Weekend Roundup...
Here we are, already THREE days into June.
(geez)
And we've got a rather full platter to whet your appetite today.
Some of it is actually pretty decent...some, not so much.
Tell 'ya what...let's get all the "not so much" out of the way first, hmm?
And hang on tight...we might pull a few G's along the way. And be sure that your seat IS in the upright position.
First up, all the low down on the down low starting with an update to yesterday's story:
*** (( Published: June 3, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Homicide victim found shot dead near sidewalk
Archie Ingersoll / The Journal Gazette
A 19-year-old man was found shot to death early Thursday near an intersection in south Fort Wayne, city police said.
The body of Dreshawn Lamond Cooper of Fort Wayne was discovered about 1:30 a.m. lying in the grass near a sidewalk by Oliver and Greene streets, police spokesman John Chambers said.
After responding to a report of a man down, police officers and paramedics found Cooper. He died at the scene, police said.
The slaying occurred not far from Bunche Elementary, 1111 Greene St., north of East Creighton Avenue and west of South Anthony Boulevard.
Chambers said he did not have information on a possible motive in the shooting. The shooting occurred near the intersection, the Allen County Coroner’s Office said in a written statement.Cooper’s death is the county’s 10th homicide in 2011, the coroner’s office said.
All have occurred in the city.
No arrests have been made. ))
These people don't need a stinking MOTIVE to shoot anyone down here...just an illegally-acquired gun, a few rounds, some cheap-ass booze recently purchased, a POS vehicle to tool around in, and LOTS of time on their primate hands...that's about it!
Looks like we're still on track to hit that MAGIC number of 25 homicides (for your betting pools at work or home)...if human nature in our ghettohood is ANY indication. I can predict as much whenever the weather breaks...wish others with more authority could.
And then, there's THIS:
(( Shooting injures one person
Updated: Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 7:19 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 7:19 PM EDT
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Police say a young male was injured after a shooting Thursday evening.
Officials on the scene say a young male was riding his moped in the 3800 block of South Park Drive.
(I woulda wrote a citation for that Stratus parked the WRONG way as well)
A burgundy mid-size sedan drove by and fired at least one shot, hitting him in the back.He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
No other information has been released at this time. ))
Wow...apparently, now it's NOT even safe to ride your moped along the streets of the (...all together, gang...) SOUTHEAST SIDE... (thank you for your participation) of Fort Wayne these days, even when it's still LIGHT out.
But remember, these are ALL "good" neighborhoods...nothing like this EVER occurs...
(( *ROLLS EYES* ))
...Right, and I'm also the bloody POPE!
(and every single murderer in this part of town are ALL "good boys".)
Luckily, all of YOU already know what this part of town is like (and what's it's been like over the years) thanks to my chronicles here.
Be nice if those that CAN (and should) do something about this...WOULD, hmm?
And that's why whenever I go out to mow our lawns or do other work about the exterior of our "Fortress"...I am packing heat.
I don't ever plan to be caught with my pants down...that's best left to all the SEX OFFENDERS we (still) have living around us down here.
There USED to be a time, not so long ago, when we had a LOT LESS of this sort of crap going on...and with a lot less frequency to boot.
We USED to have a FWPD sub-station in Southgate Plaza.
We USED to have FWPD cruisers patrol our ALLEYS, too. And we USED to have a LOT FEWER RENTALS on the streets.
Curiously enough, during those times past, we also USED to have a LOT FEWER BLACKS and HISPANICS in the immediate area.
(How did Neil Diamond put it? "But used-to-be's don't count anymore...they just lay on the floor 'til we sweep them away"...seems to apply here)
Now, I'm not saying THEY are the "direct" cause of the degradation of this area, but there IS a connection with them...has to be.
I would hate to think that (normal) blacks and Hispanics tend to GRAVITATE to blighted areas and PREFER to live in areas that have RISING crime and more violent crime. That goes against logic as well as human nature...UNLESS "they" ARE part of the reason things go down the crapper.
