Monday Musings...

It certainly has been one of those "bat-shit crazy" weekends around the Summit City, hasn't it?
We even had our little bout of "stuff" happening around the "Fortress".
And to add to all the fun, it's lightly raining...on a Monday. Somehow, I think a Carpenters tune is in order.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us scattered showers (how scattered is anyone's guess), cloudy skies, and temps rising to around 73 degrees (with lots of humidity). Small comfort to be found there, hmm?

NOT from the fountain...sheesh!

Anyway, let's get first beverage of the day poured, because we've got a lot of ground to cover, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the umbrella stand is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 30 -
---It's National Whistleblower Day

Not a problem if you do it for the RIGHT reasons)
---It's National Cheesecake Day

(never met one I didn't like)
---It's National Father-in-Law Day

(I still have one of those)
*** Next up,  a triple shooting notches homicide #28. Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/multiple-shot-at-american-legion-early-sunday/1331804462

This took place at the American Legion post  located at 705 Lewis St around 0150 hrs Sunday morning.
Police found two males suffering gunshot wounds. One died at hospital. The other is in critical. A third one showed up at hospital and was listed in critical condition. An unruly crowd hampered police in their investigation.
Cripes, we just HAD a shooting there back on 2 July...maybe someone needs to shut the place down?
*** Next, yes, ANOTHER shooting on the (where the hell else?) SE side. Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/man-hurt-in-hamilton-ave-shooting/1332937607

This took place around 1645 hrs in the 800 block of Hamilton Av.
One male was taken to hospital and was listed in critical condition (a retaliation shooting?)
Helluva way to "decrease the surplus population", isn't it?
How's that QUALITY-OF-LIFE working for people on the SE side, Mr Mayor?
I can say that it's NOT...and hasn't since the Win Moses administration. It just gets WORSE.
*** Next up, a coalition hopes to curb violence. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20180729/coalition-helping-curb-violence

I sure hope they hit the ground with BOTH feet running, given this past weekend.
How many times has the black community come together to TRY and stop all this violence against one another...with extremely limited success (if any)?
Sure,. let's try it once AGAIN. Maybe THIS time, they'll get lucky.
*** Next, an excellent letter to the editor that tells much of what I've been saying for years. (too many "cheap stores" on the SE side now)
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20180729/cheap-stores-help-keep-southeast-side-desolate

Yes, Tamara Files "GETS IT!", and THESE are the kinds of stories/letters that NEED to wind up on the Mayor's desk, or SHOULD have over the past 20 years!

I know Glynn Hines didn't want any more convenience stores, gas stations or liquor stores down here (one of very few things we agreed upon), but the other "cheap stores" just keep coming.

Way too many in our area.

Sure makes up for all those hundreds of QUALITY businesses we've lost over the last 25 years....NOT!
*** Next up, and pulling a hard segue from TWO-footed problems to FOUR-footed ones
(controlling the cat population), we have this wonderful story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/local-video/20180729/controlling-cat-population

Emily Gage - H.O.P.E. for Animals.

I can say that Wifey and I have done our part along these lines.
It's like a gift that gives BACK to you.

One lucky little kitty

It's a very good read and worth your time.
*** Next, in keeping with the feline thing, let's talk about our visitor, Boots...

The cat came by Saturday evening and I actually tried chasing it away...would not take the hint, even when I used the squirt bottle. It didn't want to leave.

Little bugger WAS starving.

So, I caved and fed it. Man, it was HUNGRY as all get out.
After it gobbled down the food and had some water, it came over and started rubbing against my leg (after me wetting it down, too)
It was then I knew WHY it was so hungry...it was damn near skin and bones. I could feel every vertebrae and rib on this cat, and I knew he was starving his furry butt off.
We decided to wait a day or so before calling Animal Care and Control to have it picked up (and attended to).
Sunday morning became a study is patience and "cat-wrangling".

We'll get you the care you need, Boots.

Boots was back and feeding our twosome proved a bit futile. Boots pushed his way to Whisker's dish and she did NOT like that at all. Midnight just watched and would not eat.
It was then I got Wifey to call AC&C and they came out and picked Boots up.
I know we did the right thing here. Boots will get some (much needed) nourishment, maybe some medicine if it's ill, and inoculations. It's not a community cat but might well become one.
I would prefer that Boots be put up for adoption, as it seems to be a VERY domesticated and loving car. I sent an email to the head of AC&C in the hope that this takes place, rather than putting it back into the area. It sure deserves a good home.
*** Next up,  time to stop by our own "Kitten Corner"...

All I needs iz my shopping bag.

Our indoor kids had a good weekend, in spite of all the goings on outside.
They went through their gamut of antics - the chasing, the playing and of course...the napping.

I just likes watching out the back door.

As long as they don't hurt one another, damage things about the house, or use our credit cards to make online purchases, we'll do okay.
I mean, the last thing I want to show up at the house is a crapload of feline toys, or an electric cat polisher.
*** Next, time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

A good start.

Our furry twosome started out the weekend fine enough.

They were both around for the meals and treats.
Everything was going fine until Saturday evening. Whiskers just lightly growled at Boots while Midnight just stared.
Eventually, that got sorted out and the hand held treats were given to our two.

This isn't my USUAL eating spot.

Sunday was another story, as the furry duo couldn't get a chance to eat their breakfast until Boots was carted off to AC&C.

This is much better.

Much MUCH better...

After that, things slowly went back to normal.

Time for a stroll through the grass.

I had to call Midnight for dinner (he was across the street again, hopefully not looking for Boots).

I likes to roll around on it.

And we ended the weekend on a very nice note with treats and affection for all.
*** Last back to the hat rack...we're still well ahead of last year's tally when it comes to homicides.

It should not come as any surprise, either, given the nature of the beasts involved.
Sure, you'd LIKE to see all this needless violence and cultural nonsense STOP, but although the solution is simple enough, the implementation of it is the tough sell here.

For decades, the black community, although it HAS taken notice to what goes on and tried to pray it all away, has had results which have been less than stellar. And while prayer (still) works wonders, sometimes you need to get off your butt and "get out of the boat" as Peter found out to get things going in the right direction. Even faith is not enough sometimes, as again, Peter found out when he began to sink.

Fortunately, he was lifted up by Jesus in the midst of the storm.
But, Peter DID have faith enough to get out of the boat in the first place.
Yes, it might take a lot more "hands on" strategy to take back this part of town, and any other places where the evil described in these stores rears it's ugly head.

Tough decisions, tough love and tough action is what is required now to bring back SOME level of civility to the SE side.
They won't know how it will work until they get out of the boat and TRY, though...right?

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