Friday Follies...

Here we are again...end of another week. And, it's the end of April (well, tomorrow is).
Not a bad day yesterday, with some off and on rain.
(wasn't quite enough to deter all the boomcar idiots, however).
The Hoosierland weather for today will be a close match to the previous day, with temps reaching to around 58 degrees, mostly cloudy skies (maybe some sun peeking through later on), slight breezes and a chance of some rain passing through.
Now, what say we give this month a proper send-off as we get ourselves a nice cup of Friday Fortitude poured and see what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the corral is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
April 29 -
---Today is NATIONAL PEACE ROSE DAY

(A rose by any other name, I guess)
---It's also NATIONAL SHRIMP SCAMPI DAY

(sign me the hell up for THIS one)
---It's NATIONAL ZIPPER DAY

(where would we be WITHOUT them?)
---And, it's NATIONAL ARBOR DAY

(go plant a tree, just don't hug it)
---It's also NATIONAL HAIRBALL AWARENESS DAY

(with a cat, you're ALWAYS "aware" of them, trust me)
---And, it's NATIONAL TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY

(Lord knows after the LAST 8 years, they're gonna NEED to)
*** And since, it's the weekend, we just HAVE to know what will be taking place over those 48 hours, right?
April 30 -
(now I have to warn you...it looks like someone had to cram everything into the LAST day of this month)
---It's NATIONAL POOL OPENING DAY

(this has nothing to do with Adult Swim)
---It's NATIONAL MILITARY BRATS DAY

(that's BRATS and not "brats", so put the barbecue grill back)
---It's NATIONAL PREPAREATHON DAY

(sounds like a "newby" to me - one should always try to be prepared)
---And, it's NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER PET DAY

(Better than all those roaming about our streets)
---It's also NATIONAL BUGS BUNNY DAY

(What's up with that, Doc?)
---It's NATIONAL HAIRSTYLIST APPRECIATION DAY

(sorry, been doing my own for decades)
---And, it's NATIONAL HONESTY DAY

(the TRAIT and not the Billy Joel song, that is)
---It's NATIONAL KISS OF HOPE DAY

(sure better than the kiss of death)
---It's also NATIONAL OATMEAL COOKIE DAY

(pass me some cold milk)
---And, it's NATIONAL RAISIN DAY

(a good fit with bran flakes OR oatmeal cookies)
---It's NATIONAL SARCOIDOSIS DAY

(it's an immune disease)
---And, it's NATIONAL REBUILDING DAY

(didn't say what we're rebuilding)
---It's also NATIONAL SENSE OF SMELL DAY

(both a blessing and a curse sometimes)
WHEW - that was one busy-ass day...cripes.
May 1 -
(here we go again)
---It's LAW DAY

(Apparently, that does NOT apply to many living around us down here)
---It's also NATIONAL LOYALTY DAY

(it's good to be loyal - shows integrity)
---It's NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PARFAIT DAY

(I could use one about now)
---And, it's NATIONAL MOTHER GOOSE DAY

(nursery rhymes we always loved)
---It's also SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER DAY

(to honor sacrifices of combat wounded, ill, and dying)
---It's NATIONAL INFERTILITY SURVIVAL DAY

(kinda self-explanatory)
---And, it's NATIONAL LEMONADE DAY

(had to end on a good note)
And there you have it...LOADS of things to wrap your brain around and designed to keep one out of the local jail.
I'll tackle the MONTH of May on Monday, when I don't have to TYPE so damn much...LOL.
*** Next up, looks like some folks (down here) need to WAKE UP before they start to cook.
http://wane.com/2016/04/29/crews-fight-fire-on-weisser-park-avenue/

I heard the engines roll up Hanna St. earlier. Good to know the people were saved.
The FWFD stated the fire started in the kitchen, but are not sure what caused it.
Three adults, two teens and a child were inside at the time and are fine, but one other child was taken to hospital as a precaution.
*** Next, a story that comes as absolutely NO surprise to me.
http://wane.com/2016/04/28/mayor-tom-henry-backs-hillary-clinton/

