Twas The Humpday Before Christmas...

And all through the 'hood...
We knew that the locals...
Were up to no good.
There you are then...some holiday poetry from our part of the city to get everything started today.
We are slowly climbing out of this deep-freeze, but since today is the first official day of WINTER, we'll be back into it soon enough, so don't fret yourselves.
Our Hoosierland weather for today finds us with mostly cloudy skies, temps reaching to around 35 degrees, and no sign of precipitation. Maybe we can lose some of this ice and crappy street conditions.

Got mine right here. Fancy a cup?

We're still going to require a soothing hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to chase that morning chill away, so let's that going as we take a gander at what's been transpiring elsewhere...
*** First out of the igloo is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps." 
Now that is a tall order for many of us, and almost an impossibility to others, but I think this sums up the meaning of the season in a way that begs our attention. Such a message often gets lost in the pursuit of "things".
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Salt Lake Temple...
*** Next up, it's once again time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 21 -
---Today is National French Fried Shrimp Day

(sounds good to me)
---It's Crossword Puzzle Day

(haven't done one of those in a long time)
--- It's Humbug Day

(Be nice to watch a version of A Christmas Carol)
---It's Phineas Fogg Win a Wager Day

(I only bet on sure things...like crime in Fort Wayne)
It's the Winter Solstice

(seems like winter started a week earlier here)
---It's National Flashlight Day

(can never have too many of those)
---It's National Homeless Persons Remembrance Day

(curious thing - some people CHOOSE to be homeless)
---It's Yule

(a Celtic-Nordic Solstice Day thing)
*** Next up...what would today be without a healthy dose of STUPID (from others), hmm?

--- The first story deals with a nice decent drug bust. here's the link:
http://wane.com/2016/12/20/police-find-heroin-cash-gun-in-raid-arrest-1/
The raid took place in the early morning hours at a house located at 5428 Evard Rd.

This is NE and near Maplecrest and St. Joe Center Rds.

Merrcrimmus, loser!

There, police arrested Terrence L. Fincher, 41, who was the only person home at the time. Police vice and narcotics also found evidence of narcotics dealing, including some $5,000 in cash along with digital scales and a substance that tested positive for heroin.
Police also found a handgun (Taurus Judge revolver that can fire .410 shotgun rounds) that was reported stolen in an armed robbery last month, police said. THAT will bring in the BATFE.
I'd say that was some GOOD police work...keep it going.
---Another dollar store armed robbery. Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2016/12/20/police-investigate-armed-robbery-at-fort-wayne-dollar-store/

As could be expected, THIS took place on the (altogether, kids) SOUTHEAST side.
The robbery occurred last night around 2215 hrs at the Family Dollar located at 4311 S. Anthony Blvd. And people wonder why NEW (and better) businesses don't come to our part of the city?
Here's the reason, plain and simple.
A male entered the store with a gun and reportedly made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police have not released a description of the robber (probably BLACK,).
Sure doesn't take these assholes long to adapt to the weather, does it?
Tis the season (for them...all year).
---This next story isn't overtly stupid and yet... Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2016/12/20/rescue-mission-preparing-for-christmas-meal/

Now, I think what the Rescue Mission does to help the homeless is great. We need something like this, BUT (uh oh, here it comes)...there are EMPTY COTS at the place most every night (in this cold). Why is that?

Well, there comes certain criteria that must be met to qualify to stay at the Mission. Seems okay to me. Some men choose to adhere to those...others do not.
Now, we have the free meals passed out, and while this might seem fine as well, this doesn't apply to those at the Mission, but ANYONE wanting to come in and get fed.
A noble gesture, but WHO is just taking advantage of such things because it's the easy way out? I'd bet the same faces show up every time a freebie meal is provided.
That's kike the needle exchange program (to me)...it's an encouragement of dubious behavior, rather than a solution to it.

Charity is good as long as it's not being wasted on the lazy or weak-minded among us.
---And, I wanted to add to yesterday's high-speed rail story, my MAIN reason for not wanting to see all the money wasted to get it passenger service back here - AMTRAK!

That's just for starters...

Here's some backstory from the WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak
We rail-fans remember when it was founded (1971) and how it has NEVER turned a profit from it's inception.

This new rail gig cannot proceed WITHOUT having Amtrak having a large "footprint" in this, and that's sad.
*** Next, and leaving the stupid behind us...some of my favorite things for Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas (I saw it the FIRST time it aired...yeah, I'm that old)

Garfield's Christmas (only on DVD)
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (Alistair Sim - 1951. The BEST interpretation imho)

Christmas music on the radio (and now on cable music channels)

White Christmas (Danny Kay and Bing Crosby)

Prep and Landing (both animated shows - wish they'd make a third one)

Christmas cookies (somehow, the cookies taste better this time of year)

Eggnog (with a decent dose of holiday "spirits")
The smell of pine (even if it's an aerosol can or incense)
Pumpkin pie (or cherry in a pinch)

The Doctor Who Christmas Special (you think I'd forget this? They do one every year)
And that's just the short list.
*** Next up, let's see what's going on at "Kitten Corner"...

Being cute can forgive a LOT of badassery.

Okay, so the cats were keeping me busy yesterday, getting into the tree AGAIN.
Using the water squirt bottle on them both seems to be working (so far).
This time, the tree almost got pulled over, but I righted it. Luckily, there were no ornaments on it.
It's not from lack of toys for them, that's for sure.
Still, Violet and Gallifrey are so damn CUTE, you can't stay angry at them, and I think they know that.
Thank God they do tire themselves out and at least one of them always follows me into the living room while I watch the TV. The other one naps on a dining room chair (near the heat register).
Keeping them under control and not under foot is the challenge these days.
*** Last back to the snowpile...Christmas is indeed, a time of giving.

Sadly, some people see this as a time of TAKING (from others).
Those of us with a better understanding of what is meant by the Christmas spirit are often so busy giving to one another that we don't take a few moments to give to ourselves.
And this isn't meant to be a prideful thing...quite the reverse.
Do we take time to give ourselves the HUMILITY we need or desire?
What about the saying that "charity begins at home"? When was the last time we were truly charitable to ourselves? Were we off chastising ourselves rather than being thankful?
There comes that time when taking a step or two back from things provides us with the clarity we are meant to have, and not just at THIS time of year, but for the rest of it as well.
We can never provide well enough for others, when we can't take some time to provide for what WE need.

And we need to acknowledge the gift we received and that we celebrate this time of year - a gift that lasts forever and yet cannot be found under any Christmas tree or stocking.
I think a little introspection is good for the soul, especially during this holiday season.
And, I also think we need to remember to remind ourselves of that once in a while..

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