Monday Musings...

Here we go again...another week of whatever is coming our way. May your ride over the next 5 days not have any potholes, ruts or other "diversions"  that would keep you from enjoying life itself.
Yeah, I know it's August, and the heat is part of the "package", but c'mon now...ease up with the hazy, hot, and humid stuff. I'd like to give the central A/C (and our electric bill) a break!
Our Hoosierland weather today brings us party to mostly cloudy skies, temps rising back up to around 88 degrees, a fair amount of humidity, and perhaps a chance of showers by nightfall.
Just be happy in the knowledge that we're not suffering earthquakes, wildfires or floods.

Now, let's partake in a refreshing beverage as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the sauna is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 6 -
---It's National Fresh Breath Day

(sorry, I'm not gargling with PINE SOL or LEMON PLEDGE...!)
---It's National Root Beer Float Day

(well, I got root beer, and vanilla ice cream..could work)
---It;s National Wiggle Your Toes Day

(where's the outrage from the paraplegics and amputee victims?)
*** Oh, and BTW...today back in 1945, the USAAF dropped the first atomic bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima, Japan.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima

(And our world has not been the same since.)
*** Next up,  Chicago shootings leave dozens dead and wounded over this past weekend.
Here's the lowdown:
https://wgntv.com/2018/07/22/weekend-violence-leaves-6-dead-22-wounded-in-chicago/

I think the totals are ELEVEN dead and SEVENTY FOUR wounded (at last count).
Lemme get this straight...people there think there's a GUN problem?
No, no, no...you folks there have a damn GANG problem...period!

Get THAT crap squared away, and I guarantee any "gun problem" you have will drop correspondingly.
Get your stinking priorities STRAIGHT, people.
*** Next, the FWPD is investigating another death. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38811861/fort-wayne-police-working-a-death-investigation

This took place around 3:10 a.m. when FWPD and medics responded to the 2100 block of Thompson Av.
A black man in his 20's to 30's was unresponsive and when transported to hospital was pronounced dead. Police aren't sure if he died due to a medical condition, or if his death was the result of a criminal act.  The coroner will determine that, but we could be looking at #30 in the homicide column.
*** Next up, there are some folks out there that believe that school starts too early.
Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38807120/health-officials-school-starts-too-early

It has to do with the time of DAY, and not the time of year (unfortunately).
And, in many cases, the times ARE too early. We started by 8 AM (elementary) and regular classes in high school started at 8:15 AM. The exception was if you were in choir, band, ro sports, then you "could" start as early as 7 AM.
This study might be able to gain some traction, if they pursue it long enough.
And while they're at it, let's start back to school AFTER Labor Day (like when we went to school), and end the school year in late June (again, like we once did). Just  thought.
*** Next up, some WW2 warbirds of the Collings Foundation "Wings of Freedom" tour are in FTW for 3 days.
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180803/world-war-ii-airplanes-coming-to-town-on-tour

Tour dates and times:
https://www.collingsfoundation.org/event/fort-wayne-in-fort-wayne-international-airport-fwa/

Fifteen bucks admission to tour the aircraft...gonna have to pass on this.

Too hot out to enjoy them. The money doesn't bug  me, as these planes cost a lot to maintain and operate.

(actually more than they did when they were brand spanking new).
*** Next, a brief tale about our visit to the BMV Saturday...

Wifey and I headed out to Bluffton Rd  before we went grocery shopping, and to be honest, I had NO idea what to expect. I had not needed to show up at a BMV center for like 12 years, but it was (again) time to do so.
The new location is way better than the one that used to be at Southgate (fewer dubious people), and it's staffed entirely by women.
We got out "number" (7) and soon found out there was a screwup and were given a NEW number (16)...could have been worse.
Anyway, we (I) got called and went  up to say I was here to renew my driver's license.

No, this guy wasn't there.

Took the eye "test" (didn't fail) and was asked the typical questions - any felony arrests? Any conditions that would prevent you from driving? Taking any medications that could impede driving?

Didn't see any of this either.

Must have passed those, because I have to sign about SEVEN different places on a couple forms and fork over $17 (and change).
Then I got my "mug shot" and was issued a copy of that and a receipt. We were out of there within 45 minutes. The black woman who served us was efficient, well-spoken and the entire experience was a pretty good one.

Sometimes, it's not ACTUALLY "driving".

So, within ten days, I will get my (new) license and be good for another 6 years (when I can again renew inline).
Look out you idiots...I'm still legal!
*** Next up, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids had a good weekend, with a few exceptions for chasing each other around.

And we give thanks when they tucker each other out.
We did have some laser play time and naturally all the napping that could be had,

I can see Daddy out there.

And they spent some time watching things transpire outside, not that there was all that much to view. It wasn't bad by any means.
*** Next, let's check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Our furry twosome also had a good weekend...when they were here. Midnight did his daily patrols, and missed a lunch, but was back here for dinner and treats. Whiskers prefers to stay a bit closer, except when she gets the wanderlust and missed a midday meal.

One of Daddy's kinda noisy tools.

I did have my supervisory "staff" close by when I mowed the side lawn yesterday.

Looking good so far

Guess they want to see how much steam the old man still has...lol.

Seems okay from where I'm at, too.

I did take a break, but got it done in a half hour, and the cats seem to approve.

And yes, that other cat (now named "Tuxedo") still comes around and I have to chase it away.
I think it might be eating any food our community cats leave behind.
I just don't want to be THE cat haven for this part of the region.
*** Last back to the tanning salon...There is a huge problem in many major cities these days.

And we could look to Chicago as the "poster child" of those problems.
Years of democrat rule, programs to lift people FROM poverty, that only serve to KEEP them there, from a generational standpoint, a police force that has it's hands tied due to legalese PCBS, and an overwhelming number of criminal gangs all serve to bring that city to the brink of disaster.
Gee, kinda sounds like Detroit, and we all know how "well" that city fared with IT'S problems, don;t we?
People are the problem...they always are and always will be, as they have been since the beginning.
No amount of technology can change that; it can just make us more AWARE of it and describe it in greater detail.
We really need to stop catering to the liberal agenda, because after decades of allowing it to flourish, the net result is a more chaotic society than we used to have, and that's going to work out for everyone in the end.
But, you don't have to tell those who already know this to be fact.
And, you can't tell the victims of all the crime who have died along the way...they're not listening.
You need to tell those who have labored under the pretense of right and have been doing wrong all this time.
THEY are the ones that have to hear what needs to be said when it comes to charting the right course for this nation.
The time has come for the truth to surface

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