Thoughts For Thursday...

Seems we're not done with the rain just yet.
I suppose it can always be worse...like if it were all SNOW (count your blessings time).
We're fast closing in on the weekend, and you know what that means, right?
(time to unravel the mysteries of the universe?).
Our Hoosierland weather for today has us cooling back down after yesterday's warm-up. The rain will be heavy at time, but will end by this afternoon. Temps will fall through the day and wind up in the 30s. Add in cloudy skies and a lot calmer winds.
In short...another craptastic day in the Heartland.
So, lets get that morning drink poured as we take a look at what all is happening around us...
*** First out of the recently thawed rain barrel is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities."
This was spoken by one Benjamin E. Mays (August 1, 1894 – March 28, 1984) who was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.
(yeah, leave it to me to get a jump on Black History Month)
Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Mays

(( He served as the president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia from 1940 to 1967. His most famous student at Morehouse was someone who benefitted deeply from his educational and religious philosophies - Martin Luther King Jr. ))
Interesting how we don't seem to hear about THIS man thee days, especially in the black community.
One would think we would as mentioned as MLK, considering that Dr. King had gone to Morehouse College.
It's a good read and shows that there were others concerned about the civil rights of black Americans.
A shame such honest and decent legacies often go unappreciated.
*** Next up, it's time for the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 12 -
---Today is Kiss A Ginger Day

(I would, but I always preferred Mary Ann)
---It's National Curried Chicken Day

(not really into curry...I like more closer-to-home kinda foods)
---It's National Marzipan Day

(don't worry, it's got sugar and nuts in it, so it's good for you)
---And, it's National Pharmacist Day

(hope the meth heads forget about THIS one)
*** Next up, we're definitely off to the races concerning homicides in the Summit City.

Not only has the coroner agreed with me on our FIRST one of the year, but he's still working on LAST year. Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/01/11/2016-shooting-death-ruled-a-homicide/
Yes, the woman killed back on 12 November in the back yard of a house located at 719 Walnut St has finally been ruled a homicide. Jessica Elizabeth Bruch, 23 was the victim who died a short time after being shot.
(damn shame...she was a very attractive young woman)
Now, I'll leave it up to you as to who she was involved with.
No one's been arrested in conenction with this homicide.
And, the motive for the shooting might well remain a mystery.
She is listed as last year's 49th homicide.
---But wait, we're not done yet.
We notched homicide number TWO for the year, and here's that story:
http://wane.com/2017/01/11/shooting-victim-found-in-critical-condition/

This shooting was also a woman, who was found in an alley in the 2100 block of Sherman Blvd.
This took place around 2130 hrs when police were called in response to a shots fired call.
Looks like the WEST side of town is getting off to a faster start than the (typical) SE side.
I can't wait to hear from the leftards about how we need more gun control, and how that will magically solve all the problems with violent crime in this city, because you know that PCBS rhetoric is coming as sure as the sun will rise.
*** Next, Wifey's been pulling a "double" at school, and by that I mean a LONG day with parent "conferences" taking place in the evenings. always a fun time for all...not.

The parents that give a damn about their child's progress usually attend, and that's a good thing, but the parent (or parents) with a problem child never seem to want to immerse themselves in that's child's development, at least never to the degree that my generation's parents were involved.
Makes a sad commentary as to the future ambitions and aspirations of those teens, doesn't it? (many of those teens aren't actively involved as it is...and it shows in the classroom)
Wifey might have one or two parents of kids with a C average who do show up, and she works with them to improve their child.
Now, I said all that to say this: There's a story in today's paper that becomes a bit of a "WTF?" moment, unless you take time to bone up on the history behind it. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/District-grades-called--irrelevant--17228879
Excuse me...district grades are IRRELEVANT?
The schools accountability system is "flawed", apparently.
When you stop to consider that student achievement cannot (nor should not) be attributable to ONLY some standardized test scores, a lot becomes much clearer.
Hence, the irrelevance of all of this.

And this is the consequence of having a FEDERAL education department.
Some would argue that it "levels the playing field" for those who are disadvantaged. Seems we heard that all before.
I counter by saying it brings down school system to the level of the worst performing, THERE is your "level".
I never remember such crap going on when I was in school...oh, wait, that was BEFORE the Department of Education was even created (signed into law by Carter in 1979 and operating in 1980 - AFTER I was out of high school for damn near a decade).
*** Next up, let's see what's on tap at "Kitten Corner"...

"You shall not pass" (shades of Gandalf.)

There are times when I look in the face of these two furballs, and see our former cats. Some of the "nuances" they display mimic those of their predecessors. Other times, they are as different as night is from day.
Having a pet is one thing, but actively taking time to study and bond with them is another.
It's a mutual learning experience, and there's no harm in that on either side of the species fence.
I'm one of those people who tend to treat an animal like a person, anyway...so sue me.
I'm not hear to lord over them in some Darwinian superiority complex. We're all under the same roof, and being able to all get along becomes a microcosm of what humans SHOULD be trying to do outside their homes.
And believe me...we all try within the walls of our "Fortress".
*** Last back to the wet leaf piles...life has this habit of wanting your involvement.

It fact, it demands your attention most every day. No getting around that.
But when people make a decision to take the back seat and still attempt to drive along in life, they will soon find out that we're not QUITE into the place where that vehicle will drive itself.
I find it ironic that automakers are pushing the self-driving vehicle, because in some (perverse) form it mirrors a growing part of our society; those who choose to "not get involved".

Doing nothing in that regard places you on the side of whatever opposition comes along, and that's not a good thing.
While you have life within you, you should make the effort to be productive, even it it's confined to within the four walls of your home. You don't have to move mountains, and you can't cure all the ills in the world, but you can take a stand and choose to do one thing that is right, and what is just. If more people tried that, they might find they like it.

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