Thoughts For Thursday...

Well, the past 24 hours has brought us a crapload of crazy, hasn't it?
And that's just in the Summit City.
I wish we could take our problems and mete them out in a manner where they wouldn't be coming at us seemingly all at once. Yeah, I know...if wishes were horses...
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us cloudy skies, temps reaching all the way up to around 50 degrees (how cold was it this time LAST week?) and light breezes to go along with that fog that's been bugging us since yesterday afternoon.
Toss in some drizzle and light rain, and we've got a rather bland day in store.

So, let's get things rolling with a nice glass, cup or mug of your favorite morning beverage, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the rising river is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds."
This was spoken by Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924) was an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897.
And here is his WIKI (if you missed it back in 2013):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orison_Swett_Marden
Marden was an American spiritual author in the "New Thought Movement", who also held a degree in medicine.
((Having lost both his parents by the age of 7, he became a "hired boy" to earn his keep, and finding a self-help book in an attic from the Scottish author Samuel Smiles, he began a journey to improve his life circumstances as well as himself.))
His is probably one of the most overlooked stories when it comes to overcoming adversity.
((Marden's philosophy promotes the idea that "infinite intelligence" or GOD is EVERYWHERE, spirit is the totality of real things, true human self-hood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, sickness originates in the mind, and "right thinking" has a healing effect.))

Can't argue with any of that, can you?
It's a very good read and can easily be an inspiration to anyone.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 15 -
---It's National Gumdrop Day

(as long as they're fresh, they're pretty good)
---It's Singles Awareness Day

(like such people need a day to be reminded?)
*** Next, we all have read, seen, and heard about the shooting deaths at the high school in Parkland, FL. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20180215/WEB/180219903

There's not much more to say, but you can be sure the USUAL idiots will be out there again, demanding gun control. It's NOT about guns...it's about MENTAL HEALTH!

Nikolas Cruz was the former student who cam back and gunned down 17 people. He had been suspended for behavioral issues (fighting). And, he was on the "radar" for such behavior by authorities. Obviously, he still managed to get an AR, and then get INTO the school to cause the mayhem he did.
We used to have places for problem kids and teens...called REFORM SCHOOL.
Scenarios such as what took place in Florida are the direct result of doing away with such institutions for the most part, and instead allowing problem youth to be more mainstreamed...when are we, as a society going to LEARN?

Just go back to the way is was when we DIDN'T have this kind of behavior becoming as commonplace as it has been. And don't let the loons keep anyone from offering PRAYERS for those killed and those families who've been devastated.
*** Next up, our reigning monarch (mayor Henry) gave his "state of the city" address yesterday, and I honestly didn't know whether to laugh my ass off or throw something at the television screen.

And there ARE those few of us waiting.

He DID use that "quality-of-life" phrase THREE times, but only used  "city of destination" ONCE. Half of the speech was about the DOWNTOWN deal (as could be expected), and the rest was devoted to everything else (mostly in passing...as usual).
Here's one take on this from the J'G:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180215/henry-city-must-seize-the-moment

Remember this IS a left-leaning paper.
((Henry highlighted downtown projects including The Landing, Promenade Park, Skyline Tower, Cityscape Flats, Superior Lofts, the Continental Property Group's planned mixed-use building and two new hotels – a boutique hotel at Harrison and Main streets, and a new Hampton Inn & Suites across from Grand Wayne Center.
“All of these projects are part of the bigger picture we're painting in Fort Wayne,” Henry said, thanking the Allen County commissioners for their partnership.
“Our initiatives are bringing about a new sense of pride and an even greater willingness to embrace current residents and welcome new people to our city.”

Almost 6 million tourists spent more than $600 million in Fort Wayne last year, Henry said, and 11,000 Fort Wayne jobs are supported by tourism.))
How many REFUGEES and ILLEGALS can we add to that mix, sire?
And along MY street, we're still without street lighting for several blocks save for TWO functioning lights...gimme a break!
Carpe Momentum? Not from where I stand.
*** Next, more proof that what passes for "people" down here isn't being noticed at City Hall.

I go out to take the trashbins to their usual location (next to our fence at the alley alongside the driveway, and what do I find?
1) Tire tracks across the end of our driveway, over the rock pile I place there as a deterrent from tearing up the end of our property line (for all the good that does with these local idiots).
2) A discarded RIB dinner, complete with several bare bones and packaging at the foot of our driveway.
Now, I wonder how often such things are perpetrated in our mayor's neighborhood...or the city council members...or even in neighborhoods that are not filled with the dregs of society and the stupidity that comes with that burden?

TNB-but we're not THIS bad ...yet

And the funny thing...the MORE such people we get into the HUD-rental cribs, the worse the problem becomes, so it's not anything I'm doing. It's a totally RACIAL thing with these other people. They must not like US living here and being good stewards of our property.
That's just too...damn...bad (for them).
*** Next up, what's this we hear about the city blowing about $98K on ANOTHER study (this time for downtown parking)? Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180215/city-paying-to-have-parking-examined

Considering there will be a shortage of parking, thanks to all the "revitalization" downtown, I suppose it makes some sense, but you have to wonder WHY this wasn't thought out long before any construction was started.
The city might be a day late, but NEVER a dollar short (when it comes to your money), you can bet on that one.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

I iz all bagged out.

Our kids didn't do bad yesterday, but the grocery bag we gave them to play with, has been  trashed. They tore one side out of it, but still play in it...go figure.
Our former cats used to hide and nap inside the bags, but these two haven't quite figured that out yet.

Got it ALL to myself for now

They each have their own specific "spots" where they prefer to catch a few winks.
*** Next up, let;'s check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Finally got my usual eating spot back!

Our furry twosome seemed to spend ALL day close by our house, and that's a good thing, considering the manner in which the morons drive whenever it gets the least bit clear outside. Better to have the cats here than wandering all over.
Still, that doesn't stop Midnight from patrols mid-morning.

I'm just glad my paws are freezing.

But Whiskers seems to prefer more patio-time, especially when the weather gets less than pleasurable.
Whatever works for them and keeps them safe. I'd like to keep them both around for a while.
*** Last back to the rain gutters...we got us some people with SERIOUS problems out there.

And, it's not just the ones that, for whatever reason make the decision to go shoot up a school.
Those (particular) people should be committed  when their behavior appears to be tracking towards chaos.
I'm also talking about the lower-level idiots, who toss and drop anything and everything out of their primate paws like the whole world is their own personal waste disposal.
The good old Broken Window Theory is not just for criminal activity. You can apply the same thing to most any aspect of human behavior., and always get the same result. I"d much prefer to see more of "The Golden Rule" being practiced.

You let the small stuff go unpunished, and it won't be long before you got big stuff happening; the kind of stuff you didn't have to have happen, if not for the lack of involvement to stop the small stuff in the first place.
I personally don't wish to be hip-deep in refuse that our (oh, poor me) minorities toss about with abandon.
There are laws against such things, but are never enforced, and even if they are, nothing much happens. This carries over to DUIs, and other more serious crimes...small bail or none at all, released on their own recognizance...you know the story.

That is sending the WRONG message to a society that SHOULD be evolving...becoming better.
Let's just say we're headed in the wrong direction, and maybe people like me don't want to follow in that manner for any reason..
As always, it comes down to personal choices, doesn't it?

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