Monday Musings...

Well, THAT was one wonderfully moist weekend, wasn't it?
(thank you, hurricane Gordon)
But, the rain is supposed to be ceasing by sometime this afternoon.
That'll give things a time to dry the hell out.
Our Hoosierland weather for today bring us cloudy skies with light rain for the first part of the day. Temps will rise to around 67 degrees (nice), and we might even see a wee bit of sunshine this afternoon.
(who knows, that might start a trend in the Midwest...lol)

Not from the fountain, Groot!

Now, let's get that coffee, tea, or whatever your pleasure might be poured, as we see what has been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the rain barrel is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
SEPTEMBER 10 -
---It's National Boss/Employee Exchange Day

(things might run as they should...for a DAY)
---It's National Swap Ideas Day

(I'm seeing a pattern here)
---It's National TV Dinner Day

That looks good enough to eat (even for breakfast).
*** Next,  here's a story and security photos of the 7 September Sunoco station robber suspect:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/police-looking-for-sunoco-gas-station-armed-robber/1425179464

Wow, he's black...who'da known that on the SE side of Ft. Wayne?

Robbery is still NOT considered "gainful employment", you mook. Get a real job.
Guess crime on the SOUTH side STILL pays (and often)
*** Next up, this was a story that makes you wonder if ANYONE out there knows what context means. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180907/money-an-issue-for-36-in-allen

Got more going OUT than coming io?

Allen county residents have money issues?
Okay, so first it was FOOD, and now it's MONEY?
Let's be honest...there are LOTS of us who have "money issues".
(make that damn near all of us, depending on circumstances)
Many are a few paychecks away from REAL problems, but that's been around for quite some time, and won't go away soon.
That's just part of life. BTW, money doesn't solve money problems.

How gov't views our money.

Personally. I'd LOVE to be wealthy beyond my wildest dreams, but that's not (apparently) in God's plan for me. Still, I wish He would provide the funding, so I could PROVE to him that all that money would NOT "spoil me"...lol.
Maybe if those in power wouldn't keep RAISING the "cost of living" (and the poverty level to the same degree), the numbers would more correctly reflect the TRUTH...just a thought.
*** Next, character actor Bill Daily passes away. Here's that story:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-bill-daily/actor-bill-daily-of-i-dream-of-jeannie-dead-at-91-idUSKCN1LO0K1
Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Daily

I will always remember the name Roger Healy, and with good reason...he was Tony Nelson's (Larry Hagman) fellow astronaut in I Dream of Jeannie.

And yes, he was also a costar on The Bob Newhart Show, and appeared on other sitcoms.
*** Next up, our yearly trek out to Eagle marsh for the Monarch Festival was pretty much what I expected, but the J-G has a story on it. Here it is:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180910/butterflies-draw-hundreds

We parked near those other cars top left

The story says they had more people show up that they had anticipated...I might agree there.
It is becoming a popular event, especially for children.

They did not have parking along Engle Rd like last year, however. We were parked on the grassy area alongside the barn (like 4 years ago). Driving that single lane access road was a chore (after I missed the entrance and doubled back).
ALL the trails were (as could be expected) flooded out very well...no wandering about looking for butterflies.
In fact, all the events were INSIDE the barn (which got crowded real fast), but the usual people were there with displays of the monarch life-cycle (some folks RAISE them), along with a couple vendors with home made wares and such.

About the only color around.

Wifey and I tried to walk one trail near the mini lake behind the barn, but were turned back by another flooded area.
At least it wasn't a total loss...

Wifey got a monarch pendant to go with her earrings and shirt (she got a couple more compliments on it again). I miss having the vendors set up along the access road and along Engle (where we COULD park last year).

After about an hour, we headed back home, and for the brief time we spent there, it was good to be out and see some of God's beauty, even if it lacked the color we've come to expect. And the best part...our house was STILL there when we got back...LOL.
*** Next, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

Violet has her own "monarch festival".

The kids had a pretty good weekend, considering they were INSIDE all the time.
They don't know how fortunate they are to NOT have to deal with the elements and the dangers that outdoor cats have to face.

Gallifrey on his favorite (and only) perch.

I guess we can overlook a little manic behavior now and then, right?
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

I know when it's time to eat, it will rain again.

Our furry twosome had a wet weekend, and with very few exceptions, were fed UNDER the patio table. With the days getting shorter, I have to feed them a bit later (so I can get pictures), and when last call for treats comes around, it's earlier (well before 8 PM).
They both stayed close by and Midnight, in spite of his patrols, made all the meals (maybe one late lunch), while Whiskers was there for every meal.

Hey, it stopped raining for a minute!

She took to the shelter, while he was someplace else keeping dry. Neither of them were soaked, and that's always good to see.
*** Last back to the umbrella store...going out to places like Eagle Marsh tells me a lot about people.

It tells me that folks HERE in Indiana are good people (for the most part).
You see, we don't have that where we live any longer, and that's a pretty sad commentary on our society.
Those we meet almost every place else are decent people...the kind you WANT to live near you...the kind you USED to have living near you.
 So, it does a get a bit depressing to have to return home, knowing that what you will find around your house are not the same as those you met a short time earlier. And you can tell when you get close to home how things change...you can feel it.
It's like someone turns off the "civility" switch and you're thrust back into a maelstrom of disrespect and ignorance.
I know WE haven't changed...We're still the same people we've always been, so it's those around us who have changed.

Solved that money problem, didn't we?

Actually, they're the same THEY'VE always been...they just have gotten used to acting they way they do.
And that's the thing, How you're brought up has SO much to do with how you interact with others...(or not).
It's like I said last week...when you do something long enough, it becomes familiar to you...good OR bad.
Helluva lesson to learn there, but one that can have far-reaching consequences, right?

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