Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of the week...AND, the end of the (merry?) month of May.
Been a very soggy month at that. Guess someone got April and May mixed up, it would seem.
We sure got our share of showers over the last 31 days.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us some early clouds that will give way to sunny skies, temps reaching to around 71 degrees and breezy conditions

I think we might need a refreshing drink to help wake up and greet the day, so what say we all  take a minute to get one, as we have a look at what else has been going on, hmm?
*** First out of the grab bag is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:

"The being cannot be termed rational or virtuous, who obeys any authority, but that of reason." 
I found this quote to explain in such a wonderful manner much of what we term authority...and the explanation behind it.
We find that reason defines obedience to authority...that's marvelous (and true).
So, WHO said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the "vindication of men and women"...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 31 -
---It's National Autonomous Vehicle Day

(you know this is a recent addition, and one we might come to regret)
---It's National Macaroon Day

(unless you like coconut as I do, I'd pass on this, but they are delicious)
---It's National Save Your Hearing Day

(LOL - tell that to the loudass boom car driver one block over...please!)
---It's National Senior Health and Fitness Day

(oh joy...another day for us aging oldsters)
---It's National Speak in Complete Sentences Day

(a difficult task for the monosyllabic among us)
*** Next, we did have yet another shooting in the city yesterday. Here's the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170531/kenwood-shooting-is-4th-in-24-hours

This took place Monday around 1819 hrs in the 2500 block of Kenwood Ave. (near Vance on the NE side).
A wounded man walked into hospital and related where he was shot to police, and when they went to the scene found evidence of a shooting. Like all the shootings over the wekend, there are no suspects and no arrests.
At least this victim WAS cooperative with the FWPD.
(this is becoming  a rather disturbing trend, isn't it?)
*** Next, if you're looking for a good way to get into a vehicular accident (and who isn't these days, right?) then THIS story might help you along those lines:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20170531/police-man-punches-mom-driving-van-crash-kills-girl-6

This turdbucket punched his girlfriend as she was driving a van carrying him and her four children on a highway Sunday, causing a single-vehicle crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter, police said.
And guess what? The guy is black! Now who could have seen that coming?
We're seeing too much of THIS type of behavior these days.
*** Next, a really informative Frank Gray article that is more cautionary than many may think. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/frank-gray/20170530/im-wants-to-run-your-thermostat-and-pay-you

I did a post a couple years ago about these "smart meters" that utility companies were trying to put in place across the country, and how they could regulate YOUR usage of that utility (during peak hours...so they said).

Well, the tech has taken another step...how about SMART THERMOSTATS?
Put one of these in your home, and that utility company can better regulate what YOU want as far as comfort.
You have no control over it, but they "say" you can get money from this when you use less (?!?)
Yeah, I can see I&M doling out cash, hand-over-fist as they LOSE money when people save at the thermostat...ROFL.
Like THAT will ever happen.
You KNOW they're in it to MAKE money...not lose it.
And when they dangle this carrot in front of the uneducated public, too many will bite at it.
If you "just say no" to this...no change, but if you agree, you get a whopping $1.95 credit (with a limit of just under $30 for the year)...big fat hairy deal, right? There is a rebate for the thermostat (yawn).
More information is available at www.ElectricIdeas.com/IMHome.
*** Next up, time for a stopover at "Kitten Corner"...
The kids are relatively calm for most of the day, but they do like to get a tad rammy when Wifey gets home. They must enjoy her company...yeah, that's it.

And then there are the visitors who stop to day "hi".

I prefer the calm to the rammy, but what the hell, right? Cats will be cats, and as long as the house is still standing and everything inside is where it belongs and in one piece, no harm done.
*** Next, let's take another visit to our "Tales of Midnight"...

"Just making sure the steps don't get away."

I'll say one thing about our furry buddy, he stays around our place most all day (well, it didn't rain until after dark).
He might take a stroll around the area, but always comes back, and never stays away for that long.
Guess he also wants to "keep tabs on the locals"...heh.
Can't say I blame him one bit.
*** Last back to the outhouse...authority does have it's place in society...always has and always will.

And authority...ANY authority, has to EARN RESPECT in order to be effective.
That doesn't mean demand respect, and it sure as hell doesn't mean to become authoritarian along the way.

Blind obedience not required.

Thing is, in today's society, not much IS really earned when it comes to the human condition.
Too much is either given away or presumed.
It's not like in times past, when people respected authority, whether it was parental, scholastic, or professional in nature.
Let's face it, life is loaded with authority figures, and ones which used to be guides along our own journey in life.

Most of the time, such figures were influential and instructional to many of us.
But, we did have one every now and then that loved the authority they had, and abused it. Such people lost the respect they all but demanded, and eventually pay the price for their behavior.
Today, the lack of respect FOR authority can be found anywhere. It's all too common, and that is simply wrong.
We need SOME level of authority in our lives, and if it doesn't start with being able to control ourselves first, then people aren't going to look for similar traits in others and come to respect that,

As I like to say: "we are the ones in control of us,  first and foremost", and if we can't handle that, then we have others given the authority to keep us in line, and from doing that which is counter to normal behavior.
It all starts with a healthy respect, and a sense of ethical demeanor and morality.
Without those foundations, human beings are just animals that walk upright.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
(see  all of you next month)