Monday Musings...

And, we're off and running, as we start this somewhat abbreviated week which kicks off the "official" holiday season. Thanksgiving is Thursday, followed by the traditional nightmare we call "Black Friday".
Can we stand the strain?
Meanwhile, our Hoosierland weather will continue with the seasonal feel outside with partly cloudy skies and a high of only around 42 degrees. Dress accordingly as it's cooler than you think.
Now, with that taken care of, let's get a nice warm cup of comfort poured, as we see what's been going on since we last convened...
*** First out of water dish is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 21 - 
---Today is National Stuffing Day

(aren't we jumping the gun by several days on this one?)
Anyway, that's all that's going on today.
*** Next up, the ambushes of police officers continues and such attacks on LEOS are UP 44% over last year on the streets of America.

Here's one story link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-police-idUSKBN13G0KH
And a second story:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/st-louis-ambushed-shot-face-sitting-traffic-article-1.2881487
And another:
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/11/police-officer-shot-sanibel-florida-3rd-ambush-shooting-today/

This is getting WAY outta hand, and we shouldn't even be talking about such things. Police are not out there to become targets, but with this "kinder, gentler" mentality forced upon law-enforcement, which is really meant to make them more a diplomat than police officer, this will happen, especially with the level of potency of drugs on our streets today.
Toss in a stolen (black market) handgun, and the recipe is one of chaos on our streets.
The most innocent radio call soon becomes deadly...like a domestic, or even traffic stop. Nothing is simple any longer.
Sometimes, it's just because you're in uniform that makes you the target of someone with a grudge and a weapon.
We have got to get a real handle on this, before enforcing the law becomes a job people run from, rather than toward.
*** Next up, and speaking of criminal activity, Fort Wayne started out busy.

We had two shooting incidents over the weekend.
--The first shooting took place in the 1300 block of Fay Drive (SW side) around 2050 hrs Friday night.

Police found a man suffering from a gunshot wound when someone shot into his house from outside.
He is in critical condition.
--The second took place in the 6500 block of Alvarez Drive (Blackhawk Apartments - NE side) around 0400 hrs Saturday morning.

Police found a male in his vehicle and he was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital and is in serious condition.
*** Next up and last back to the litter pan...thanks to social media, Wifey has already blabbed  to everyone that we now have TWO small bundles of fur back at the "Fortress".

No big deal. I understand.
So, let's back up a bit and fill you in a tad further...
We took a jaunt over the the Allen County SPCA Saturday around noontime, and ran smack dab into the "free clinic" day...crowded as all hell, too.
People around here LOVE freebies (they get enough of 'em from the gov't as it is...heh)
MY reason for adopting these two kittens (each 3 months old, male and female) is as a memorial to Rassilon (Rassie), Penelope (Neepers) and yes, even Hobo (as I said last week).

Gotta have a forever friend...or several.

I feel the BEST thing to do as a tribute to them, is to give the same good home to two other cats.
Now, the original names were "Debbie" (dark gray/black and white shorthair) and "Russell" (gray/brown shorthair mackerel tabby)...we're working on that one.
Wifey thinks she may have a name for the female, while I have a short LIST for the male.

male (left) and female (right)

In this case, letting the personality of the cat dictate it's name may be in order.
Now, one good thing is that plan on taking them both to the vet this Friday (if they're open...if not, we can go Saturday). And the "co-pay" for the exams are waived because we got them from the SPCA...not bad.

TWO litter-pans, and they still share one.

And we got a complete medical history of both cats - the female had a respiratory problem, and she coughs a little when she first gets up - we'll have that looked after. The male sneezes once in a while, again, doesn't seem to be a big deal there. Hell, I sneeze too, and Wifey goes into an entire snot-fest along those lines...lol.
Neither kitten seems to have anything that is hindering their ability to interact or go about being a rambunctious kitty.
To say that our house is once again more like a home is an understatement.
We got to hold them at the shelter for a time, and that went well enough.
After all the paperwork and donated adoption/license fees (you can name you own cost for adoption with cats here), the short trip home in the carrier went great...no spazzing out at all. Well, it is a pretty decent ride.
When we got them in the house, we let them come out on their own, which they did straight away.

That's a BIG floor.

And, slowly but surely, they discovered that this "brave new world" was a WHOLE lot larger than the 4x4x4 cage they used to reside in.

Laser pointers are COOL!

Not to mention, there was a plethora of things to play with (oh, do we have cat toys), and some places to play in (the surf house, pyramid, and tunnels). More than enough to keep them off of things they should not be getting into...and it works for now.
Naturally, as kittens, they have an overabundance of something I miss at my age...ENERGY!
Aside from zooming about the house (action shots are not gonna happen), they have taken well to the litter pans (one in the family room, one in th back laundry room), and have excellent appetites.

The "bird channel" has become THE show to watch...

Funny thing is, in a few respects, they act similarly to our former feline residents...some things are inherent, I suppose.

Sacked out under the dining room table.

But they do have their own distinct patterns of behavior as well.
The first night, they spent up on the sofa...with ME (I'm a restless sleeper, plus, I wake easily a lot). I found the male at my feet, and the female was alongside my thigh.
And, on the first day here, I was in the living room on the floor watching some Doctor Who on TV as I tend to do. The male comes in, and just curls up next to me for no reason. That was eerie (Rassie always did that, and once in a while, Penny would, too), but in a good way, mind you.

Sacked out on TOP of the family room sofa.

Neither has gotten into the "meowing" thing yet, but no doubt that will come along in it's own time.
But, they both can sure PURR...LOL!
Having them around is certainly a very therapeutic thing for me...gotta have some purpose in life, to make things worthwhile, that's for sure.
And people who never get that, well...that's a pity.
Rassie and Penny (and Hobo) had their own special place in our lives...that will NEVER change, and missing them will always be with me, but these new additions will create their OWN new place in our lives and hearts, and hopefully, they too will enjoy a good life with us as they help to enrich our lives. Feels nice to smile again...haven't had reason to do so for a while.
Can't ask for more than that...can you?

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