be nice to have more days with fewer problems.

Yes, I know problems can be the source of learning all too well, and yet, I'm sure we can all use a break from all the crap that comes at us on a daily basis.
We've allowed our technology to overwhelm us, and we're assaulted with a 24/7 news cycle. Add to that the social media blitz which never seems to let up, and you can wind up with a society that is nothing like you have ever experienced.
Somehow, I don't really see that as PROGRESS, and that's because we have also taken under our "care" the problems we'd like to avoid. We made them worse.
Now, if we ignore the problems with the thought they will all magically vanish,. we're fooling ourselves six ways from Sunday.
That never solves a single thing.
And, we can't devote ALL our time to fixing the things in life that require our attention, for that would burn us out real fast.
We have to find the "happy medium", and once in a while, there's not that much happy attached to it.
We do what needs to be done in the order of it's priority.
We must also take time for ourselves...to recharge, replenish and revitalize our minds and bodies.
After all, when we're not on our game, little if nothing gets done (or done right), does it?
Life is not a spectator sport, nor is it something we can hit cruise-control and meander through.

Life requires active participation, and that begins by getting right with our Creator..
A little bit of "God-time" goes a very long way.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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