Monday Musings...Labor Day Edition...

Yes, it's one of those "short" weeks, thanks to those Monday holidays.
We usually used to view Labor Day as the unofficial "official" end to summer, and by the looks of the forecast, summer isn't wanting to leave without putting up a bit of a stink.

Just got back from the future - it's WET.

Our Hoosierland weather for today sees us with a nice start with cool temps, and increasingly cloudy skies  that will give way to hot conditions (and higher humidity) by the afternoon. Expect a high today in the upper 80s.
And that's when the holiday weekend comes tumbling down with some strong storms moving in by nightfall, complete with the possibility of high winds, hail, heavy rain...do be prepared if the power goes out, and take note of any flash flooding. Better to get ready for bad weather instead of getting caught with your pants down around your ankles. Word to the wise time, hmm?

Now, let's get this holiday started off with a nice comforting drink to shake off the mental cobwebs, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the sink is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
SEPTEMBER 4 -
---It's National Macadamia Nut Day

(tasty, if you can find them unsalted AND at a decent price)
---It's National Newspaper Carrier Day

(the printed paper is slowly dying, and with it, the jobs for the carriers)
---It's National Wildlife Day

"Hey Frank, is that Chris and Scrappy?"

(got us a LOT of "wild" life down here on the SE side...mostly TWO-legged...heh)
---And, it's Labor Day

(my look at that a little later on...)
*** Next up, another fun night (make that early morning) at the "renovated" Piere's nightclub.

Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/09/03/one-hurt-in-shooting-outside-pierres/

Different owner - same old shit.

Now, this wasn't "near" Piere's. In fact, this altercation originally took place INSIDE the club, and spilled out into the parking lot OF the place, so the whole deal was ON the property and not near it...got it?
This went down around 0200 hrs when after in fight inside, people ran to their vehicles to get guns. One man was shot in the hand and another one was arrested after police arrived on scene.
And, judging by the video I saw, the people who were milling about looked to be mostly black, so that lends credence to the gunplay. More black-on-black crime, it should seem.
Guess we'll start this crap all over again, no matter WHO owns that place, and as long as the wrong "clientele" frequent it.
*** Next up, a drunk received a fatal dose of karma. Here's that story:
http://wane.com/2017/09/03/man-critically-hurt-in-near-drowning/

So a guy gets wasted at a nearby party, stumbles onto another property, climbs OVER a fence to take a dip in a pond (there), and winds up drowning himself.
I'd say he got what he asked for when it comes to TRESPASSING.
Indiana DNR is calling this a "water-realted death". You think?
I saw the property on a map...nice size pond, and a good solid fence surrounding it.
Yeah, I'd say Darwin pretty much called this one.
*** Next up, this year's annual MONARCH FESTIVAL will take place out at Eagle marsh this coming Sunday from 1- 5 P.M.

Wifey and I plant o attend (we get there early), and they are giving away free milkweed plants (again). Food trucks should be there, but I've no idea how parking will be or WHERE it will be, so plan ahead (bring the camera and binoculars, too).
*** Next, I had this really crazy idea that came to mind after the recent floods in the Houston area.
Bear with me on this...

If it's good enough for OTHER countries...

There are some people who seem opposed to the Keystone Oil Pipeline (and why, I have NO idea...it's a damn fine idea to expedite oil to the gulf coast for refining and shipping),
I wonder what they wouldn't think of a WATER PIPELINE...?
Place those lines in flood-prone areas in the USA, and have them pump to regions where they get ravaged by wildfires.
Talk about JOB CREATION...right?
And, those who get flooded won't, while those suffering a drought, also won't. I'd call that a win-win. You have to admit that it has the novelty of not having been tried (that I know if) yet.

Anyway, if you hear about something like this (in the USA) in the future, remember...you heard it HERE first.
(and I'll never see a red cent come out of it, either...that I can bank on....lol)
*** Next, time to check in on "Kitten Corner"...
Our "kids" were pretty well-behaved over the weekend.

Violet took to following me around the house, and no matter what room I went to...there she was.
Meanwhile, Gallifrey spent some quality time viewing the inside of his eyelids.
Sure, they still have that "crazy-time", but it seems to be less frequent, and Wifey and I both enjoy that to no end.

We'd prefer they get to become "cuddlers" or "lap-cats". We can hope.
*** Next up, let's see what's happening with "Midnight and Company"...
Saturday came and Midnight was still limping badly, so Wifey decided we'd take him to the vet over on Decatur Rd.

They said they had morning hours until noon. So, I managed to get him in the carrier (not that much of a fuss), and off we went, only to find them CLOSED (so much for truth in advertising for the day).
We came home and Wifey called Animal Care and Control to see if they could do anything.
They could...and did. Whiskers was wondering WTH was going on, but didn't run away.

Yes, Midnight IS in there.

An officer came out within the hour to pick Midnight up. A very nice young woman named Jessica Bachert. She was featured on a WANE segment back on 19 July regarding animals left in hot cars. Here's a link to it:
http://wane.com/2017/07/19/dangers-of-leaving-pets-in-hot-car/
Both Wifey and I spoke to her at length, and she told us Midnight looked to have a swollen leg (probably an abscess), and that they would treat him with antibiotics, and then get his neutered (sorry, buddy), "chipped and clipped" and then returned to the area, and we specified our place, to which Jessica said that would not be a problem.
So, off he went with Jessica to get well...and I missed him the rest of the weekend.
Whiskers was kinda lost, too.

Where did my partner go?

He didn't put up a fuss at all, and I hope he realized what we did was for his health and safety.
And, hopefully, by this time next week, he'll be back to his old spry self and hanging out at our "Fortress" for eats and loving.

This is "Scat"...doesn't eat or say much.

While he's away getting well, I've gotten some "stand-ins" to take up the slack...kinda like a body double...or (in the Marvel realm)...a "Life Model Decoy"...not even close to perfect, but you work with what you got, right?
*** Last back to the refrigerator...it's Labor Day - a day where our nation takes a moment to recognize ALL those who indeed labor.

Nice to be appreciated for hard work (aside from that paycheck).
It's a time to relax, have a nice day off, (except for necessary personnel, and we know who they are), and to just do as we please, even if it's nothing at all.
What bothers me about this, is all the mooks who live off of other people  and NEVER seem to work a damn day, an yet THEY are also "allowed" to include themselves in the event. Sorry, that dog don;t hunt for me.

I think those people SHOULD be compelled to WORK on this day, if they can't be bothered the other 364 days of the damn year. Make them get a taste of what it's like to be one of those OTHER people paying their subsidized way in life.
Everyone has the same opportunities in life, but we don't all have the same results or outcomes.
That's what life is all about...get used to it.
Some people believe that they should get the SAME things as those who bust their asses working for a living...
Only thing is, those people don't want to do the SAME things required to get similar results.
It becomes a study in labor vs. entitlements...cause and effect...whatever.

Life is like this...you don't put anything into it, don't expect to take anything out of it. Simple, huh?
We grow through our labor. We learn through our labor. We achieve through our labor.
That is how a society moves forward, and as such things thrive, so should our temperament and morality.
Work ETHICS comes into play, or at least it should.
We used to get a grade  in elementary school (back in the 50s) for "work habits". Seriously.
It was predicated upon your willingness to participate (without an expectation or receiving a damn trophy, I might ad), coming prepared, and  following the rules. Like I said...pretty simple.
To fully appreciate Labor Day, we all need to remember what price we have to pay when we work, in order to get back that which we put into it. I don't think that's asking for the impossible...of ANYONE.
Enjoy the day off.

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