('cause they don't appear to be part of ANY solution, that's a given)
I've been here watching this happen, so I know what's been transpiring these past 13+ years.
And I've keep a record of the events that have occurred...just in case, and also for anyone's reference.
Sometimes, I think it all well and good that you have those "voices crying in the wilderness", so to speak...
Someone has got to take a stand and speak the truth.
And even if out of every hundred people who hear this, only ONE OTHER PERSON gets the message, it's worth it.
You have to have FAITH that it does...and will.
Many days, that's about all you have to run on...but it works.
Now, moving along to some of the GOOD stuff...
*** Our garden is finally starting to come back to life.
Mr. Bunny is a regular "customer", and stops by almost every morning for his "goods", as do the various birds and a few squirrels.
But the really COOL news is that YESTERDAY, we saw OUR first HUMMINGBIRD of the season at the feeder!
(borrowed picture - wish I could get THAT close)
Considering that the migratory pattern (from Mexico) is such that they've been around Indiana since 12 May (according to the migration viewing charts), I'm kinda feeling a little privileged to see these little guys at last. I didn't know they come up here THAT early.
But, it's good to know that ONE of them found the feeder here, and will probably not be the last one we see this season.
And then, there is always the "community wading pool" , which is SUPPOSED to be a water dish ...the starlings love it...LOL.
Next, our PEONIES are starting to bloom.
These buggers are better than softball-sized, and they're about the ONLY flowering plant we have that has a fragrance in our garden / patio / backyard!
And what a fragrance it IS...almost makes you feel as if the place you live is NOT in a blighted part of the city.
Hey, you take your contentment wherever you can grab it these days around here.
Our rose bushes have also begun blooming, so their aroma will be mingling with the peonies soon enough.
Toss in some wild jasmine and honeysuckle, and you don't even smell the rentals or the vermin infesting them.
Then, we have the lavenders and sage...more good smells, along with some Greek oregano.
Yeah, now THAT is the kind of "sensory-overload" I can get on board with in a heartbeat!
It really makes outdoor chores like painting window frames, sills and the like worthwhile.
And when we get a few nice days in a row, that's exactly what I'll be doing...painting.
No one ever said that houses were self-maintaining...right?
And these "stand-alones" require more TLC than a Philly row home, that's for sure.
But, I'm learning...always a good thing.
The best part comes when it's some lazy summer morning...
The sun has risen, but remains low in the sky..perhaps a slight breeze blowing...just enough to move the leaves on the overhanging tree limbs.
The only sounds you hear are songbirds, and the rustling of the trees.
And the smells are nothing but nice all around....freshly mown grass...the cleaner aspect to greenery about you...nothing "man-made".
You pull out a chair from the patio set, sit yourself down, lean back and take it all in.
And for a brief time, you lightly shut your eyes and process that which is all around you...
You breathe deeply, and let it out slowly...
And you feel young again...vital and alive.
Like I say...you take your contentment wherever and whenever you can...for there are those that can't fathom such basic things from nature...or God.
And because of THEIR lack of appreciation for these things, and lack of foresight, intellect, and wisdom...they rarely if ever will.
That's sad that people can't enjoy the subtle things...the overlooked things in life. But for the moment...YOU can revel in it...and only wish they will someday.
Okay...enough with the spirituality & philosophical tangent today.
(was kinda fun, though)
We're in for some warmer weather, so keep the A/C tuned up and rarin' to go.
Take a few minutes to remember that we still have those in need across our fruited plain because of nature's fury.
Take a few more to remember our troops here and abroad, as well as our public safety personnel that put out the fires and put down the perps.
And be sure to take a few moments for...YOURSELVES, that you may view the wonders around you.
Have a great weekend, gang.
We'll see you on the flip-side.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and, as always...
Stay safe out there, America.