Humpday Happenings...

So, when did August become April with all this showers gig, anyway?
Seems every day this week (so far) has had SOME amount of rain attached to it.
Add to this other severe meteorological activity in the Midwest (someone screwing with that damn HAARP array again?).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, temps rising to around 83 degrees, and yes, lots of humidity and that chance of rain follows us through the day into evening (maybe a thunderstorm tossed in the mix).
Take care driving, and watch for downed limbs and other stuff that could impede your travel.

How "aged" is this stuff?

Now, let's get that first (hopefully potent) drink of the day poured, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the storage shed is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals." 
Once again, we see that these words point to mankind as the cause of it's own situation.
And yes, that "R" word keeps coming back to haunt us - RESPONSIBNILITY.
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Kaiser Wilhelm University in Strasbourg...
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 8 -
---It's National CBD Day

(please...I'm sick of hearing about this crap)
---It's National Dollar Day

(amazing what you can no longer buy for a dollar, isn't it?)
---It's National frozen Custard Day

(now that looks tasty as all get out)
---It's National Happiness Happens Day

(sometimes, it actually DOES...on rare occasions)
---It's National Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor's Porch Day

(are...you...effin...serious...with...this...nonsense?)
*** Next up, Blackhawk hockey legend Stan Mikita passes away.

Here's the story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-spt-blackhawks-stan-mikita-20180807-story.html#
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Mikita

Sure, you might have not liked him beating your team back in the day, but you HAVE to admit that he was one helluva hockey player.
One of those guys you love to hate (because he was so damn good at what he did).
But, you don;t get to the Hall of Fame by having everyone love you, especially the opposition (who helped vote him in).
*** Next, an update on latest death investigation)
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/male-found-dead-early-saturday-morning/1346063222

Still holding at 29 homicides, I guess.
Wait a week or so. It'll change. It always seems to these days.
*** Next up, this is for all those driving Ford pickups out there...
https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/us-probes-ford-f-150-fires-possibly-caused-by-seat-belts/1351031093

Now THAT is gonna leave a mark.

Can that be? Can the Ford F-150 fires be caused by seatbelts?
Very little surprises me with all the electronic stuff in vehicles and how systems impact on one another.

That nasty side-saddle gas tank problem.

At least they're not blowing up when hit in the side (like the GM pickups once did).
*** Next up, from our "Department of How stupid Can You Get?" we bring you this gem:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38827330/authorities-man-fatally-shot-by-friend-playing-with-gun

The headlines says it all, doesn't it? Man shot by friend "playing" with gun dies.

First off, you don't "play" with a firearm any more than you play with say...a CHAINSAW.
Second, I'd seriously evaluate my circle of friends are and what they like to play with.
Social Darwinism strikes again, folks.
*** Next, a good column by Kevin Leininger talking about Christian white males. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/08/07/is-a-white-christian-male-allowed-to-talk-about-racism-without-apologizing-ill-do-it-anyway/

This calls out the whole Sarah Jeong online rant about and against white people, (which is easily dismissed by the lame-streamers as "clearly a joke"). The column also addresses how various websites handled this (if you can call it that).Yeah, just try doing the same thing to people of color (online) and see how well you sleep at night (with one eye open).
Kevin does a good job of calling out the way social media websites filter input.
And that's why you won;t see my on Facebook  or Twitter any time soon (make that probably never).
*** Next up...uh oh, another survey that does not bode well for our 4-footed friends.
Here's the link:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendly-cities/5562/
Fort Wayne is NOT a pet-friendly state?

What do you call THIS, then?

Wallethub is at it again...and the ranking says much.

We, here at the "Fortress" however buck the trend, and I'm sure my friend, Chris Martin up north feels and does likewise.
Maybe it's because of folks like US that Fort Wayne didn't rank LOWER...lol.
Still, it could be worse...some states didn't have ANY ranking.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"

Where did he go now?

Our kids were a little bothered by the thunderstorms that blew through.
You'd think with all the damn boom cars (and the last month full of fireworks), they'd be immune to such things, but no, they react  as any normal  "person" would...by being startled.

Hey...look UP here.

That's okay, it doesn't take away from their being cute, or from taking several naps each day.
*** Next up, let's do our daily check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Our furry twosome spent all day at the house, which actually surprised me. I expected Midnight to do his daily "patrol", but no, he was there every time I went outside to  be with them.
Whiskers spent much of the day just finding all the spots she likes to curl up and take a nap.
You'd think there could be territorial issues, but I think these two have been around each other for over a year now, and have grown familiar with one another and each other's habits. There isn't a fuss at all when it's time to get fed...no disputes or hierarchy that would promote aggression.
In other words, they must enjoy each other's company. That's fine. We enjoy their company as well..
*** Last back to the toolbox...I was thinking about Stan Mikita, and wondering "what makes someone great?".

That's a pretty loaded question, and I find it doesn't have just ONE answer.
Sure, someone can do something spectacular an become "great" in recognition of that achievement.
That's usually a "one-off" deal.
And then, there are those who excel at a chosen field of endeavor on a consistent basis, much like Mikita. They always show up, give their best, work well with others, and demonstrate an ability to tough things out to ensure that the TEAM does well.
We also have those for whom history denotes greatness, as in our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

History has proven that he WAS a great president,, although at the time when he was assassinated, he would have been considered a fairly decent president, but not as great as we view him today
Each of us has the opportunity to become "great" in our OWN ways, but that doesn't mean any of us will be in bold print headlines anytime soon.

It just means we exude similar values and principles of those we consider great...even when we're not aware of it.
I've had great parents, relatives, friends, great bosses, mentors and educators in my life, and I consider myself fortunate for having known these souls. And, I'll wager so have all of you.
And, as long as we never allow any greatness to go to our heads, we'll do just fine, won't we?

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