Thoughts For Thursday...

Yes, more rain around the area, but not AS much as the last couple days.
Thank God for small favors, hmm?
Still, we're not quite done with all this yet.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us an early mix of rain and sleet, which could makes roads less than user-friendly, so take the proper precautions.
We'll also have partly cloudy skies with temps reaching to around 42 degrees.
Hopefully, things will get better as the day progresses.

So, without any further ado, let's get that morning drink poured as we see what else has been going one...
*** First off of the flooded road is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom."

This was spoken by none other than George Washington Carver (1860s – January 5, 1943) and yes, they didn't keep very accurate records of blacks in those days.
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver

He was an American botanist and inventor. He actively promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. He was also a leader in promoting environmentalism (long before the EPA came along and screwed all that up).
His early years are alone worth the read, as it was about as far from a normal upbringing as one can imagine.
And yet, he didn't give up, or cry the blues and put his hand out. He persevered and came out a success in a time when such concepts (by blacks) was not the norm.
What Carver did believe is that faith in God AND science was possible, integrating them both into his life. And his latest honor came (long after he died) in 2007, with a garden named for him (Missouri Botanical Gardens).
*** Next, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 22 -
---It's National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

(why don't they make sweet potato french fries?)
---It's National Margarita Day

(betcha Jimmy Buffet fans are liking this one)
*** Next up, an update on the Northcrest shooting death.

According to sources, we are up to SEVEN homicides for Allen County (that would make SIX for Fort Wayne). Here's the link:
www.wpta21.com/story/37564489/coroner-identifies-northcrest-drive-shooting-victim
And we also now know the ID of the hotel parking lot shooting death.

Samuel Douglas Westlake, 37, was found Monday in an SUV in the parking lot of Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, 3320 Coliseum Blvd. He also had been shot to death, the coroner said.
*** Next, another day...another drug bust in Fort Wayne. Here's the details:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/02/21/fort-wayne-police-make-high-risk-arrest-at-gang-members-home-find-pistol-and-high-capacity-drum-magazine/

LOSER!!!

((Shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Gang and Violent Crimes Unit served a warrant at a local gang member's home at 909 Hamilton Ave., police said.
The warrant was issued after undercover officers purchased cocaine on several occasions from Keondre "Chicken" Lee, 21, police said.
During the search, police said officers found drug paraphernalia, a small amount of marijuana and a pistol with a high-capacity drum magazine.))
Now THAT is some heavy-duty firepower, isn't it?
((Lee was charged with two counts of dealing cocaine and maintaining a common nuisance, all felonies, and misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was being held in the Allen County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.))
Finally, a nice hefty bail...for a change.
Let's see if we can KEEP him off the streets...also for a change.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...
The kids didn't do too bad yesterday. I think they've gotten used to the lousy weather and are being less crazy as a result.

(no complaints from me there)
They have mid morning nap time, an later after dinner, they take to grabbing a chair in the living room to nap some more.

In between that, it's hard to get them to hold still long enough for a decent picture, no matter how hard I try to sneak up on them. You'd think they didn't want to become the most photographed cats in Fort Wayne...lol.
*** Next up, time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Once again, our furry twosome stayed close by our house, which proved a bit on the damp side for them as they dodged the rainfall.
We pulled off "wet food Wednesday" without a hitch, as I fed them under the table and later, on the table (for him).

She retreats to a shelter, but he goes on patrol and finds some place to stay relatively dry.
As long as they want to stay around, we'll care for them both.
*** Last back to the soggy ground...Our nation (and even the world) has lost a very Godly man yesterday - one Rev. Billy Graham.

And with such a loss is a mixed blessing. He's no longer with US, but he IS with God, and that's something we, as Christians strive for. He was 99 years old. and here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham
This is a wonderful read, and shows how just ONE man can make such a profound difference (through Christ) in literally tens of millions of lives around the world.

Just looking at the list of books he has written s well as the numerous awards he received is a testament to the power of God, and how He can work through one person so called to serve hie fellow man.
I never met Rev. Graham, but would have never turned down the chance to do so. I did have the chance to go to one of his crusades that was held at the old Vet Stadium in Philly.

I was driving our church van, which decided to have brake problems on the way down...talk about some major praying going on in that van. I had to pump the brakes to get it to stop (bad master cylinder).
Yes, one might say God was our co-pilot that evening.
In spite of that, we made it down AND back without a hitch, and to me, that was miraculous in it's own right.
At the crusade, my Mom went down when the call was put out (any of you who know about such events know what I;lm talking about). So, I know where she is today.
Billy Graham spoke for almost an hour, and received thunderous applause when it was all over.
I pretty much grew up watching him on television. Yes, they used to air a crusade once in a while...on one of the THREE MAJOR NETWORKS, too.
Try pulling that one off in today's world.

But, it was a much "better" time back then...lots more morals to go around.
Rev. Graham was also the founder of the Christianity Today magazine, which is still going strong. Here's that link:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/
And, here is the Billy Graham official website:
https://billygraham.org/
It's been said that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".

Given the promise through Christ, it's not hard to figure out which path is more desirable.
We, who do believe, will one day shed our earthly bodies for a life eternal with our Lord.
Not a bad way to look to the future.

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