Monday Musings...

The GOOD news is that we're NOT freezing everything off our bodies.
The BAD news is that we've still got some crap conditions outside to start the week.
Seems that when you mix snow, freezing rain and sleet, and then add in a few morons who have no idea how to drive in this...you have trouble. Same goes for those who haven't a clue as to how to proper;y heat a house, apartment or trailer.
But...it could always be worse, right?
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, temps (already ABOVE freezing - you heard right) to around 36 degrees and a halt to the precipitation. Schools are on delays in the area (good idea).

So, what say we still get a bit warmer with a nice cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa as we see what's been going on elsewhere...hmm?
*** First off of the slush pile is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 8 -
---It's National Argyle Day

(bring out those socks and sweaters)
---It's National Bubble Bath Day

(that does sounds relaxing)
---It's National Clean Off Your Desk Day

(Do I have a desk? {no}...and I want a desk!)
---It's National English Toffee Day

(sure beats that toffee from Botswana...lol)
---It's National Joygerm Day

(got nothing to do with the flu)
---It's National Winter Skin Relief Day

(you mean I still have my summer skin on?)
*** Next up, you knew there had to be ONE asshole out there ruining an otherwise gunshot-free weekend.

And you also knew they HAD to be on the SE side of Ft. Wayne. Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2018/01/07/woman-shot-in-leg-outside-nightclub/
This took place at Link's Wonderland at 1711 E. Creighton Av. around 0130 hrs Sunday morning.
I have no idea why people, supposedly in their right mind would even THINK of going to places like these, especially when the majority of shootings always seems to take place on the SE side. Perhaps they need a better mindset?

We do know the shooting skills of many in our part of town needs some serious work.
Or, they could just NOT BRING FIREARMS to these venues.
((Medics took her to a hospital in serious condition where doctors quickly upgraded her to good condition. Police said no witnesses inside the club came forward with any information.))
Typical.
This whole alpha male and female crap needs to stop, especially in the black community.
These people need to start putting a higher power in charge of their lives, and not try to run the whole damn show by themselves, because that's NOT working out all that well...is it?
*** Next, and speaking of the SOUTH side Ft. Wayne, we have this story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20180108/WEB/180109895

A threat to "shoot up" Southside HS? Seriously?
In this day and age of technology that actually works FOR us?
The WANE version of this story states that the FWPD are "looking at a person of interest".

So much for getting away Scott-free on this one...whatta dumbass.
*** Next up, Kevin Leininger had a good column over the weekend about faith. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/01/06/kevin-leininger-research-shows-even-atheists-should-believe-in-the-blessings-of-faith/
Wow...even atheists?
Who knew?
Seems that being a believer has MULTIPLE benefits.
Take THAT, you counter-culture, no account dropouts.
Morality, it would seem, still has a place in society.
And when teamed up woth a RELIGIOUS overtone, does in fact make BETTER PEOPLE.
Now that is what this country sorely needs (again).
Yet, I'd wager there are a few who would tend to differ with such an accurate assessment.
*** Next, time to take a look in on our "Kitten Corner"...

We took down the Christmas decorations (Wifey only broke ONE ornament, but I found a replacement online within a half hour for cheap), so the cats were busy being curious as to what we were doing.

It was like having two supervisors underfoot.
At least we didn't wind up packing away one of the cats (by accident) in the basement...lol. We took constant head counts.

Much of the weekend was spent watching what's going on outside (birds, cats and stuff).
And then, it was time to curl up in my jacket to bag some naptime.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

It looks like our furry twosome weathered the freezing cold over the past week quite well.
Both of them didn't miss a single feeding. They did trade off missing a midday snack, but came by later anyway.

You can tell they're liking the higher temps.
Neither of them seems "bothered" by having more clear spots on the patio.
And the way both of them rub against your leg and purr their hearts out tells a lot about how they appreciate what we do for them.

And we appreciate them coming by every single day.
*** Last back to the carwash...we came through this rough weather well, generally-speaking.

Kinda like this much snow

I alluded to that blizzard of 1978 last week, but back then, there was none of the utterly freezing conditions we had in the Midwest over the past 10 or so days...we just got walloped with a crapload of SNOW.
Yet, through all that, people acted in a much more civil manner, helping one another at the drop of a hat.
I recall a "group" shovel to clear our driveways with one of the fellas having his wife make us all hot chocolate.
For all it was worth, it seemed a more gentle time, as far as helping one another.

This didn't take place in Ft. Wayne.

These days, even if you WANT to help, you hesitate for fear of being accosted, or worse...sued for not good reason.
That will indeed turn people off from being as civil as they would prefer to be.
And maybe it does take events such as this recent freeze to make everyone aware of the fact that we all can pitch in and truly aid one another.

The reinforcement of ethical behavior that people of character always try to demonstrate, is not something to look for in others...it's something to strive for within ourselves.
I feel that to be blessed is to be a blessing to others, but I'm just an old-fashioned guy with simple values.
I suppose knowing right from wrong STILL has a place in today's world (probably more than ever).

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