Friday Follies...

And here we are once again...end of another week, and the last weekend  for this month.
As could be expected, it IS raining (again), and there is a bit of fog in some places, so that means take care driving around.
I suppose we might get a peek of the sun over the weekend.
I'm starting to forget what it looks and feels like.
Our Hoosierland weather for today bring us (yes, I have to say it)...RAIN (light but steady) and mostly cloudy skies for half the day, with temps reaching to around 52 degrees.

"Nick, why do I feel like I'M BUYING again?"

So, let's get ourselves fueled up and topped off with a nice hot cup of Friday Fortitude, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the rain-slick streets is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 23 -
---It's National Banana Bread Day

( I just might make me some)
---It's National Dog Biscuit Day

(there 'ya go, Scrappy...just for YOU)
---It's National Skip the Straw Day

(in California, the server might get FINED should he/she give you one without asking you...it's TRUE!)
---It's National Tile Day

(and I'm supposed to care about this...WHY?)
---It's National Toast Day

(not to worry...got this one covered)
*** Next, since we are at week's end, let's see what there is to observe over the following 48 hours...
FEBRUARY 24 -
---Saturday is National Tortilla Chip Day

(as long as there's salsa...)
FEBRUARY 25 -
---Sunday is National Chocolate Covered Nut Day

(that's more like it)
---It's National Clam Chowder Day

(wish they'd bring back MANHATTAN style clam chowder)
And there you have it...plenty of things to busy yourselves and otherwise keep you out of jail.
Please remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, Indiana has finally decided to take that last step towards stupidity by making SUNDAY alcohol carryout sales a reality. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20180223/senate-sends-sunday-carryout-to-governor

It's like I said before...if you can't plan ahead the OTHER SIX DAYS for the booze you might be drinking on SUNDAY, then perhaps drinking should not become such a critical part of your life.
I can't wait to see how many robberies we start seeing as a result of this (new) law.
*** Next, our very own "Rhymin' Reverend" (Bill McGill) is at it again with an opinion piece in today's J-G. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20180223/black-mark-of-history

He uses the new Black Panther movie as a starting point to the rich history of the black race and culture. Not a bad read, but the rhymes get tedious.
Now, while the nation of Wakanda (the setting for Black Panther) IS a fictional country, it has technology that surpasses our usual 1st world nations, so the culture of this comic book kingdom is something to really admire.

Can't say as much for black communities in say...Fort Wayne, can we?
And what about ALL those African nations who have been fighting civil wars for what seems like centuries?
What about the African slave traders who sold their own people into slavery way back before America even existed? This link says a lot:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/18/africans-apologise-slave-trade
NO mention of the different TYPES of slavery, however (military, chattel, debt, sacrificial, etc)
What about all those monuments to African nations that have lasted for centuries? Oh wait, ther aren't any (in the interior) like there are in Egypt, or Thailand...or Central and South America.

McGill cites how blacks built the pyramids...technically, that's true (Egypt IS part of Africa), but those pyramids were built by SLAVES (which included Jews, along with Nubians taken into captivity as well). Rome also followed suit and used black slaves (with other conquered peoples)
I just wanted to set the historical record straight...for a change.
*** Next up, a study in DUPLICITY, courtesy of our very own city. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180223/board-questions-electric-works-cost-plan

It seems the C.I.B. is having a bit of a financial quandry with funding that (massively expensive) Electric Works project at the old GE campus.
The Capital Improvement Board is the entity doing the questioning of funds, and in my opinion, is another one of those multiple layers of local government that NEEDS to just go the hell away.
Nothing like trying to change horses in the middle of the stream...right?
But wait, there's more.
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180223/city-seeking-funds-for-additional-parking

The SAME C.I.B. is now saying they require more money for the downtown parking "crunch" that is coming, thanks to ALL that wonderful "improvement".
Yes, this is the same entity that blew about $99K for a STUDY regarding parking.
Hell, all you have to do is drive downtown and LOOK AROUND YOU...bloody morons.
*** Next, more light being shed on the recent Florida school shooting. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20180223/school-officer-stayed-outside-during-shooting

Now THIS is something that COULD have prevented some, if not all of the student deaths, but an officer who could have changed the outcome did nothing...as a result, he has resigned.
That doesn't change anything except how HE feels for his inaction.
*** Next up, time to stop on by our "Kitten Corner"...
The kids weren't too bad yesterday,, but there was one thing (isn't there always?) that took place in the evening.

"Ha...made 'ya jump!"

I was laying on the couch, watching television in the living room, when Gallifrey decided it would be "fun" to jump from the ledge alongside the stairs right onto ME, startling the hell outta me. He didn't stop there, as he continued to the floor, after using my abdomen as a trampoline. Scared the bejeezus outta me, I must say.

"I had nothing to do with that at all!"

After that, he was rather contrite, and deservedly so.
Violet would have no part of that as she napped in my chair.
*** Next, time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

"I'm here, and I'm eating MY food."

Our furry twosome once again spent most all day nearby our house, and that made feeding easier. I did have to jingle my keys to have Midnight come through our back yard (from a neighbor's crib).

"Hey, I'm coimn'...hold on."

I wish he would not do that, as I have no idea how those "people" will react, and I don't want to see him get injured.

"Happy now? I'm eating already."

Whiskers loves the shelter, and when Wifey came home after work in the evening, she was sitting on the back step, waiting for Wifey to greet her.
That was pretty cute. We saw Midnight sitting on the porch across the street after 11 PM, so I  leaned out our front door and called him over (where he got some treats) I'd like to be able to curb his "wanderlust", but that's fighting a losing battle.
He has to do his patrols...lol.
*** Last back to the rain barrel...I have to admire our pets, aa well as those other critters we befriend.

And, there's a marvelous reason as to WHY they deserve my compassion - they don't have to wage, or have to even deal with  any sort of "culture war".
We, on the other hand, feel some need to HAVE to do so, and how's that been working out for us humans...sitting atop the so-called "evolutionary totem pole"?
Are we acting on instinct? perhaps in some ways, we are, but once again, I feel it's more of a conscious CHOICE to want to become divisive with the rhetoric, the posturing, the brinkmanship, and the need to force others to adhere to a certain mindset.
Sorry, I'm not the type to be TOLD anything, especially in the manner we see demonstrated these days (more like a demand, actually). I much prefer to be properly instructed, or even asked, and if I deem something to not be helpful, then I have to question it...a lot.

I like to utilize that thing we call COMMON SENSE, which in today's world appears to be SO rare in so many people, it SHOULD be classified as a damn SUPER POWER!

I don't like knee-jerk reactions, but there are those who do it so often, you'd wear they suffer from some sort of neuromuscular disease (helluva tic 'ya got there, bub).

Information is (still) knowledge, and with knowledge does come wisdom...basic tenets of humanity, and something the animal kingdom doesn't use, but they have some traits that should make us envious by comparison.
We can learn a lot from God's creation...if we just TAKE THE TIME.
(for time is a precious commodity that should not be wasted).
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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