Friday Follies...

I know that most every day this week seemed the same, but I can assure you that it's the weekend.
And if I hear ANYONE singing ANY snow-related song, I will Gibbs-smack them within an inch of their life.
As soon as the snow we just got melts (or gets cleared away) another round of it comes, we get to start the process all over again. Seems we're stuck in a rut, winter-wise.
Our Hoosierland weather for today has us seeing more scattered snow showers (got about 2 inches so far). Farther north of where we are will see higher accumulation totals.
Temps will climb to ABOVE freezing later today, rising to around 38 degrees, but the skies will remain cloudy with light winds.

All things considered, it could always be worse, right?
Schools are delaying, driving conditions are nominal (for the time being, so take care), and you still need to dress accordingly.
I think it's time to get that nice hot cup of Friday Fortitude made so we can face the day head-on, while we take a look at what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the ski slope is our "What the hell happens today, bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 9 -
---It's National Bagel Day

(sounds like breakfast to me)
---It's National Pizza Day

(sounds like lunch or dinner to me)
---It's National Toothache Day

(sounds costly to me)
---It's National No One Eats Alone Day

(only people are are by themselves)
*** Next, and since we are indeed at week's end, let's see what we can look forward to over the following 48 hours...
FEBRUARY 10 -
---Saturday is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day

(I'd like to try some of those)
---It's National Home Warranty Day

(I think ours has expired...lol)
---It's National Umbrella Day

(let's save this one for April and those showers)
FEBRUARY 11 -
---Sunday is National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

(maybe it should be "then don't make a mess day")
---It's National Inventor's Day

(we won't discuss the invention of the electric pet polisher, right?)
---It's National Make a Friend Day

(I've made several down here, all with FOUR feet.)
---It's National Peppermint Patty Day

(they mean the confection and not the Peanuts character)
---It's National Shut In Visitation Day

(they enjoy the company...seriously)
---It's National White Shirt Day

(that's called winter camo...heh)
And there you go...PLENTY of things to pass the time. Just be sure to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, Fort Wayne Parks director, Al Moll is retiring. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180209/moll-set-to-retire-after-13-years-as-parks-chief
Sound the trumpets. He finally leaves the city payroll (and gets on the city PENSION).

The city is looking for a new director. That should prove interesting.
Wonder where they can find another good old boy to keep the status quo for that department?
*** Next, some more details on the recent triple shooting on the SE side. Here's the latest:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180208/woman-2-grandkids-shot-in-home-doorway
Okay, so it wasn't a "drive-by", but more of a RUN-BY shooting, and the black teen with the gun ONLY shot when he made eye-contact with the woman he then shot. That's damn brazen, if you ask me.
Then again, MAYBE we shouldn't be having TEENS running down streets with .40 caliber semi-auto pistols at night (or any other time of day)...'ya think? It's bad enough with all the adult mooks out there offing each other. We don't need to have young punks taking over our streets. Why wasn't THIS teen in one of the many youth programs?
That's a question the black community needs to be asking itself.
*** Next up, today marks the start of the 2018 Winter Olympics over in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The opening ceremonies take place today, but last night, they had mens figure skating short programs as well as downhill mogul qualifying rounds. Should be pretty interesting.
And while we're on the subject of "pretty", I'd like to ask a simple question:

Why are South Korean women SO pretty?
I mean, they do give American women a decent run for their money.
Maybe they only stay beautiful until they reach a certain age, and then everything falls apart?

I will say that while none of them speak Ebonics, they do have a written language that looks like a two year old got into the crayola box and had fun.
It's a total scribble-fest trying to figure it out. Makes Russian or Greek actually appear normal...sort of.

What is it with Asian countries that have such hard to read alphabets anyway? Much the same can be said for Middle Eastern nations and was passes for THEIR alphabets.
Whatever the case, and all languages aside, the Olympics should be worth watching. I just won't be trying to figure out the "native tongue".

Besides, they do have a couple really adorable mascots, even if it's not Hello Kitty...HA!
*** Next, time to stop by our little "Kitten Corner"...
What can you say? The kids did okay except for one "hiccup" yesterday.

Violet came running through the house, jumped up onto the ledge near the stairs in the living room, an one of the castles fell off the ledge. Luckily, it landed on the step before it fell to the floor, so no damge. But it did scare me for a moment, and I had to scold her adorable little self.

Gallifrey did better, as he wasn't into stuff, bit rather spent time napping and bird-watching.
Like I said, it was a good day overall.
*** Next up, time we check in with "Midnight and Company"...

The furry twosome spent the day as they should - near our "Fortress", which works out well for everyone concerned.
They get fed regularly, and I don't have to fret about where they might be.

Midnight did wander a bit and I saw him crossing the street (another patrol, no doubt).
When I went to get the mail, I had to tell him to WAIT on our side until I come back (which he did...good boy).

Catching a couple rays

With this latest round of snow, it would be nice if HE would take advantage of the shelter like Whiskers does.
*** Last back to the arctic circle...it's good to watch the Olympics, because for a brief time, politics takes some time off (unless the media finds a mole hill to turn into a mountain).

Please leave THIS area alone

It's a time where ALL nations who enter have the same opportunity to excel.
And, it's a time where team spirit and love of country figures into the mix a lot more than at any other time.
Sure, there is some controversy, but that usually happens with anything.

Let's just hope we have good games, and that the problems that plague the world can be set aside for a couple weeks.
Those problems (unfortunately) will still be there for us to tackle after all this.
Do have a good weekend.

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