Humpday Happenings (pre-Thanksgiving edition)...

Welcome to our weekly "mid-week crisis" called Wednesday, and this week will certainly be no exception, as Thanksgiving is tomorrow. That means people over to the house, travel plans, dinner preparations, and all the other fun stuff sure to create some marvelous levels of angst.
Just be sure to practice a modicum of wisdom when feeling any need to "self-medicate" through all this with seasonal "spirits". We don't want to lose anyone in the process, do we?
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us a dry day (hallelujah!) with mostly cloudy skies, temps climbing to only 38 degrees and a light breeze.

It could always be worse...remember that.
Now, let's all get a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa inside us to chase the chill away, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the bedspread is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:
"To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do." 
In this time of year when we rush about, we need to take some time to honestly give thanks, and reflect upon that which God has allowed us to receive, and it's in that spirit that we celebrate with humility and grace, rather than garish fanfare. So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Académie française...
*** Next up, it's time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 22 -
---It's National Cranberry Relish Day

(I prefer the jellied kind...or the juice)
---It's National Jukebox Day

(a shame that jukeboxes aren't what they USED to be 50 years ago)
---It's National Tie One On Day

(got nothing to do with booze...or an Asian nation...it's an APRON thing, folks)
---Also, on this day in 1963 –

U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Texas Governor John Connally wa                                                                                                                s seriously wounded by Lee Harvey Oswald, who also killed Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit after fleeing the scene.
Wonder how many news sources will make note of this? Try to keep count, folks.
*** Next, an update on the prison opioid exposure:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/36900491/sheriff-calls-for-changes-after-opioid-exposure
I'd have to say that Allen County Sheriff, Dave Gladieux was a bit PO'ed at what took place at the jail, and I can't blame him one damn bit.
An inmate tried to light what is said to be fentanyl-laced brown (spice) paper in an electrical socket, starting a small fire (ingenious little asshole), and the exposure to the fumes had more than two dozen workers being treated (some with Narcam). He spoke candidly to the media:

(("We all worry about these inmates and their ability to communicate and 'oh it's one of their rights to have the U.S. mail system' and all that. Well that's great, but when I'm taking 34 of my employees to the hospital because of their mail system and their ability to transport dangerous drugs that are highly contaminated type drugs with really bad stuff, I think it's time for the United States government to figure this out and to quit catering to these people so much."))
Sounds like a plan to me, Sheriff.
*** Next up, there's nothing like a nice long sentence for dealing drugs...here's the lowdown:
http://wane.com/2017/11/21/dealer-sentenced-for-moving-kilos-of-heroin/
And it ONLY took THREE YEARS to get this sentence to happen...when this POS was caught dead to rights.
Sure, 27 years for dealing drugs plus 5 years probation...for an ILLEGAL ALIEN???
He should have NEVER been here in the first place.
Why aren't we booting his sorry ass OUT of our country, with orders to shoot on sight if we see him try to get back IN to our country?
That might send a better message to these assholes.
*** Next, another round of celebrity deaths.

Singer and actress Della Reese passed away at the age of 86. Here is her WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Della_Reese

When I was growing up, Dad had a couple albums of hers, so I got to listen to her singing around our house.

And, we lost David Cassidy at the age of 67. Here's his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cassidy

He was such a teen heartthrob through the 70s.
He's got one daughter (and a very gorgeous one named Katie)

David's dad was actor Jack Cassidy (seen below) and David's mom was Evelyn Ward (Jack's first wife). Jack would later marry Shirley Jones.

Now...who will be the LAST one to pass away in this latest triumvirate?
---And while not really a celeb of "note", Delilah the tiger (at Black Pine Animal Sanctuary) has passed away. Here's the story:
http://wishtv.com/2017/11/20/tiger-dies-of-cancer-at-indiana-animal-sanctuary/

Always sad to see such a beautiful animal leave us.
*** Next up, city council voted to hold off (for one week) on the purchase of the North River parcel (29 acres):
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20171122/council-delays-move-on-north-river-agreement

I watched the meeting, and there were people there speaking FOR the purchase, who had signed confidentiality forms, and could not speak about the pricetag for any and all cleanups for the area...amazing.
The deadline to the deal is 1 December, so council is cutting this one close.  Any bets that those who oppose the sale get outvoted next week (for some strange reason)? I have this feeling that it will pass (and that somebody's gonna get stuck with the check- (namely we, the people).
---Along such a line of reasoning, this letter to the editor made SO much sense:

((Check under hood first
I have a used car I want to sell Mayor Tom Henry and the City Council. It hasn't run for a long time. It may not run at all. I know what's wrong with it, but I'm not going to tell you until after you pay me cash for the car. Then, and only then, will I allow you to open the hood and see what's wrong with it, then you get the bill to fix it. Have we got a deal?
Larry Thiel - Fort Wayne))
Yes friends...Larry "gets it".
*** Next, time to swing by our "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids were doing very well yesterday, and in the evening, I was wondering where they went.
Well, it didn't take long to find Violet and Gallifrey...they were "in bed".

That means the UPSTAIRS BED...as in snuggled among the covers...lol.
And that's why I always try to have a camera on me...just in case.
*** Next up, I think we should check in with "Midnight and Company"...

"yumyumyumyumyumyum"

Our furry twosome were at the patio door before the sky became light enough to see...as usual.
And they were there most all day. Whiskers came out of the Mark I shelter, so I can only guess that the Mark II was being used by Midnight.

"Yes, what she said."

I hope they're getting the hint as to WHY those shelters are there. I know she is, but I want him to also be able to get in from the cold and bed down in the straw we placed inside the shelters.
*** Last back to the pillow cases...we all have a LOT to be thankful for in America.

Anyone who believes otherwise is an idiot, and probably doesn't belong here.
We have the richest poor people on the planet, and we have the most freedom of any developed nation, although there are times when that freedom is not only taken for granted, but abused in ways that make things difficult for those seeking and preaching the truth.
We have done (in our relatively short history) what other nations have taken centuries to achieve (some are still working on that one).
We have produced more inventions than anyone else, made life better for more people throughout the world, been the leader of manufacturing and innovation for a long time, and have enjoyed the fruits of our labors better than anyone else...but have we really been thankful for that?

Are we thankful that we wake up every day in a country with such possibilities for it's people? The opportunities to everyone are there for the asking, and yet (for some), that's never enough.
Our country has gotten a bit off-track of late, and it's by the choosing of a few, rather than the majority.

Such people are rarely thankful...or grateful...or of a humble nature.
We should take this time to reflect on what thanksgiving truly means, and then thank God for all that He has allowed us to become, for without His guidance and grace, we are nothing.
That should suffice the simplest of people, and let's pray that it will.

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