Thoughts for Thursday...

Yes, it's a brand new day...that will seem JUST like yesterday, and possibly the day before that.
Seems we're in another one of those "ruts" when it comes to Indiana weather.
The next several days look to be close copies of the last few...can we stand the strain?
Our Hoosierland weather for TODAY brings us sunshine early on, and some rain coming back around by late this afternoon.
The high will top out around 84 degrees, but you can bet on plenty of humidity (as usual).

So, let's sit back, take this all in, and get ourselves that refreshing first drink, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the computer room is the answer toi yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"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." 
This was spoken by someone I've featured here a couple time, one Albert Schweitzer (14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965) who was a French-German theologian, organist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician. And here is his WIKI, if you missed it before:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Schweitzer
You have to say he was one BUSY individual...one might consider him a "Renaissance Man".
Now, while his views on the Bible are something I personally don't subscribe to, he looks upon it more from a "historical" point of view, and yet, we read things about him like this:
((Schweitzer considered his work as a medical missionary in Africa to be his response to Jesus' call to become "fishers of men" .))
I will say that his views on colonialism make sense.
((Our culture divides people into two classes: civilized men, a title bestowed on the persons who do the classifying; and others, who have only the human form, who may perish or go to the dogs for all the 'civilized men' care.))
He was speaking about what he saw in Africa, but one can also say that this can easily apply to modern day big cities.
((The laying down of the commandment to not kill and to not damage is one of the greatest events in the spiritual history of mankind. ))

He obviously took what God had said (to Moses) to heart
It's a good read and worth a few minutes of your time.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, bob?" feature:
AUGUST 9 -
---It's National Book Lover's Day

(unless the type font is too damn small for my aging eyes...ARGH!)
It's National Rice Pudding Day

(gotta postpone this until the weekend - I'm fresh out at the moment)
---It's National VEEP Day

(and we need this WHY, exactly?)
*** Next, a road rage incident within the city limits of Fort Wayne might be bringing us HOMICIDE # 30 for the year. Here's the 411:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180809/man-beaten-to-death-in-rush-hour

So, now we have people coming up to your car and beating you so bad, you die later on at hospital?
This took place (yesterday) around 1730 hrs on eastbound U.S. 30 at the U.S. 33 interchange.
Well, it wasn't on the SE side, but it's still a homicide.

Any bets we can still make a run at another record number by year's end?
*** Next up, Memorial Coliseum jacks up it's parking  rates AGAIN? Here's the lowdown:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/08/08/parking-rates-at-the-memorial-coliseum-will-increase-for-the-first-time-since-2013/

More $$$ coming from your pockets.

Guess all those taxes to pay for things like the parking lot are like every other tax...they NEVER go away (add in the food and beverage tax)
Well, we DID go a whole FIVE years since the last price hike, didn't we?
Those utility costs keep rising (tell me about that), so it's little wonder that this "trickle up" effect will take place on a "regular" basis in the future.
*** Next, is Red River headed for the last roundup? Let's find out.
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180808/jehl-breach-in-garbage-contract

We've only had TWO missed pickups since RR took over this year (which were taken care of the following day).
Why the complaining areas have not had pickups for a WEEK baffles the hell out of me.
The one thing I would point out, is that the TIMES they come by have varied widely each week.
If you have a SPECIFIC route, the TIME you cover that routs SHOULD be consistent.
*** Next up, they now call the BIG DIG machine "MaMaJo" (as I thought they would).
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180808/city-provides-glimpse-of-sewer-project

Actually it SHOULD have been named something "better"...LOL.

Just reverse the name. Still refers to our 3 rivers, does it not?
(but it's not digging deep on the SE side, so forget I even mentioned that.)
*** Next, time to visit our "Kitten Corner"...

Hey, guess what? It's not raining right now.

The kids did fine even when the rain started. They tend to find a spot where the thunder doesn't bother them. Good luck with that. Such sounds does travel THROUGH walls.

I don't care. I got my grocery bag to play with.

But, they're not scared to the point where they hide and you can't find them.
They know I'm home, and that I'm only a room or so away, if they want to cozy up.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Curled up in a flower bed.

Our furry twosome spent another day (all day, in fact) near the house, and even when it rained, both of them managed to find places where they could remain dry.
It's good to see them around as much as they are. After a year, it never gets old having them there in the morning waiting for their eats.

Just making sure YOU are safe in there.

And, it's good to see them still there after it gets dark with Whiskers on the patio and Midnight on the top back step, keeping watch.
Sure beats fending for oneself and scavenging for food, that's for sure.
Imagine that...the NICEST ones in our neighborhood have FOUR legs!
*** Last back to the family room...there are times when I swear we're losing touch with our own humanity. The truth is all over the place.

You can't pick up a paper or watch the news without seeing the overwhelming evidence that we are.
And, it's not just in the global arena...here at home, it seems to get worse by the week.
When you get out of a car and beat someone (to death), you have to ask is any of this crap REALLY worth the hassle?
Sure, there are PLENTY of times (almost daily) when I just want to cap the hell out of some (read most) of the "locals", but I don't (yet, anyway...heh).
We ALL have the ability to become the very same evil we detest, and yet we consciously choose to not give into that.
We know we're better than those who resort to animalistic behavior, bent on destruction and carnage.
Yet, we DO have some who feel it's perfectly within their purview to carry out atrocities upon their fellow man.
There needs to be a revival...an awakening of sorts to get us ALL to return to a more ethical way of living one with another.
If we spread the "light" around with purpose, then the darkness will be dispelled...it's that simple.
But, as always, it starts with the right CHOICE on our part, doesn't it?

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