Friday Follies...

Do we have a full boat loaded up and ready to set sail today.
It's the start of the bran new month (September - hope you changed your calendars), and the Labor Day weekend staring us all in the face, plus, some of life's vicissitudes to share. All this coming at you straight away.
Our Hoosierland weather sees us with mostly cloudy skies, temps climbing to about 70 degrees and no rain that I can see.
That sounds like a pretty good way to start any weekend.

So, let's get a refreshing cup or glass (or bottle) of Friday Fortitude to steel us for whatever comes our way, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the back door is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
SEPTEMBER 1 -
---It's National Chicken Boy Day

(oh, the locals will love THIS one)
---It's National Food Bank Day

(and those down in TEXAS are thanking God for them)
---It's National Lazy Mom's Day

(Yep, that describes too many of them around where we live)
---It's National No Rhyme (nor reason) Day

(Sounds like S.O.P for our city these days)
*** Next, and since it's the first weekend of this month, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
SEPTEMBER 2 -
---Saturday is National Blueberry Popsicle Day

(turning tongues shades of purple for ages)
---It's National College Colors Day

(another one of those floating observances)
---It's National Tailgating Day

(that does NOT mean follow me THAT closely...kapeesh?)
---It's National V-J Day

(NEVER to be confused with V-D day...yikes!)
SEPTEMBER 3 -
---Sunday is National Welsh Rarebit Day

(hmm...must be "rarebit season"...heh)
---It's U.S. Bowling League Day

(and that's why I don't go bowling anymore...I go to bowl...not wait)
There you have it...plenty of things to get involved in or with. Remember to observe responsibly (it's the law).
*** Next, how about take a look at what this MONTH has in store for us...
==========MONTHLY OBSERVANCES=========

National Italian Cheese Month 
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month
National Self-Care Awareness Month
National Americana Month
Baby Safety Month
Better Breakfast Month

Classical Music Month 
Fall Hat Month
Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15 to October 15
Little League Month
Intergeneration Month
National Blueberry Popsicle Month

National Chicken Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Courtesy Month
National Honey Month
National Mortgage Professional Month

National Mushroom Month
National Papaya Month
National Piano Month

National Potato Month
National Preparedness Month
National Rice Month

National Sewing Month
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month
Save Your Photos Month
Self Improvement Month
Whole Grains Month
National Suicide Prevention Month
===========WEEKLY OBSERVANCES==============
National Payroll Week – September 4-8, 2017
National Childhood Injury Prevention Week – September 1-7, 2017
National Suicide Prevention Week – September 10-16, 2017
Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week – First full work week in September
National Waffle Week – September 4-10
Play Day – September 6-10 (Tuesday – Saturday after Labor Day)
Popcorn Days – September 8-10 (First Weekend after Labor Day)
National Biscuit and Gravy Week-Second Week in September
National Days of Prayer and Remembrance -September 9-11 (Friday – Sunday closest to 9/11)
National Assisted Living Week – September 11-17
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week – September 11-17
National Environmental Services Week – September 11-17
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week – September 11-17
National Nephrology Nurses Week – September 11-17
Line Dance Week – September 12-17 (Starts on Second Monday through Saturday)
National Eczema Week – September 13-21
National Farm Animals Awareness Week – September 17-24 (Third Week of September)
National Farm & Rance Safety & Health Week – September 18-24 (Third Full Week of September)
National Rehabilitation Awareness Week – September 18-24 (Third Full week in September)
National Singles Week – (Third Full Week in September)
National Keep Kids Creative Week – (Third Full Monday through Friday Week)
National Historically Black Colleges & Universities Week – September 18-24
National Indoor Plant Week – September 18-24 (Third Full Week of September)
National Surgical Technologists Week – September 18-24 (Third Full Week of September)
National Security Officer Appreciation Week – September 18-24
Balance Awareness Week – September 19-25
Active Aging Week – September 25 – October 1
National Deaf Dog Week – September 18-24
Health Information and Technology Week – September 26-30
National Fall Foliage Week – September 27- October 3
National Wild Rice Week – (Fourth Week of September)
National Chimney Safety Week – September 30 – October 6
==========================
Whew...that's a lot of stuff going on.
---Oh, and the ACD (Auburn Cord Dusenberg) Festival kicks off THIS weekend...

