Thoughts For Thursday...

We're fast closing in on another weekend...stay strong. We're nearly there.
And that rain we had yesterday wasn't all that bad (could have done without the heat that came along for the ride).
Our Hoosierland weather for today finds us with mostly cloudy skies, a good chance for rain later in the afternoon (already had light showers early this morning), and temps still in that borderline "uncomfortable" zone (for me, anyway) reaching into the mid to upper 70s. Sounds much like yesterday.
So, let's put our cares aside for a spell, as we get that morning drink poured and take a look-see at what's been going on elsewhere...fair enough?
*** First out of the washing machine is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"Time and space - time to be alone, space to move about - these may well become the great scarcities of tomorrow." 
This was spoken by Edwin Way Teale (June 2, 1899 – October 18, 1980), who was an American naturalist, photographer and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. And by the sound of that quote, maybe we can call him a "prophet" as well?
Anyway, here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Way_Teale
Edwin is perhaps best known for his series The American Seasons, which consisted of four books documenting over 75,000 miles (121,000 km) of automobile travel across North America following the changing seasons.
That's a lot of tires,  gas and oil...not to mention REST STOPS...heh.
Although he was born in Joliet, IL, he spent his summers at his grandparents' "Lone Oak" farm in Indiana's dune country, from which is book The Dune Boy (1943) was derived, so he's got a "Hoosier" connection of sorts.
A stated, he was a naturalist, and his bibliography chronicles his passion along those lines.
I'll leave it to you to read up on his carer and accomplishment, because I think you might find a bit of yourself somewhere in his life and times. Hard to believe we never heard more about this man.
Moving on...
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
APRIL 20:
---It's National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

(someone drop something?)
---It's National Lima Bean Respect Day

(respect for a stupid BEAN? You gotta be kidding me.)
---It's National Look-Alike Day

(Don't have to worry about THAT one)
---It's National Cheddar Fries Day

(Sorry, I like my fries bare-ass nekked with a little salt...lol)
---It's National High Five Day

(fist-bumpers need not apply)
*** Next up, you most likely heard that Bill O'Reilly and Fox news have parted ways. "sexual harassment" were leveled at him, and, well...they are allegations, after all.

You can read up on it here:
Allegations against Bill regarding
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/business/media/bill-oreilly-fox-news-allegations.html?_r=0

I chose the NYT article because they tend to lean LEFT, and they paint this"he was forced out", when in fact it was mutually arrived at between Fox and O'Reilly.
Now, when I hear about "settlements" from allegations, my gut tells me this is the best (and usually costly) way to deal with the problem, EVEN IF YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT.

Glenn Beck has a good take on just this thing here:
http://www.theblaze.com/video/glenn-responds-to-sexual-harassment-allegations-surrounding-bill-oreilly/

What many don't realize is that in this insane "suit-happy" world where anyone can bring charges against anyone else for the slightest thing in order to "play the legal lottery", it's often CHEAPER for the person slapped with the allegations to issue a SETTLEMENT rather than prolong litigation, which be sap a person's wealth, tarnish a reputation, or worse.
And many times, the person who settles is INNOCENT of the charges against him or her.
Now, I'm not saying anything either for or against O'Reilly, as I don't know him personally, nor have all the FACTS come to light.

"Cha-CHING!"

What I am saying is what takes place in our own CITY, with say...the FWPD whenever they are hit with a lawsuit. Rather than spend LOADS of cash to litigate that lawsuit (and bust the damn budget as a result), they just settle the case out of court  (for a lot less money)...and they might be in the RIGHT.
This is just my opinion on this...but my tend to trust my gut instinct with this stuff.
Besides, time will tell as it always does...
*** Next, how does Indiana pay for road and infrastructure repairs and construction?

Simple...make some"history".
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20170420/road-funding-proposal-historic

((The plan calls for gradually shifting revenue collected in sales tax on gasoline to a special transportation fund. The shift would occur over five years beginning in 2020, but an escape hatch would allow the governor to object if the funds are unexpectedly needed for health care, schools or child abuse services. About a third of gasoline sales tax revenue already pays for roads, and the rest goes toward the overall state budget.))
Makes me wonder what the OTHER 2/3 of the gas tax goes for at this point, but having the STATES relying on this, rather than the FEDS makes better sense, even if comes a bit late for the party.
*** Next, time out to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

Making sure the welcome mat doesn't get loose.

You'd hardly know they were kittens by looking at them...they've grown so since they came to live with us.
And yes, you still have to mind your step, lest you find one (or both) under foot.

They do like watching things...anything (like lasers). It's that curiosity thing they have going on.

"I'm watching my EMPTY food dish".

Which is fine...as long as it doesn't cause harm or damage anyplace in the "Fortress".
But when they nap...well, all can often be forgiven, right?
*** Last back to the dryer...one thing that puzzles me is our relationship with REALITY.

We do spend most ALL our time there, so it shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Yet, some people are not content with "their" reality, and so take to the reality tv show circuit.

I too was not immune, and watched a few (very few) shows from the past like TOP SHOT, but I always felt that my reality was plenty to deal with. I'm not given to a vicarious lifestyle anyway.
When you go down the television listings, a majority of shows are reality shows. The dog catchers from Houston, the housewives from wherever, the house hunting shows (which always highlight expensive out-the-ass properties), and yes, even the tricked out car shows. How much can we take, before we take back our own reality?
Watching others do (many times what I can only dream about) isn't making MY situation better at all, and I'm definitely not learning anything along the way, except how to waste an hour, so why be bothered? Many times, it's just an hour of hearing the "bleep" button being pressed...entertainment value? I think not.

I thought the whole cable (or satellite) TV experience was to provide MORE choices, ergo diverse programming (aka entertainment), and not more of the same stuff. almost makes me wish for the days when we had a lot fewer choices (and better programs).
Maybe that's our problem - having TOO many choices (of other peoples' lives) may be hampering or diluting our ability to make better choices in OUR lives. Now that makes sense to me.

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