Thoughts For Thursday...

Winding down the week and the year, nearing the end of both.
I think I've had quite enough of 2016 for many reasons, although it did have a few nice spots.
Just not enough to make it a good year. Have to call it pleasantly mediocre.
Our Hoosierland weather will find us with mostly cloudy skies, gusty winds (up to 40 MPH), and a good chance of afternoon snow showers.
 Highs today will only reach around 35 degrees.

So let's get a nice hot drink for ourselves and take a look at what else has been going on...
*** First out of the starting gate is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." 

This was spoken by Hal Borland  (May 14, 1900 – February 22, 1978), who was a well-known American author, journalist and naturalist. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Borland
It's a short read, but goes to show that you don't need a mile-long WIKI to make a lot of sense and speak some good words, right?
Not too bad for a kid from Nebraska who found his way to NYC (via Colorado, as well as Philadelphia).
Working for various newspapers, he became rather prolific, and also wrote short stories, poetry, novels (including westerns under the pseudonym Ward West), biographical novels, non-fiction, articles for a variety of magazines, and one play.
Amazing how words live long after people...
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 29 -
---Today is National Pepper Pot Day

(the soup that won the war - REVOLUTIONARY war, that is. Look it up)
---It's Tick Tock Day

(reminding us there are only TWO days left in this year)
*** Next up, Debbie Reynolds has passed away at the age of 84, following her daughter's death one day ago.

Here's the story from Variety:
http://variety.com/2016/film/news/debbie-reynolds-dead-dies-carrie-fisher-mother-1201949432/
And here is Debbie's WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Reynolds

Now THIS will take a while to read.
Odd to see her pass just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher died.
But, they were not separated for long.
*** Next up, we were not without some STUPID out there, in case you were wondering...
---This story goes to show that some people have no shame.
http://wane.com/2016/12/28/fort-wayne-police-issue-theft-warning/

The suspect, described only as a black male (big surprise there) in his 20’s with short hair, a slender build and about 5′ 10″ to 6′ tall. He approaches the victim and has been known to ask to use a phone or claim he’s been locked out of his house or he’s looking for his grandmother’s home.
He’s also claimed to be a high school athlete.
That's more claims than California had in the late 1840s...lol.
And by the list of places he's hit, he does get around.
Better not come to our "Fortress"...
---This story had me scratching my head:
http://wane.com/2016/12/27/fort-wayne-owi-arrests-cut-in-half-in-last-decade/

OWIs have been HALVED? Coulda fooled me by all the felony reports I read.
That's aside from all the repeat offenders (many are Latino).
They must all be in jail, then?
And if not , where and why not?
It's even got Lt. Tony Maze of the FWPD wondering to some degree.
---Now, THIS story just reeks of stupid, and you can easily see why:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Police--Holster-guns-on-New-Year-s-17018729

Every year the FWPD make a point to dissuade people from celebratory gunfire on New Years...and every year, it's the same old, especially where WE live.
You've heard me chronicle it for years, too, so not much is being done to STOP the idiots, right?
I will say that we hear more gunfire between 2330 hrs through 0130 hrs since all the good neighbors have died or moved away and more minorities have come to dwell near our place. Must be a "connection" there, right? Got nothing to do with poverty, either.
I know I'm not wasting ammo ringing in the new year.
*** Next, let's put the stupid away and take a stroll over to "Kitten Corner"...

The kids were a wee bit crazier than usual yesterday. In fact, the rope-covered jingle ball attached to the scratching post has been UNWOUND...!
It's just a hunk of rope hanging down now.
I think I'm going to call Gallifrey "Mr. Destructo"...LOL.
Violet just likes to sneak under the tree, thinking I don't see her.
I do, and chase her away. That's where the laser pointer comes into play.
You can herd them anywhere throughout the house with THAT.

Yet, after all is done, they SO enjoy their nap-time...
(and I SO enjoy the calm...for however long as it lasts)
Wifey returns today, so I'll have some assistance...lol.
*** Last back to the finish line...this year has seen it's share of "stuff", both good and bad.

Like I said yesterday, it was a year that I found personally painful (and not because I hurt both feet in that last snowfall). I lost my best 4-legged buddy of 20 years, and then had a daily furry feline friend (Hobo) disappear suddenly.
We saw our last good neighbor (one street over) move away, and have had nothing but annoyance from all the "locals" in the area (unless they're asleep - then we get a respite).
Wifey lost her mom, but gained a newer car in June. And two kittens got a forever home.
I suppose it could have been a lot worse, and hopefully, next year will not be as bad a year.

Hard to say...too many things always seem to be in a state of flux, and I prefer to take things one at a time as they come at me. Sometimes, that's not always the case,as time is relentless in it's forward movement.
Then, you have to prioritize, and that alone can be rough.
It will be a challenge, as life often is.
And maybe, by the grace of God almighty, we can weather whatever storm happens our way.

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