Monday Musings - Memorial Day Edition...

Yesterday was almost one for the record books, as far as weather conditions go. It was HOT.
(too damn hot for my liking)
And today isn't going to feel that much different. Welcome to August...posing as the month of May...lol.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies, temps rising to around 87 degrees (helluva "cool-down"), and no precipitation to speak of. Still, it could be worse, like those suffering floods in Ellicott City, MD (Been through there s few lifetimes ago...very nice area).

So, let's get this day going with a nice cup, glass, or mug of something refreshingly wet and cold (maybe some ICED COFFEE?), because this day will require lots of that just to keep from spontaneously combusting when outside. Dress accordingly, and limit your time outside (another air-quality alert day in store where we live).
*** First off of the flagpole is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 28 -
---It's MEMORIAL DAY

(more on that later on)
---It's National Brisket Day

(that sounds good, especially when made in the oven)
---It's National Hamburger Day

(that sounds even better...right, Chris?)
*** Next up, a  dipshit managed to marry their vehicle to a utility pole which caused a power outage in the Hillegas Rd area over the weekend. Some marriages are just not meant to happen.
http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/driver-crashes-into-utility-pole-critically-hurt/1200148939

Naturally, the ONE radio station I lock the dial on was affected...the CLASSICAL MUSIC station:
http://wboi.org/post/power-outage-disrupting-891-wboi-and-941-wbni-broadcasts
So much for that calming effect  I need on a daily basis. But at least I didn't go out and kill anyone.
*** Next, more bat-shit crazy behavior by the "locals" ruins a funeral at a SE side (where else?) church:
http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/1-hurt-in-shooting-during-funeral-at-true-love-baptist-church/1200742691

This took place at the True Love Baptist Church located on Wallace St. around 1240 hrs Saturday.
Bullets struck the church and at least one car in the parking lot.

The shooter never entered the building and police are investigating.
(one person was grazed by a bullet)
It's pretty sad when people can't even attend a funeral without dealing with the thugs in this city.
*** Next up, and a bit more on the disturbing side, there is this story from Baltimore:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/maryland-police-officers-death-ignites-a-racial-firestorm/ar-AAxSQrp?ocid=spartanntp&ffid=gz

Now, this is bad from several aspects, not the least of which is another LEO taken down in the line of duty.
But, it's the fallout from the citizenry that really makes the case, because if there is to be another "civil war", this could become our "Fort Sumter". Racial tensions are high, and deservedly so.

People are getting fed up with the difference in treatment when it comes to white killers versus black killers. The article offers up some expository evidence that indeed, things are very different, depending on which (political) side of the "race fence" you happen to find yourself.
*** Next , let's stop by "Kitten Corner"...

A stroll among the castles...

I have to say the kids didn't do badly over the weekend. Nothing got broke, my patience wasn't tried, and lots of feline "taking it easy" was on tap.

I iz all bird-watched out...

Seems nothing beats nap time, or bird-watching, or just taking time to wonder "what is that other cat up to now?".
And certainly, nothing beats meal time (and that applied to all three of us...lol).
Now, all we have to do is survive Fort Wayne's dumbass "fireworks season"...
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

I have NO idea where she goes off to either.

Our furry twosome were in "cripes, it's hot out" mode...not much moving about, and not wanting to do anything but find shady spots while the sun beat down.

Must be a real bitch having to lug around that fur coat when it's sweltering outside.
Still, being clothed (in whatever fashion) is better than no clothes in the heat for many reasons.

How come the heat doesn't bother YOU guys?

And, since cats (and dogs for that matter) don't perspire in the manner we humans do, it's even more important that these critters find someplace out of the "elements" in hot weather.
Whiskers missed a lunch time, but both were here for breakfast and "last call".

I even had to give out the hand-held treats a bit later (when the sun got low in the sky). It was better all around.
*** Last back to the parade route...this is one of those weekends that tends to be a bit emotional for me, and I'm not afraid to admit it.
The Indy 500 was something worth watching. During the driver intros, I thought "We have an Aussie starting the race ...wouldn't it be cool to have an Aussie WIN the race?".

Well, I  nailed that one down (and I wasn't even trying).
Will Power won his first Indy 500, and it's always great to see a "first-timer" kiss the bricks.

Just watching the race every year invoked memories of some great Memorial Days with Dad. Whether it was listening to the race on radio (before live TV coverage), going to the theater to see it on closed circuit television, or (later still) watching it live at home on TV, it was something I came to look forward to every year. And this was back in Pennsy.

Bring your WALKING shoes...you're gonna NEED 'em.

And when I moved to Indiana, and went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back around 2000, it was like a dream come true (Dad would have loved it, and I wished he could have been there, but he had passed some 20 years prior). So, yeah, it's an emotional ride for me.
---Then comes Memorial Day itself...the parades, the music, the flag-waving...all for the right reasons....and the right people.

---PBS airs a Memorial Day Concert from D.C. each year (Gary Sinese and Joe Mantegna hosting) and that is REALLY a fabulous tribute to the men and women who have served our nation proudly and with distinction.

The music in that presentation instills a marvelous sense of pride in what it means to BE an American and be able to enjoy ALL the freedom we have, because of those who have fought and sacrificed (many who paid the ultimate price), FOR that freedom.
I've been to D.C. (more than several times) and yes, I've been to Arlington more than once, so I have seen (up close and personal) the sacrifices made by many, so that many more may be free. That by itself  should give one pause to reflect.
And this is what today is ALL about...a time to reflect...to remember.
You can have the cookouts, the celebratory trappings, and all the fol-de-rol that goes with "another day off", but to many (myself included) it's a helluva LOT more than any of that.
It's a day to give thanks actually; to acknowledge and to enjoy to enjoy all who cannot be with us to know what they fought and died for.

It's a day to allow oneself the privilege to embrace the freedom others cannot because of their absence from us.
So, take a little time today to think about the REAL meaning of Memorial Day...what it means to those who lost loved ones in various theaters of war.

Look at our flag waving, and remember.
Listen to some patriotic music...and remember.
Cherish your freedoms...and remember.

Be well, make a difference to someone (perhaps a vet or their family), and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.