*** Next up, another shooting on the (where else?) SE side of the city puts a man in the hospital in critical condition.

Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170902/police-investigate-apparent-shooting-death

The man later died at hospital, so we can officially call this homicide number 23 (I said we'd easily make 25 this year...looks to be right on track).
This took place at a house located at 4105 LIllie St around 1530 hrs (right when kids are getting out of school, too). That's near Rudisill (one of the city's hot spots of crime for decades).

Not much else is known at this time, but I'm almost positive that we're looking at black-on-black crime once again. Seems these creatures never get tired of this shit.
*** Next up, a woman took to installing a RING camera (same company that makes our doorbell) and caught some perps breaking into her vehicle.

Here's the story (with video):
http://wane.com/2017/08/30/surveillance-cam-captures-vehicle-break-in/

This is disturbing, because the suspects were NOT noisy and didn't seem to actually break any glass. That leads me to believe they found another way into the vehicle, and with NO mechanical locks these days (where you could use a "slim-jim"), there could be some electronic bypass that allows access. I can't think of anything else that it could be. I'll have to check this stuff out, so stay tuned...
*** Next, noted actor Richard Anderson has passed away at the age of 91. Here's his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Anderson

Yep, that's "Oscar Goldman" to you Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman fans from years ago. Always a good solid performer.
*** Next up, Milwaukee sheriff Dave Clarke has resigned. Here's that story:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/31/milwaukee-sheriff-david-clarke-resigns.html

No long reason given, and he doesn't really need one to resign. It's his life and he's free to do what he wants.
Nothing like a real law-and-order man in law-enforcement. Gonna miss seeing him, but I hope he doesn't just go away. We need people such as him.
*** Next, time to stop on by "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids were not that bad yesterday. Gallifrey jumps up on the sofa (usually when you're laying down) and scares the bejesus out of me. Violet is more "sedate" and comes along the sofa side to get her head rubbed...she's such the lady.

She likes to follow me around, too, so I often pick her up and give her a smooch.
He, on the other hand, tends to follow me around when I feed the outdoor cats or when it's time to get his furry face fed.
They are definitely TWO of a kind...what kind that is we're not sure yet...LOL.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

They were both outside, waiting to be fed by 0700 hrs yesterday morning...punctual as all get out.
After breakfast, Midnight went on patrol while Whiskers stayed near the patio,

When it was midday, I took more food out, and noticed Midnight was M.I.A.
Whiskers got fed, and later, Midnight came by, limping badly.

He wasn't making any sounds, but he was favoring his right front leg.
I couldn't see any wound, and it wasn't misshapen (like a fracture), and didn't even seem the least bit swollen. It wasn't even feverish to the touch (possible infection), so I have no idea what's wrong.
I'll be watching this very closely. He's not in any shape to get out of the way of cars or kids all that well. I'd prefer he stay close by, but I've no control over that.
If it persists, we might have to get him to a vet or something. Can't stand to see any animal injured.
*** Last back to the garage...the last segment demonstrates WHY I never became a veterinarian.

I care too damn much and get too attached to critters.
Family pets especially, but you folks already know about that from years past.
Yet, unlike us, animals really have no "voice" to spout lies, incite violence, and decry anything or anyone because they have a different POV. In many ways, that's a good thing, but animals  can't tell us what's wrong, how things happen to them, and so on. People will tell us anything in the hope that we'll believe whatever it is we were told...we call that propaganda.
I always say we can learn much about OURSELVES by knowing our pets, and other domestic creatures.
Yes, we CAN also learn much about ourselves by the actions and words of other people, but I'm not seeing as much evidence of this as I think I should, otherwise we wouldn't create the troubles that seem to plague us daily.
I think it was Mark Twain who said 'The more people I meet, the more I like my dog".
Substitute the word CAT for DOG, and you kinda have who I am.
Then again, I don't really have to "meet" them to make an informed call on who they are...THAT comes with decades of observing and experience. People will tell you exactly who they are by the quality of their character (as MLK would say).
The lesson here is that ALL of us have to start paying attention...to what others say...what WE say, and the context in which something is said. THAT will get us back on the right road to move this nation forward.
I shudder to think how we shall wind up if people continue to choose otherwise.
Have yourselves a good weekend.

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