Our "king" (mayor Henry) has tossed his crown in with Hillary Clinton...and he cites ALL the work she's done to keep jobs in Indiana...ROFLMAO.
Yeah, tell me another one that's JUST as funny, sire.
Any jobs that have either come or remained in our state are due to the BUSINESSES themselves (and perhaps the governor a little). Clinton had nothing to do with any of it.
This is the type of delusional beliefs that occur downtown. It's so damn laughable.
*** Next, as mentioned (here) earlier in the week, part of the city's annexation plan was to also consider OTHER parts of county Allen, and curiously enough, we see THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/County-seeks-update-on-southwest-zoning-12802091

I suppose the commissioners want to make sure  that any city "land grab" would perhaps not include that of SOUTHWEST Allen County.
They want to get all their ZONING ducks in a row, it would appear.
Whenever a city annexes land, one of the first things that's batted about is the zoning situation, and by the looks of things on the SE side with people burning themselves out of their rental cribs, they're gonna need SOMEPLACE ELSE to go. So, if the zoning regulations can be amended to ALLOW future development along the lines of housing, there you go then. By all means, take those "displaced" and put them in better areas where they can bring down more property values.
Not the best way to operate, just a convenient one (for the city).
Say what you will, it's a good CYA plan by the county.
*** Next, here's a gem that tells the tale about how local TAXPAYERS foot the bill for inmates housed at county jails:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Special-report-how-much-you-pay-to-house-inmates-at-the-jail-377481291.html

Yeah, it's only $43 a day. Whatever happened to making these jailbirds get OUT and pick up trash along streets and highways...or (heaven forbid)  do the old ROAD-CREW gig? Cruel and unusual punishment?

Works once again on Florida.

I think not...more like "earn your way out of jail", rather than sit back and suck on the teat of taxpayers.
But, it's not like that USED to work (and pretty well) in the past.
*** Last back to the barn...it's interesting to note that (all of a sudden) my adopted state of Indiana has become a focal point for the political arena.
Ted Cruz was in town yesterday, and I listened to the speech he gave .

I prefer someone who talks TO people - not at them.

Now, to me, if you're going to have a desire to be our President, one of the FIRST things you NEED is to SOUND PRESIDENTIAL, and Cruz plainly appeared to have this one nailed down.
It sure beats the hell out of hearing all the name-calling from "Darth Trump".

And liberty may die with thunderous applause.

That was the BIG turn-off for me about "the Don". If he could just STICK to the issues and HIS solutions, he'd have me a lot more convinced, but I'm just not buying into his "act".
Maybe others can fall prey to that, but I'm looking for more when it comes to anyone I would want running our nation, especially in times such as these.

Former Prez, Bill (can't keep it in his pants) Clinton is also coming to town Saturday to McMillen park Rcc Center. I guess that's the BEST venue he could get, and it's SO damn apropos for him, if you get my drift. I mean he WAS "America's FIRST black president"...LOL. His wife is cut from the same cloth when it comes to dishonesty and lack of integrity.
Sanders is coming as well, and he's doing the collegiate circuit, because the millennials don't WANT to work for anything they desire (when they can have it handed to them by someone else).
That ALONE is a pretty sad commentary as to the state of our future here.
It's like I've said time and again - this reminds me of that movie (a satire of all things) WILD IN THE STREETS. And the irony to that is that NONE of those millennials were even around when the flick came out in '68.
Lincoln perhaps said it best.

Again, we see that the PAST is the best teacher when it comes to how we decide the PRESENT.
Those decisions will indeed have a heavy hand in the determination of what will become our FUTURE, make no mistake about that. Words still have meaning and they carry with them the power to shape that future.
All that is required of us...is that we LISTEN.
Do have yourselves a great weekend.

Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
((see 'ya next month))