Friday Follies...

If you prefer fair weather, then maybe HALF of the day will work for you.
By afternoon, things will be going back to like it was on Monday.
(must be a timey-wimey...thing)
Not to worry though...it will all sort itself out over the weekend (for the most part).
Our Hoosierland weather for today will be increasing cloudiness, with rain taking over by afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures will top out around 54 degrees (like it is currently), with cooler conditions as the day progresses, dropping into the mid to low 40s. Got a backwards thing going on now, hmm?

Now, with that behind us, let's take a minute to grab ourselves a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to chase the chill away, as we take a gander at what else has been going on...
*** First off of the runway is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
OCTOBER 27 -
---It's National American Beer Day

(can't think of a better reason to crack open a cold Yuengling...can you?)
---It's National BLACK CAT DAY

(oh, have I got THIS one covered...lol)
---It's National Breadstick Day

(as long as I have some tomato sauce for dipping...I'm there)
---It's National Frankenstein Day

(if you're wondering, he operates on DC)
---It's National Pharmacy Buyer Day

(don't plan to buy ANY pharmacy, so I'll pass)
---It's Navy Day
(a day to acknowledge ALL those past and present in the service of the best navy in the world)
*** Next, and since it is the end of the week, let's see what other observances will occur over the next 48 hours...
((Oh, and did YOUR "follower list" take the day off as mine has??? Thanks, Blogger!))
OCTOBER 28 -
---Saturday is National Chocolate Day

(hell, every day is good for chocolate of any type.
---It's National Make A Difference Day

(that should be every day for those of us who care)
OCTOBER 29 -
---Sunday is National Cat Day

(got THIS one covered FOUR times over...lol)
---It's National Hermit Day

(given our neighborhood, this sounds better each year...heh)
---It's National Oatmeal Day

(regular is good, but my favorite is Maple Brown Sugar)
---It's also World Stroke Day

(guess I should put on some Billy Squier???)
There you go - plenty of things to keep one busy and out of trouble.
Oh, and by the way, always remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, time for more crime in the Summit City.

---Question: When is a construction site NOT a construction site?
Answer: When it's a CRIME SCENE. Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/10/27/body-found-inside-downtown-construction-area/

A body was found inside the Skyline Tower construction site around 0430 hrs at Webster Street between Berry and Wayne downtown.
---And, there was a stabbing down on the SE side last night.

Here's that story:
http://wane.com/2017/10/26/one-person-seriously-hurt-in-stabbing/

This took place in the 3600 block of Plaza Drive around 2200 hrs.
The victim is in serious condition and now you know all that there is at this time...
---An update to the near downtown shooting. Here's the lowdown:
http://wane.com/2017/10/26/court-docs-man-admits-to-shooting-asks-to-plead-guilty/
((DeeDee W. Barnett, 38, of Fort Wayne was arrested on a preliminary charge of aggravated battery for the shooting of 31-year-old Brian Anthony Lowe, Jr. of Fort Wayne early Wednesday))
Okay, WTF kinda name is "DeeDee" for a MAN, anyway?
The gun used was a .380 caliber, so that head shot is probably going to be fatal at such a close range.
So maybe the initial charge of "aggravated battery" against Barnett might be bumped up to at least manslaughter, or perhaps even murder (probably not 1st degree).
---Man reports beating in Waynedale Park to Fort Wayne Police
((A man being treated at a local hospital told Fort Wayne Police he was beaten Wednesday in Waynedale Park.

The man told police he was in Waynedale park at about 6:30 p.m. when a silver Pontiac pulled up. Three males in the vehicle got out and beat him up, but he had no idea who these people were, according to the police report. He said no one else was around and he had no other information.))
Cripes, it's not even that safe over in Waynedale these days - must be those government-sponsored apartments that HUD just had to stick there causing this shit.
*** Next, time to hear our "king" play that BROKEN RECORD once again. Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/10/26/4-significant-sporting-events-coming-to-summit-city-next-year/

Having those sporting events come to Ft. Wayne IS a damn nice deal, no argument there.
But, our reigning monarch, just HAD to invoke ONE of those two hackneyed phrases that we've come to know (and detest). POINT-OF-DESTINATION.
And this comes on the heels of that Bob Kennedy story I mentioned yesterday that used BOTH of these phrases: Point-of-Destination and Quality-of-Life.
Cripes, can you idiots downtown STOP using the same tired branding bullshit?
I'm sick to death of hearing them, especially that QoL crap that I haven't seen in TWENTY damn years where we live, thanks to the city's lack of vision in doing ANY sort of development down here (while allowing hundreds lf businesses to LEAVE the area).
*** Next up, and speaking of broken records, our very own "Rhymin' Preacher", Rev. Bill McGill had an guest column in today's paper.

Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20171027/love-train-army-walks-for-racial-harmony

Okay, let's play a drinking game...for every "rhyme" you find, take a drink (your choice - doesn't HAVE to be alcoholic), or, you can just keep score of how MANY times he does it. You might be laughing by the end of it.
Contextually-speaking, McGill does have a good message. I just wish to God he's lay off of the rhymes.
I would appreciate his views MUCH better.
*** Next, time to stop on by "Kitten Corner"...
Well, it wasn't that bad a day for the most part.

