Thoughts For Thursday...

It looks like parents in our area are starting to feel a bit more at ease...with the advent of another school year beginning.
And by "our area", I am referring to places AROUND Ft. Wayne, and not OUR immediate locale
Where we live, seems whoever (or whatever) is taking care of the kids doesn't give that much of a rip what happens, except when it comes to free stuff.
Then, they line up around the block. But, I digress...
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly sunny skies, temps climbing to about 85 degrees, and maybe a slight chance of rain during the overnight hours.

Now, that should be a sufficient reason to go get that refreshing beverage to start the day, as we all see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the driveway is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish."

This was spoken by another "newbie" here, one Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) who was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin

Now we all know the ACTOR part of his life, but the history of his upbringing is the type of thing that makes a very strong case for being able to achieve despite hardship and manage to go (literally) from rags to riches.
And those workhouses we read about in Dickens comes to light here, as Chaplin was sent there twice in his youth.
Chaplin's rise to stardom was one that found him "taking the long way around".
Mack Sennet (at Keystone Studios) was perhaps the biggest break Charlie had. Sennet was one who noticed talent, especially of the comedic variety, and it was there that Chaplin honed his skills.
The rest, as they say...is history.

It's a very good read, and shows that even when (what we would call) overwhelming hardships come along, a sense of humor CAN be your best friend and can even take you from poverty to one of the highest paid people in the world ( by the age of 26).
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 2 -
---It's National Coloring Book Day

(remember to stay INSIDE the lines)
---It's national Ice Cream Sandwich Day

(yes, they work for breakfast, too)
*** Next, an update to our latest homicide. Here'e the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180802/college-student-idd-in-slaying

Kiara Danielle Murphy, was a 22-year-old woman from the Chicago area who was a student at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
We now have 29 confirmed homicides for the year.
A college student who could afford a house?
Something about this just does not feel right
*** Next up, another facet to what I'm calling "The Great Straw Debate". Here's that story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38786773/how-does-eliminating-plastic-straws-impact-people-with-disabilities

I suppose no one ever thought about those with disabilities who get their nourishment THROUGH a straw, did they?
And, I can envision hospitals charging sinfully high prices for straws (for patients).
This is the kind of result that always takes place when people start jerking their knees in some stupid-ass hope that "they" will save our planet. My concern is WHY isn't this stuff being recycled? That would end this debate once and for all.
(and we could keep using plastic straws, if we wanted to)
*** Next, time to swing by our "Kitten Corner"...

Chatting with Midnight.

The kids got into one of their chase-abouts yesterday. And it wasn't Gallifrey instigating it. Violet was chasing HIM around.

"Who iz he lookin' at?"

She's supposed to be the "lady", or so I thought. Guess she's a bit of a bruiser...lol.
At least they both calm down and take things easier, so we can overlook the craziness...this time.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

A covert-op on our hill

Some sack time between the showers

Our furry twosome spent a good part of the day close by, because we didn't know when the rain would start...or stop.

After meal yoga workout.

That kept ALL of us guessing, especially when it cam time to get fed.

Waiting for those treats later on.

Fortunately, things went well.
But we did have another visitor - Mr. Possum came by to make sure all the food was eaten.

Stop trying to make me think you're a cart.

I chased him up a tree and hopefully, he'll take the hint that this is strictly a FELINE-dining area.
Besides, I've got my hands full with our duo...don't need any more of anything coming around for grub.
*** Last back to the garage...I got an email from Animal Care and Control, saying that "Boots" was having some blood work done.

I do think that we might have saved this little cat's life. Hopefully, they can get it healthy again. I'd really like to see the cat become adoptable, because it was so friendly. At worst, it will become another community cat, so thing may work out after all.
It would be nice to see OUR own problems handled as easily.

One would surmise that because we have an evolved LANGUAGE, our task would be much easier, but now, it's rather the reverse.
We use that language to misinterpret our feelings, bring down the credibility of others, make ourselves seem more important than we are, or otherwise demean, denigrate, and defame one another...and to what end?
The days of honest debate, dialogue, or discourse seem to be slipping through our fingers like sand on a beach.
Knowledge is still power and words still have meaning. Yet, we have taken to banning words, or labeling them as hate speech.

I suppose the next step will be creating the Thought Police (sounds Orwellianas all hell).
Again, what words we utter come out of our mouths by...CHOICE.
Our language is there to make our feelings known, but we must remember to temper our feelings and not allow them to run our lives.
You'd think after ALL this time, we'd be more able to figure such a concept out, right?

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