Friday Follies...

End of the week (and almost the end of the month) at last.
And, we will see a break in the rain (which will return later tonight into Saturday).
Also, it's Good Friday - one of the most holy days in the Judeo-Christian calendar.
(more on that in a bit)
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly to mostly cloudy skies, temps reaching to only around 46 degrees, and maybe a slight breeze. Not a bad way to start the weekend, is it?

So, let's start the day with a nice cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to chase the morning chill away, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the well-soaked lawn is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 30 -
---It's National Doctor's Day

(hopefully, none of us will require one today)
---It's National I Am In Control Day

(I'd say there is a higher authority who might want to argue that one)
---It's National Pencil Day

(salute to the Ticonderoga #2)
---It's National Take A Walk In The Park Day

(be a bit damp, but why not?)
---It's National Turkey Neck Soup Day

(sorry, but I'm not into dark meat all that much)
---It's National Virtual Vacation Day

(I take one whenever I nap...good habit to get into)
*** Next up, and since we are indeed at week's end, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
MARCH 31 -
---Saturday is National Prom Day

(A might early, isn't it?)
---It's National Bunsen Burner Day

(where would high school science lab be without those?)
---It's National Clams on the Half Shell Day

(sorry, I take mine fried or in clam chowder)
---It's National Crayon Day

(be sure to stay inside the lines...lol)
---It's National Tater Day

(wonder why it's not POTATO day instead?)
APRIL 1 -
---Sunday is EASTER

(He is risen...)
---It's April Fools Day

(no, seriously, He IS risen...I'm not joking here)
---It's National One Cent Day

(a penny will only go as far as you can toss it...it's worth that little these days)
---It's National Sourdough Bread Day

(this really isn't as bad as it might sound - makes good pretzels)
And there you are...plenty to things to keep you buusy.
Always remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next,  a really good column by Kevin Leininger regarding our "king" (mayor) and his $30 MIL infrastructure deal.
www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/03/29/mayor-tom-henry-fort-wayne-to-spend-a-record-30-million-on-infrastructure-this-year/
Now, I'm all for keeping things looking nice, but some of this baffles me.
https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/invest

This is OUR alley behind the "Fortress".

Like one alley close by...the next block north, in fact. That is a concrete alley and is NO way as bad as OUR alley becomes every time the city re-grades the gravel (and morons spin thier wheels, digging ruts back into it). It's never gotten a PROPER fix in over 20+ years.
--Pettit-Rudisill Neighborhood Association
Alley bounded by E. Sherwood Terrace., E. Maple Grove Ave., Warsaw St., S. Monroe St.
THIS is the alley that will be a refurb, but ours will NOT...yeah, that makes perfect sense, given who runs the city and how much they (don't) care about the SE side.

At the bottom of the column, there are a few comments, an I have to say that those written  by John Bloom, David Gerlock, Marc Smith  are indicative of the truth about this "fix-up". These people really GET IT.
*** Next up, and editorial that seems  to be at the heart of too many accidents on the streets and roads today:
www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/2018/03/29/news-sentinel-editorial-study-says-7-in-10-drivers-are-using-smartphones/

It doesn't surprise me one bit. People have become to used to be distracted by whatever "jingling keys" are being dangled in front of them...just like an infant. That's pretty sad, especially when you're operating a close to 2 tons of moving metal, rubber, and plastic.

When it comes to dangerous devices, people have less regard for vehicles than they have for guns. Face it, MORE people are killed by cars or trucks than by firearms EVERY Year, but some feel that guns are more deadly, in spite of another fact that mentions we have WAY more guns out there than cars. People need to take time to learn the truth of such matters.
*** Next, and speaking of vehicles, this column takes to task why the gas tax hike is bad news.
http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/2018/03/29/andrew-quinlan-here-are-all-the-ways-higher-gas-tax-would-fail-to-deliver/

I look at a gas tax in much the same way I view daylight saving time...a waste of resources that produces little to nothing of value.
I do find this article enlightening, as should the rest of you. It just makes so much sense.
*** Next, it's time once again to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids were in fine form, and I don;lt mean that sarcastically...they were well-behaved, and as is the case, spent a good part of the day taking it easy.

While I love these two cats SO much, there are times when I still miss our former felines. That's just human nature to miss that which becomes such a large part of your life. And, as long as those who pas are remembered, they never truly die.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome got a bit wet yesterday, and that meant feeding under the table again.
At least they adapt readily enough, and often stay there for a while. Whiskers retreats to a shelter, and Midnight goes wherever he pleases, but still comes back for feeding times.

There was no hand-held treats due to weather, so I just put the treats on their plates...worked just fine. I've gotten accustomed to see their faces at the patio door each morning, and that's a nice way to greet the day...every day.
*** Last back to the drying streets...Today IS Good Friday.

And with this comes certain "traditions" from when I was a child. Yes, even for this old Methodist, some things were meant to be held in reverence when it came to religion. And NO meat today, kapeesh?
Here's the WIKI on Good Friday...just because:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday.
To me, it's a time of solemn acknowledgement of what Jesus did for US...ALL of us.

Mom used to have this 3-hour window (noon until 3 PM) where I was to be "quiet" around the house, I could play, but nothing loud or boisterous. We practiced some self-control.
We even had corner stores that CLOSED for those 3 hours, too.
People running them went to church back then.

Those are traditionally the 3 hours which commemorate the time that Christ hung on the cross prior to his death at Calvary.
And I don't think that THREE hours is a big deal to give up and...
"Be still and know that HE is God."
As to the heathen that live to embrace chaos, well, there is always prayer for them.

HE carried the cross, so we wouldn't have to.

We are an imperfect people living in an imperfect world, and for now,. we're pretty much stuck with it, so we;d best learn to make the most of that, and by that, I mean we can always try to be better people very day. No harm in trying to make the world better, right?
There's nothing wrong with that choice in anyone's life...is there?
Do have yourselves a blessed holy weekend, and for those of the Hebrew faith, have a blessed Passover.

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