We DID have some brief bouts of less-than-godd behavior, but that was quashed straight away, so the balance of the day went well enough.

Even had both cats in the two chair sleeping in the living room, so that left me on the sofa...or floor (my choice).
At least neither of them is waking me up at some ungodly hour (that's the job of the idiot neighbors in tthe area).
*** Next up, let's a minute to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Cooler mornings means waiting for their food before I'm  fully awake...lol.
And boy, are they both hungry. Had to wait for Midnight to show up (he was down the alley again) once, and Whiskers took off early last evening (she missed part of last call).
As the day wore on, we had some lounging on the patio table...or just rubbing against my legs.

When neither of them are around and you shake the food container, they come running through the back yard as though they're on some BBC nature show...acting like mini-cheetahs...that cracks me up.
As long as they keep coming back...we'll keep taking care of them the best we can.
*** Last back to the hangar...it's weird to see a neighborhood change.

As a child, we moved a bit, so I never set down any deep roots, and had to make new friends, while leaving established one behind.
Still, as times change (along with ourselves), it was nice to go back to some areas and see how things are.
These days, it's hard to not have a heart attack when you see the state of things where you USED to live.
Where I live now is only the second place I've spent more than 20 years at, which is saying a lot.
And, over these last 20 years, I have seen what used to be a rather nice area (rough around a few edges), to an area that is trying it's damnedest to become a full-blown ghetto.
Funny thing, the fault lies with the PEOPLE...they are at the root as to why our part of town suffers.

Sure, many houses have fallen into disrepair, but that's thanks to the cretins who trash them as they move through from one crib to another (on the taxpayer's dime). Add in deadbeat landlords who do nothing to actually IMPROVE the area and deny the idiots a place to rent (so they can trash it again), and you got all the makings of a slum.
The people who move in don't care - the landlords don't seem to care, and the city sure doesn't care (otherwise, we'd see SOME sort of change for the better...which we have not).
It's little wonder we have fewer home OWNERS than 20 years ago (when those owners DID care and DID keep up the properties).

Many people say "change is good" or that "change is inevitable". I would suggest they haven;t had the "opportunity" to experience the degradation and devolution of a neighborhood like ours - the kind of neighborhood that I used to WANT to live in, and the kind I used to visit when we went to Grandma's house in NE Philly.
Change is NOT always good, but it usually is...inevitable. There lies the rub.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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

Thoughts For Thursday...

As this week winds down, so ar the temperatures outside.
I'm not complaining...I like it cooler (but not sub-zero). In fact, we're hearing about frost warnings. I guess the plants had to leave us for the year sooner or later. We'll just wait until next spring,. and begin anew.
Our Hoosierland weather brings us mostly sunny skies, temps reaching to about 57 degrees, and no rain and windy conditions. Sounds like a keeper to me.

So what better way to get things going than with a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, as we settle back and see what's been going on elsewhere, right?
*** First off of the washer is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society."
This was spoken by none other than Pope John Paul II (18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) who was head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005. He is called Saint John Paul the Great by some Catholics. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II
Suffice it to say it's a lengthy read, but if you didn't catch this the last time around, now's your chance.
((John Paul II was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878.
John Paul II was considered a conservative on doctrine and issues relating to human sexual reproduction and the ordination of women.

While he was visiting the United States in 1977, the year before becoming pope, Wojtyla said: "All human life, from the moments of conception and through all subsequent stages, is sacred."))
I think you'll like boning up on him, whether you're Catholic or not.
*** Next time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
OCTOBER 26 -
---It's National Day of the Deployed

(okay, this is a new one on me)
---It's National Mincemeat Day

(Mom was keen on making mincemeat pies)
---It's National Mule Day

(not to be confused with jackass day, which applies to all the shit-for-brains out there)
---It's National Pumpkin Day

(surprised me there - I thought it was Halloween)
---It's National Tennessee Day

(getting closer to Indiana, aren't they?)
*** Next, another music legend has passed away.

Fats Domino has left us at the age of 89. Here's his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fats_Domino

I grew up hearing his music in our house, and many of his hits became timeless tunes. Blueberry Hill, Ain't That A Shame, Blue Monday, and many more are a lasting legacy.
And he had the most infectious SMILE I've ever seen. You could tell that when he was behind those ivories, he LOVED what he was doing, and so did all those who looked to him as an influence with their music. I know I'll never turn any of his songs off.
We could sure use MORE people like him in music today.
*** Next up, another shooting in Fort Wayne (say it ain't so...you're kidding, right?)

Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/10/25/shooting-reported-near-downtown/

This call initially took place around 1130 hrs at the Downtown Storage building at 324 State Blvd. when police found a passenger in a vehicle suffering a gunshot wound (critical condition). The shooting took place slightly earlier in the 1000 block of Lake Ave.

Later that day, police wound up in OUR part of town near the intersection of Paulding Rd and Winter St where two males were taken into custody (both black, btw). I'll update this tomorrow.
*** Next, a nearby (to us) business catches fire...for the SECOND time in two days. Here's the lowdown:
http://wane.com/2017/10/26/southeast-side-business-suffers-second-fire/
This took place at Reckon Plating, located at 5800 S. Hanna St.

