Thoughts For Thursday...

If you're looking for the sun, you might have to wait a bit. We're starting out a tad on the cloudy side (yes...rain is coming).
And, it won't feel AS comfy as it did yesterday, either (sorry, not my fault).
Our Hoosierland weather brings us mostly cloudy skies, temps climbing back up to around 85 degrees, and the possibility of a scattered shower south of the city.
As for breezes? Not as much as you would probably prefer. Put the kite away.

Now, let's get ourselves a refreshing beverage to start the day, as we see what has been happening elsewhere...
*** First out of the tool shed is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy." 
This was spoken by someone who is not stranger to this blog, one ARISTOTLE (384–322 BC) who was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist born in the city of Stagira, Chalkidiki, in the north of Classical Greece. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle
((Along with Plato, Aristotle is considered the "Father of Western Philosophy", which inherited almost its entire lexicon from his teachings, including problems and methods of inquiry, so influencing almost all forms of knowledge.))

Well, that's good to know. The WIKI is a long read, but if you're into philosophy (and who isn't these days, right?), then you will find it quite interesting. It also goes into his thoughts on biology, psychology,, as well as his influences on those from ancient times, through the medieval era, into modern times. It's pretty comprehensive, and saves you from reading a ton of books.
Think of it as Cliff's Notes, or basic philosophy for dummies (I kinda fit into that category...heh)
*** Next, time for the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JUNE 7 -
---It's National Boone Day

(yep...THAT Boone)
---It's National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

(have yourselves a blast with this one)
---It's National Oklahoma Day

(doesn't mean much to us here in Indiana, does it?)
---It's National VCR Day

(I wish the ones I still have worked, or could be fixed...all those tapes that cannot be watched)
*** Next up, I know you lie awake at night wondering "Where is the worst place to live?" 

Welcome to NOLA, folks!

Well, excluding OUR part of Ft. Wayne (which seems pretty effin' bad on it's best day), there are some places you might want to cross off your list...for the obvious reasons. Here's the story:
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/06/04/50-worst-cities-to-live-in-2/

Well, maybe it's NOT that "amazing".

It's amazing that South Bend made the list, and NOT Gary (or Indy).
It's absolutely NO surprise that Detroit took top "honors" (?) once again.

Yep, that's Detroit for sure.

And, if you look at the list, ask yourself: "What might these cities have in common?"
Come at it from several different aspects...you'll find out the WHY behind the list rankings.
*** Next, hey, guess what? Another stabbing on the (...all together, kids...) SOUTHEAST SIDE of Ft. Wayne.

Here's what's known so far?:
http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/person-in-critical-condition-after-stabbing-on-south-hanna-street/1223066987

Yeah, another case of "bitches be crazy" down here. The females are becoming as bad (if not worse) than the males.
And, I'll bet you some folding money that they're of the minority persuasion. Makes perfect sense these days.
At least they weren't tearing up one of our (too many) fast food joints down here, like is so often the case in other cities of similar ethnic "hue". We grab our blessings wherever we can find them.
*** Next up, are you damn sick and tired of this constant news cycle?

Well, friends, you';re NOT alone there. And this story proves it. Here's the link:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/05/almost-seven-in-ten-americans-have-news-fatigue-more-among-republicans/

The majority of Americans (and I'm guessing they means those who are legal citizens and have English as a FIRST language) are sick and tired of the bombardment of news from everywhere all the damn time.
And who can blame them (or us), hmm?
You can't view any news any longer with any real certainty of accuracy, and have to sift through multiple sources to find the truth.
There is a greater level of discernment thrust upon us and those of us who LIKE to hear the truth play "seek and find" every day for any story we wish to read. It can get tedious at best.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...
The kids had a nice time yesterday, as did we other-specied inhabitants of the "Fortress".

I raised the storm window on the back door, and the screen let in some cool air for most of the day.
Both of them loved that and took turns at the door, watching the world pass by.

Later on, they both went upstairs (where the heat tends to rise), and I found Gallifrey in the hallway, and Violet was in the powder room on the floor, relaxing.

I mean, if either of them didn't want me watching the military history channel, I could have changed it for them...lol.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Gotta go on patrol. Be back in a bit.

Our fearless furry twosome were around for most all day, and with no rain, feeding was great. I did some hedge trimming and they both supervised from a distance.

I am also the "gate-keeper" for this place.

I don't want them close to power tools, anyway.
And when Wifey rolled home, Whiskers was there to greet her, but Midnight was fast asleep on the patio.

I just guard the water dish (when I'm not napping).

We actually had one of our less noisy evenings (musta been that stabbing nearby).
Again, we take our blessings whenever (and whenever) we can.
*** Last back to the outhouse...someone once said that "no news is good news", and, for the most part, I tend to agree.

I hate bad news of any kind. Had my fill of it over the decades, and I can tell you, it never gets easier to swallow.

Good news is always welcome, and no news is fine by me.
There was a time when news MEANT something, whether it was found in the printed form, or on radio, or even on television.

I feel a SINATRA moment coming.

Most times, news spread by word-of-mouth, especially in the tight-knit neighborhoods we lived in back in Philly.
But that was all very local in nature (which neighbor had a baby, who got laid off,...that kinds thing).
And we were fine with that. We didn't need news stuck in our faces and ears all the damn time...we had LIVES we had to lead.
We were a lot less distracted from that, which worked out well for everyone.
Today, our distraction quotient is through the roof...we can't seem to do anything WITHOUT some sort of distraction, usually in the form of some "news", which, often times is more opinion than actual news.

Real journalists are few in number (and getting fewer each year). Newscasters just read ccpy from a teleprompter, and everyone else is content to shovel pablum by the truckload into our homes and lives all day...all night.
There comes a time when, unless it (news) has a direct effect on me (or those close to me), I don't want to necessarily hear about it.

All of us have our own lives, without having to live other lives in some vicarious manner, right?
The less pointless (or opinionated) news we expose ourselves to, the better off we'll become.
Now THAT is rather newsworthy, isn't it?

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