Monday Musings...

By this time next week, we should all be set for Christmas...right?
Whether we will enjoy a white Christmas is yet to be revealed.
Be nice to have some snow for the holidays. Just doesn't seem the same without it, does it?
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly sunny skies, and temps rising to around the low 40s once again. No precipitation to speak of, so we might actually see some DRY streets and roads for more than one day.

In the meantime, let's all shake the cobwebs out of our heads with a comforting beverage, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the entertainment center is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 17 -
---It's National Maple Syrup Day

(pancakes or waffles...such decisions for breakfast)
---It's Wright Brothers Day

(and American aviation began to soar)
*** Next, there was a very good Bob Rinearson column in the paper the other day. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/2018/12/15/the-necessity-of-making-father-christmas-a-reality/

He makes the point about having a more "complete" family around at this time of year.
We've come a long way since my era where 65% of children were being raised in what was thought of as a "traditional family", compared to a mere 22% today.
That should shock the crap out of everyone.
((The National Center for Fathering states, “According to 72.2 percent of the U.S. population, fatherlessness is the most significant family or social problem facing America.”)) 
AGREED. Can I get an "Amen"?
*** Next up,..this isn't another episode of Star Wars, but we could say there is "The Attack of the Drones"...lol. Here's the story:
https://www.aepnationalaccounts.com/info/news/viewRelease.aspx?releaseID=2807

Geez, that's ALL we need on the SE side - more targets for the a-holes to shoot at in their ramp up to the inevitable NEW YEAR'S EVE "festivities" of celebratory GUNFIRE!
Wonder how many FWPD officers I WON'T see in our area (again) this year?
*** Next, an update to the Regency Inn (homicide) death:
https://wpta21.com/news/2018/12/15/arrest-made-in-regency-inn-death-investigation/

Any bets that this will become our latest homicide (and maybe tie our current record number)?
*** Next up, could Vladimir Putin actually be making some SENSE (for a change)? Here's this story:
https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-says-russian-rap-music-is-need-taking-over-drugs-sex-protest-2018-12

Putin gives middle-finger salute to rap.

Well, he IS correct when he expresses concern that drugs lead to a degradation of a country...(he must watch a lot of American news...or have some associates in Chicago)
*** Next, it looks like Indiana has serious infant mortality problems. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20181216/infant-mortality-a-state-concern

Well, what can you expect when you have the "boyfriend of the week" shacking up with baby-mama in the government-sponsored housing supposedly baby-sitting her infant when he is himself nothing more than a man-child...?
((“If you go to bed at night and hear gun shots and wonder about the safety of your baby, that causes a lot of stress on a mother, which impacts pregnancy. Food insecurity, unsafe and unstable housing – it all matters.”))

News Flash - that kind of crap causes stress to EVERYBODY. And I speak from experience (guided by wisdom). We call it the SE side of our "king's realm".
Maybe we should file this story with the Department of the OBVIOUS?
*** Next up, Wifey and I had a busier-than-usual weekend, and by that I mean we had some very pleasant excursions.

Friday found us meeting Laurie and Chris up at BJ's for a luncheon, and we all had another very good time
First of all, let me say that I've never been there, so I didn't know what to expect. I was NOT disappointed. I knew I was going to have a great time when I gave up my seat (in the lobby) for a lady (close to my age - maybe older) who was waiting for her table (with 2 other friends). One of them thanked me and said "That's so sweet of your". Yes, CHIVALRY is NOT dead (yet) as long as I can draw breath
((...And in giving, you also receive.))
Service was quite good as was the food, and the camaraderie was stellar.
But, NONE of us took ANY pictures of the event..AUGH!
As usual, the time flew by and we had to bid farewell, but we will be getting together again this weekend....and I hear there WILL be cake...lol.

Yesterday was one of our treks out to Menards for things we need and things we wanted.
New gate hardware, appliance bulbs, cereal (huge boxes for cheap - love it), toothpaste,cat toys, cat calendars (two different ones), other odds and ends,  and batteries (AA and AAA). They were selling a brick of THIRTY for less ($6.99) than a 16 pack ($7.99)...had to get those.
You save a buck on each pack and get damn near twice the amount. Sweet!
Wifey got a cute Christmas cat sweater, too. I'm holding out for sweat socks...heh.
*** Next, time to drop by our "Kitten Corner"...

"Could I get a little help here?"

Our kids had a very good weekend, and although they are still curious about this (fake) tree in our family room, they haven't bothered with it (much).

"Don't look at me. I'm nodding off."

Then again, I have yet to decorate it with lights, tinsel and ornaments (that comes this week).
We're crossing our fingers after that.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Nothing like a good breakfast.

Our furry twosome (also the most photographed cats in Fort Wayne) spent a good part of the weekend close by our house, but Saturday, Midnight went MIA for a bit. He was there when we came back from grocery (and got treats for supervising), but was gone the rest of the day and even missed dinner (of all things).
Luckily, he did show back up and got a belated feeding.

Time for a stretch.

Yesterday, he was back on patrol while Whiskers hunkered down in a shelter.
You can tell when she comes out because she's got hay on her fur...that's cute.
*** Last back to the living room...you have to admit that there IS a certain comfort in having the family around at Christmas.

And I will be the first one to admit that it doesn't SEEM like Christmas without that.
Over the years, I've seen changes to my family as far as numbers (and empty chairs) go. The numbers in attendance get smaller, while the number of empty chairs rises.
Yet, we all take something away from the times when "everyone" was there, or at least we should.
Time passes, and loved ones, friends and relatives  leave our lives, but we should never stop remembering how it once was, because it's THOSE times that kept the magic of the holiday alive - the sense of family, and what that meant as we grew up.
It's up to those of us still around to keep that alive and pass it on to those who will follow.

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