((A department report said fire was found in a front room, along a wall, and also in the roof – similar to Tuesday’s fire. It’s unclear if a new fire started or perhaps something rekindled from the day before.))
Sounds like someone doesn't want this business around any longer...or there is some serious problems with that structure. Wonder how many (more) people are out of work because of this?
*** Next up, I wanted to add this story to yesterday's coverage regarding Bob Rinearson.
Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/10/25/news-sentinel-guest-column-writer-alleges-his-columns-or-his-race-got-him-fired/

I found THIS part of the story worthy of repetition:
((“In his 17 years as the supervisor of safety and student management, Rinearson has responded to numerous calls in which he has had to use physical force to restrain a child,” the lawsuit said. “Rinearson has never been reprimanded or told that his actions were inappropriate.”))
So why does FWCS make a stink NOW, hmm?
This was also very revealing:
(( He said he has been told FWCS replaced him with an African-American person and that the district only interviewed African-American candidates for the job.
He said he knows of two African-American employees at FWCS who reportedly physically assaulted students but weren’t fired."))
Sure doesn't sound like FWCS is playing FAIR here, are they?

Maybe that's why educators LEAVE, and there is also a state-wide teacher shortage?
Too much PCBS going around? A shame there's no vaccine against THAT.
Can't argue with the obvious here.
*** Next, looks like Indiana Tech might have found a place for their athletic field. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/10/25/indiana-tech-considering-purchase-of-donald-ross-golf-course-in-south-fort-wayne/

Yep, the Donald Ross Golf Course (in SW Ft. Wayne) may be the future site for a softball field and track-and-field complex. We drive past there often enough. This will only affect the back nine and not the first nine holes.
After reading the article, I think it's probably a good fit, and keeps the SW side of the city vital and open to progress (as long as the undesirables are kept away).
*** Next up, Fort Wayne's Public Works capo is leaving. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20171026/public-works-chief-leaving-job-with-city

I'm not a fan of ANY city "official" who ignores MY part of town. Bob Kennedy pretty much did that when he worked for the streets dept. I mentuioned about all the (large) cracks in our concrete street (caused by weather and those damn dump trucks driving over them), and he basically said it was "fine"...as if it didn't matter if the street surface MAY be compromised. This was back over 10 years ago, and things have not cured themselves.
So, all I can hope is that the NEXT crony at least TRIES to give a shit about the SE side and it's OWN infrastructure.
(but you'll excuse me if I don't hold my breath along the way).
*** Next up, time to drop on by "Kitten Corner"...

So, the kids were sorta-kinda well behaved, and by that I mean they didn't get into as MUCH trouble as the previous day. I guess we're getting there (there meaning normalcy), slow but sure.
At least they behave well enough when it's time to eat...or nap...or suck up to "Daddy" when they want a head scratch or a neck rub. Hell, they even took to revisiting those toys gathering dust on the floor...LOL.

Or, one of them might decide to "guard the washer" in case it tries to escape the laundry room...!
(heaven forbid)
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome were definitely feeling the cooler weather - they can't wait to get fed and "stoke the furnace" (fill their bellies), and who can blame them? Being well-fed makes good sense in cold weather, no matter how many legs you possess. As could be expected, they both hung out close by, so I took the time to give them smaller "meals" several times a day, saving a REAL meal for morning and late afternoon/evening. Seems to work out well.

And, it's the routine we have our indoor cats on (the only exception is the indoor kids get a lunch of sorts). Looks like building those shelters will be a good thing, as long as the outdoor cats USE them.
(don't want possum or raccoon moving in, do we?)
*** Last back to the dryer...I often speak about our pets and other assorted critters, and with good reason:They demand so little of us and from us, yet return much more.
Can we say the same with people? In times such as these, I don't think so, generally-speaking.
Humans are too busy trying to best one another, out-tweet one another, browbeat one another on ANY and ALL forms of social media, and when they're not virtually attacking one another, do likewise in the REAL world.
Doing all this nonsense gets them all WHAT...exactly?
In some cases...JAIL TIME.
In other cases, that "15 minutes" of notoriety that Warhol spoke about in years past. It's becoming an addiction to them.
Is THAT what is important to people today?

What the hell ever happened to just being a GOOD person...doing the right thing for the right reason, speaking the truth, and being honest with yourself and with others? When did that fall out of favor?
Maybe it's NOT as entertaining as being a grade-A, class one JACKASS, but being a good person has a lot more advantages than being a moron. Yeah, I know you can't get more obvious than that, can you?
Notice I say GOOD person...not a perfect person, for none of us can fill that bill, can we?
But the fun (and reward) is in the CHALLENGE...or it should be.
When we challenge ourselves in the proper way, we open up doors to possibilities we never knew existed.
And that''s a pretty damn nice beginning when you choose to try and be a good person.
It's not an easy road to travel, but it IS a better road than the one that others are taking.
I will admit it IS a lot LESS crowded, too.
Just something to ponder...that's all.

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