Monday Musings...

Welcome to what I like to call the last "gasp" of summer (that would be the month of August), but that's not to mean we're done with summer-like weather, does it. Growing up, I've lived through 70 degree temps in January as well as snowfalls in May (that was back in Philly decades ago).
If you notice, the days are getting shorter (sun comes up later, sets sooner), and it won;t be long before we have to screw with clocks and watches once again (...joy...).
Our Hoosierland weather brings us some rain today, and our temps will top out around 74 degrees, so don't expect a lot of sunshine.
Be thankful we're all not in the Houston area this morning, and be prayerful of those in want of some normalcy in that area after the hurricane they just went through.

Now, let's all get a refreshing drink to shake the mental cobwebs away, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the linen closet is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 28 -
---It's National Cherry Turnover Day

(that's a dessert I can live with)
---It's Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

(yeah, that has a special place in this pet lover's heart)
---And it's the birthday of my Father

(who would have been 95, and not a single day goes by that I don't think of him...and mom)
Gotta get some other pictures of him to put here soon. Hard to take a photo OF a photo.
*** Next, hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc in the Texas gulf area, and we've seen the devastation it has caused,

But, the fallout from this storm will also be felt here in the Heartland of America.

Expect rising fuel prices to start real soon, because all the refineries and wells (and offshore platforms) did shut down when the storm struck along the Gulf Coast.
Experts are saying that perhaps we(in Indiana) could see about a ten-to-fifteen cent jump.
I could envision as much as twenty-five cents (maybe more) in the short-term. And to think we allowed the politicos to add to our state gas tax...
*** Next up, what can you expect from "The Land of Fruits and Nuts" when black-clad and hooded anarchists show up at a peace rally in Berkeley, CA with signs that say "No Hate"?
Well, here's the link to a story that tells it all:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20170828/hooded-anarchists-assault-5-at-protest

Assaults? Pepper Spray? Doesn't quite sound like anything "peaceful" to ME.
((The group of more than 100 hooded protesters, with shields emblazoned with the words “no hate” and waving a flag identifying themselves as anarchists, busted through police lines, avoiding security checks by officers to take away possible weapons. Then the anarchists blended with a crowd of 2,000 largely peaceful protesters who turned up to demonstrate in a “Rally Against Hate” opposed to a much smaller gathering of right-wing protesters.

Berkeley Police Chief Andrew Greenwood defended how police handled the protest, saying they made a strategic decision to let the anarchists enter to avoid more violence.))
Yeah, how did that work OUT for everyone who attended the rally for the RIGHT reason, chief?
You have got to send a message to these anarchists that we're not gonna put up with thier crap...at all...period.
*** Next, along these lines, there's this editorial:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/20170828/letters-to-the-editor

Yes, NON-violent action is essential, especially when you're engaging in a discussion or debate meant to achieve a better result for whatever issue is at stake. Tell THAT to the anarchists...oh, wait, they don't LISTEN to such rhetoric.
Well then, come down on such instigators of mayhem hard, fast, and continuous.
*** Next up, the "Rhymin' Preacher" of Fort Wayne (Rev. Bill McGill) adds some insight in lieu of the 54th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20170828/we-can-win-but-weve-got-to-get-over-skin

Truth be told, reverend...I've gotten over the whole "skin" thing a long time ago...it's all the STUPID out there I'm having difficulty with these days...got it?
*** Next, and speaking of stupid, another shooting in Fort Wayne over the weekend.

Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/08/26/shooting-near-camp-allen-park-leaves-person-seriously-hurt/

This took place near the corner of Huron and Center Sts (on the near NW side) around 2100 hrs Saturday night. A man was found shot and taken to hosiptal in serious condition.
Not much else in known at this time (typical).
---And, it MUST be that season once again...cars crashing into houses, like in THIS story:
http://wane.com/2017/08/28/car-crashes-into-south-side-home/

Only assholes park on lawns!

This took place around 0100 hrs this morning at a house located at 5708 Bowser Ave (yep, that's the SE side). A female driver was responsible, and the house was not seriously damaged. The people there are also okay.
*** Next up, let's stop in and see what's shaking at "Kitten Corner"...

Wake me when it's din-din time.

Gotta find another name for this spot...they're not EXACTLY kittens any longer, as their antics are proving to us both.

Did someone say din-din? Tell me more.

They get into this "mode" in the morning, racing about, only to tire themselves out (never soon enough...lol), and spend some nap time. Still, such times as those give me the opportunity to get some nice pictures.
*** Next, it's time we dropped in on "Midnight and Company"...

This food is whisker-licking good!

The furry duo were waiting to get fed as usual by the patio door. Saturday found WHiskers M.I. A for part of the day, an Midnight doing likewise yesterday. Must be a trade-off thing.

I can lick MYSELF well enough, thank you.

In any event, they have spent the majority of time near the "Fortress", and that puts my mind at ease when you consider the manner in which some of the "locals" drive around the area.
*** Last back to the medicine chest...crazy doesn't seem to cover the way the world is today, does it?

I can't recall a time in my 65 years (here) that I witnessed so much moronic behavior by the human race.
The good news, is that we haven't managed to eradicate ourselves along the way.
The bad news is...lots of people out there are trying to do just that.
Dr. King was right about his dream...it was the noblest of speeches, and yet, what have so many people done WITH his powerful words? Not a whole helluva lot, in my opinion.
You can tout the technological advances we've made sine those days until the cows come home, but what about our SOCIOLOGICAL advances?
Don't see that much evidence of that, do we?
Sure, people speak tolerance out ONE side of their mouth, and then rant intolerance out the other side whenever someone else comes along without a specific point of view. And the result is usually a violent one, rather than honest discourse to find some common sense along that common ground.
This is NOT how any society evolves. But it does lend credence to the lack of morality.
Moral people would not behave that way.
We (all) NEED a healthy dose of morals...every day, and before it becomes too late.

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