Friday Follies...

The good news is that it's NOT going to be sweltering for today as well as much of the weekend.
And, although I;m not actively looking for any, I can't find any bad news to accompany the good, so let's call this one a win for our side.
Yes, we made it to another week's end, and these days, that's no easy feat.
Our Hoosierland weather for today sees us with mostly sunny skies, temps rising to around 76 degrees, and

Hazelnut, with a hint of scotch.

So, let's this show on the road with a nice tall glass, mug, or cup of Friday Fortitude, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the roof is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 27 -
---It's National Creme Brulee Day

(looks like a dessert to me, and that makes it fair game)
---It's National Get Gnarly Day

(if you mean gnarly like an old twisted tree trunk, no thank you)
---It's National New Jersey Day

(where the state bird is the MOSQUITO!)
---It's National Scotch Day

(okay, NOW we're talking...pass the Chivas)
---It's National System Administrator Day

(I don't have one...not my problem)
---It's National Talk in an Elevator Day

(no Steve Rogers, no Nick Fury, no elevator...I'll pass.)
*** Next, and since the end of the week has arrived, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
JULY 28 -
---Saturday is Buffalo Soldier Day

(the history of these troops is worth a read)
---It's National Dance Day

(sorry, that parade has waltzed on by years ago)
---It's National Day of the Cowboy

(as long as we're not talking about Broke Back mountain)
---It's National Milk Chocolate Day

(and there is the saving grace for the day)
---It's National Waterpark Day

(when I was young, we called it the corner FIRE HYDRANT)
JULY 29 -
---Sunday is National Chicken Wing Day

(too much work and I don't pay for bones...pass)
---It's National Lasagna Day

(now THAT is much better...and tastier)
---It's National Lipstick Day
(

gonna take another pass here)
And there we have it...plenty of things to take note on as we wind down the month of July.
Always remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, it wouldn't be a weekend on the SE side of Ft Wayne without beginning it with a BANG (or two). Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/victim-shot-at-south-side-home-seriously-hurt/1326464050

This took place around 1600 hrs in the 6400 block of Roxanne Drive, located in the Stephanie Villas complex near South Anthony Boulevard when police were called for an "unknown problem." 

((Dispatchers would only say there was a shooting reported and that a victim was reported in serious condition.
Police at the scene told NewsChannel 15 that a man was shot in the arm inside a home.
Police have not said what led to the shooting, but a relative who was inside the home at the time of the shooting told NewsChannel 15 that the victim is his cousin.))
Okay, and we're off an running (and shooting) with the stupid among us.
*** Next,...and the Slocum Saga continues...here's the next chapter:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180727/slocum-sale-on-temporary-hold

The property in question

((A neighborhood association meeting Wednesday night led to an agreement to briefly delay sale of the former Frances E. Slocum Elementary School property on Fort Wayne's north side.))
Well, it's a good start...if the developers are WILLING to listen to the actual concerns of the neighborhood residents and not just pushing "lip-service".
((Neighbors object to the project's density and the income level required to qualify for the 46 rental apartments, saying increased traffic would change the character of the neighborhood. Provisions for parking, children and green space are insufficient, neighbors contend.)) And well founded objections (and contentions) they are.
As I already stated...this won't go away easily...nor should it. The people living there have a vested interest in keeping their neighborhood the way it currently is.
*** Next up, did you know there was a court INJUNCTION against the city's NOISE ordinance?

Neither did I, but here's the lowdown
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180727/magistrate-backs-noise-injunction

((According to court documents, Greene and Young allege that the amplified sound restriction portion of the noise ordinance “is not a reasonable time, place, or manner restriction on expressive conduct in violation of the First Amendment to the United States.” Cherry agrees and finds that the plaintiffs' lawsuit is likely to succeed on its merits.
Typically, city police enforce the amplification rule only when there is a complaint or when officers come across cars with loud stereo systems. Only 17 citations have been issued for noise violations since March 2017, the recommendation states. Other than the one issued to Greene last year, none were in the downtown area.))
Well, that just handed the keys of the candy store to all the local idiots down here where WE live.
Moreover, the FWPD only issued SEVENTEEN noise citations since march of last year???

Surely, this is our "W-T-F-???" moment for the bloody MONTH (if not the year).
This stems from a protester using (apparently) a bullhorn and the subsequent lawsuit that followed all because of "rights".
Here's another thing that won;t go away soon, and in the meantime, we have to put up with all the boomcars and sundry noise produced by mufflers (or the lack thereof).
Smells like liberalism to me.
*** Next, let's drop the dumbassery and instead stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Sometimes, they even "share" the sofa

Our kids had a very good day, and one which found them  taking nice long napping spells.
There's never a problem with that around here.
Each cat prefers their own place.
Gallifrey likes the window "perch", while Violet takes to the box behind the sofa in the family room.
Sometimes, he gets the bos and she will curl up on the sofa itself, or go under the dining room table onto one of the chairs. He also like that spot (near the air duct - cool in summer, warm in winter. Smart cats.
*** Next up, it's time to check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Guardian of the back door.

Our furry twosome didn't have visitors yesterday, which meant that made all three meals as well as treats time.

Nice and shady here

Sure, both of them went on a little walkabout, but had returned soon after, and stayed on the patio (except when we had those showers.

Yay. The rain's gone.

She went to a shelter and he went someplace other than the patio to stay dry.

Another gate to guard.

Just as long as they keep coming back to where they're cared for. That's all that matters.
*** Last back to the root cellar...yesterday, I was contacted by WANE regarding noise in our neighborhood (a story idea I pitched a while back that's as timely today as it would be decades ago), and I was interviewed out front for a future spot.

I had mentioned that everyone has rights (guaranteed by God as well as our founding documents), but every person;s rights END where everyone else's rights BEGIN...it's that simple.
For example, you do have the right be LOUD, but you also have to contend with the consequences of your (loud) actions.
That's why we create laws (ordinances) - to preserve the rights of OTHERS.
Now, with that said, what is the determining factor that makes all of this the most viable option?
If you said that tried and true word CHOICES...give yourself a gold star and go to the head of the class.

When you make the choice to break the law, you pretty much are stepping al over the rights of others, especially those immediately affected by your actions. That's why we pay law-enforcement officers to do the job of citing those in violation.
This could well be another instance of the Broken Window Theory...if we allow (read ignore) the small crimes to go unpunished, we will be asking for bigger crimes to occur. And that's one genie you do NOT want to let out of the bottle (although in many cases, he already has been).
We are not fighting against a tyrannical; king in England any longer, so out penchant for "revolution" is unfounded and not required.

What is expected of ALL of us is a better level of civility and moral behavior.
That would go a long way to quell many of the problems we have permitted to come into existence.
Therein lies the lesson for the week.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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