Friday Follies...

Now how about that...finally a day where we won;t be freezing ALL our body parts the hell off...astounding!
And the best part is that it's not EVEN April...lol.
The weekend isn't looking all that bad either, is you prefer watching the snow and ice melt away.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly sunny skies, temps reaching ALL the way up to 36 degrees, but it comes with some breezy conditions, so it won't really FEEL that warm.
Still, it's worth calling a "win" for us in the Heartland.

Now, what say we get that glass, cup or mug of Friday Fortitude poured and parked close by a we see what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First off the slush pile is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 19 -
---It's National Popcorn Day

(I suppose I'm expected to provide a MOVIE as well?)
That's all for today, kids.
*** Next, and since it IS the weekend, let's see what's going on over the next 48 hours...
JANUARY 20 -
---Saturday is National Buttercrunch Day

(wonder if a Butterfinger counts? They're crunchy.)
---It's National Cheese Lover's Day

(just be careful when cutting it...lol)
---It's National Disc Jockey Day

(do we really HAVE any of those any longer in the digital age?)
JANUARY 21 -
---Sunday is National Granola Bar Day

(not bad if you like raisin flavored straw)
---It's National Hugging Day

(And a hug is just a way to hide your eyes...remember that)
---It's Squirrel Appreciation Day

(I appreciate them not becoming a lunch for any cats around here)
So there you go...enough things to enjoy with the warmup over the weekend.
And always observe responsibly.
*** Next up, more crime going on up on the NE side of town (we knew this was coming for years). Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2018/01/18/drug-raid-underway-at-northeast-fort-wayne-home/

((The home of Gregory and Demonta Huddleston, of 4503 Woodway Drive, was under surveillance after the department's   Gang and Violent Crimes Unit had received tips that drug dealing was going on inside the house, police said. Four adults were inside the house at the time of the arrest at 8:47 a.m., police said.
Detectives found about 1 gram of heroin, drug paraphernalia consistent with dealing heroin, 0.10 gram of crack cocaine, 30 grams of marijuana and $3,600 in cash, police said.

Gregory Huddleston        Deonta Huddleston

Gregory Huddleston, 37, was charged with dealing cocaine or a narcotic drug, possession of cocaine, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana. 
Demonta Huddleston, 26, was charged with maintaining a common nuisance.

A nice house, except for the drug dealers.

Two other adults were charged with visiting a common nuisance, police said.))
Who names a male DEMONTA anyway? Sounds a bit on the feminine side. Suppose they were a gay couple? Minorities do that thing too (they're just hated MORE by their own people for doing it)
A shame to bring such problems to a nicer neighborhood, but that's what happens when you trash ONE part of town...you MOVE to another and keep the cycle going.
Not to mention, but the other day, there was a drug bust on Dial Drive, and that's a very short walk from THIS house on Woodway Drive (opposite side of Stellhorn, actually)...check the map.
*** Next, looks like HUD has been real busy in MY part of the city.

They're providing houses (calling them homes - a misnomer) for the homeless (and their families). Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2018/01/18/rehabilitated-home-for-homeless-family-opens/

Maybe we could more properly call it HOUSES FOR THE HOUSELESS?
You know, we wouldn't have to have this IF former residents didn't up and trash all these (once) nice houses. You have seen what goes on down here just by reading this blog, so it's been an issue for some time, and we've seen the degradation of our neighborhood first-hand over 20+ years...it's not getting any better, either.
Not as long as you have "property-management" people who think a coat of paint fixes everything...lipstick on the proverbial pig, right?
Here's a related story about Vincent Village:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20180118/WEB/180119856

Unfortunately, not ALL houses can be saved (some of the mooks do an outstanding job destroying them with drug raids, shootings, impromptu fires at 3 A.M., and parking on lawns...all the "fun stuff". that makes a neighborhood...a GHETTO!
Guess this is about AS close to ANY form of gentrification we can hope for on the SE side?
Time will tell...it always does. Thank you, Mr mayor (and your predecessors) for ALL you (haven't) done.
*** Next up, I just had to share this column from Bill O'Reilly that I found quite enlightening. Here's the link:
https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Embracing-Lawbreakers/566540785220476616.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=staff_column

I really like his take on progressivism and those who break our laws, only to become the latest "protected class" in America, because it's all true.
Something is inherently WRONG with the picture that's been painted, and this column brings some of this to light.

It's worth a read.
*** Next, time to swing on by our "Kitten Corner"...

"I iz too adorable to be crazee."

The kids still have their "crazy-time", and the thing is, they haven;t gotten it down to a SPECIFIC time, and I wish they would.
Sometimes, it's early on, while other days, it takes place later in the afternoon.

"I'm just watchin' the world go by."

Whatever the case, we do get  the evenings to ourselves, because they do tire themselves out and take to napping in the living room while Daddy watched television (and usually falls asleep missing what I was watching).
We really need to have a set time with the "four-footed frolicking", so I can plan ahead.
*** Next up, time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome were on time and on station once again and didn't miss a single meal.
And maybe I won't have to thaw out the water dish as often over the upcoming week.
Both Whiskers and Midnight were around all day, and perhaps with good reason...
We had more "company" yesterday...in the form of not one, but TWO other cats.

Both are gray tabby cats, and by the build on them, I'd say pretty young (under a year). They came onto the patio and nosed around a bit. Our community cats paid little mind to them, and instead focused on eating (and watching the interlopers...lol).
These other cats didn't seem all that hungry (I tried some dry food - they pretty much ignored it).
After the morning "meeting", I didn't see either of the two the rest of the day. Just curious I guess?

These newbies have to be litter-mates, as they look a LOT alike in striping and color.
They came from across the street behind another house, so maybe they belong to someone (no clipped ears).
Two cats are plenty, so I really don't need to fret over two more...plus NAMING them both...LOL.
*** Last back to the cat shelters...I don't begrudge those who have nothing the ability to get something.

And there are plenty of sources which back that way of thinking up.
The Good Book states we should help those in need, and that's a noble cause.

But, it does bother me when I see FEDERAL funding for things pertaining to situations on a state or local level. Have THEY become THAT spiritual or moral? Not on your life.
Plus, it kind of takes things out of the hands of local charitable groups (and churches).

And shouldn't our federal government be concentrating  on OTHER things...like NorKo missiles, or open borders (where people leave their sh*thole country to come here and get OUR stuff for free)?

I see new houses go up in once nice neighborhoods as a sign of some sort of revitalization, when all the while, the crime in that area is STILL something to be concerned about. That's why the houses at Renaissance Pointe didn't sell that well.

The city tried to create some type of social "oasis" in a desert of criminal activity. They rename a known hotspot for crime (Eden Green to Villages at Hanna) in the (false) hope that things will change...and they have not.
Now, we see this crime spreading like the disease it has been allowed to become, and to what end?
The SW is already at a point where OUR neighborhoods were 20 years ago...and getting worse. The NE is not far behind that, and even the NW area is not immune (with the corridor of "no-tell motels" along Goshen Rd).
I can truthfully say that probably more sooner than later, we WILL run out of good places to move to around here.
There needs to be a stand taken by existing home-OWNERS to not permit the bad guys the opportunity to run the good guys "outta Dodge". Also, please make the deadbeat "landlords" accountable for the people they allow into their properties.

That's a LARGE part of the reason neighborhoods fall into decline. Other parts follow in their wake
And, the sooner all the good folks put their foot down and refuse to be chased away...the better for everyone.
It's a novel idea LONG past due.
Have yourselves a good weekend.

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