Thoughts For Thursday...

There's not AS much fog outside this morning (must be all up north), and down here, I;m not seeing any so far.
Hard to believe that this time next week, it'll be Thanksgiving once again.
Talk about a rapidly moving year.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will have us enjoying a bit of a warmup, which will be short-lived.
Temps today are expected to rise to around 68 degrees, with mostly sunny skies and mild breezes.

So let's get that morning drink poured and parked close by as we take a loom at what's been going on in some other places...
*** First off of the bookcase is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous."

This was spoken by good old (and still deceased) Niccolo Machiavelli (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527). He was was an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer.
(Don'cha miss the days when we used to have such people who wore so many hats so well?)
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli

He has often been called the founder of modern political science.
(And Lord knows we need that today to figure it all out)
"Machiavellianism" is a widely used negative term to characterize unscrupulous politicians of the sort Machiavelli described most famously in The Prince. Machiavelli described immoral behavior, such as dishonesty and killing innocents, as being normal and effective in politics.
He even seemed to endorse it in some situations.
Now, if you ever used the term "The ends justifies the means", you can thank Niccolo for that.
Some have disputed that he even said it, but what do they know?
The WIKI is a pretty long read, but if you've some time to waste in a productive manner, then by all means, give it a go. You can easily learn some things about politics that apply today.
And yes, Machiavelli believed (as a ruler) it was better to be widely feared than greatly loved.
Guess it was all about CONTROL even back then.
*** Next, it's time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 17 -
---Today is National Baklava Day

(sure, why not?)
---It's National Take A Hike Day

(I've told SO many people over the years to do so...some actually listen)
---It's the Great American Smokeout

(lemme light up another and read about this)
*** Next up, another armed robbery, and it wasn't on the SE side.

Here's the story link (brief as it usually is):
http://wane.com/2016/11/17/fwpd-investigates-gas-station-armed-robbery-3/
This took place around 0140 hrs this morning at the Get 2 Go Marathon, located at 422 Spring Street.

Two perps came in with handguns and got away with an undisclosed amount of money (check the Newports inventory while you're at it).
*** Next, I was watching a History Channel show when Wifey comes in and says "police are outside".
Really? I didn't shoot anyone (yet), so what's up?

Well, two FWPD officers had this guy pulled over and went through his car (found a knife, too, which they kept...wonder why?) After about 15-20 minutes, there was no "cuff n stuff", and they cut him loose.
As the guy drove away, I wondered WHY he was pulled over.
His LICENSE PLATE bulb was out...! It seemed to be a typical signal 30.
(( 16F156889 - 21:45:45 - 30 TRAFFIC STOP - 47XX WARSAW ST & MAPLE GROVE AVE E))
Yep, right again.
You mean to tell me a VALID traffic stop was made? Down HERE? For improper vehicle LIGHTING? Be still my beating heart!
Now, how's about stopping the OTHER 40% of vehicles that have similar issues...as well as the several THOUSAND boomcars we have going by each year?
Could still get a LOT of money for the city that way...just sayin'...
*** Next, okay, so I won't relate the story of how one of the black neighbor's (mostly unruly) kids were taking rocks off the pile I have stacked at the end of OUR driveway and dropping them on a dead squirrel in the alley...(sorry, it seems I just DID, and it was not Patches or Junior)
Well, I re-stacked the rocks. Kids around here are so vicious and callous. Disgusting.
Anyway, I WILL relate the story of how we have THREE cats frequenting our patio (and whatever food I put out for HOBO (who is still missing and I am missing him).
The one cat is this larger all white one, who I have named "Snowball" for the obvious reasons.

Then, we have this gray-brown tortoise shell colored cat...I named this one "Shadow".

And finally, there is this little black cat I saw yesterday. This one is now called "Midnight".

Now, one might think this is a good thing, therapeutically-speaking (for me)...
Well, not so much. You see, all three of them are skittish as hell, and take off as soon as I even try to open the patio door to give them more food. Probably had some less-than-pleasurable experience with humankind.
That's a damn shame, too. I wouldn't mind all of them hanging around like Hobo used to do.

And I still miss YOU, buddy.

In any event, the BIRDS like the dry cat food. Never would have thought that.
*** Next, and also last back to the library...how many different ways can we remember a loved one who has passed?

If you think about it, there are SO many, aside from the obvious ones like grave sites and the marker stones we place there. There are cremation urns for the ashes if burial is too "claustrophobic".
And when it comes to our pets, similar venues are available. They have pet cemeteries, and urns for the ashes, if you go that route. We have had the ashes of Penny and Rassie scattered over the rose gardens at Pet-Rest in Ossian.

And some day (when it get warm again), we must go down there and visit.
We can also have mementos galore and pictures of our pets to recalls all the great times we shared.
Our own memories and remembrance of them serves to keep a part of them with us as long as we're alive.

The Internet provides the ability to memorialize their pet, ensuring the memory lives even long after we do. That's not a bad deal, either.
So, how long DOES one grieve over a loved one?
Well, for people, the process can last a lifetime. Same can be said for our pets.
Like I said a while back, it's a real give and take.
A part of THEM stays with YOU, while a part of YOU goes with THEM.
Now, Wifey and I have thought about adding cats back into our house...
Granted any pet that does come home with us will NEVER "take the place" of a former pet, and if you go into this thinking that way, it's unfair to the pet and yourself.
But, I feel (and I'm not the only one who believes this) that one the best memorials is to provide a "forever home" to another cat (or dog) in the same manner that you provided one for your former pet.
To pass the love you showed to your former pet to another, and to care for him or her the same way helps the pet and gives them the best chance for a happy (and hopefully long) life, and it helps YOU just as much, by the attention you will show towards them, and the love that will be passed between you and your new pet.
They will create their OWN place in your house, making it a home.
 And they will find a (new) place in your heart.
For anyone who loves animals, there can be no better path to walk...and to have a four-fotted "companion" in that journey makes the travel easier for both of you.
Just a little something to think about.

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